Antenna to improve 3G signal. Where should the repeater be installed? Identifying your base station

How to make an amplifier for an Internet modem with your own hands

The Internet signal in the city is provided by the presence of base stations and a special cable. In this case, the signal is stable and guarantees the speed ordered by the tariff. And what to do outside the city, where there is no fiber-optic cable?

Outside the city, there is no base station and paved fiber-optic cable highways for high-speed Internet. Usually, providers develop a high-speed network where there is a large concentration of the population. And it’s quite expensive, even for large organizations. As they say, it is not economically feasible!

Therefore, ordinary Internet consumers in the summer are tormented with Internet access and speed when they go outside the cable network.

Until a few years ago, there was no way to access the Internet outside the developed infrastructure. Three years ago, with the appearance usb modems, it became possible to use the Internet in country houses and at dachas. But the signal is inferior and the speed is the same. There is only one way out: make an amplifier for the Internet modem with your own hands or buy a 3g signal amplifier.

3G network coverage map

Each provider has its own network. For example, in 2012 I bought an MTS modem and suffered the whole season: there was almost no signal at all. I had to urgently go to the city to hand over the work done, not to mention surf the Internet.

The next year, on the advice of friends, I connected to the Internet through Beeline. Of course, I was happy, because compared to MTS, it was gorgeous. But…, only in the afternoon. In the evening, with the increase in the number of Internet consumers, the network hung up.

To choose best provider for your country house, it is necessary to conduct a network analysis of each provider. The 3G coverage map of a particular provider will help you understand this issue.

Type in the search line "MTS network coverage map".

In the address bar you need to write the address and the point you are looking for will be automatically indicated on the map. Now look: is there a network at a given point or not and of what quality.

MTS 3G network coverage map at the desired point

The map shows that there is no MTS signal on my street and two neighboring ones.

Do the same with the cards of other providers: in Izhevsk, in addition to MTS, these are Beeline, Tele2, Megafon.

Coverage map of the 3G Beeline network at the desired point

The 3g network coverage map of Beeline shows a good network, but in fact there was no normal signal for the following reasons:

the nearest base stations of Beeline are on the outskirts of the city
between the last base station and my street a little more than 8 km (less than 10 km), which means that 3g seems to be there, but the modem is constantly losing the 3g network and switches to 2g mode. Such switching usually occurs due to a weak signal level or high load.
3G modems operate at frequencies of 1900-2150MHz. The signal of this frequency range passes well only in the "line of sight". Obstacles in the form of mountains, forests, high-rise buildings are obstacles for signal propagation over long distances. And the map shows that in a straight line between the city and my street there are several decent-sized "bald spots". Most likely they play some kind of negative role.

As a result of such a search on the 3g network coverage map, I determined that best option for me, this is Megaphone: a stable network on my street and in the surrounding space for 2-3 kilometers. On the map in the direction of the city all along the 3g network of the same color:

Coverage map 3g Megaphone at the desired point

Although Tele2 has the same indicators:

Coverage map of the 3G Tele2 network at the desired point

The final choice between the two providers can be made by examining the provider's signal strength at the site using a cell phone.

Signal strength of 3G modem

To determine the signal level of a 3g modem, you need to do the following research on the ground:

using a cell phone (the same provider as the modem), determine in your suburban area the places where the signal is maximum. Walk around all the corners of the cottage: behind the house, behind the bathhouse, in the open space ... everywhere.
if there is an indicator on the laptop, then do the same by walking around the entire site with a laptop
plot indicators on the paper at these points - make a map
choose the most suitable 2-3 points for you and carry out additional studies of the signal level, but already in height: on the 2nd floor, on the roof, using a pole 2-3 m long, etc.
stop your choice in one place

The determination of the signal strength of a 3g modem can still be controlled using programs that not only show the signal strength, but also allow them to be controlled so that the modem itself can choose the desired type of network depending on the reception quality. But, for now, this case seems very difficult to me.

Such research is necessary in order to determine the direction. The nearest ISP base station may not be in the direction you previously thought. If there are several of them, then for some reason a good signal does not come from the one you were guided by.

And yet, how to strengthen the signal so that Internet access outside the city is stable and faster ??

