Results 1 to 9 of 9

Thread: The 3G Blues

  1. #1
    Diamond Member tec0's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    South Africa
    Posts
    4,624
    Thanks
    1,884
    Thanked 463 Times in 410 Posts
    Blog Entries
    3

    The 3G Blues

    Every single one of us has the internet otherwise we wouldn’t be here on the net. So knowing that most of us are actually using 3G or rather mobile internet I would imagine that I am not the only one feeling a bit blue… or red with anger maybe just plain discouraged.

    In my situation I pay for a 3G contract that claims you will have a good fast connection. I live 2Km away from one tower and 1.5Km away from a second tower and 3.0Km away from a third. So basically if you look in any direction there you will see a nice big tower. It just so happen that I know for a fact that all of them are from the same service provider.

    Yet I get GPRS? Regardless and my net is stable some days but others especially after 3:00PM I can forget about any connection.

    Problem solving: Can you build a DIY dish to amplify your signal? Yes and it is really simple to do and I will include pictures later on. Are there actually stuff you can buy to amplify your signal? Yes and really the prices isn’t all that bad.

    Lest start with the system you can buy; 11dBi GSM Booster Kit as shown on the website it is really not a bad little device and the price is really not that horrible. I do own some of there other equipment and it is of good quality.

    I am saving up for this booster myself.

    So what are your thoughts on 3G and what home made solutions did you try?

    My personal DIY system is not that bad. I boosted my signal from GPRS to WCDMA at a signal strength of 99% Now before I try explain it all I would rather just show you a picture or two. Now one must have is a USB ponytail because you will need the extra power from the second USB “very bad news if you run a notebook I know. But the USB extension works better if it has a bit more power.

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	1.jpg 
Views:	286 
Size:	64.3 KB 
ID:	3255 Click image for larger version. 

Name:	2.jpg 
Views:	308 
Size:	87.9 KB 
ID:	3256

    I found that if you elevate the modem and place it on a piece of plastic and then secure so that it doesn't touch the metal parts that it works best. I am getting a supper strong signal but the net is still slow. And or I will just lose my connection regardless of the FACT that I have a 99% signal strength.

    Also I wouldn't recommend the DIY because I really don't know what health concerns there are... So do it at your own risk.

    Also as a note: Unplug it when you see a thunder storm. For some reason my previous modem didn't survive.
    peace is a state of mind
    Disclaimer: everything written by me can be considered as fictional.

  2. #2
    Email problem vieome's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    joburg
    Posts
    540
    Thanks
    58
    Thanked 159 Times in 118 Posts
    Blog Entries
    37
    I have tried putting the dongle in a pringles can with good results cantenna Another thing one can do is turn the dongle in a circular motion to find the best signal.

  3. Thanks given for this post:

    tec0 (22-Jan-13)

  4. #3
    Diamond Member Blurock's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Durban
    Posts
    4,151
    Thanks
    758
    Thanked 886 Times in 735 Posts
    Blog Entries
    7
    If you are using 3G at home, should you not consider an ADSL line instead? It is much cheaper and much more stable.

    I am considering buying a 3G for when I am travelling. (I no longer want mail on my phone). That will of course be a once-off for the modem and then pay-as-you go or top up. The monthly packages on 3G are just too expensive and a complete rip off.
    Excellence is not a skill; its an attitude...

  5. Thanks given for this post:

    tec0 (22-Jan-13)

  6. #4
    Diamond Member tec0's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    South Africa
    Posts
    4,624
    Thanks
    1,884
    Thanked 463 Times in 410 Posts
    Blog Entries
    3
    ADSL will cost me double then what I pay now.

    So it is not an option for me at all.
    peace is a state of mind
    Disclaimer: everything written by me can be considered as fictional.

  7. #5
    Diamond Member tec0's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    South Africa
    Posts
    4,624
    Thanks
    1,884
    Thanked 463 Times in 410 Posts
    Blog Entries
    3
    Interesting that all these new Telkom lines are being installed and it seems that we pay more and is worst off the before?

    Anyone had the same experience?
    peace is a state of mind
    Disclaimer: everything written by me can be considered as fictional.

  8. #6
    Diamond Member Justloadit's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Johannesburg
    Posts
    3,480
    Thanks
    134
    Thanked 695 Times in 593 Posts
    Blog Entries
    1
    My standard Telkom line is more off ADSL line than on. So much so that I am considering going wireless.
    Victor - Knowledge is a blessing or a curse, your current circumstances make you decide!
    Solar pumping, Solar Geyser & Solar Security lighting solutions - www.microsolve.co.za

  9. #7
    Diamond Member Mike C's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Umkomaas
    Posts
    2,850
    Thanks
    249
    Thanked 371 Times in 327 Posts
    We run both 3G and ADSL at the office and the 3g is way faster.
    No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. - Aesop "The Lion and the Mouse"

  10. #8
    Site Caretaker Dave A's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Durban, South Africa
    Posts
    22,648
    Thanks
    3,304
    Thanked 2,676 Times in 2,257 Posts
    Blog Entries
    12
    Quote Originally Posted by tec0 View Post
    In my situation I pay for a 3G contract that claims you will have a good fast connection. I live 2Km away from one tower and 1.5Km away from a second tower and 3.0Km away from a third. So basically if you look in any direction there you will see a nice big tower. It just so happen that I know for a fact that all of them are from the same service provider.

    Yet I get GPRS?
    Have you tried setting your connection to 3G only?

  11. #9
    Diamond Member Blurock's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Durban
    Posts
    4,151
    Thanks
    758
    Thanked 886 Times in 735 Posts
    Blog Entries
    7
    Quote Originally Posted by Justloadit View Post
    My standard Telkom line is more off ADSL line than on. So much so that I am considering going wireless.
    Never had a problem with my ADSL line.
    Excellence is not a skill; its an attitude...

Similar Threads

  1. The Telkom Blues...
    By tec0 in forum Technology Forum
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 15-Jan-18, 07:36 PM
  2. New laptop blues
    By Dave A in forum Technology Forum
    Replies: 27
    Last Post: 03-May-11, 03:11 PM
  3. Internet Blues.
    By tec0 in forum Technology Forum
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 09-Sep-09, 02:49 PM
  4. Bull market blues.
    By Dave A in forum Business Finance Forum
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 30-Nov-06, 09:48 AM

Did you like this article? Share it with your favourite social network.

Did you like this article? Share it with your favourite social network.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •