3g mobile broadband booster

epicurus

I started a virgin mobile broadband contract 3 days ago and despite being in London (Highgate) the signal fluctuates quite a lot from a perfect 4 bars to one, or just GPRS.

Can anyone recommend any ways to improve the signal apart from moving the location of the laptop? I'd really like to reduce the fluctuation in signal strength as I have to reconnect every time it goes to GPRS. I've have had a look for 3G antennas and the best I can find are featured in the link below.

http://www.panorama-antennas.com/shop/3g_cards/huawei/e160/index.html

Has anyone used one of these before. I'm tempted to get the basic one for £19.99 but if that only gives a marginally better signal I'd rather pay more.

Thanks and merry Christmas!

Dime_Bar

Best bet would be to see if your model of modem has an external antenna connector, if it does you should be able to get something better than the ones above.

If you are using it mainly at home then you will be using the same tower to connect to and therefore a directional antenna will be best.

Let me know what model you have.

epicurus

Thanks for your post. I have a HUAWEI Mobile Connect Model E160 HSDPA USB stick. It has a place that you can plug in a connector.

I'll be traveling around a lot so looking for something that I can carry around, so portable and light.

Thanks

elektra-2007

they sell the antenas on ebay for about 20quid coz i looked into one, now i just plug it into a usb extension lead and point it near a window. i only use a 1m one as i tried a 2m lead and i didnt get a good signal.

Cliddy

I've been in a thread elsewhere on here (do a search on 3 dongle to find it) I am in a generaly good reception area and had the set up you describe with 3. Also the lousy speeds etc. Fortunately I had only a rolling 30 day 3 contract, so I did loads of research (I'm sort of semi IT literate) and wasn't really prepared to throw more money at a 3 solution that may not work. To cut a VERY long story short I started up an Orange 30 day contract. It now works as it should. MUCH improved speed, NO breaks etc. I run a Broadband speed checker regularly and it's vastly better than 3.
I'm afraid all locations have their unique reception areas and problems. If you are fortunate enough to have a short contract I suggest changing. Perhaps not to Orange, that's your choice. After all it could be cheaper than getting extra equipment for a 3 solution.
If you have a long contract, then I'm afraid you may have to take technical advice from this forum and others.

Cliddy

VERY sorry just reread your post, it was 3g not 3 network you said !!! My response still stands it's just that my problem was with 3, yours is with Virgin. Sorry !

Dime_Bar

An exposed connector makes it easier, most dongles have one but they are usually hidden under the cover.

As I say it would be best to have a directional one for use at home, and maybe a omnidirectional one for use away from home.

Head to the Ofcom site and find your nearest T-Mobile location, this would be the direction to point it in. If you cannot get line of site to it then it may be best to look for one you can that is further away.

I will have a rummage later for some links to specific antennas. I am actually building my own.

buglawton

I find that a flexible usb extender just a couple of inches long increases the signal by one bar on the Desktop using a Voda 3g dongle. Also protects the dongle being damaged if it is leaned on.

Botch

I have a 3 metre USB extension which I find is a cheap portable option and hanging the dongle next to a window dramatically decreases the number of times that you lose signal and have to reconnect. You could also check the direction of your nearest transmitter at www.sitefinder.ofcom.org.uk

labp04

A bit wacky - but you never know:

http://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.shtml#962