Advice needed on external 3G/4G antenna

daraghwal · 13-09-2020 3:27pm

Or would I be better off with something like this?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00C1DGFPS/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_YRIxFbBH1M4T3

weeb · 13-09-2020 3:32pm

daraghwal wrote: »

Or would I be better off with something like this?

Hi there, I'm also looking into buying an outdoor antenna. I think the one you linked will do, but I'd first make sure that it supports the frequency of your nearest mast. You can find this out from the ComReg SiteViewer, but I'm fairly sure it'll support it.

MF290 · 13-09-2020 7:09pm

daraghwal wrote: »

Or would I be better off with something like this?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00C1DGFPS/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_YRIxFbBH1M4T3

I set up a 4g router and antenna a couple of weeks ago. A directional antenna pointed towards the nearest cell tower works best. Omni directional antennae are best suited for campervans that are moving about.
https://siteviewer.comreg.ie/#explore This give you the location and which networks are operating off it as well as what frequency they are.
https://www.scadacore.com/tools/rf-path/rf-line-of-sight/
If you input your coordinates into this and the coordinates of the cell tower and then take the mast height into account, it will give you an idea of your line of sight to the tower.
I would go with a 4g router with two little antennae (rather than the dongle style) near the window first and then put an antenna up if it's still not great.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/TL-MR6400-Unlocked-Configuration-Required-External/dp/B016ZWXYXG/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=4g+router&qid=1600020215&sr=8-3
I would ask about locally as to which provider has the best internet speed.
If you're using a gomo sim I found this link helpful to set up the sim.
https://confusedbird.com/thread-12-post-17.html#pid17

Ultimanemo · 13-09-2020 9:19pm

weeb wrote: »

Hi there, I'm also looking into buying an outdoor antenna. I think the one you linked will do, but I'd first make sure that it supports the frequency of your nearest mast. You can find this out from the ComReg SiteViewer, but I'm fairly sure it'll support it.

I have one, it will support the frequency of your nearest mast. Be sure the SMA plugs are compatable with your router.

daraghwal · 14-09-2020 7:50pm

I think I will get line of sight to a 4g mast 7km away. It is the only mast with line of sight. Another mast 5km away is over a hill and another 3km away does not have 4g. Now I know the exact direction I need to point an antenna at. What would be the best relatively cheap antenna I could get on Amazon? The first one I linked? I will probably use the dongle I have that has two antenna inputs. Thanks.

daraghwal · 15-09-2020 9:03pm

I went with the same as heffo. Will be installing on Saturday and post how I get on. ATS said they never had one returned after failing to get a signal.

Bawnmore · 16-09-2020 9:21am

daraghwal wrote: »

I went with the same as heffo. Will be installing on Saturday and post how I get on. ATS said they never had one returned after failing to get a signal.

I'm about the same distance as you from a tower and currently using a 4G router only. Looking forward to seeing how you get on with it.

daraghwal · 21-09-2020 6:36pm

Bawnmore wrote: »

I'm about the same distance as you from a tower and currently using a 4G router only. Looking forward to seeing how you get on with it.

After installing the antenna, the signal went from nothing to 4-5 bars 4G coverage on vodafone. The speed goes up and down a bit but isn't a problem as there is always enough for general browsing, watching videos etc.

For the 6ft pole, vertical and horizontal antennas, 10m leads for both and SMA to TS9 leads for both (adapts the antenna to the input on some 4g routers) it cost €129.00. A vodafone sim is in the router on €20/month. The deal is limited to 10Mbps but this limit isn't applied but could be in the future.

ED E · 21-09-2020 6:37pm

If its an area with limited options that really isnt a bad setup.

Bawnmore · 22-09-2020 9:47am

daraghwal wrote: »

After installing the antenna, the signal went from nothing to 4-5 bars 4G coverage on vodafone. The speed goes up and down a bit but isn't a problem as there is always enough for general browsing, watching videos etc.

For the 6ft pole, vertical and horizontal antennas, 10m leads for both and SMA to TS9 leads for both (adapts the antenna to the input on some 4g routers) it cost €129.00. A vodafone sim is in the router on €20/month. The deal is limited to 10Mbps but this limit isn't applied but could be in the future.

That's promising so. We get 1-2 bars with just a 4G router and average about 25-30mbps download. For €129, it seems like a no brainer.

Ten Pin · 06-10-2020 2:57pm

This was mentioned in another thread, worth a mention here...
https://www.irishwireless.net/xpol-a0001

30/09/2020 Update:

We have been notified by Comreg that under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1926, these antennas are not licenced to be used in The Republic of Ireland for the purposes of connecting into a mobile modem.

Hence we are only permitted to sell this item to users who confirm that they do not intend to use this antenna in Ireland

Can't find anything about it on Comreg website.

Has any other retailer received a similar notice?

TimHorton · 07-10-2020 11:33am

Ten Pin wrote: »

This was mentioned in another thread, worth a mention here...
https://www.irishwireless.net/xpol-a0001

Can't find anything about it on Comreg website.

