This article is for those, whotormented with a low 3G / 4G LTE signal making it difficult or impossible to comfortably work on the Internet,and now seriously thinking about improving the quality of access to the global network.
Many users of 3G/4G modems are looking for the answer to the question: - How to improve modem signal reception? How to increase internet speed to fully enjoy online services?
So, it should be understood that a high-quality signal directly affects the speed of the Internet, the other possible limitations are the momentary load base station(BS) operator. In this article, we will describe the most popular and "popular" ways to "overclock" 3G / 4G Internet, describe the pros and cons of each of them.
1. The "stick-rope" method
The easiest way to improve signal reception is by raising the modem to a height using a USB extension cable (preferably not economical and not more than 3m. Otherwise, connection loss is likely)
Primitive economy - a method burdened only by the purchase of a USB extension cable and connection worries.
A low-performance solution, with a minimal increase in speed of a few dB., Apart from the fact that when placed outdoors, you sentence the modem to early failure - according to statistics in a year, since the design feature is designed for room temperature and humidity.
2. Do-it-yourself antenna method
This is the next evolutionary method that allows you to increase the speed of the Internet by making a homemade 3G / 4G antenna. There are a lot of instructions on the Internet for making.
Low gain and dependent on weather factors like wind and rain.In addition, as we wrote earlier, subject to external placement, it negatively affects the viability of the modem.
3. Method "Using modern outdoor 3G / 4G LTE antennas"
The most modern and effective, in our opinion, way to increase the level of 3G / 4G signal and provide yourself with reliable Internet on long years is the use specialized external antennas. The main advantage of which over the above methods is this is a high gain(up to 20 dBi and above), ready to work in the most severe weather conditions. Even if you live at decent distances from the operator tower: 7, 10, 20 km. with the right antenna, you can achieve a decent Internet speed - up to 60 Mbps!. If you are in a zone of weak or almost non-existent 4G LTE signal The use of a powerful antenna will help to amplify and provide reliable reception.
Compliance with operator standards and increased signal reception ratio allowing at times increase the speed of 3G & 4G LTE Internet!
+ Independence from weather conditions and robust construction.
+ Price "does not bite" from 1600 ₽ to 4800 ₽.
Installation according to the rules for maximum results and according to our article "How to properly install a 3G / 4G antenna". This is quite a feasible task that does not require special skills and abilities, and the result is a comfortable speed for years.
Mobile communication devices are the most demanded and popular Appliances in all segments of the population. Communication is carried out in the allotted section of the radio wave range, which is in the range from 600 to 2750 MHz. This communication channel allows you to talk to each other, send and receive SMS messages, as well as access the Internet. Stations and substations of various mobile operators are always installed in such places that the signal reaches any user. But there are situations when the signal level can be greatly weakened. The reason may be long distances, terrain or building construction. Since a mobile communication device becomes completely useless with a weak signal, the signal must be amplified. A 3G signal amplifier can also be called a repeater or repeater.
Methods for amplifying a cellular signal
There are two ways to amplify the signal from a mobile operator:
- Installing a GSM antenna;
- Amplifier installation.
Antenna. The first (passive) method involves connecting an antenna of the appropriate range to the communication device. Mobile device companies offer wide choose antennas to amplify the signal. A passive antenna allows a mobile communication device to confidently receive a weaker signal, therefore, despite the fact that it does not have active amplifying elements, the antenna has a gain. It is measured in decibels and, depending on the design, can range from 3 to 10 dB. The simplest antenna is a vertical rod on a stand and a coaxial cable with a connector.
Such antennas can be installed on any metal surfaces with built-in magnet. They are often used by car tourists who, on their trips, may find themselves in places where the signal is very weak. The antenna can be placed on the roof of the car, which will ensure the reliable operation of the mobile device. The only drawback of this method is the lack of a connector for connecting an external antenna on most mobile devices. Therefore, most often for the normal operation of cellular communications in conditions of low signal level, active devices are used - signal amplifiers or repeaters.