In the online store or offline, you can buy special equipment for these purposes: an amplifier for an Internet modem

Signal booster for Connect 2.4 wi-fi modem

The signal amplifier for the modem must be selected, taking into account the provider network you have chosen.

For example, the “Connect 2.4 wi-fi” brand amplifiers are popular:

A set for a 3G / 4G modem is designed to provide stable Internet access via USB modems in areas of unreliable signal reception of GSM (GPRS / EDGE), 3G (HSDPA / HSUPA / WCDMA) and 4G (LTE) networks of any operators, as well as providing wireless connecting computers, laptops, netbooks, tablets, smartphones and other devices using WiFi technology.

There are also various devices such as antennas and offset feeds. But, I want to consider the complete set of this amplifier:

antenna
cable length 1.8 m
wireless router for wifi

Basically, if you don't need Wi-Fi, you can buy an antenna with a 5m cable like RK-50-3-18

After we have clarified the complete set of the purchased amplifier, we will consider options for homemade designs.

Simple 3g modem amplifier design

Last season I made a simple 3g modem amplifier with my own hands. I didn't take any measurements, I just asked the guy-seller about the amplifier in the store (I was ready to buy any, if only I had the Internet at the dacha). The guy told me about his method, and I just repeated it:

you need to buy a 3-5m extension cord with male-to-female usb connectors
take a CD and make a mount for a flash drive on it in the middle of the disc
outside the window, from the outside, on the facade, make some kind of fastener for the disk, such as a carnation
hang the disk with the modem from the outside of the window or on the window from the inside of the room (if it is raining or cold), and connect the other cable connector to the laptop

That's the whole design. Indeed, the signal is not badly picked up, compared to what it was.

This small amplifier design is powered by the length of the cable and the mirrored CD-like surface.

If you increase the area of the amplifier and instead of a CD disc use something of a larger diameter, you can significantly increase the signal reception.

Here I found a self-made 3g modem amplifier design on the Internet, similar to my design, but with a large "antenna" diameter:

take aluminum basin
mark the center of the basin and come up with some kind of fastener for the modem at this point. The modem must point exactly to the center of the basin.
we connect a cable 5 m long or more, if, when examining your site, you determined that you need to raise the amplifier higher
we hang the bowl on the wall of the house in the direction where the signal is picked up to the maximum. Can be fixed on a wooden pole and raised as high as possible above the house
We select the best location of the center of the basin by the "poke method" and fix it completely so that it does not unfold in the wind.

Instead of an aluminum bowl, you can use an aluminum colander:

Homemade colander modem signal booster

They say that the signal level rises 3-4 times. I am going to try this design this summer season, because I need high-quality Internet.

Why homemade? Because I already know from my design that this option works. And because, they say that a purchased amplifier for an Internet modem does not guarantee quality - "money down the drain", because "they fool our brother": a homemade one works, but a purchased one does not. There is no amplifier in it - a simple reflective table-type antenna ( Connect).

Cellular operators today are actively working on the quality of 3G signal coverage. It has become very convenient to use the Internet, the modem signal is very high within the city. All you need is to get a USB modem for your PC or laptop. However, in many settlements it is simply impossible to use this miracle of progress due to a weak signal; there are still many so-called "dead zones" on the map. You should not count on good Internet speed in such places: the speed here is surprisingly low or it is completely impossible to "catch" the connection. A 3G and 4G signal booster will help to cope with this problem. How to build it and use it correctly? Let's try to figure it out!

Some settlements still remain without internet

Experienced users went through several options with which you can amplify the modem signal, and chose the most effective ones. It:

purchase of a kit with a 3G or 4G repeater;
construction of a special antenna;
moving the device to the street or closer to the window;
using a reflector.

Rearranging the modem

If a laptop with a 3G or 4G modem is placed on the street or placed on a windowsill, then the signal can be increased by about 15 percent. Making an outdoor modem is not hard, you just need to buy a USB extension cable. The solution is considered not the best, but the least expensive. If we talk about the shortcomings, then these are:

the inability to improve the connection on the phone;
the presence of an extension cord leads to a loss of signal power;
you need to choose one point, it will be inconvenient to move around the house;
the speed does not change much.

Reflector

You can even make such a device for a modem with your own hands. The method is considered very popular, because to create a reflector you do not need to spend a lot of money and study the process for a long time.