Has any other retailer received a similar notice?

https://www.irishwireless.net/lte-diy/xpol-a0002 I am using this and munching through about 1TB of data per month in a semi rural location on Vodafone via 2 x Corporate SIMS each with 500gb allowance.

Without the antenna linked my connection was only average , Now get 60 or 70 mb during the day and 20 to 30 in the evening , Happy days waiting for NBP to come along.

Adding Amazon Link as it looks like they will ship it to Ireland bypassing Irish Wireless https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00C1DGGKC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Bawnmore · 07-10-2020 3:56pm

TimHorton wrote: »

https://www.irishwireless.net/lte-diy/xpol-a0002 I am using this and munching through about 1TB of data per month in a semi rural location on Vodafone via 2 x Corporate SIMS each with 500gb allowance.

Without the antenna linked my connection was only average , Now get 60 or 70 mb during the day and 20 to 30 in the evening , Happy days waiting for NBP to come along.

Adding Amazon Link as it looks like they will ship it to Ireland bypassing Irish Wireless https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00C1DGGKC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Here's the matching one from the Irish Wireless site either. Wonder is there much difference given it's twice the price.

Daz_ · 07-10-2020 4:03pm

TimHorton wrote: »

https://www.irishwireless.net/lte-diy/xpol-a0002 I am using this and munching through about 1TB of data per month in a semi rural location on Vodafone via 2 x Corporate SIMS each with 500gb allowance.

Without the antenna linked my connection was only average , Now get 60 or 70 mb during the day and 20 to 30 in the evening , Happy days waiting for NBP to come along.

Adding Amazon Link as it looks like they will ship it to Ireland bypassing Irish Wireless https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00C1DGGKC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Do you mind me asking did you connect this directly to the router or is it supposed to work by giving better signal that your router can then pick up wirelessly ?

TimHorton · 07-10-2020 4:18pm

Bawnmore wrote: »

Here's the matching one from the Irish Wireless site either. Wonder is there much difference given it's twice the price.

I have had both , The more expensive one is far better IMO and also directional

Ten Pin · 07-10-2020 5:32pm

Do you mind me asking did you connect this directly to the router or is it supposed to work by giving better signal that your router can then pick up wirelessly ?

They only work by connecting to a router with the supplied cables. The router needs to have built in antenna ports.

TimHorton · 08-10-2020 10:37am

Daz_ wrote: »

Do you mind me asking did you connect this directly to the router or is it supposed to work by giving better signal that your router can then pick up wirelessly ?

It connects directly to the router , It has 2 cables as there are 2 antennas built in.

heffo500 · 14-10-2020 7:26pm

Any ideas when will we see 5g broadband rolled out?

smuggler.ie · 14-10-2020 8:27pm

heffo500 wrote: »

Any ideas when will we see 5g broadband rolled out?

Wast that last month?
https://www.three.ie/5g/
https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2020/0928/1167870-threes-5g-network/

Or are you afraid of brain-melt effects

, to late....

The Cush · 15-10-2020 1:04am

heffo500 wrote: »

Any ideas when will we see 5g broadband rolled out?

In the 3400-3800 Mhz band
Vodafone - Aug 2019 https://www.commsupdate.com/articles/2019/08/14/vodafone-ireland-switches-on-5g-network-in-five-locations/
eir - Oct 2019 https://www.commsupdate.com/articles/2019/10/28/eir-launches-commercial-5g-service/
3 - Sept 2020 https://www.commsupdate.com/articles/2020/09/29/three-ireland-switches-on-5g-network/

In the 700 MHz band - likely to rollout in the second-half of 2021 following the spectrum auction in the first-half of 2021.

heffo500 · 27-10-2020 11:14am

The Cush wrote: »

In the 3400-3800 Mhz band
Vodafone - Aug 2019 https://www.commsupdate.com/articles/2019/08/14/vodafone-ireland-switches-on-5g-network-in-five-locations/
eir - Oct 2019 https://www.commsupdate.com/articles/2019/10/28/eir-launches-commercial-5g-service/
3 - Sept 2020 https://www.commsupdate.com/articles/2020/09/29/three-ireland-switches-on-5g-network/

In the 700 MHz band - likely to rollout in the second-half of 2021 following the spectrum auction in the first-half of 2021.

Sorry for the confusion, I meant when we would see broadband at home offer with 5g. I wonder will we have to upgrade the aerials to receive it. I know mine doesn't cover the band 5g is on. I wonder does the aerial filter outside of its range or are they just not tested for 5g and may work. Like old TV aerials would pull in Saorview.

The Cush · 27-10-2020 3:59pm

heffo500 wrote: »

I meant when we would see broadband at home offer with 5g. I wonder will we have to upgrade the aerials to receive it. I know mine doesn't cover the band 5g is on. I wonder does the aerial filter outside of its range or are they just not tested for 5g and may work. Like old TV aerials would pull in Saorview.

What is the frequency range of your antenna? The current 5G option is quiet a ways up the frequency range.

