Boost vodafone signal strength in rural area

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Sparky00

1 post

Wannabe Geek

#44571 28-Oct-2009 14:46

Hi there,

We live just outside Warkworth in Rodney District and only have a tiny spot on our kitchen window sill where we can get very weak mobile phone reception.

Can anyone tell me of the best device to boost the signal strength either in the current spot or ultimately to get 3g for internet use on an iphone.

i have had a wilson device recommended but am keen to investigate other options.

Many thank. Sparky00

johnr

19282 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#267724 28-Oct-2009 15:23

If you use an RF amp of any form you are breaking the law the bands used by vodafone / telecom / 2D are licencsed.

SepticSceptic

2190 posts

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#267750 28-Oct-2009 16:35

Yep, I feel for you here - I'm in Puhoi, and have just one spot that gets a couple of bars - by a window on top of a fridge. Hopeless if trying to actually make or receive a call - gotta stand on tippy-toes and use the speaker mode. Txt OK, but prone to re-tries.

Tried one of those sticky "antenna boosters" that fit in the battery compartment. Waste of time ....

Next step I was looking at was a passive radiator - where you have a big antenna on the roof or higher, and then that's coupled to a small antenna inside that re-radiates the signal. This implies that you can getter a better signal higher up. If you can't because you are in a deep valley, or way outside the coverage, it may not help. If it does help, then you will probably get a reliable connection, good enough for 3G.

But I'm in a rental, and wasn't going to outlay the few hundred dollars for someones else's benefit in the future.

And I can't get Freeview UHF either ....

johnr

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#267753 28-Oct-2009 16:43

Puhoi has a 3G 900mhz site

SepticSceptic

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#267758 28-Oct-2009 16:51

johnr: Puhoi has a 3G 900mhz site

Hmm, sure ? Don't recall a tower in the vicinity. My neighbour has a 3G mobile, and has the same issue. I'll have to see what is amiss there. They really need broadband of some sort, and there is no spare copper ADSL for the next 4 years.

Anyway, back to the original poster, the link below is indicative of what may be available. Not quite what I found last time I was looking, but will give you an idea:

http://www.mobilephonecrazy.com/make/Aerials.htm

johnr

19282 posts

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Inactive user

#267762 28-Oct-2009 17:11

SepticSceptic:
johnr: Puhoi has a 3G 900mhz site

Hmm, sure ? Don't recall a tower in the vicinity. My neighbour has a 3G mobile, and has the same issue. I'll have to see what is amiss there. They really need broadband of some sort, and there is no spare copper ADSL for the next 4 years.

Anyway, back to the original poster, the link below is indicative of what may be available. Not quite what I found last time I was looking, but will give you an idea:

http://www.mobilephonecrazy.com/make/Aerials.htm

?

Yes %100 sure make sure its a handset that supports 3G WCDMA 900mhz

John

coffeebaron

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#267778 28-Oct-2009 17:57

SepticSceptic: Hmm, sure ? Don't recall a tower in the vicinity. My neighbour has a 3G mobile, and has the same issue. I'll have to see what is amiss there. They really need broadband of some sort, and there is no spare copper ADSL for the next 4 years.

I can help out with options for 3G broadband - including low coverage areas. Send me a PM if you neighbour wants to get in touch.

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