Amplifier.
The GSM signal amplifier consists of an external antenna, a base unit and an internal antenna. The outdoor antenna receives a weak signal from the mobile operator and transmits it via cable to the input of the repeater, which is installed indoors. The amplified signal is broadcast to an internal antenna, which radiates it into space. The external antenna should not be located too far from the amplifier, as long coaxial cable lengths can result in signal attenuation.
To choose the right antenna and amplifier, remember that there are different ranges, and there is simply no universal antenna for all frequencies used for mobile communications. That is, they are widely advertised, but, as a rule, perform poorly at all frequencies. So the following bands are allocated for GSM: 850, 900, 1800 and 1900 MHz. 3G operates at a higher frequency - 2100 MHz, and the most modern 4G / LTE standard uses frequencies above 2600 MHz. This standard has not yet received wide distribution, especially in the regions, but is being steadily implemented.
The use of a signal amplifier allows you to operate mobile devices long time without recharging the battery, since the lower the signal strength, the more energy is required to power the electronic components. In order for the 4G signal amplifier to provide high performance, an antenna of the appropriate frequency range must be connected to it.
Signal Quality Check
Very often there is a need to check the level of the cellular signal, as well as to look at some network parameters. The simplest indication of signal strength is the number of vertical bars or "sticks" on the display of the mobile device. Various utilities are used to precisely control network parameters. For Android devices, you can use a small program GSM Signal Monitoring . This utility scans the main network characteristics in GSM, UMTS, LTE, and performs the following functions:
- Fixing the signal level;
- Image of signal strength in the form of a graph;
- Data exchange rate indication.
In addition, the program will allow you to familiarize yourself with other parameters of the network connection. In GSM networks, the signal level is indicated from -113 dB (weak level) to -50 dB (excellent level), and in LTE networks - from -140 dB to -50 dB.
On the iPhone, the signal strength can be determined using the service program. To enter it, you need to dial the following code: *3001#12345#* "Call". In the "Field Test" window, depending on the network, you need to select "UMTS Cell Environment" or "GSM Cell Environment". Further, for the GSM network, you need to sequentially go through the following lines: "GSM Cell Info" - "Neighbouing Cells" and select "0" in the list of working channels. In the upper left corner of the window that opens, before the name of the mobile operator, the signal level (-65 MegaFon) will be indicated.
Selection Criteria for an LTE Antenna
4G LTE is a high-speed wireless communication standard that is being actively implemented today for use in mobile devices. LTE falls a bit short of the advertised 4G parameters, but mobile operators position and promote it as 4G, so they are often treated as one and the same. To correctly select an antenna, you need to know its main characteristics.
An antenna for a 4G modem can be evaluated by the following parameters:
- Frequency range;
- Gain;
- Directional diagram.
For external antennas, the operating temperature range and protection from external climatic influences are also taken into account. The frequency range of the antenna is selected depending on the mobile communication standard. As mentioned above, advertised antennas, which should work confidently in all ranges, should be treated with caution. In some cases, such antennas do provide normal signal reception, but more often than not, those who have purchased such a product may be disappointed with the result.
The gain is indicated in the passport and can be 5-20 dBi. The radiation pattern is determined by the design of the antenna:
- The sector antenna has a high gain, but for reliable signal reception, it must be very accurately oriented in the direction of the base station. Its radiation pattern has a strongly elongated shape;
- Highly directional antennas are difficult to tune without special equipment;
- Whip antennas, often used in everyday life, have a design in the form of a vertical rod mounted on a stand. Such an antenna has a circular radiation pattern. In the vertical plane, its diagram is an oblate toroid (donut). This means that at a point located below or above the antenna, signal reception is not possible;
- For domestic use, you can purchase a panel directional antenna. It has a good gain and a nice design. When choosing a panel LTE antenna, you should be aware that there are simply no such devices with a gain of more than 20 dBi, so you can ignore antennas with a gain of 50-70 dBi.