The modem signal is capable of amplifying even a colander, which is very convenient if the network is lost, for example, in the country. Alternatively, you can use a tin can, optical disc, or a regular saucepan. All you need to do is place the modem in the center of your chosen reflector. A homemade "device" will focus the signal on a 3G or 4G modem.

If you decide to use a kitchen pot, you can put the device inside, or you can upgrade the structure: solder a wire to the pot, and then place the equipment exactly in the center. One more detail - the laptop must be located nearby, otherwise the signal will weaken while it goes through the cable.

The method requires the user to display some ingenuity and ingenuity. With a little time developing a reflector, you can boost the modem signal on your laptop by 20 percent.

Remembering the cons, we note:

for some users, it is not so easy to recreate the design of the reflector;
the product may be too bulky;
the signal is not amplified as desired;
the place where your "base" is located may not be the most convenient.

Making a 3G or 4G antenna

With the instructions, you can do almost any thing with your own hands. Many have heard about the Kharchenko antenna, which can also be utilized to improve the Internet. To make it, you will need an understanding of the operation of the microwave, as well as certain skills.

The tools you will need:

soldering iron;
file;
pliers;
copper tube;
wire (3 mm).

The dimensional accuracy of all components plays a key role here. If you make a mistake in the calculations, you can forget about the effectiveness of the method.

It is interesting that such antennas are also found on sale. With their help, the signal can be amplified up to 20 dB.

It is not possible to amplify the signal very much, the implementation is highly complex. In addition to the above tools, you will need an adapter, coaxial wire, bracket, crimper. Such a design can be made only after a thorough study of the issue and the availability of a detailed drawing.

3G and 4G repeater

It's really effective method signal amplification. This type of product reduces the negative effect of radiation, it is compatible with all modems that are connected to a computer via USB. In addition, the repeater works perfectly with the products of all cellular operators. There is no need to disassemble the modem itself, which means that the warranty for this device will remain.

It is possible to amplify the signal with the help of a repeater even if it is not possible to catch 3G at all. Experts recommend trying different locations (you may even need to climb into the attic, but the result is worth it).

The kit includes several components:

the cable that connects the antenna to the repeater;
internal antenna for communication with subscriber devices;
signal amplifier;
external antenna (needed for communication with operator stations).

Such a kit allows you to maximize the signal, improve the quality of communication on the phone. In addition, with its help you will be able to provide the whole family with 3G and 4G. Installing the repeater is not difficult and fast enough, the design itself looks very ergonomic.

As you can see, there are several methods that allow you to improve the quality of the 3G and 4G signal with your own hands. Nevertheless, the most effective kit with a repeater, which can be purchased at specialized store... The specified device will allow you to forget about problems with the Internet!

Something lately my ISP in the office keeps falling off. More than once or twice there was a situation when I was forced to leave home, since there was no Internet access.

It's worth noting that I hate working from home. And, frankly, I don't understand people who work for themselves exclusively from their apartments.

That is, they live at home and tear the veins out of the house too =) I had such an experience for 2 years, about which the darkest memories remain. And I am still convinced that work, as many joke, "in shorts in front of the monitor" sooner or later leads to prolonged depression.

Fortunately, I have not gone to this extreme. And immediately rented an office as soon as the opportunity arose in early 2013. Yes, I perfectly understand that not everyone is ready to rent offices, but nevertheless, I sincerely recommend not to sit within four walls. This is the path to depression.

I pay 6,500 a month for my modest shelter. And I do not think that this is a big price to pay for keeping yourself sane and strong memory =)

Well, okay, I digress from the topic

After the situation with Internet access was repeated several times, I decided to connect a modem from some cellular operator... Found an old E-173 megaphone modem. I connected it and watched with despondency the extremely low access speed at the EDGE level.

I walked around the office and found the most optimal location for the laptop.

Of course, for a confident reception it was necessary to hold it on outstretched arms in the upper right corner of the window. As soon as it was moved half a meter in any direction, the speed dropped sharply.

I was ready to go for a SIM-enabled wireless router to hang it in the magic-hotspot, but I accidentally found a USB extension cable.

I connected the modem through an extension cable and hung it at the desired point.

Surprisingly, it works.

