mobile antennae upgrade for wireless internet
Submitted: Thursday, Feb 26, 2009 at 12:07
ThreadID:
66310
Views:
3353
Replies:
5
FollowUps:
7
This Thread has been Archived
Member - Heather G (NSW)
A question for all you Bigpond mobile wireless internet users.
I have been using a low gain antennae for my Maxon - BP-3USB modem to connect to the net for the last 12 or so months but the signal here at home has either got worse or the antennae is not working effectively. I also use this connection when we travel and it is my only means of connecting so this is very important to me.
What antennae do others use to get a stronger signal?
It has to be a mobile one so can be moved to van and around the house.
The bigpond site has a high gain (5dBi ) one advertised for a $149.95 which is recommended for use with the modem I have but as I paid $30 originally, I am reluctant to order it and then find it doesnt work any better than the one I have.
I phoned bigpond technical support earlier but of course they couldnt help - didnt seem to be the kind of technical support they offer and didnt know whether I could return it and have my money back if it didnt work either. (Typical !!!)
As you have probably realised I am not familiar with antennaes, so keep it simple please.
Looking forward to your replies,
Regards
Heather G
Reply By: Neil & Pauline - Thursday, Feb 26, 2009 at 12:40
Thursday, Feb 26, 2009 at 12:40
Heather
Just go and get a good car aerial and a patch lead. I use a "broom stick" next G aerial which is very successful. I put
mine onto a old magnetic base. It doesn't stick to the van too good (probably because the van is aluminium ) but does stay upright. From memory the broom stick aerial was about $50 and $15 for the patch lead.
Neil
AnswerID:
351135
Follow Up By: Member - Heather G (NSW) - Thursday, Feb 26, 2009 at 16:30
Thursday, Feb 26, 2009 at 16:30
thanks Neil - will look into it. Getting some nteresting replies already to my thread. Should have enquired here before I ranf Bigpond I think - much more helpful!
Regards,
heather G
FollowupID:
619439
Reply By: Member - Rod N (QLD) - Thursday, Feb 26, 2009 at 12:42
Thursday, Feb 26, 2009 at 12:42
I use a Laser antenna and magnetic base for home and caravan internet with Home Network Gateway. I also have one on the vehicle for phone. They work
well. It cost $125 from a comms
shop. See these links
Laser Antenna and
Magnetic Base
AnswerID:
351136
Follow Up By: Member - Heather G (NSW) - Thursday, Feb 26, 2009 at 16:26
Thursday, Feb 26, 2009 at 16:26
thanks Rod N.
I see that you are in Qld. Was the
shop any one in particular which may have other outlets or a particular computer business?
We are in a small town but off the visit rellies next week and will be in bigger centres so will look into it if you can point me in the right direction.
the current one is working Ok this afternoon would you believe. Had all kinds of problems earlier in the day getting connected though.
Regards,
heather G
FollowupID:
619438
Follow Up By: Member - Rod N (QLD) - Thursday, Feb 26, 2009 at 20:21
Thursday, Feb 26, 2009 at 20:21
Heather G
I got
mine in
Toowoomba from Michaels Electronics. They sell radios, GPS and other electronic devices. I'm sure there are a number of electronic shops around. Antennas are also available on line if you do a Google search.
Rod
FollowupID:
619490
Follow Up By: Member - Heather G (NSW) - Friday, Feb 27, 2009 at 12:03
Friday, Feb 27, 2009 at 12:03
Thanks Rod,
Just had a reply from my 'local computer man' who I emailed last night and he has given me the web address for Maxon (modem brand) products which can be ordered online.
There is something on the site which states that their antennaes will work only with maxon modems !
Will try one of their high gain magnetic base ones as they have a 14 day money back guarantee if it doesnt improve the signal. ( $100 plus shipping)
Will let everyone who responded to my calls for help know how I fare.