Another thing is the complete set. It consists of the following elements:
- Outdoor 4G antenna;
- indoor antenna;
- Repeater with gain up to 50-60 dBi;
- Wi-Fi router;
- Connection cable;
- Power Supply.
Such a system will provide a reliable signal and Internet access to all devices in a house or apartment.
Installation and setup
An antenna for confident operation in 3G / 4G networks can be installed independently, while fulfilling certain requirements:
- First of all, the outdoor antenna should be installed as high as possible. This is due to the fact that the work in the network is carried out at high frequencies, which are very well absorbed by various environments. These are brick and reinforced concrete walls of buildings and metal coatings that can reflect the signal. The foliage of trees, which contains a lot of moisture, is also a negative factor in the passage of high frequency radio waves. For the same reason, the indoor antenna should be placed away from mirrors and aquariums.
- The second important factor when installing the antenna is its correct orientation. This is not required only when installing a whip antenna, which has a circular radiation pattern. The orientation of a highly directional antenna is best left to professionals. This operation can be performed with an assistant. In this case, one moves the antenna by 10-15 degrees, and the partner monitors the signal level on the computer or mobile device using the app.
Mobile Internet gives the user huge benefits. For example, if you have a 3G or 4G modem, you can access the Network, including in the country, in a car, on a train, on the beach, in a hotel, etc. mobile internet less than wired, but you can still use it with relative comfort. Some disadvantage of 3G and 4G modems is basically only that they do not always catch the Internet signal. After all, towers are mostly located only in cities and large towns.
Correcting the situation with poor mobile Internet in our time, meanwhile, is not too difficult. To do this, you just need to purchase a suitable LTE antenna. There are many types of such devices on the market today. Modern LTE-amplifiers can differ in design, installation site, or received frequencies. When choosing such a device, therefore, it is necessary to take into account a lot of different factors.
What is LTE technologies
Actually, the LTE technique itself is the next stage in the development of cellular communications. This standard covers all technologies that allow you to receive a signal at a speed of more than 10 Mbps. When using such techniques, data is transmitted in packets. This is what provides a significant increase in speed.
For a smooth transition from 3G to 4G, such complexes provide continuous transmission systems from LTE to 3G. In principle, the range of such towers can be both 30 and 100 km. However, in cities and towns, most often you can see not too high complexes that propagate the signal for no more than 5 km.
Distances of 5 km in most cases for potential consumers operator is sufficient. But sometimes it also happens that the Internet is needed in a more remote area. In this case, you have to use a special device - an LTE antenna. With its help, you can significantly amplify the signal coming from the tower in this particular place and, accordingly, stabilize the Internet, making it faster.
What varieties exist
There are many models of LTE antennas on sale in our time. When choosing such a device, you should pay attention to several factors. By design, for example, antennas are:
conventional and MIMO;
external and built-in;
directional, omnidirectional or sector;
broadband and narrowband;
panel, irradiators or "Yagi".
At the place of installation, all such devices are classified into external LTE antennas and internal ones.
Conventional and MIMO amplifiers
The use of simple LTE devices allows you to increase the speed of mobile Internet up to 50 Mbps. But even more advanced antennas are available on the market today, providing signal reception at about 100 Mbps. Such models are called MIMO. A feature of their design is that it includes two LTE antennas at once, mounted in one housing at a short distance from each other. Both devices receive and transmit a signal to the receiver at the same time, but through two separate cables. And this, in turn, provides high speed mobile Internet. The abbreviation MIMO in translation from English is deciphered approximately as "multiple input, multiple output".
It is worth buying an LTE MIMO antenna for 3G Internet only if you are sure that the standard 3G BS works in this mode.
External and internal antennas
Both of these types of devices can help to strengthen the 3G, 4G signal well. Internal antennas are cheaper and are installed in the apartment. When choosing such a model, among other things, you need to pay attention to the length of the cable included in the kit. They usually put such antennas on the windowsill and direct them towards the nearest tower. The length of the cable should be long enough to be easily plugged into a USB port on your computer. It is also advisable to make sure that the LTE antenna comes with a cable supplemented with noise suppressors.
