USB Modem - external antenna extension?

PaddyBloggit

I have 3 Mobile Broadband (landline broadband not an option). I can get one bar of reception upstairs, none downstairs and I can get 3 to 4 bars outside away from house.

Vodafone and O2 were very patchy when I tried them so 3 is my only option. Meteor isn't even available in the county!

Is there any possible way of getting some kind of usb extension cable so that I can erect an external antenna.

I could stick the antenna up at the highest point possible externally, bring cable in and either work it wirelessly inside or physically connect to my laptop .... either option would be better than what I've got at the moment.

• Has anybody attempted this?
• How have you done it?
• Surely there's a way of getting outside reception inside?

I found this but it seems to be slightly off track:

http://www.buy.com/prod/hiro-h50193-wireless-usb-network-adapter-and-external-antenna-high/q/listingid/74385344/loc/101/214433097.html

swoofer

there is a new gadget out from 3g BB called mi fi have a look you could place dongle outside and try pick up from inside. this does work, saw it on a uk laptop. and it worked when in ireland.

xxxhttp://www.three.ie/products_services/broadband/mifi.htm?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=click&utm_campaign=home-angel

gb

PaddyBloggit

Thanks for the suggestion GB

I did some research and the reviews aren't great when distance from computer is increased:

http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/review/1567051/mifi-huawei-e5830

"At half a metre distance the connection dropped on our Asus Windows XP netbook from an 'Excellent' 54Mbps connection to 'Very Good' 48Mbps. On the 1.5m mark the signal dropped even further to just 'Good' 36Mbps, at the 2m point a 'Low' 24Mbps signal was obtained, and at 3m only a 'Very Low' 18Mbps was seen. This is fine for a small location, but if any more distance is required the Huawei E5830 fails dramatically."

I reckon I need some kind of physical external antenna, cabled into house and then have it connected to a wireless modem internally so that 3's USB modem can pick up the signal.

At €89 the Mifi E830 is too expensive to take a chance on, especially with such a bad 'signal' review.

Our man in Havana

You should be able to get 3 to install a repeater for you.

PaddyBloggit

I know I'm showing my ignorance here but what's a repeater and how does it work?

Is it some sort of signal relay system?

Our man in Havana

Customers on the NBS with 3 can have a repeater installed.

The repeater consists of 2 parts. 1 part outside high up to collect the signal and the 2nd part is inside. The 3 modem gets the signal from the inside element.

PaddyBloggit

Thanks for that.

I'll get onto 3 about it.