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3G Modem (E270) - Use 2 USB plugs, or single 5m extension lead?

  • 15-07-2010 05:16PM
    #1
    JohnCleary
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,206 ✭✭✭✭


    Hi folks,
    Bit of a quandry here which I don't know what i'd be better off doing...

    I have an E270 on O2, and in a certain area when i'm away (spend weekends in the country'ish) the connection isin't great. I'm not really interested in getting an external antenna as it's not all that important, so considering one of the following:

    Use the 2 x USB cable that came with the Modem to power it, but on a short cable (modem would be close to the laptop, maybe 2ft cable it is?)

    Get a 5m USB cable and use 1 USB plug to power the modem, meaning I could mount the modem higher

    The antenna is esentially out-doors, only covered by a canopy

    I know that the 5m extension will help, the real question I guess is 'How much extra boost/power do you get by using the 2 USB plugs as opposed to 1'

    Thanks for any advise folks


Comments

  • #2
    danjo-xx
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,422 ✭✭✭danjo-xx


    I'm no expert but using 2 usb ports with a short cable would be better than a 5m cable. A 5m cable is the max recommended for usb lead unless you go for a powered lead.

    Thats just dealing with usb leads, signal reception is another factor.


  • #3
    JohnCleary
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,206 ✭✭✭✭JohnCleary


    danjo-xx wrote: »
    I'm no expert but using 2 usb ports with a short cable would be better than a 5m cable. A 5m cable is the max recommended for usb lead unless you go for a powered lead.

    Thats just dealing with usb leads, signal reception is another factor.

    Thanks for the reply. I realise what you've said above. I guess my question is, how relative is using the 2nd USB port to boosting signal. I'm guessing there's some relivance there since the modem came with that type of cable


  • #4
    Knasher
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,370 ✭✭✭Knasher


    If it came with a 2x USB cable then that's probably pretty necessary to provide enough current to power it, otherwise why bother. Does it still work when you plug in only one of the USB plugs?

    If not then your third option would be to get a cheap powered USB hub, plug the 2xUSB cable into that and then a longer standard USB cable down to your laptop.


  • #5
    JohnCleary
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,206 ✭✭✭✭JohnCleary


    Knasher wrote: »
    If it came with a 2x USB cable then that's probably pretty necessary to provide enough current to power it, otherwise why bother. Does it still work when you plug in only one of the USB plugs?

    If not then your third option would be to get a cheap powered USB hub, plug the 2xUSB cable into that and then a longer standard USB cable down to your laptop.

    It works fine with the single USB plug, never dropped on me.

    I bought the 5m USB cable (single USB plug) so we'll see how that works tonight.

    The bugger with my laptop is that there are no 2 USB ports close together, so the 2 x USB plug cable was never of any use to me anyway


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