The internal antennas amplify the signal well if the tower is not too far from home. For very remote areas, it is better to use external devices. Such antennas are hung on the roof of a house or on a tree. The choice of a specific model of an external device depends primarily on the signal strength of the operator. The weaker it is, the more expensive the LTE antenna for the Internet will have to be bought.
Outdoor and built-in models
In most cases, the antennas designed to amplify the LTE signal are separate independent devices. However, sometimes such equipment can also be part of a modern Internet center. Such complexes can be used to receive both 4G and 3G signals. In addition to the built-in LTE antennas, the router design usually includes the modem itself, telephone ports, connectors for external signal receiving devices, routers, etc. Such systems can be used simultaneously for several computers.
LTE antennas can also be integrated directly into laptops. For example, a similar module is available in some devices of the brands HP, Sony, Fujitsu Lifebook. Of course, a simple inexpensive work laptop with such an addition is unlikely to be bought. In most cases, only elite, very expensive devices are equipped with LTE antennas.
Directional, Omnidirectional and Sector Antennas
Each of these three categories of amplifiers has both strengths and weaknesses. Directional models are designed to receive a signal from only one station. Design of LTE antennas for 4G, 3G modems this type good primarily because it significantly reduces the number of unnecessary interference.
The disadvantage of directional models is, first of all, that they are very difficult to mount. After all, you need to install such an LTE antenna strictly “at the rate” of the selected station. In addition, the disadvantage of such devices is that if the tower stops working for any reason, the Internet in the house will immediately disappear.
Sector antennas, in comparison with directional ones, are devices that are easier to operate and install. Such models can catch a signal from several stations at once. If one of the towers suddenly turns off, the user's Internet will not disappear. The LTE antenna will simply start searching and eventually, most likely, will pick up a signal from other sources. The design of such a device allows it to monitor the quality of communication from different stations and select the best option automatically - without human intervention. In terms of Internet speed, sector antennas are quite comparable to directional ones. However, such models are, unfortunately, somewhat more expensive.
Omnidirectional antennas, in fact, are universal models. Devices of this type are able to select the highest quality signal from the least loaded tower at a given time. At the same time, in the process of operation, such a 3G, 4G LTE antenna is stationary, unlike a sector one, “looks around” for all 360 degrees. The advantages of such models include the fact that they absolutely do not need manual setting. The downside of omnidirectional stations is a rather weak, in comparison with simple directional and sector models, signal amplification. Constructions of this type are mainly used only at a small distance from the towers.
Broadband and narrowband
As you know, 3G and 4G signals are transmitted by stations at a certain frequency. Today, both narrowband and broadband antennas are commercially available. Devices of the first type are capable of picking up a signal at only one frequency. For the home, therefore, it is better to choose a broadband antenna. Such structures can take, among other things, LTE signal-A separated by ranges. In addition, the use of devices of this type makes it possible to eliminate long interruptions in 3G, 4G communications (which are often unstable). If necessary, the LTE antenna will transmit the currently available 3G, 4G or 2G signal.
"Omnivorous" broadband antennas, therefore, can be considered somewhat more convenient devices in use than narrowband ones. However, such models still have one rather serious drawback. With a sufficiently stable signal (in this case, the modem does not switch to another standard for a long time), such a device will catch not only the Network itself, but also various kinds of interference (for example, created by GSM voice communication).
What LTE 4G frequencies do Russian mobile operators use
If the owners of the house nevertheless decide to purchase a narrow-band 4G antenna, they should definitely focus, among other things, on the parameters of the communication stations located closest. Such an amplifier should be chosen in accordance with the frequencies at which these towers operate. Currently, in Russia, services for the provision of mobile Internet to consumers are provided by 5 major major operators:
"Beeline";
"Megaphone";
The Iota operator in all regions of the Russian Federation operates at a frequency of 2500-2700 Hz (conditionally 2600 Hz). The customers of this company, therefore, are perfectly suited for the LTE 2600 Hz antenna. With other mobile operators, the situation, unfortunately, is more complicated. They can work at a frequency of both 2600 Hz and 800 Hz, or even 1800 Hz. As already mentioned, it also happens that the same operator can distribute 4G Internet in several frequency bands. To determine specific indicators in a particular place, testing should be carried out. The easiest way to do this is to use a regular 3G modem.