Although I worked in cellular communication but was pretty sure it wouldn't help. I still remember how a sophisticated technical support specialist cheerfully told me that the signal would fade out or would not reach the laptop at all, as there was “a lot of interference”.

There are no hindrances, everything plows perfectly. True, the speed did not rise above 2 megabits, but this is enough for a backup communication channel.

The extension cord itself costs about 120-200 rubles at any computer store.

What am I doing?

And to the fact that you do not need to blindly believe all kinds of specialists and gurus who confidently carry all sorts of nonsense. Every opportunity should be tried and tested, even if it seems completely nonsense. And this whole story with the USB extension cable is a clear confirmation of this, since until the very last moment I thought that it would not help, because “the signal was damping”.

Reasons for a weak 3G signal

All cases of weak or uncertain 3G signal reception can be divided into two large groups. The first and most obvious is the user's distance from the base station (tower) of the cellular operator. The second case is a decrease in the quality of communication inside the premises.

Most often, this problem occurs outside of cities: in countryside, at dachas and in other places located on the border of 3G coverage. In addition to the distance to the tower, the landscape also plays a negative role: elevation differences, forests and other obstacles reduce the quality of the signal, so that it reaches the user in a significantly weakened form.

In turn, the line of sight of the base station or long flat areas of the landscape are factors favorable for the propagation of radio waves. For example, a forest belt reduces the signal quality, but the presence of a lake, river or field behind it is much preferable to a continuous forest extending all the way to the tower itself.

Reinforced concrete structures and walls, ceilings and even window panes have an extremely negative effect on signal strength. As a result, even in the city center, the connection can easily weaken or completely disappear if you go down to the underground parking or enter an office building. Even if on the street mobile devices pick up 3G perfectly and show all five sticks, the quality of communication in buildings and premises may turn out to be unsatisfactory.

In all these cases, additional signal amplification is required to ensure a stable connection and increase the speed of the Internet. It is important to remember only one thing: in order to amplify the signal, it must be present at least at a minimum level in the planned installation site of the antenna. It is impossible to amplify a signal that does not exist, and you need to start preparing for strengthening communication by looking for a place with the most reliable reception.

Frequencies and standards of 3G communication

Before you start amplifying mobile communications, you need to understand what kind of signal you plan to amplify. All radio equipment - from simple antennas to repeaters and boosters - is designed for specific frequency ranges. Some devices support more bands, others less. There is usually no need to amplify all existing radio frequencies: it is unreasonably expensive and simply unnecessary. It is much more efficient to find out exactly which frequency ranges you need to work. This will allow you not to buy universal expensive equipment and limit yourself to specialized devices that are suitable specifically for your case.

The vast majority of 3G base stations in Russia operate in the 2100 MHz frequency range. The 3G standard corresponding to this band is commonly referred to as UMTS-2100. 3G networks carry both voice communications and Mobile Internet, therefore, amplification of the frequency range of 2100 MHz is most often the optimal solution.

Since modern smartphones automatically select the preferred communication standard, in situations of uncertain reception of the 3G signal, they often "jump" between 2G and 3G modes. This behavior leads to interruptions in voice communication and unstable Internet operation. As a rule, you can prohibit switching on the phone by manually selecting one specific standard, but this is associated with additional inconveniences. For example, choosing a high-quality working GSM (2G), you deprive yourself of 3G Internet, and vice versa, choosing an unstable 3G, you run the risk of interruptions in calls.

Installation of the amplification system allows you to solve all these problems at once and ensures reliable operation of both voice communication and 3G Internet.

Ways to enhance 3G signal

Depending on whether you want to improve the quality of only 3G Internet or you also need to strengthen voice communication, different approaches are used.

When the 3G connection is used only for Internet access, the best solution is to install external antenna connected to a WiFi router or modem. This is the most economical and simple option that does not require the purchase of expensive amplifiers and is ideal for a summer cottage or a country house.

However, this method has a number of significant limitations. Firstly, the router and modem provide access to the Internet for smartphones, tablets and computers, but do not enhance the voice communication itself. Thus, if your location has problems with voice communication too, installing a router will not solve them in any way.

