Mobile Broadband (3), Routers and Antennae!

[Bricktop]

Hi all,

A colleague of mine is currently using a 3G dongle (On 3's service) in his laptop at home and the majority of the time is getting a signal.

However, he would like to use a wireless router in his house so the other machines can connect and share the signal.

The local 3 store have offered a wireless router for £60 but ideally he would like to:

1. Purchase his own router
2. Attach a 3G antennae to his chimney and run a cable to the back of the router to give the best possible signal.

Is the above possible? If so, could anyone point me in the right direction for the hardware required. Also, will he need to get a SIM card to put into the router?

Any help greatly appreciated!

[Kits]

I think the best place to check is http://uk.wifi-link.com/set_ap.php wide selection but hope he can be sure he protects it as others will piggy back if he fails.

[richardp]

I have a Billion Bipac 7402GXL. I am very satisfied with it and would not hesitate to recomend it. You can use it as an ADSL router or plug your usb dongle into it and use that instead. The wireless range is very good. The one down side seems to be that if you do not disconnect your dongle after use you may find that you go over your usage allowance,I assume that it continues pinging the server even when your not using it.

[Mark.J]

NetGear also recently announced a new range of routers with built-in 3G, usually as a backup. However it's normally possible to enable the 3G separately. Either way there are a few broadband routers with 3G / Mobile Broadband support available now. But expect to pay a little extra than normal for the kit.

[Bricktop]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I've been investigating and wonder if I could run the following past you all.

1. He already has a 3 3G USB Dongle

2. He purchases the following Netgear Router (http://www.ebuyer.com/product/175814) which allows you to plug in the USB Dongle

3. He then purchases the following outdoor Antenna (http://www.antennasonline.co.uk/prod...tional+Antenna) which apparently connects directly to the USB dongle (although I'm not sure how)

I'm hoping the above kit will:

a) work together
b) achieve the desired result of a consistent and strong 3G signal and a wireless signal throughout the house.

What do you all think?

Thanks

[Mark.J]

He needs to make sure that the USB Modem has a CRC9 port on it, which is usually hidden under a flap on the side or back (I refuse to call them Dongles hehe). A quick google might help answer that question but you should also check out our article on Mobile Broadband coverage as we do go over this too:

http://www.ispreview.co.uk/articles/...formance_Tips/

[Bricktop]

Thanks, Mark. But other than that the above should work?

[Mark.J]

It should, though I cannot vouch for the performance of the outdoor antenna because we didn't try one. I usually find the smaller antenna's to be an expensive waste of time but I don't know about those big things. I'd love you hear of your experiences with it.

Just check with them first to make sure that it's a CRC9 connector.

[Bricktop]

Great, thanks Mark - I've asked him to check the connector. I'll let you know how the install goes!