3 dongle antenna

Remember the wi-fi repeater I bought (on my previous thread) well, I put my dongle inside the wi-fi housing and put the repeater on the roof...................I get 4 bars of 3G signal now where as before I got 1 bar on 3G and 2/3 bars on HSPDA.:thumb:

Suit you sir??

Boo
 
external aerials

I've been struggling for a while with signal on my 3 dongle - (E160G) I had a look online and didn't find much, then came across a blog post that explained about different types of antenna.

I've since tried a 'Clip antenna' and found I get on average 2 bars more signal, although there are more powerful ones that can be mounted on a wall or pole, I tend to use mine on the move so the clip antenna is a better option for me.

I've put a link to the blog below:

Link Removed
 
Yes, I use a 3 dongle, but having said that because the contract is almost at an end and I am changing my ISP, I have just got a BT dongle as part of their broadband package and I have found it to be somewhat better.

I was able to use the 3 dongle in the Scottlish Highlands and it was occasionally a bit slow but I usually got a connection.
 
does the "3" shops sell these aerials and 3m usb leads or do you goto pcw?

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Hi all,

Since I have had my 3 dongle unlocked, and new connection software included, I have never had a connection problem, and the signal strength is invariably at maximum.

I am very pleased with mine..............now.

Jock.
 
a little bump from me for this post.
I've finally got round to photographing the 3G aerial i installed for my RV

Link Removed

Link Removed

They are from siretta antennas and cost about £20
You can them purchase a "pig-tail" which converts the connector of your 3G dongle to one suitable for the antenna

As you can see from the gaffa tape, it is quite easy to catch on branches, so i may remount it on a spring or something similar

Mounting it on my wineguard antenna gives it some clearance above the bus and sometimes .

it DEFINITELY increases the reception quality, as does lifting it with the wineguard aerial.

Its mounted by a WiFi antenna i use to pick up signals from distant site offices etc. and rebroadcast if I'm feeling so inclined.
 
Hi

Before you spend any money on an antenna, check if you mobile phone is HSDPA Class 6 compliant and has bluetooth, as a lot of them are, if it is then don't bother with a dongle just use your phone either with a USB cable if you are in a strong signal area and if not just use the bluetooth and place the phone where it receives the best signal.

If you get your phone unlocked you can switch between operators to get the best signal for your area, and a lot of them offer either 30p or 50p per day for fair use which I have never yet exceeded.

Hope that helps.
 
Since starting this thread I have got the dongle unlocked and bought an antenna both purchased on ebay from 3g-fever.

Link Removed

Link Removed

I am now using a vodafone sim in the dongle again purchased on E-bay for £8.49 including £15 (1gb) credit The advantage of this is that the credit does not expire after 30days as the 3 credit does. Ideal for using in the van.

The antenna works very well increasing the number bars typically from 2 to 5.

Regards

Lunarman

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Thats funny I took delivery of a mobile antenna today and sitting here trying it out, and I am please to say I have gained 3 bars. And the signal is not up and down the the proverbial xxxxx drawers.:Rofl1:

Well chuffed:thumb:
 
Mobile Antennas

Magnetic Antennas aren't suitable for a lot of motor homes as their roofs are not metal
But that's not the only reason.
If you do not have a metal roof, the stick on cannot radiate properly as it uses the bodywork as the other half of the antenna.

You need a dipole antenna which will radiate regardless of the surface it is attached to.

Where's Wildman when you need him!!

The correct antenna as i mentioned will get even better radiation
 
well I am here as requested, a mobile phone antenna as stated will not work on a plastic roof. However two of them back to back and connected one to the screen and one to the core of the connecting coax presents a balanced dipole antenna that will work.
 
good point

But will the magnets not repel each other, as we used to play in school?
 
Wildman said:
well I am here as requested, a mobile phone antenna as stated will not work on a plastic roof. However two of them back to back and connected one to the screen and one to the core of the connecting coax presents a balanced dipole antenna that will work.
Click to expand...

Ground Plane

This is from the site my antenna came from.


A metallic surface (such as a vehicle roof or body panel) on which antennas are installed. Standard panel mount antennas need to be fitted on a ground plane. For best performance the ground plane should be horizontal and have a radius of at least 1/4 wavelength of the antenna's operating frequency.
Ground plane independent (GPI) antennas have design characteristics which enable them to operate without a ground plane. For example: ½ waves, glass mounts, and 'elevated' antennas

Can an enlightend one tell me the ground plane radius size for 1/4 and 1/2 wave length for
Frequency Range (MHz): 890-960,1900-21701710-1880, 1850-1990

To give optimom performance.

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Diabalo said:
Ground Plane

This is from the site my antenna came from.


