Mobile WiFi device

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PSLog

245 posts

Master Geek

#115794 7-Apr-2013 10:49

In the past I have been using an HP Mini 311 netbook on the Vodafone 3G extended (900Mhz) band. It has worked brilliantly in my motorhome while "on the road".
But it got nicked a few weeks ago.

I now want to provide a WiFi hotspot in my motorhome and wish to boost reception in marginal areas by having a Cellutronic aerial connected.

Vodafone have a device buried on their site an R208 that "appears" to do the job - but the only mention of an external aerial socket is in a diagram in the User guide: nothing in the text. It costs $200

I have found a similar device on eBay here
http://www.ebay.com/itm/HUAWEI-E5332-HSPA-21Mbps-Pocket-Mobile-WiFi-Hotspot-Wireless-Modem-E586-E5331-/150989312321

This is about half the cost. What I want to know is: is there any reason that this device would not work with a Vodafone SIM card?

khull

1245 posts

Uber Geek

#794531 7-Apr-2013 11:31

just make sure the band frequency is compatible - that ebay item looks like it will work on Voda fine but not on Telecom

I use a D-Link wifi hospot because the 2100mhz network is hopeless indoors.

PSLog

245 posts

Master Geek

#794533 7-Apr-2013 11:37

Sorry, here is a more useful link for the question I was asking
http://www.huaweidevice.com/worldwide/productFeatures.do?treeId=3619&pinfoId=3506&directoryId=5009&tab=0

johnr

19282 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#794535 7-Apr-2013 11:37

I have a R208 sitting at home hardly used make me an offer

I will check for the aerial socket when home and if it has one the great thing about the R208 it supports Dual carrier

John

wongtop

543 posts

Ultimate Geek

#794536 7-Apr-2013 11:38

You can pick up an R205 for less than $100, but like the device you link to it is only 21 mbps, and I don't think it has an external antenna port either.

PSLog

245 posts

Master Geek

#794538 7-Apr-2013 11:42

The R205 can only connect to an aerial with the battery removed, it seems.
The one I was looking at was a R208.
My interest is not in getting great speed: but getting any sort of connection in marginal areas.
Is the 21Mbit a problem in those circumstances?

johnr

19282 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#794541 7-Apr-2013 11:53

On the R208 the socket is on the side of the unit very easy access just a little flip cover

FYI unit was purchased from Vodafone Albany

wongtop

543 posts

Ultimate Geek

#794542 7-Apr-2013 11:57

PSLog: The R205 can only connect to an aerial with the battery removed, it seems.
The one I was looking at was a R208.
My interest is not in getting great speed: but getting any sort of connection in marginal areas.
Is the 21Mbit a problem in those circumstances?

It will depend on what you are trying to do, e.g. Video streaming vs normal websurfing, email, etc, and whether the cell you are connecting to supports dual carrier or not. Personally I am happy with my r205, but I don't stream video on my mobile connection.

Why not make johnr an offer on the r208, which is later and greater?

sarmajor

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#802896 20-Apr-2013 19:40

We live to far away from the nearest upgraded telecom box to get wired broadband internet. I have just today received a R208 unit.. I live in a valley with a telecom and Vodafone towers about 4ks way with two high ridges in the way. I have no signal or connection until I connect the unit to my Cellutronics external antenna then I get a couple of bars but more importantly I get a 3G connection and speedtest around 1.4mbps. Not bad considering the extremely low signal available in my location. Setup was easy as and even though I bought it on account there was a prepay SIM card in the box with 2 gigs of free data. Hope it all keeps working as this is a vast improvement for us from Dialup Internet.

Cheers