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Thread: Signal booster?

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    Signal booster?

    When my 12-year-old daughter goes to stay at her Grandma's house she takes her laptop but is frustrated because she can't connect to the internet - Grandma doesn't have broadband. I've tried 3G dongles from Three, Vodafone and Orange but don't get strong enough signals to connect - usually just one bar with Three and Vodafone, zero with Orange. I've always thought that if I could put the dongle on the roof maybe the signal would be strong enough.

    I've seen so-called 'mobile signal boosters' on various websites, and I'm tempted to buy one...but do they work? Anyone had any experience of these things?

    http://www.mobilerepeatershop.com/

    http://www.signalboostuk.com/
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    Re: Signal booster?

    I think it would be cheaper to pay for Grandma's broadband package.

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    Re: Signal booster?

    Signal boosters are, unless something has changed recently, illegal as you're transmitting on a band licensed to the cell provider which is illegal to start with, and you're doing it with relatively terribly quality gear which can cause all sorts of interference problems.

    As for the high-gain antennas, it's more of a grey area but still not likely completely legal as they will probably increase the ERP beyond legal limits and if they are directional, you need to go to the hassle of aligning it with the nearest compatible cell tower.

    Better positioning of the dongle would be best, or using something such as a router with 3G support which you can place in a good location and connect with the laptop via wifi.

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    Re: Signal booster?

    Most if not all providers have a map where you can check their coverage, if you look using google - might be that Grandma lives in a blackspot

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    Re: Signal booster?

    USB extension cables are a good idea.

    I suggest you investigate putting a USB 3G dongle in a waterproof plasic box on the top a a pole, connected to the laptop via one of those 5m extension cables. If that works then you have a solution.

    If you need more length, then you can get active repeater cables, and chain up to 4 of them together. (The repeater is a 1 port USB hub that amplifies and cleans up the USB signal).

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/TRIXES-Activ...8998292&sr=8-1

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    Re: Signal booster?

    Quote Originally Posted by watercooled View Post
    Better positioning of the dongle would be best, or using something such as a router with 3G support which you can place in a good location and connect with the laptop via wifi.
    ..a router with 3G support? I don't understand how this can be installed. There is no broadband internet at the house.

    Quote Originally Posted by iamlorro View Post
    Most if not all providers have a map where you can check their coverage, if you look using google - might be that Grandma lives in a blackspot
    ...er yes. Thats already been established, as I said. There's just a very tiny signal on Vodafone and Three.

    Quote Originally Posted by chrestomanci View Post
    USB extension cables are a good idea.

    I suggest you investigate putting a USB 3G dongle in a waterproof plasic box on the top a a pole, connected to the laptop via one of those 5m extension cables. If that works then you have a solution.

    If you need more length, then you can get active repeater cables, and chain up to 4 of them together. (The repeater is a 1 port USB hub that amplifies and cleans up the USB signal).
    This is a great idea and I'm going to give it a try. Cheers everyone.
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    Re: Signal booster?

    How about checking for fon access in the area?

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    Re: Signal booster?

    Quote Originally Posted by Ceefer View Post
    ..a router with 3G support? I don't understand how this can be installed. There is no broadband internet at the house.
    Some routers, albeit not many, have a USB port so you can attach a 3G USB dongle as well as or instead of a normal wired connection.

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    Re: Signal booster?

    Quote Originally Posted by watercooled View Post
    Some routers, albeit not many, have a USB port so you can attach a 3G USB dongle as well as or instead of a normal wired connection.
    I just don't understand what you're getting at. There's no wired broadband at the house and a virtually non-existent 3G signal.
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    Re: Signal booster?

    Quote Originally Posted by abaxas View Post
    How about checking for fon access in the area?
    I was going to reply "what is 'fon access'?", but fortunately, before I showed my ignorance, a quick google threw some light on this very interesting wi-fi network. According to the Fon website there are four fon hotspots in the village! Thanks for that suggestion!
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    Re: Signal booster?

    Quote Originally Posted by Ceefer View Post
    I was going to reply "what is 'fon access'?", but fortunately, before I showed my ignorance, a quick google threw some light on this very interesting wi-fi network. According to the Fon website there are four fon hotspots in the village! Thanks for that suggestion!
    Just buy a fon router for free access *


    * careful use of wirecutters may help here

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    Re: Signal booster?

    Quote Originally Posted by Ceefer View Post
    I just don't understand what you're getting at. There's no wired broadband at the house and a virtually non-existent 3G signal.
    He means something like this:
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-TL-M.../dp/B003WK62OS

    A router doesn't have to route just over ADSL or cable broadband. This one for instance is a dedicated 3G router. You plug the dongle into that, it connects itself to the network operator (Three for instance), and you connect your devices via LAN or WiFi as with any other router. It's just the WAN interface that's different between this and any other conventional router.

    Hope that helps!
    Quote Originally Posted by Noni
    What the hell does "WTH" mean


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    Re: Signal booster?

    Quote Originally Posted by FatalSaviour View Post
    He means something like this:
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-TL-M.../dp/B003WK62OS

    A router doesn't have to route just over ADSL or cable broadband. This one for instance is a dedicated 3G router. You plug the dongle into that, it connects itself to the network operator (Three for instance), and you connect your devices via LAN or WiFi as with any other router. It's just the WAN interface that's different between this and any other conventional router.

    Hope that helps!
    Just to consolidate, the theory behind this solution would be that you could place the router itself in a less accessible place that stands a chance of getting some 3G reception, whilst your free to roam around with your laptop browsing the internet, connected via WiFi to the router.
    Quote Originally Posted by Noni
    What the hell does "WTH" mean


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    Re: Signal booster?

    Quote Originally Posted by FatalSaviour View Post
    He means something like this:
    http://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-Link-TL-M.../dp/B003WK62OS

    A router doesn't have to route just over ADSL or cable broadband. This one for instance is a dedicated 3G router. You plug the dongle into that, it connects itself to the network operator (Three for instance), and you connect your devices via LAN or WiFi as with any other router. It's just the WAN interface that's different between this and any other conventional router.

    Hope that helps!
    Exactly the sort of thing I meant.

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