Secondly, a separate SIM card is required for modems and routers. Using a modem, you can connect one device with a USB port to the mobile Internet; using a router, you can organize a WiFi network to connect several wireless devices. However, a third-party person who comes from the street will not be able to connect from a smartphone to their operator's 3G Internet: you first have to provide him with WiFi access.

When you need to provide access to 3G Internet directly from mobile devices or improve the quality of voice communication, you cannot avoid installing an amplification system with a repeater and an internal antenna.

We'll take a closer look at both methods below.

Amplification with router / modem and external antenna

To boost 3G internet, all you have to do is install an external antenna and connect it to a compatible router or modem. The antenna is placed at the point of the most reliable signal reception, preferably in line of sight of the base station. For suburban areas, this is a roof of a house or a special mast. In the city, it is enough to take the antenna out into the street: it can be fixed on the balcony or on the outer wall of the building.

The antenna itself amplifies the signal and transmits it over a wire to a router or modem. Coaxial cables such as or are used to connect devices. Also in our online store you can purchase with soldered connectors. It is desirable that the cable length does not exceed 5-10 meters. For connecting antennas, N-type or SMA connectors are most often used.

3G routers have a slot for a SIM card and, as a rule, do not differ much in configuration from ordinary home routers for wired internet... Most 3G routers on the market today support WiFi and allow you to set up a wireless local area network... We recommend our customers a 3G / 4G router, which has established itself as a reliable and inexpensive solution for home and office.

Huawei e5172s-515 3G / 4G router with WiFi support, one SIM card slot and one LAN port for Ethernet connection

Panel antenna Astra 3G with 17 dB gain

A more budget-friendly option is a set of a regular home router with a USB port and a compatible 3G modem. After connecting to the router, the modem is configured automatically and does not require user intervention. In the store GSM-Repeaters.RU you can buy kits tested for compatibility, for example,.

In the case of using a modem, special adapters are added to the circuit -.

Pigtails - adapters for connecting antennas to modems with CRC9 (left) and TS9 (right) connectors

Selecting and installing an external antenna

The cellular signal is vertically polarized, and if the antenna is incorrectly positioned, the quality of the connection will be severely affected. As a rule, a polarization indicator (usually an arrow) is placed on the antenna body, according to which it should be positioned in space. In the absence of an arrow, the name of the antenna can serve as a polarization indicator (the inscription must be readable).

For mounting it is best to use which will simplify further alignment and tuning of the antenna. The antenna itself should be directed towards the base station of the cellular operator. You can find out which operators are working in your location using our website.

You can determine the exact location of the nearest tower by installing the OpenSignal or Netmonitor application on your smartphone. Also, some modems, for example, are able to show the signal level in decibels.

Huawei e3372 web interface allows you to view the current signal level in decibels (dBm)

OpenSignal and Netmonitor applications

OpenSignal and Netmonitor are smartphone apps that allow you to view the current signal strength in decibels (dB) and quickly locate the nearest base station. The data on the towers of mobile operators is updated by the users themselves, so that the database is always up to date. OpenSignal is available for Android and iOS operating systems, Netmonitor for Android only.

Signal strength is measured in decibels: the closer the indicator is to 0, the better the connection. For example, -50 dB means a strong signal, and -110 dB means a very weak signal.

OpenSignal has a user-friendly interface and automatically shows the direction of a nearby base station using a compass. The Netmonitor application contains more settings and is intended for advanced users. Both OpenSignal and Netmonitor have a mode for displaying base stations on Google Maps.

OpenSignal (left) and Netmonitor (right) help you determine the signal strength and location of the nearest base station

We recommend using OpenSignal and Netmonitor for signal strength detection and antenna alignment. Knowing the signal strength in decibels and the location of the tower, it is easier and avoids mistakes when installing and configuring it.

Amplification with a repeater

Often, active amplification of the signal is required by means of a special device - a repeater. The fact is that the amplification of 3G Internet described above using a router and an external antenna is convenient, but not universal. In particular, this option is not suitable for people who need to strengthen voice communication, as well as in cases where it is necessary to provide access to a 3G connection to all nearby users. In addition, the antenna gain may not be sufficient for stable operation when the original signal is very weak.

