Antenna for O2 Wireless Router Globesurfer III

memyselfandi

I recently purchased the O2 mobile router and am quite happy with it (existing customer and got it for €99) ... but.

As per my dongle, I am still ending up on the Edge network 50% of the time. I thought that if I managed to get a good UMTS conneciotn and left the roputer on permanent it would hold. But alas its not, it always seems to downgrade to Edge after a time even if I get a good UMTS/HSDPA connection first. I know that from tests I seem to always get a 'good' signal in the attic so I am looking to purchase an external antenna that I can easilly run into the attic i.e. these:

>> Globesurfer Antenna Adapter
http://www.globesurfer.co.uk/globesurfer/Option_Globesurfer_Antenna_Adapter.html

>> http://www.globesurfer.co.uk/globesurfer/3G_Antennas.html
http://www.globesurfer.co.uk/globesurfer/3G_Antennas.html

It deos not seem possible to purchase them on the above site and I cant seem to find them anywere else.

Two questions:

1. Does anyone know an Irish supplier of the above items
2. Does anyone know if I could use alternative options that are more readilly available

Thanks

a.n.other

Try sales@antennashop.ie they do the WM11. I've researched this topic and they have the aerial most suitable, they also compare well with price. I have'nt purchased yet as i might be able to try Wimax soon, so was waiting for that before going down the O2 globesurfer route. If you purchase can you let me know how you get on.

memyselfandi

Thanks - mail sent - will let you know how i get on

Johro

memyselfandi wrote: »

I recently purchased the O2 mobile router and am quite happy with it (existing customer and got it for €99) ... but.

As per my dongle, I am still ending up on the Edge network 50% of the time. I thought that if I managed to get a good UMTS conneciotn and left the roputer on permanent it would hold. But alas its not, it always seems to downgrade to Edge after a time even if I get a good UMTS/HSDPA connection first. I know that from tests I seem to always get a 'good' signal in the attic so I am looking to purchase an external antenna that I can easilly run into the attic i.e. these:

>> Globesurfer Antenna Adapter
http://www.globesurfer.co.uk/globesurfer/Option_Globesurfer_Antenna_Adapter.html

>> http://www.globesurfer.co.uk/globesurfer/3G_Antennas.html
http://www.globesurfer.co.uk/globesurfer/3G_Antennas.html

It deos not seem possible to purchase them on the above site and I cant seem to find them anywere else.

Two questions:

1. Does anyone know an Irish supplier of the above items
2. Does anyone know if I could use alternative options that are more readilly available

Thanks

How about the Edimax 3G-6200n Wireless Router? Plug your USB dongle in the back of the router and use your comp anywhere in the house. Handy if you got a laptop I guess. It's available on Amazon, gets great reviews too.

Fulkrum

Hi

The Router on sale with O2 currently is made by Option. The antenna inside it is more advanced than any USB modem. Option do sell antennas for this router and O2 Ireland can purchase them if there is a demand.

Bear in mind the Globesurfer 3 also has a file server onboard and also does wireless printing. This is important for positioning the router. Not to mention it does ADSL failover and you can plug in a dect phone for all of your calls to mobile numbers. (Cheap)

If you really want to fix this problem buy a high gain antenna as you are on the edge of a UMTS cell and when usage is high the cell will shrink. A high gain antrenna will stop this but they are not that cheap.

rebel.ranter

Something like this would be the right job with a proper connector:
15 dBi panel

You should be able to get something similar for less money.

Or alternatively something like this one:

12dBi Yagi

Have them pointing towards your nearest 3G mast (ideally mounted outside), also ensure any connectors used are of good quality & tightened correctly. Have a quick trawl of Google & you may come up with something better.

Fulkrum

The connector on the O2 router from Option is the MC-Card. Non High gain antennas only give you about 2dB gain. Only any use inside a vehicle. The integrated antenna in the router is a rX Div antenna and one of the best in any cellular device on the market. it will work in places where USB modems wont.

If the router cant receive the signal nothing else will. it will also support EDGE class 12 so if 3G is not possible its still 4 times faster than the old V.92 connections (dial up)

Dont forget it has a print server and a file server built in. Once you connect it everyone will want to connect to it so bear in mind bottlenecking. 10 people using it normally should be fine. 20 at a push.

rebel.ranter

Fulkrum wrote: »

...If the router cant receive the signal nothing else will...

Just to note that is not strictly 100% true. If the router is placed in the wrong location within the building then it could potentially recieve nothing & it is possible that an antenna connected to it mounted in an external location may actually offer a better solution.
Remember diversity is only Rx diversity it will not help your Tx.

Technophobe

Hey all,

A bit "non clued in" on this stuff, so, how exactly does it work?
Do you just put the SIM into this and off it goes? Do you just open up your browser on the laptop without having to connect anything and surf away?
A laymans brief explanation would be welcome...:)


I presently have a Huawei E220 modem and was thinking of tryin to connect to an Edimax 3G-6200 but have heard that the set-up can be tricky if yopu are not technically minded...I previously tries with a mate's and got no where so dont fancy the idea either...:(

Basically I want a wireless network that allows me access internet on my laptop anywhere and also to use PS3 to access the net for gaming and maybe some music playing...
Now if this did the job and all you had to do was insert the SIM and off you go, well then this would be what I would go for...

Any views??

