How to amplify 3G signal and 4G modem: network analysis, antennas and their installation

If you want to amplify the modem signal in the 3G or 4G generation network, you need to learn the Cell ID of your base station and the direction of its location using the programs. Then you need to build an antenna and point it towards the BS, finding the point with the best signal reception level. Otherwise, you can simply buy a set of special equipment( antenna, amplifier, adapter) for confident reception of the mobile network signal in the countryside. More information about this you can find out further.

Contents:

• How does 3G and 4G modem work?
  
• Methods for improving the signal
  

How the 3G and 4G modem works

So, you bought yourself a 3G or 4G modem and want to have high-speed Internet access, but you failed - a low signal level in your home. Very often, this problem can be solved, and in fairly simple and budgetary ways. Journalists Vse-sekrety.ru will share secrets on improving the signal quality for Internet access through third and fourth generation networks in several ways.

For home crafts, amplification of the signal in modems has become a real hobby. They experiment with various homemade antennas, their position and settings, but most importantly - all this in most cases is quite effective.


The given speed indicators are the maximum, as measured in the laboratory. In reality, the subscriber will have a speed several times lower and this should be taken into account and understood by .As a rule, the speed in 50% of the maximum is quite normal, and in real conditions that is 20-30%.


To determine which of these affects low speed in a particular case is simple enough: if the speed is low around the clock, the reason is remote from the base station( BS), if the speed improves closer to night - in the workload of the BS.

Modems are configured in such a way that they will work in the mode of the network, in which there is the most stable and high-quality signal. It is important to understand that the 3G and 4G modules are installed far from all BSs, so there may be jumps between 2G /3G/ 4G networks. To eliminate this - in the modem settings, you can choose only one mode of operation of the network, which supports the work with the latest generation of the network: only WCDMA /WCDMA/ HSDPA( 3G) or LTE( 4G).



Network monitoring

Network monitoring will allow you to get more accurate information, based on which it will be easier, faster and more efficiently amplify the signal. The signal level is displayed in the application from the operator, in the same place you can get information about which mode( standard) your modem is working in.



To begin with, we recommend installing the Mobile Data Monitoring Application( MDMA) with the Entropiy plug-in. This program will show the Cell ID to which you are connected, as well as the signal quality. In the modem settings, set the forced selection of the type of network you need( WCDMA / HSDPA - this is 3G or LTE - 4G).When using the program, the operator application will need to be closed, and after the MDMA starts and detects the network - connect to the Internet.



If you are a smartphone user on Android, SignalSitemap will show the direction of your BS on the map. You can determine your "own" BS by Cell ID, which number you will learn in the MDMA program. Without a program, searching for the direction of the BS will be somewhat more complicated.

Methods for improving the signal

Modem position

Sometimes it is possible to improve the quality of the signal with a simple action - moving the modem to another location, for example, to install near the window. For the USB modem you will need to purchase an appropriate extension cable, the length of which should be enough from the computer / laptop to the window. It is desirable to hang the modem to the cornice, or to raise it so that it is on the line of sight of the street. In some situations it is possible to catch the signal in the apartment itself, and not near the window - you need to look for it here. Select the best position of the device from the signal strength indicator.

Simple antennas for 5 minutes

The simplest antenna is the winding of the copper wire at the location of the antenna in the modem( as a rule, it is at the end).The thickness of the copper cable, the number of turns and length - you need to select individually for each modem and location conditions.



Another simple antenna - from a metal can of coffee. For the antenna you need a simple metal can of round diameter. In the center of the can make a hole in which the modem is inserted. The modem shoulder also needs to be selected for each model separately, as a rule, it is inserted into the jar up to half its middle or just below half. We connect the modem to the computer via the USB extension cable and by the method of probes we find the point with the best signal and the position of the modem projection.


Professional antennas

In case when the above mentioned methods did not help, as a rule, this happens in the countryside, then an external antenna will be needed. First, learn the position of your BS and its approximate distance from you, as well as the range in which the operator works. Further you will need:

• External antenna with gain( for the appropriate range);


• Adapter for USB modem or repeater( depending on the type of amplifier);


• Cable.

Insert the modem into the adapter and connect it to the computer, connect the cable to the amplifier from the adapter, and then connect the cable to the antenna from it. Find the desired position of the antenna and fix it. There are amplifiers that work without an adapter, instead a repeater is used. The principle of such an amplifier is considered in the video.


If you do not have experience in this matter, then specialists who specialize in improving the quality of communication will help you. They will make the necessary measurements and choose the most suitable set of equipment for your conditions. In this case, you will get a guaranteed quality network signal and Internet speed, while the funds will not be wasted.

We wish you a high-quality signal and high speed Internet.