Testing is performed using this device approximately as follows:
the modem is connected to the computer;
open the program for its settings;
go to the "Network" menu;
select in the item "Network type" - "LTE only";
choose one of the ranges in the list proposed by the program;
press the ok button.
After that, the modem will start trying to connect to the network in the selected range. If his "efforts" succeed, then the operator is working at this frequency. In the same way, you can check all other items in the program list.
Testing with a modem should be done exactly at the point where the antenna is supposed to be installed later. Checking the Internet settings is easy with the help of an iPhone. You can also just call your cellular operator and try to get information about the used ranges directly from him. According to the rules, employees of such companies are not required to answer questions about the signal parameters. But usually they go to meet their customers, providing them with all the necessary information.
The difference between 3G and 4G antenna
Both of these types of devices work in much the same way. The difference between them is mainly only in the fact that they receive signals of different frequencies. For 4G, this is, as already mentioned, 2600, 800 or 1800 Hz. The LTE 3G antenna receives a signal at a frequency of 2100 Hz or 900 Hz.
Also, the difference between these two devices can be in the number of outputs. The 3G model is in most cases exactly one antenna. A 4G device is often equipped with two incoming cables. That is, in fact, such a model is one of the varieties of the LTE MIMO antenna.
Panel, irradiator or "Yagi"?
In this case, the antennas are selected depending on how the nearest tower is located in relation to the house. Irradiators are usually used only when the distance to the station is very large (on the border of the service area), but at the same time it is in line of sight. The design of such antennas, among other things, includes a parabolic mesh reflector. This element is designed to convert a spherical wave front into a flat one. The parabolic LTE antenna receives the signal very well. But at the same time, such a device is quite expensive. In addition, models of this type are very difficult to install. Their installation is usually entrusted to specialists.
Panel antennas and "Yags" (wave channel) are also directional devices that are difficult to connect. The gain for both of these models is about the same. The advantages of Yagi antennas include light weight and windage. You can lift such amplifiers to a very high height. The LTE panel antenna itself receives the signal somewhat better. Such amplifiers usually do not raise especially high. The disadvantages of such models include only the fact that they cost more than Yagi.
Input impedance
This indicator at different models antennas can be equal to 75 or 50 ohms. In the first case, the device is usually equipped with an N-type connector, in the second - F. The choice of a specific model for this parameter depends primarily on the characteristics of the feeder line. The input impedance of the latter must match that of the antenna.
The actual feeder is a system of adapters and cables laid between the amplifier and the receiving device. The 50 ohm line option is much more expensive than the 75 ohm line option. But in most cases, manufacturers of modems and routers advise using just such a cable. Accordingly, the antenna for amplifying the LTE signal when using it will need to be purchased with an input voltage of 50 ohms.
Cable selection
When purchasing this element of the system, there are several things to consider. important factors. The best choice for any LTE antenna, a cable is considered:
with a dense wicker screen;
with foamed central dielectric;
made from copper.
Also, when choosing a cable connecting the antenna to the receiving device, you should pay attention to its thickness. The higher this figure, the better.
How to choose an antenna: gain options
The design of such devices, therefore, may be different. Deciding which LTE antenna to choose for your home is quite difficult, but still possible. In addition to design features, when choosing a model, an ordinary consumer should also focus on its specific parameters. First of all, you should look at what gain the antenna gives. To choose the most suitable device for this parameter, you should first study the coverage map of your mobile operator (most likely, you can find it on the official website). It is considered that:
at a distance of 1 to 3 km from the coverage area, an antenna with a gain of 14 dB will suffice;
from 3 to 8 km - 18 dB;
from 8 to 12 km - 20 dB.
