Mobile Broadband in Western Queensland - Antenna needed ?
Submitted: Saturday, Jul 02, 2011 at 11:14
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Holden4th
I have a Telstra NextG Turbo USB wireless broadband modem. On the trip out west with the school group I'd like to take my laptop and utilise the modem to keep in touch with the school. My Samsung blue tick phone works
well out there (nothing else does) but I'm not sure whether my modem will. According to Telstra's coverage map it should work easily as we traverse major highways all the way. However, one salesperson in JB HiFi said it might not and gave a set of reasons that didn't make sense. Something about switching from 3G to 2G to receive coverage - I thought it was the other way around.
As I said, I'm taking my laptop (which also has a wireless modem inside) but I'd like to be able to use the Telstra WiFi modem in
Mitchell,
Longreach,
Winton and
Barcaldine. Has anyone had any experience of coverage in this area and can advise me whether or not I need to use an external antenna?
All replies appreciated
Reply By: MrBitchi (QLD) - Saturday, Jul 02, 2011 at 12:33
Saturday, Jul 02, 2011 at 12:33
In my experience, using the USB modems work better with the USB cable supplied, rather than plugging it directly into the laptop. The cable acts as an antennae.
Other option is to use your Samsung phone as a modem.
You say your laptop has an internal modem.. That means its 3G capable? with it's own SIM? (just checking your terminology) If that's the case just use that. That's what I use these days (3g enabled Acer) and I get as good if not better coverage than anyone else using any other method.
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Follow Up By: Holden4th - Saturday, Jul 02, 2011 at 13:11
Saturday, Jul 02, 2011 at 13:11
Thanks, that firms up what the previous post talked about.
The modem in the laptop (belongs to work) seeks out wireless networks which I suppose would include Telstra. However, accessing the Telstra network might be a different story as there is no place for a SIM card with this and my broadband USB modem is a prepaid.
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Follow Up By: MrBitchi (QLD) - Saturday, Jul 02, 2011 at 22:21
Saturday, Jul 02, 2011 at 22:21
That means your laptop has standard wireless networking. It does not have a modem inside; it has a wireless network card. It can connect at wireless hotspots (maccas etc) but not to Telstra. That requires 3G, or your USB modem.
Cheers,,
John
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Reply By: craig pukallus - Tuesday, Jul 12, 2011 at 17:38
Tuesday, Jul 12, 2011 at 17:38
would love to know how you went with signal??
Don't worry most phone sales staff i find do not understand antenna's
The way I see it is line of site the higher the antenna and the higher the DBI gain the better signal pick up.
I have a mate Pete, professional fisherman who states he gets reception 160km off the coast with his 9dbi antenna.
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459756
Follow Up By: Holden4th - Tuesday, Jul 12, 2011 at 19:00
Tuesday, Jul 12, 2011 at 19:00
Hello Craig
We leave on Weds next week. I've been into a couple of Telstra shops and you're right, they are only sales staff and have no idea. They do what I'd already done and pull up a coverage map. They are there to sell, not answer customer queries. I went to the
shop where I bought the device and insisted that as a customer that they provide me with the necessary
feedback but they were unable to do that.
I'll leave the antenna and report when I get back.
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Follow Up By: craig pukallus - Tuesday, Jul 12, 2011 at 19:14
Tuesday, Jul 12, 2011 at 19:14
spoke to pete the fisherman he says google telco antenna
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