Vodem Antenna/Passive Repeater?

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Fizza

17 posts

Geek

# 19515 19-Feb-2008 23:19

Any one know of any good way to set up an antenna or a passive repeater for a vodem.
Any thing worth buying (thats not hundreds of dollars)?

I have googled a fair bit, and found some niffty (but not amazing) DIY's - sattelite dish from a wok with the vodem in the middle etc (indoor of course).
Lots of stuff on wifi too.

I live on North Shore and I get a pretty weak 3G signal inside house (a bit better on the deck outside).
Would really like to up that a bit.

Would be nice if the vodem had an antenna connecter so i could put something up on the roof.

Thought perhaps instead there might be a way to have an aerial on the roof connected to something that retransmits the signal inside the house. (lamans terms, but ya get the idea).

I don't wanna spend a huge amount on this though.

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Spark

# 111743 19-Feb-2008 23:55

All sounds like a lot of effort!

Just out of curiosity did you ever consider an alternative to Vodafone's 3G Broadband, i.e. Telecom Mobile CDMA EVDO Rev A, before you signed up?

Of course if you are within contract with Vodafone, it may not be worth it, but one would say it would be a far simpler option, than what you plan to do.

nzbnw

Fizza

17 posts

Geek

# 111746 20-Feb-2008 00:07

I did check out telecom. But didn't see anything that meet my needs.

The Rev A is a data card isn't it? I have a PC - hence the usb modem.

Whats telecom got in the way of usb modems.

But yeah I am on a plan, so no backing out.
I'm happy enough with the vodem. Just wondering if people are comign up with any cool DIY's.

nzbnw

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Spark

# 111747 20-Feb-2008 00:11

CDMA EVDO Rev A is the '3G' technology Telecom use.

Telecom do offer a USB modem also: http://www.telecom.co.nz/usbmodem?nv=sd

nzbnw

grant_k

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# 111750 20-Feb-2008 00:17

Fizza: I did check out telecom. But didn't see anything that meet my needs.

The Rev A is a data card isn't it? I have a PC - hence the usb modem.

Whats telecom got in the way of usb modems.

One of these will blow your Vodem away:

It has the USB connection, so can be used with any PC at all.
Telecom's 3G network operates on 800MHz so it goes to many more places than Vodafone's 3G network which operates on 2100MHz (or thereabouts).

Here is the coverage map for Telecom 3G in Auckland:

http://www.telecom.co.nz/binarys/auckland%20coverage%203-0.pdf

I use a Telecom Mobile Broadband card frequently and it works perfectly just about anywhere. I also use a Vodafone Mobile Phone so can compare the coverage of the two networks. Therefore I can tell you that Telecom's coverage is far, far better, especially in rural areas.

Fizza

17 posts

Geek

# 111751 20-Feb-2008 00:24

Ah yup I had seen the telecom usb modem.

I just checked out their plans on their site.

I went with vodafone because they had the 3Gb plan, which with a 24 month term ment that the vodem was free.
Plus for extra $10 its a whole 3Gb over again. 6Gb all up.
For me the telecom modem just seemed to much when compared.

grant_k

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# 111754 20-Feb-2008 00:47

Fizza: For me the telecom modem just seemed to much when compared.

Another case of You Get What You Pay For...

Sure, your plan provides 6GB of data with your Vodem for quite a reasonable price.

But what use is it if the signal is too weak for you to use the 6GB?

Fizza: I live on North Shore and I get a pretty weak 3G signal inside house (a bit better on the deck outside).

Maybe you could sit outside on the deck under an umbrella or something...

Fizza: Any one know of any good way to set up an antenna or a passive repeater for a vodem.
Would be nice if the vodem had an antenna connecter so i could put something up on the roof.

The Telecom Mobile Broadband Cards all have an external antenna connector under a little rubber cover. I have never had to use mine, but I know somebody who lives at Port Waikato and she gets an OK signal using the external antenna. In the area where she lives, Telecom don't say that you will get 3G. But actually she does, when using the external antenna

For myself, I've never had to use anything more than the card by itself. I just plug it in, and it works -- wherever I may be

weatherman

99 posts

Master Geek

# 111761 20-Feb-2008 07:43

Hi Fizza,

A possible solution to your signal problem would be an external antenna. I know the Vodem has no external antenne port (I use one myself), but if you Google "Tennatron", you'll find an antenna which doesn't need a direct connection. It instead uses a sort of proximity connection, where you have a probe-thingy velcroed to the Vodem, with a cable running up to the antenna on your roof.

