Embedded 4g/3g Modem/Router with external antenna for backup WAN

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Flow

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#151564 29-Aug-2014 08:22

Hi Folks,

I am looking for a 3g/4g modem/router with a sim slot and external antenna to use as my back up connection for my existing rural Wifi WAN link. I need an external antenna as I will need to use an external log periodic antenna on the roof to boost the signal.

I can see the Netcomm 3G38WV does 850/900/1900/2100 MHz UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA but is not forward compatible with LTE 1800 and 700 MHz.

http://media.netcomm.com.au/public/assets/pdf_file/0008/117899/3G38WV-Spec-Sheet-white.pdf

I have explored the offerings at the US 3gstore but nothing seems to cover the Telecom 3g 850Mhz bannd... For example:
http://3gstore.com/product/5158_cloudgate_m2m_global_embedded_3g_4g_router.html

For my local towers (currently) I need 850 for Telecom (not a very contended tower) and 900 for Vodafone (a heavily contended tower) which the Netcomm will cover but I would ideally like to future proof for the 4G frequencies.

Does anyone have any thoughts on what to use here?

Lastly does anyone know why it is said that you need line of sight for booster antenna to work, especially the Yagis?

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#1117712 29-Aug-2014 08:38

There is nothing yet with LTE700. Do not get a US model, their 700 is different.

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Flow

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#1117768 29-Aug-2014 10:27

Thanks,

I believe that Cloudgate device is a "Global" spec, any comments?

chevrolux

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#1118268 29-Aug-2014 21:54

Mikrotik RB433 with a Sierra Wireless 4G MiniPCI card. Then you can whack in a R52n card too for wifi around the house. Also makes it super easy to set up failover.

Flow

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#1118284 29-Aug-2014 22:24

Very interesting, looks rather DIY, able to take a moment for a bit of a kick start in the right direction, cabling, connectors, config, local sources?

Flow

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#1118334 30-Aug-2014 07:00

Something like this http://www.m2mconnectivity.com.au/technologies/lte/lte-routers/rb411u-lte-router or am I better off to build my own?

Goosey

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#1118335 30-Aug-2014 07:05

These guys know their stuff...

http://www.ultimatebroadband.co.nz

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oxnsox

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#1118337 30-Aug-2014 07:18

Line of sight is a key requirement for radio signals as you get into higher VHFand UHF frequencies because unlike lower frequency ssignals they don't bend around the earths physical features.
Although that's a negative it is part of the reason we use these frequencies for things like cell sites, as it allows frequencies to be reused effectively giving us access to more channels

Flow

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#1118338 30-Aug-2014 07:21

Just found this http://www.embeddedworks.net/wwan562.html Looks like it does all the bands and has a 1G Ethernet hand off so no bottle neck if we end up with 150M LTE. It is near 600USD though! What would a Mikrotik/Sierra solution run up to?

johnr

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#1118341 30-Aug-2014 07:44

You really want something that supports Band 3 1800Mhz and Band 28 700Mhz

Flow

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#1118342 30-Aug-2014 07:47

This looks like another Mikrotik based solution http://routerboard.com/RB912UAG-5HPnD-OUT even with POE af (could power it off my Cisco 897) and might take the Sierra card...

Thanks for the input on the provider and LOS BTW.

Could really use some guidance in the Mikrotik direction, chevrolux?

jjnz1

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#1118343 30-Aug-2014 07:58

I have both the netcomm 3g38wv and a mikrotik rb411 with a Sierra 3g card. Both work well however I had to use an ip power outlet to schedule power cycles at 4 am daily to keep them both from eventually locking up.

Note the netcomm cannot be locked to 900mhz for some reason. Only 850, 2100 or all (850,900,2100).

That was an issue for me as I have good 900mhz through trees (-75) but poor 2100mhz (-105) and for some reason both units wanted to switch to 2100mhz where possible.

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oxnsox

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#1118357 30-Aug-2014 08:59

Another note on aerials.
If you're looking at covering all the band (and carrier) options you've mentioned, I'm not aware of a single antenna that will do that. You may want to look at realistic antenna options first as they aren't cheap and it may have a bearing on your other hardware decisions

sbiddle

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#1118405 30-Aug-2014 09:57

Flow: Just found this http://www.embeddedworks.net/wwan562.html Looks like it does all the bands and has a 1G Ethernet hand off so no bottle neck if we end up with 150M LTE. It is near 600USD though! What would a Mikrotik/Sierra solution run up to?

You'll never get 150Mbps LTE because that's only a cat 3 device.

You're not going to find any devices supporting band 28 yet because it's no new. If that's your goal, you may as well forget about buying a card at present.

Flow

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#1118408 30-Aug-2014 10:02

Interesting issue with both the Mikrotik and the Netcomm, issue with Vodafone or the same firmware memory leak?
How easy was the Mikrotik to build? Are you able to recommended any suppliers?

On the antenna anyone got any better options than this log periodic? Freq.Range-MHz 700-960 1710-2500. See attached data sheet.

Flow

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#1118419 30-Aug-2014 10:29

sbiddle:
Flow: Just found this http://www.embeddedworks.net/wwan562.html Looks like it does all the bands and has a 1G Ethernet hand off so no bottle neck if we end up with 150M LTE. It is near 600USD though! What would a Mikrotik/Sierra solution run up to?

You'll never get 150Mbps LTE because that's only a cat 3 device.

You're not going to find any devices supporting band 28 yet because it's no new. If that's your goal, you may as well forget about buying a card at present.

Thanks for chiming in sbiddle, the goal is really to future proof as much as practicable.

You are saying that there is nothing available the would be 150LTE forward compatible on band 28? What is your recommendation for band 3, greater than Cat 3?

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