Tim Falcon

Seting up the option is a piece of cake. You get all the necessary cables in the box. Hook your laptop/PC via the ethernet cable supplied, follow the in-box instructions (which are like instructions for setting up a kinder egg surprise-it's that easy to do) and off you go. You just need a Broadband Sim with access granted. Its about 20 p/m with O2 for 15gb Download and 7.2mpbs transfer, where available. The GlobesurferIII will support 7.2mbps download and 5.2upload, however, the netwrok won't actually allow those speeds, its roughly 4 mbps down and max 3.6 up.

Hope this helps...

I'm also looking for an external antenna for this...

Technophobe

Tim Falcon wrote: »

Seting up the option is a piece of cake. You get all the necessary cables in the box. Hook your laptop/PC via the ethernet cable supplied, follow the in-box instructions (which are like instructions for setting up a kinder egg surprise-it's that easy to do) and off you go. You just need a Broadband Sim with access granted. Its about 20 p/m with O2 for 15gb Download and 7.2mpbs transfer, where available. The GlobesurferIII will support 7.2mbps download and 5.2upload, however, the netwrok won't actually allow those speeds, its roughly 4 mbps down and max 3.6 up.

Hope this helps...

I'm also looking for an external antenna for this...

Hey Tim,

thanks for this update...I really struggled with the Edimax router trial so just want to be sure this is fairly idiot proof before I shell out and (I presume) commit to another contract period...???

So once you have the connection made between the Globesurfer and PC, do you just disconnect and place the Globesurfer where coverage is best and then have a wireless network that you can access the Internet from on my Laptop, PS3.....????

Please excuse my ignorance on these things........and thanks for any more help or suggestions...

Tim Falcon

You're best to make the wired connection from your laptop, if it has Internet Explorer, this way you can actually initiate the device in a location where signal is strong... You get the ethernet cable needed in the box with the Option. The router needs to be near enough a mains socket. Once you've registered the device, set your passwords and usernames etc, you can then disconnect the cable from the PC/Laptop. What you'll need to do then is turn wireless on in the laptop/pc/PS3 and create a search, the O2 wlan network will be displayed, you'll need to enter your password (standard type stuff) and then off you pop. All in all you're looking at about 15 minutes from start to finish.

Do you have an existing Broadband Enabled SIM?

Technophobe wrote: »

Hey Tim,

thanks for this update...I really struggled with the Edimax router trial so just want to be sure this is fairly idiot proof before I shell out and (I presume) commit to another contract period...???

So once you have the connection made between the Globesurfer and PC, do you just disconnect and place the Globesurfer where coverage is best and then have a wireless network that you can access the Internet from on my Laptop, PS3.....????

Please excuse my ignorance on these things........and thanks for any more help or suggestions...

heliguyheliguy

Has anybody put an external antenna on a globesurfer III what were the results.


I have it on trial from o2 and would really like to go with it.
Its great off peak but really goes bad at peak times, so in theory it should be ok with a good antenna but u cant beat practical experience.

what setup did u use where did you buy from?

Tim Falcon

Hey Matey

I haven't actually used an external antenna with the Option yet. I managed to source one directly from option a while back. It was around 45euro without shipping. Here's the reply I got from sales@option.com I sent an email and within 1 hour they'd written back.

Dear Sir,

Thank you for your interest in our company and our products.

We offer OI-ANT-EX-3G GS (part numbers below). This external antenna is recommended when you operate in an area with low GPRS or UMTS network signal.

1005564 ANT EXT 3G black no logo straight plug
1005563 ANTENNA STAND OPT STD

Total pricing amounts at 45 €/unit (shipping costs excl.). Enclosed, you will find a picture of the antenna.

Should you wish to order, please fill out the attached document. In order to ship units, we need the document to be filled out.

Should you have further questions, please do not hesitate to ask them.

Kind regards

Nele Somers
Internal Sales Assistant
Option nv, Gaston Geenslaan 14, B-3001 Leuven

T:+32 16 317 411
F:+32 16 207 164

Website: www.option.com

The Big Gig

Does anyone know if this repeats / transmits a gsm 3g signal or is it just wifi it transmits?

heliguyheliguy

just wifi

rebel.ranter

The Big Gig wrote: »

Does anyone know if this repeats / transmits a gsm 3g signal or is it just wifi it transmits?

The unit you are thinking of is a Nextivity unit that 3 are deploying as part of the NBS where coverage is poor.

http://www.nextivityinc.com/product-overview.php

Tim Falcon

the Option Globesurfer transmits on GSM signals, it's capable of 7.2mbps DL and 3.6 UL. It only works with a GSM enabled SIM card.

Hope this helps...

Bomber6

Sorry to revive an old thread but no point starting a new one. I bought one of these (upgrade @ 99e) from my local o2 store on Friday, brought it home and set it up. Worked fine over Ethernet but the Wifi seemed to be a bit messed up.
I have a laptop and a Zune HD and there are 3 phones in the house capable of wifi connections. The laptop and zune detected it but had a problem connecting (restart the modem etc./could not connect). The phones couldn't see it. I removed the password (unsecured network), ensured it was broadcasting the SSID and tried again. No luck. So I returned it as faulty today and got a new one...but it has the exact same problem!
Faulty product (Batch? 2 in a row after all) or am I doing something wrong? I assume it doesn't need a wifi antenna or anything?
(BTW, If its a faulty batch, no one buy one from o2 Ennis!)

Anthonyk2010

Has anyone had success with the aerial on the globesurfer III. Did it improve speeds.