In the latter case, you will most likely have to purchase an expensive parabolic model or a MIMO antenna. For the first equipment option, the maximum KU is 27 dB, for the second - 20 dB.
What brands of antennas are on the market today
Many companies make these products. But the most popular among consumers are REMO brand LTE antennas. If you wish, you can buy, for example, the Wave model from this manufacturer, the Berkut or the inexpensive Connect.
Gellan brand antennas are quite popular with consumers. The head office of this company is located in St. Petersburg. This company supplies only 3G, 4G and MIMO panel antennas to the market. If desired, you can also purchase equipment designed for mounting amplifiers from this manufacturer.
Very often on sale there are also LTE models manufactured by NPP Anteks. This company was founded in 2006. The company produces models designed to receive both 3G and 4G signals. The head office of this company is located in the city of Yekaterinburg.
Some cellular operators also supply LTE antennas to the market. For example, if you wish, today you can purchase an Iota amplifier in a specialized store. It is designed specifically for modems from this operator.
REMO brand antennas
As already mentioned, amplifiers from this manufacturer are the most popular in our country. REMO products are manufactured by a domestic company of the same name, headquartered in Samara. This antenna manufacturer assembles several varieties at once. For example, the REMO LTE MIMO INDOOR model is very popular with consumers. This antenna is installed directly in the apartment. In most cases, it helps to strengthen the Internet very well. The advantages of this device include compactness, stylish appearance and low price. The disadvantages of this model are considered to be a slightly bulky stand and not very reliable connectors.
Other models from this manufacturer have also earned simply excellent consumer reviews. If they have any drawbacks, then in most cases they are minor.
Connecting an LTE antenna to a modem
The place for the amplifier both on the street and in the house should be chosen as high as possible. The fact is that the LTE signal is subject to:
attenuation due to various kinds of obstacles (trees, mountains);
reflection (from roofs of houses, walls of buildings, other obstacles).
Having chosen the highest accessible point on the site - a tree, a roof ridge, etc., you should decide on the direction of the LTE antenna.
Inexperienced users often think that it is best to turn the amplifier towards the nearest tower. However, this is not entirely correct. The tower can, for example, be used by another operator or transmit only a 3G signal. To navigate when choosing the direction of the antenna, therefore, you need to use the speed of the Internet itself 3G, 4G. The latter indicator is usually determined simply by the testing method. Having placed the antenna on the roof of a house or on a tree, you should connect it to the modem and periodically check the Internet speed by turning the device 15 degrees. Thus, by scrolling the model 360 degrees, it will be possible to find out from which side the highest quality signal comes.
An LTE antenna can be mounted, for example, on a TV or a separate mast, or simply on brackets - to the wall. The latter method is best suited for high two-, three-story cottages.
Best Cable Brands
Actually, LTE antennas on modern market presented in a fairly wide range. However, choosing a good receiving device to amplify the signal of a cellular operator is not enough. The cable connecting the antenna to the modem must also be of high quality. When choosing this element of the amplification system, one should pay attention not only to the resistance index, thickness, etc. Be sure to look at the brand of the wire.
What are the specific characteristics of cables from the best manufacturers can be found in the table below.
It is believed that the lower the -Db value, the better the cable and the less signal is lost in it. This applies to the choice of both a 4G device and an LTE 3G antenna.
What else you need to know
Some internal antennas connect directly to a laptop or other device. In their kit there is a special connector for the modem itself. This design is quite convenient. But more often it happens the other way around - the amplifier antenna is connected to the modem. In this case, the cable is inserted into a special connector of the latter. Such an element is available in almost any modern modem. The connector is not provided only in older models. Connecting an LTE antenna to such a modem, of course, will not work. In this case, you will have to buy a new model.