In these cases, it is necessary to install an amplification system with a repeater. The principle of operation of such a system is quite simple: an external antenna picks up the signal and transmits it through a cable to a repeater, which amplifies it. The amplified signal is transmitted to an indoor antenna, which propagates it throughout the room. The outgoing stream is amplified in the same way: the signal from the subscriber is fed to the internal antenna, amplified by the repeater, transmitted to the external antenna and radiated towards the base station.

The coverage area of a repeater directly depends on its power. For domestic use, in most cases, a 50 mW repeater with a gain of 65 dB is sufficient. An excellent solution in terms of price-quality ratio is a repeater from a well-known domestic manufacturer. More powerful devices such as (75 dB, 200 mW) or (80 dB, 500 mW) are used to cover a large house and / or when the input signal is weak.

Repeater Baltic Signal BS-3G-65 with a frequency range of 2100 MHz and a gain of 65 dB

Repeaters also differ in the supported frequency ranges. To amplify 3G, you just need to purchase an amplifier with support for the 2100 MHz band, but in some cases it makes sense to think about buying a multi-band repeater.

For example, using a repeater with 900 and 2100 MHz frequency bands will simultaneously improve GSM (2G) and 3G, while the dual-band 2100 and 2600 MHz model will provide 3G and 4G support. The most expensive repeaters allow you to simultaneously strengthen all used cellular standards. The consultants of our store will be happy to help you choose the right repeater model for you.

Internal antenna VITA-5

Installation example for Nika-3 ceiling antenna

For all their versatility, repeaters also have several limitations. The main one is that the external antenna is directed to the tower of a particular mobile operator, and if the towers of other operators are in the opposite direction, their signal will not be amplified. In such a situation, to amplify the signal of several operators, you will have to install several directional antennas connected to the repeater through a splitter.

The second limitation is related to the "side effects" of analog gain. The radio signal always contains a certain percentage of interference, which is also amplified by the repeater. With a weak signal, the proportion of interference can be significant, which will lead to a noisy broadcast at the output. Strengthening will still occur, but the quality and speed of communication may turn out to be lower than originally predicted.

Conclusion

Let's summarize and briefly talk about the amplification of a 3G signal:

It is impossible to amplify a signal that is not there. To amplify any signal, it is required that it be captured by technology.
The main reasons for a weak cellular signal are remoteness from the base station and various obstacles in the path of the radio wave.
In Russia, 3G communication in the overwhelming majority of cases operates in the 2100 MHz range. All 3G amplification equipment must support this frequency range.
Only mobile internet or mobile internet with voice communication can be strengthened. To amplify only the Internet, an external antenna and a 3G router or modem are enough. To also strengthen 3G voice communications, you will need a repeater amplification system.
The external antenna must be directed towards the tower of the cellular operator. To find out the location of the tower, use the OpenSignal and Netmonitor smartphone apps. When installing the antenna, observe its polarization.
Antennas are connected to devices using special connectors. To connect to a repeater, an N-type connector is used, to a router - SMA, to modems - CRC9 / TS9. To connect the antenna to the modem, you will also need a special adapter - a pigtail.
The 3G repeater performs the function of amplifying the signal coming from the external antenna and transmits amplified signal to the indoor antenna.
Repeaters are single-band and multi-band. To enhance 3G communication, a single-band repeater supporting the UMTS-2100 standard is sufficient. Multi-band repeaters allow you to simultaneously strengthen several communication standards and create a foundation for the future (for example, provide support for 4G).

The network of the "green" operator, like any other, is spread unevenly. Somewhere devices catch the Internet better, somewhere worse - and then the question arises of how and how to amplify the signal of the MegaFon modem. You can buy devices specially designed for these purposes, but it is too simple and expensive. It is much cheaper to build an antenna from improvised means, especially special knowledge and skills are not required for this.

Signal amplifier for Megafon modem

Although compact modems of operators allow you to stay in touch far from home internet, but sometimes they give out a low connection speed or refuse to see the network altogether. This is influenced by a variety of factors:

the distance to the nearest cell tower - the further it is, the worse the signal will be;
the density of the surrounding buildings and the number of walls separating from the street - part of the radio waves are absorbed when they pass inside the building or through obstacles. This is why we observe weak signal in basements, metro and large shopping centers;
natural phenomena - precipitation and even foliage on trees affect communications;
time of day - the Internet speed drops if a large number of users log on to the network at the same time. This can be observed at lunchtime, when people are distracted from their worries, or in the evening, when they come home from work;
computer specifications. If they do not meet the requirements described in the documentation for the modem, you can not hope for a stable Internet;
standard settings. In the "Default" mode, the modem switches to 2G already at 2-3 antenna "sticks". If there is a hint of poor connection, it will not work at full speed. To refuse to switch to 2G, go to the modem program, find "Network search mode" in the "Connection" tab and select an item with a name like "Always 3G".