Heather G
FollowupID:
619591
Reply By: Member - JohnR (Vic) - Thursday, Feb 26, 2009 at 12:51
Thursday, Feb 26, 2009 at 12:51
Heather, I have found the antenna connections sometimes provide troubles at the modem and you may need to see that there is actually a wire connection. If it has fallen away, it could be just that, rather than an antenna. Take it to a service agent for checking.
On another front, I use a broomstick type antenna for our home where we have a Maxon modem networked for the farm use. I have to periodically check the fitting on the cable and have the
tools to repair it now. Crimper and such.
AnswerID:
351138
Follow Up By: Member - Heather G (NSW) - Thursday, Feb 26, 2009 at 16:19
Thursday, Feb 26, 2009 at 16:19
thanks JohnR.
When you say 'service agent' who are you referring too please?
Also the fitting on the cable that you have to repair - are you referring to the bit that plugs into the side of the modem?
I have always been very careful with it all but I guess these bits work loose through usage.
The signal varies and the modem with antennae attached worked
well enough at my daughters place the other day when I tested it so maybe it is more that we are living in a place with poor signal (it is currently 3 bars - just to prove me wrong!)
I will investigate a better aerial though and have a few leads to follow thanks to other
forum contributers already.
Great site this one , isnt it?
Thanks
Heather G
FollowupID:
619437
Follow Up By: Member - JohnR (Vic) - Thursday, Feb 26, 2009 at 16:54
Thursday, Feb 26, 2009 at 16:54
Heather I have had the fitting pull off the coaxial cable lead. That can mean the contacts no longer make contact. The more it is handled the more the potential to do damage. Pulling can do the same.
A service agent can be someone like a Telstra
shop who actually service what they sell, or an electrically minded person who has the
tools and knows how to check the connections and the eyesight to see the small bits.
FollowupID:
619444
Reply By: robertbruce - Thursday, Feb 26, 2009 at 13:39
Thursday, Feb 26, 2009 at 13:39
somewhere in the telstra site - movie downloads help file i think, i read a comment from a telstra wireless spokesperson saying that a 10db is needed to make a worthwhile gain....
Match a 10db aerial to a good base and run the telstra 7.2 modem... my usb modems best ping was 110ms, the 7.2 sometimes gives me 50ms with 70ms being average...
there is also a newer faster modem in the pipeline which might address the aerial mount a little better. Currently when the aerial locknut loosens, the wire inside the case twists up something fierce.
AnswerID:
351145
Follow Up By: Member - Heather G (NSW) - Thursday, Feb 26, 2009 at 16:09
Thursday, Feb 26, 2009 at 16:09
Thanks robertbruce.
Unfortunately I still have nearly 2 years left on my 36 month Bigpond plan so dont think I can do anything about upgrading the modem, although I did do the firmware update for it at the end of last year.
If I knew who to take it to to check the wires etc, I would do it but we are leaving home next week and apart from a week home again afterwards, will be on the road until end of August.
Maybe someone on here can suggest who I take it to.
Seems to be more a poor signal problem really - varies between none to 3 bars maximum but before the last month or so, I could always connect here at home in a fixed position. Now I have to wander around the house to find a signal, and have been using it in the van with more success lately.
Will investigate a better aerial though, thanks.
Heather G
FollowupID:
619434
Reply By: robertbruce - Thursday, Feb 26, 2009 at 18:27
Thursday, Feb 26, 2009 at 18:27
has a tree grown into the signal path... if the signal flicks or ping bounces around wildly on a windy or rainy day, it's most likely a tree or something in the signal path...
most electronics stores that do repairs can usually fix them....
also try fixing the band to only one of 3g bandwidths .. im not sure if your modem accepts the 850 band....
sometimes i think telstra love upgrading thier customers at no extra equipment cost... my 7.2 modem arrived in two days and i can run it off 12volts... at the time i was only after a warranty on my old modem, they gave me the new model because the old one was no longer supplied.....
AnswerID:
351189