The connectors themselves in modern modems are of two types - CRC9 (on Huawei) and TS9 (on ZTE). Structurally, they are very similar. However, TS9 still has a slightly larger diameter than CRC9. When buying a modem, therefore, you may also have to purchase a special cable adapter.
Today, many citizens use wireless Internet, but at the same time they strive to increase the speed of its work. After all, excellent access is guaranteed when the modem is close to the base station of the mobile operator. In this regard, those who work on the Internet far from the station are content with low speed. Whether there is a technical way which will help solve this problem? The best way- This is a 4G antenna with your own hands.
What is a Kharchenko antenna and how does it work
The so-called Kharchenko antenna, which is designed for a 3G modem, is homemade model. There is nothing particularly complicated in her device. The zigzag design was proposed by the scientist K. Kharchenko back in the 1960s. Today it is quite popular among radio amateurs, not only due to its simple device, but also due to its excellent repeatability, as well as broadband. The latter advantage applies particularly well to the helical design.
According to their own device, models can differ quite a lot. Based on the size of the plate, the frequency of the design changes significantly. At the same time, it must be borne in mind that homemade antennas may include objects made of plastic and metal.
The antenna for the modem is different types. The simplest is omnidirectional. It can receive and transmit a signal in all directions equally intensively. In particular, this may be a simple quarter-wave vibrator. To put it simply, this is a piece of wire that has a length of a quarter wave of the signal that is being received.
A sector antenna can implement radiation limitation in a particular sector. In particular, if an iron sheet is placed behind an omnidirectional device, then a sectoral structure will be obtained. Its sector will be 180 degrees. Such an iron sheet is called a screen.
The most efficient is the directional design. Thanks to right choice screen curvature, you can make a narrow beam that will emit a radio wave.
The main antenna nodes are:
- a vibrator on which induction occurs, guidance of a wave of electromagnetic oscillations that are sent by a transmitter of a cellular operator;
- a cable together with a matching unit that transmits an induced signal directly from the vibrator;
- signal transmission node from the cable directly to the modem input;
- a reflector that eliminates interference, as well as reflected signals to increase receiving power.
Do-it-yourself Kharchenko antenna is an excellent device for anyone who wants to have high-quality communication without having to spend large sums of money. It is very simple to make it even for an ordinary person who does not have the appropriate professional skills. The result is truly excellent. This design will last for a long time.
Making an external antenna
As a rule, a do-it-yourself external antenna for a 4g modem is endowed with two square components. The performed calculation of the Kharchenko antenna for a frequency of 2100 MHz shows that the dimensions of the sides of the component should be 53 millimeters each.
However, to reduce the internal resistance of the antenna, craftsmen advise making not square components, but diamond-shaped ones, in which the angle is 120 degrees.
Detailed instructions are given in this video:
How to boost 4G signal?
In order to increase the effective use of the USB modem antenna, it is equipped with a reflector - a steel plate. It can be made from foil textolite. The distance between the antenna and the reflector should be 36 millimeters. In order to create a distance between the antenna and the reflector, you can use some kind of cap or box.
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Dense urban development, terrain, power lines and remoteness from transmission towers greatly affect the quality of signal reception, which can disappear at the most inopportune moment.
And today I want to talk about several ways to strengthen cellular communications on the phone with my own hands and how really they help. But before you perform any actions with your device, you need to make sure that it is working.
After all, poor reception may be due to a malfunction of the radio module, unreliable contact with the internal antenna, or firmware that has flown down.
Making sure that your smartphone is working is very simple. It is enough to compare its reception level with another, obviously working, not necessarily of the same model.
If it is very different, then most likely the mobile phone is faulty and it has a direct road to the repair shop. But there is no need to rush. I had a similar situation with Lenovo 316i, when the level bars on the display constantly disappeared, while other mobile phones worked fine. For some reason, I sinned on the buggy software.
And, of course, I tried to reflash it, but the result did not change. Having studied a considerable number of forums, I was inclined to the conclusion that the cause of poor reception may be poor contact at the junction of the antenna and the motherboard.