I guess you're looking at post-auction when large chunks of spectrum lower down the frequency range become available for 5G with greater national coverage, and should fall within the range of your antenna.

smuggler.ie · 27-10-2020 6:35pm

heffo500 wrote: »

Sorry for the confusion, I meant when we would see broadband at home offer with 5g. I wonder will we have to upgrade the aerials to receive it. I know mine doesn't cover the band 5g is on. I wonder does the aerial filter outside of its range or are they just not tested for 5g and may work. Like old TV aerials would pull in Saorview.

What router you have , if don't mind me asking

heffo500 · 27-10-2020 7:03pm

The Cush wrote: »

What is the frequency range of your antenna? The current 5G option is quiet a ways up the frequency range.

I guess you're looking at post-auction when large chunks of spectrum lower down the frequency range become available for 5G with greater national coverage, and should fall within the range of your antenna.

It's Multiband: 806-960 MHz, 1710-2700 MHz

heffo500 · 27-10-2020 7:04pm

smuggler.ie wrote: »

What router you have , if don't mind me asking

Hi

I'm using a Huawei B525 but I'm planning on buying a draytek next month as it is dual SIM so will auto switch when my Vodafone limit is breached on the bill pay to another PAYG sim card.

smuggler.ie · 27-10-2020 7:12pm

heffo500 wrote: »

Hi

I'm using a Huawei B525 but I'm planning on buying a draytek next month as it is dual SIM so will auto switch when my Vodafone limit is breached on the bill pay to another PAYG sim card.

But B525 does not support 5G

heffo500 · 27-10-2020 7:13pm

smuggler.ie wrote: »

But B525 does not support 5G

Ah yeah but my contract with Vodafone is up so I'll probably get a new 5G router if sign up to a new contract when they launch the 5g mobile broadband

The Cush · 27-10-2020 7:37pm

heffo500 wrote: »

It's Multiband: 806-960 MHz, 1710-2700 MHz

The two 5g coverage bands are 700 MHz and 1500 MHz, while these aren't mentioned in the spec as these bands weren't in use for mobile at the time the aerial was manufactured, it might be possible the aerial covers these bands unless filtered.

The European 800 MHz band starts at 791 MHz but I see the aerial starts at 806 MHz, the start of the US 800 MHz band.

Berberis · 18-11-2020 4:34pm

Very interesting and informative thread this is.
Like a lot of others we are stuck with poor reception and have been using a Huawei B593 with a three sim for past couple of years.

We usually leave the settings on the router to 3G as the 4G is too inconsistent. Speeds are very slow, usually anything from 1mb or less up to 2mb for most of the time and occasionally we get teased with speeds of up 10mb for very short periods.

I looked at the links for finding nearest mast and if there is a clear sight and it appears there is a 3 mast 4.47km away.
So was thinking of putting one of the Poynting 4G-XPOL-A0001 Cross Polarised 4G Omni LTE Antenna on the gable wall of the house which faces in the direction of the mast.

I see that the cables which come with the antenna are 5m long. We usually place the router at the other end of the house as it gets a wider spread of its signal from there as the house is L shaped and the old part of it has very wide solid walls.

Would anyone know if I would get away with connecting an extra 5 metres of cable to the Antennas cable so I could still have the router located where it is. ie approx 10 metres from where I would locate the antenna.

And if so would anyone be able to let me know what the specs are of the cable and connector fittings I would need please.

Thanks in advance

Bawnmore · 18-11-2020 6:00pm

Berberis wrote: »

Very interesting and informative thread this is.
Like a lot of others we are stuck with poor reception and have been using a Huawei B593 with a three sim for past couple of years.

We usually leave the settings on the router to 3G as the 4G is too inconsistent. Speeds are very slow, usually anything from 1mb or less up to 2mb for most of the time and occasionally we get teased with speeds of up 10mb for very short periods.

I looked at the links for finding nearest mast and if there is a clear sight and it appears there is a 3 mast 4.47km away.
So was thinking of putting one of the Poynting 4G-XPOL-A0001 Cross Polarised 4G Omni LTE Antenna on the gable wall of the house which faces in the direction of the mast.

I see that the cables which come with the antenna are 5m long. We usually place the router at the other end of the house as it gets a wider spread of its signal from there as the house is L shaped and the old part of it has very wide solid walls.

Would anyone know if I would get away with connecting an extra 5 metres of cable to the Antennas cable so I could still have the router located where it is. ie approx 10 metres from where I would locate the antenna.

And if so would anyone be able to let me know what the specs are of the cable and connector fittings I would need please.

Thanks in advance

You're better off waiting until someone who knows what they're talking about comes along, but anecdotally I ordered this last week and spoke to the guys there and they suggested 10m as the max you'd want to be extending the cables on this type of antenna before you start seeing loss. I assume it'd be the same for an omnidirectional antenna (cables are same), but someone else here will know for sure.

I sorted a roof ladder recently, so will sort mine when the weather is less awful.

Advice needed on external 3G/4G antenna

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