USB 3G/4G stick with external antenna

Forums › One New Zealand (including Vodafone, WxC, Farmside) › USB 3G/4G stick with external antenna

pdath

252 posts

Ultimate Geek

#177795 14-Aug-2015 12:58

I'm hunting for a 3G/4G USB stick that can have an external aerial plugged in for an embedded device. I don't want WiFi, Ethernet ports, or anything else (in particular, I want something that is low power). Just a simple USB stick with an external antenna connector.

Does anyone know if Vodafone have such a device and if so, what the model number is?

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dylanp

840 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#1366347 14-Aug-2015 13:41

I think a bunch of our vodems have had antenna connectors but are very rarely used, not sure if the current ones do or not. Are you sure that you would require an external antenna?

sbiddle

30853 posts

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Retired Mod

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Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#1366400 14-Aug-2015 14:34

It's safe to say that historically speaking pretty much every USB stick ever made had an external antenna connector. Right now very few do - simply because it's never used.

If you look at 2nd hand hardware you'll have plenty of options.

Rickles

2937 posts

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#1366757 15-Aug-2015 09:34

Philip, I have a spare Vodafone-branded 3G dongle/stick available .... just needs SIM card. Doesn't use/need external antenna as the internal one is pretty good.

Model is ZTE K3565-Z

R.

pdath

252 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1366973 15-Aug-2015 16:06

VodafoneDylan: I think a bunch of our vodems have had antenna connectors but are very rarely used, not sure if the current ones do or not. Are you sure that you would require an external antenna?

I've found a K5150 that has an external antenna connection. However I've gone full circle back to using an embedded 3G modem.

Yes, definitely need to get the antenna outside of the device I am building and away from the controller.

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pdath

252 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1366974 15-Aug-2015 16:07

sbiddle: It's safe to say that historically speaking pretty much every USB stick ever made had an external antenna connector. Right now very few do - simply because it's never used.

If you look at 2nd hand hardware you'll have plenty of options.

That is a problem. I need something I know I can reliably get in the future.

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pdath

252 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1366994 15-Aug-2015 16:10

Rickles: Philip, I have a spare Vodafone-branded 3G dongle/stick available .... just needs SIM card. Doesn't use/need external antenna as the internal one is pretty good.

Model is ZTE K3565-Z

R.

Thank you for the kind offer but I think I have it sorted now. I need something where I can reliably source more parts so I can build multiple devices.

I started off with a 3G USB stick that I disassembled and attached the antenna to directly. However I have ended up getting an embedded ZTE 3G modem going. The embedded units don't come with any antenna, so they are intended for you to attach an external antenna.

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