This is a common disease of Chinese gadgets. The next step I decided to take was to disassemble it.
And in fact, having opened the case, I found that the middle spring tab on the board is slightly bent down and does not come into contact with the antenna, which is a flexible cable glued to the cover.
Armed with tweezers, I bent it up a little, screwed everything back on, replaced the SIM cards, the battery and pressed the power button. After the system booted, all four divisions appeared in the status bar and this time they did not disappear.
Thus, having skills and certain knowledge, I myself managed to repair my mobile. But now let's talk about the methods by which you can significantly improve the quality of communication.
Software way to amplify a cellular signal
This time we will not disassemble anything, but we will install a special MTK Engineering Mode application on Android, with which we will enter the engineering menu and change some parameters there. It is free and you can download it from the Play Market. Please note that it is only suitable for devices based on the MediaTek processor. You can find out which processor you have using the CPU-Z program, which you can download, again, from the Play Market. So, we click on the shortcut of the program and immediately get into such a menu.
Go to the MTK Settings tab
As a result, we will see such a window with settings on the display, where we remove all the checkmarks. We leave only
- EGSM900;
- DCS1800;
- WCDMA-GSM-900.
Thus, we turn off unnecessary frequencies that are not used in our country.
We do the same operation with SIM2.
Then we go to the “Network Selection” where we select the GSM only item. This is a 2G communication standard, which originally appeared when building telecommunications networks.
It has wide coverage across the country and handles voice calls very well. Select this tab if you do not use 3G internet.
After these manipulations, your handset will work longer by turning off scanning of unnecessary frequencies and keep the radio signal more stable, as it will not jump between WCDMA and GSM standards.
Connecting a homemade antenna
In the past, cell phones had an external radio antenna, or a plugged jack located on the back of the case, into which any piece of wire could be plugged, which significantly increased reception.
Now everyone has modern smartphones, to which, apart from charging and headphones, nothing can be connected anymore. But, if you disassemble it, then inside, on the board, you can see a small golden cylindrical connector with a hole in the middle.
It is intended for network diagnostics and is used only in service centers. But, if you insert a small piece (no more than 5 cm) of a thin insulated wire into it, you can observe a noticeable increase in the signal level.
Only in this case it is necessary to comply with certain conditions. The wiring should not bend anywhere and touch the current-carrying parts. You can carefully lay it inside the case, between the battery and the cover.
Again, this method is not suitable for everyone, since most devices are non-separable or do not have such a connector.
Installing a repeater
This option is ideal for use in the country or in the countryside, where, as a rule, the quality of communication is not important due to the remoteness of the towers.
Its principle of operation is to capture electromagnetic waves, preamplify them and transfer them to the user's phone. The system consists of a unit - a repeater, an external and internal antenna. The disadvantage of this equipment is the expensive price of the device, the complexity of installation, configuration and a small radius of action. But you can try to build homemade installation to amplify the signal.
To do this, we need a metal rod, about 50 cm long, a coaxial cable, a piece of foil about 100 by 40 mm in size, glued to plastic or plywood. It would be better if you have foil textolite.
So, we bend our rod in the shape of a rhombus and solder a cable to it, the other end of which is soldered to the foil.
An example of connecting a cable to a rod We install our rhombus on the roof of the house or on a pole, preferably higher.
Now let's check the amplifier. To do this, we put the phone close to the plywood and notice how much the signal quality has improved.
sticker sticker
Often on sale you can find a universal compact antenna amplifier, which is a thin self-adhesive plate with a special geometric pattern of metal tracks, which, according to the manufacturer, reduce the amount of interference and can significantly enhance the signal where there is practically no cellular connection.
A sticker is glued on inner surface phone, under the battery. But to buy it, in my opinion, there is no point. With the same success, you can put a piece of foil under the battery and the effect will be the same.
Here, with the help of such simple manipulations, you can do it yourself, with the help of inexpensive materials, boost a weak cellular signal on your phone.
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