Before you despair and try to amplify the signal of the MegaFon 3G modem at home with your own hands, check if any of the above is interfering with the device. Change the conditions: from the middle of the room, move closer to the window, go outside, or point the router towards the tower. If simple actions do not help, stock up on tools, materials and start assembling the antenna.

Using speakers

The easiest way to make an amplifier for a MegaFon modem is to take ordinary speakers. Connect them to a network or computer, place them next to the device and watch. According to user reviews, the signal in the presence of speakers improves by 10-20%.

Please note only that when the technology approaches, an annoying hum is heard in the speakers. If you are going to try this method, reduce the sound to a minimum beforehand.

Copper wire

In this option, you will have to make a little more effort. But the time spent pays off in full: the Internet signal can be improved by 90-95%. To create an improvised amplifier you will need:

3-6 meters of copper wire;
any canned food or drink in a tin can;
can-opener.

First, open a can of canned food. Cut off the top lid completely to make it look like a glass. Eat the contents or give them to the household, and rinse and dry the container.

Remove the protective cover from the router. Wrap one end of the wire tightly around the SIM card. Wrap the other around a can. Hang the last part through the window on the street and direct the impromptu glass to the tower. Insert the modem into the computer and try to connect.

The video shows a more complex but powerful homemade antenna. The author gives detailed instructions manufacture and assembles the structure on the camera for clarity.

USB extension cable

If there is no copper wire at hand, use an approved "MegaFon" modem amplifier in the form of a USB cable. Purchase a cord of the correct length. Plug one end into the computer, insert the router into the other. Position the last part so that the signal improves - send it outside the window or secure it to the ceiling.

To protect the modem from snow and rain, people make special holders from improvised means. The same tin container or plastic bottle is suitable for this.

The tin can must be removed from the top lid, rinsed and dried. Near the bottom, cut a vertical rectangular hole to fit the end of the USB extension cable that comes into contact with the modem. Insert the cable, connect the router - it should fit inside the jar. Fill the edges of the hole with glue from a gun or cover with electrical tape so that no water gets inside. Tighten the open top with plastic wrap.
For the second option, take plastic bottle, 3-4 unnecessary CDs, 2 old plastic cards, Secunda glue, stationery knife, sandpaper, hot melt glue. Cut off about a third of the bottle from the side of the neck. Fold the discs with chamomile, sand the places of overlap for better grip and glue with "Seconds".

Take one card, place the router on it and mark the outline of the device. Bend the long sides of the credit card along the marks to make it look like a scoop. For the second card, bend the centimeter on one of the short sides - this will be the fastening of the future holder. Glue the blanks reverse sides... Attach to the middle of the "chamomile" of the discs for the holder.

To align the edges of the bottle, melt them with a hot knife. Put the modem on the holder, pull the cable through the neck of the bottle, connect to the device. Glue the edges of the container to the discs with hot glue - a plastic cap will protect the router from rain. After that, all that remains is to attach an impromptu antenna to the window, insert the other end of the extension cord into the computer and connect to the Internet.

Using a repeater

If there is no way to make an amplifier with your own hands, a ready-made repeater can save you. The device is a special antenna that improves the signal reception from the base station. There is no need to configure the repeater - just plug it in, connect it to the modem and work.

The speed of the Internet with a repeater increases almost always. Exceptions are only those cases when communication services are not provided due to the lack of operator coverage in the selected area.

Similar devices are sold on Chinese sites, in the official stores of the operator and network retail outlets specializing in engineering. They cost, depending on the characteristics, from 500 to 1500 rubles. At https://shop.megafon.ru you can find the popular REMO "Connect 2.0" and REMO LTE MIMO INDOOR. For 650 and 999 rubles, respectively, according to customer reviews, in suitable conditions, they increase the speed by 5 times.

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