3G Repeater recommendation

RedFordBumper

Hi All

I am struggling with obtaining a strong stable 3G signal to skype my family on in the monaghan area close to the border. My house seems to be in a black spot and we get intermittent coverage but most of the time the signal is so bad that skype conversations are impossible. I currently use a three.ie USB dongle. I have been advised on a different forum that i need a repeater.

What is a good repeater to get? (I currently use three.ie) and how much would i pay?

does the repeater amplify all 3G signal it finds or do you tell it to only repeat/amplify the ISP signal that you want to repeat?

What else do i need to know find out to solve this problem?

Cheers

The Glass Key

The repeater I suspect you have been advised to get is only available to three's NBS customers if you aren't one of them you won't/can't get one. You see them on adverts but it is illegal to use them unless supplied by the ISP. tbh they are a total waste of time.

Better off sticking your dongle/router where there is a decent signal and then paying out for some networking gear to connect to it.

Simplest solution is often one of the MiFi devices that can be mounted high up in a room but they suffer from poor WiFi range. At the other end of the scale you can use a 3G dongle in an 3G WiFi router with other network components as required to get you connected.

Before you start go outside and see if you can get a decent signal anywhere with the dongle in a laptop, even try in your roof and by hanging the dongle on a USB extension cable out of windows. If you can't get a satisfactory connection anywhere give up with three.

With three you could have a great signal and still get a rubbish service, depends where you are but many areas are maxed out with users so many get little or no service at peak times.

iwantbroadband

Using an external aerial is a very good idea. I use one, have posted about it here: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=81441236&postcount=4