Tennatron are down in Nelson, and advertise in the Accesories/aerials section of our "favourite" NZ online auction site.

I've never used one of their antennas, so can't say how effective they are, but this would be a possible solution for around $200.

The signal booster idea is also possible - a firm in Auckland (forget the name) does them, but at aound $550 that's an expensive option!

Anyway, hope this helps!

Cheers,

George

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# 111766 20-Feb-2008 08:00

If you anyone is going to pay $500 for an external antenna (expensive as you pointed out) then it's just better to cancel the contract and get a Telecom device. At least Telecom offers CDMA EVDO Rev A in all their cellsites.

Also Telecom offers a PCMCIA device, a Express card device and a USB device. Exactly like Vodafone.

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# 111778 20-Feb-2008 08:31

freitasm:
If you anyone is going to pay $500 for an external antenna (expensive as you pointed out) then it's just better to cancel the contract and get a Telecom device. At least Telecom offers CDMA EVDO Rev A in all their cellsites.

Also Telecom offers a PCMCIA device, a Express card device and a USB device. Exactly like Vodafone.

$500 ROFL not really DIY

Fizza

17 posts

Geek

# 111796 20-Feb-2008 10:02

Thanx for the info George (weatherman).

The Tennatron idea sound like what I was thinking. Or though i don't think I'll pay $200 just to get a better signal.
My signals not that bad (I just like to get the most out of anything - I like the challenge).

But I will let my brother inlaw know about it

and about the telecom usb modem (thanx nzbnw and grant_k) - he lives in Taranaki and doesn't get such good signal understandably.

Any by the way grant_k (wow that rhymes), I pretty much always use 3GB/month, often up to 5 - depending on updates, skype usage etc. - my signals good enough to use skype as a my home fone, so I'm not complaining - would just like to see 5 bars (just for kicks).

thanx again for all your input.

sbiddle

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# 111799 20-Feb-2008 10:11

Fizza: Any by the way grant_k (wow that rhymes), I pretty much always use 3GB/month, often up to 5 - depending on updates, skype usage etc. - my signals good enough to use skype as a my home fone, so I'm not complaining - would just like to see 5 bars (just for kicks).

thanx again for all your input.

What sort of speeds to you get running a speedtest from a site such as speedtest.net? If you're getting adequate speeds then improving the signal strength won't always result in faster speeds.

The other option may be to try and locate the vodem next to a window and run a USB cable to the PC if that's possible.

johnr

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# 111800 20-Feb-2008 10:14

Hi Fizza

I sent you a PM might pay to have a quick read

BigFella

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# 111810 20-Feb-2008 10:36

freitasm: At least Telecom offers CDMA EVDO Rev A in all their cellsites.

Woah, let's back up - Telecom do Rev A on all their sites that do EVDO - not quite the same thing as all their sites!

grant_k

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# 111813 20-Feb-2008 10:42

Fizza: Any by the way grant_k (wow that rhymes), I pretty much always use 3GB/month, often up to 5 - depending on updates, skype usage etc...

Wouldn't you be better off getting ADSL for that amount of usage?

For example, Xnet Fusion would cost $72.95 for 3GB or $74.95 for 5GB, which is quite a bit less than the $90 or so you would be paying Vodafone for a similar amount of usage. And the speed would be much faster too

Or, if someone in your house/flat already has a phone line installed, you could get Xnet River which would cost only $38.95 per month for 5GB. Has to be worth a look!

Fizza

17 posts

Geek

# 111815 20-Feb-2008 10:48

OK sbiddle, did speed test (cant be bothered uploading pic) - an yup the vodems by a window , with bout 3 meters of usb.

Download = 1414 kb/s
Upload = 330 kb/s

Ping = 232 ms

Distance = < 50 mi

Whats that like. Your all proabably going, whats this guy on, thats alright speed?

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