A metallic surface (such as a vehicle roof or body panel) on which antennas are installed. Standard panel mount antennas need to be fitted on a ground plane. For best performance the ground plane should be horizontal and have a radius of at least 1/4 wavelength of the antenna's operating frequency.
Ground plane independent (GPI) antennas have design characteristics which enable them to operate without a ground plane. For example: ½ waves, glass mounts, and 'elevated' antennas

Can an enlightend one tell me the ground plane radius size for 1/4 and 1/2 wave length for
Frequency Range (MHz): 890-960,1900-21701710-1880, 1850-1990

To give optimom performance.
Click to expand...

Sorry Dane I don't see the relevance of quoting my post. The antenna setup I described is a balanced dipole antenna and as such does not need a groundplane (and that was the point of describing it). It Can be used anywhere preferably 1/2 wave length above ground extra height equals extra gain.
 
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bashers said:
good point

But will the magnets not repel each other, as we used to play in school?
Click to expand...

Did I mention a magnetic base? Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm?
You request my input only to try and pull it to peices? As a radio ham I have built and used this type of antenna many times as have countless others none of whom even concidered leaving the antenna connected to a magnetic base.
 
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Just a wire to the chassis should provide enough ground plane :Wink:
 
Wildman said:
Sorry Dane I don't see the relevance of quoting my post. The antenna setup I described is a balanced dipole antenna and as such does not need a groundplane (and that was the point of describing it). It Can be used anywhere preferably 1/2 wave length above ground extra height equals extra gain.
Click to expand...


I quoted your post as you seem to have an undestanding of antenna's, I was wondering with a non metalic roof could a ground plane be intoduced via an alluminium plate? if so how big would the plate need to be for optimum performance of the antenna.
 
Diablo,

are you sure that the antenna that you have needs a ground plane? It may be inedependent of one.

Who was the supplier can they not tell you

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Diabalo said:
I quoted your post as you seem to have an undestanding of antenna's, I was wondering with a non metalic roof could a ground plane be intoduced via an alluminium plate? if so how big would the plate need to be for optimum performance of the antenna.
Click to expand...
All noted, in actual fact aluminium foil would do the job if you need it, paper the whole roof, hee hee, that will also stop the van heating up in the summer. The bigger the groundplane the better. Having said that I have manage to transmit quite successfully using a mag mounted antenna stuck on a biscuit tin that was filled with water.
 
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lunarman said:
Diablo,

are you sure that the antenna that you have needs a ground plane? It may be inedependent of one.

Who was the supplier can they not tell you
Click to expand...



No the site HERE defo says for my one it should be on a metalic surface because that is what it was designed for.
 
Wildman said:
Did I mention a magnetic base? Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm?
You request my input only to try and pull it to peices? As a radio ham I have built and used this type of antenna many times as have countless others none of whom even concidered leaving the antenna connected to a magnetic base.
Click to expand...


no offence intended, especially as i drew you in here!
 
Whilst I could not get back on the server I did some investigation to try to answer Diablos question about the size of the ground plane.

It seems that it should be a minimum of 5" diameter some sites suggest 8". But it seems tha bigger the better.

I was in Morrisons and found the perfect solution for a ground plane for a GRP MH. - Roses Chocolates!! £3.49 will buy a large tin. Give the contents to SWMBO (bugger the diet) and use the tin lid for a ground plan - Job Done :thumb:

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lunarman said:
Whilst I could not get back on the server I did some investigation to try to answer Diablos question about the size of the ground plane.

It seems that it should be a minimum of 5" diameter some sites suggest 8". But it seems tha bigger the better.

I was in Morrisons and found the perfect solution for a ground plane for a GRP MH. - Roses Chocolates!! £3.49 will buy a large tin. Give the contents to SWMBO (bugger the diet) and use the tin lid for a ground plan - Job Done :thumb:
Click to expand...

Thanks Lunarman:thumb:

I'm sure SWMBO wont mind helping out with the chockies:Rofl1:
 
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Do I go for a 3m or 5m usb lead to extend the usb dongle? for best reception.
 
duetto owner said:
Do I go for a 3m or 5m usb lead to extend the usb dongle? for best reception.
Click to expand...

From my own experience, its best to keep the lead as short as possible. I poke mine out of a window or if sat elsewhere, out through a roof light. It does make the difference between reception and no reception.

For the guy's who like to experiment, try this site - Link Removed

Can I go off topic a bit please?

Is there a PAYG service that rolls over the credits, as its very frustrating to give away any credits?

Thanks :Smile:
 
If you mean that the credit does not expire after 1 month then yes Vodafone payg service is £15 per gb but lasts until it is used. The only stipulation is that you log on at least once every 3 months.

I have unlocked my 3 dongle and put in a vodafone sim purely because of this.
 
lunarman said:
If you mean that the credit does not expire after 1 month then yes Vodafone payg service is £15 per gb but lasts until it is used. The only stipulation is that you log on at least once every 3 months.

I have unlocked my 3 dongle and put in a vodafone sim purely because of this.
Click to expand...

Can I push further and ask where you obtained your payg service please?

Thanks :Smile:

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