Many people have slow and unreliable internet connections over 3G/4G networks. This is often due to poor signal reception and it can be improved in the majority of cases. This is achieved by connecting external antennas to your broadband modem and pointing them towards your carriers cell tower.


Modem Connectors

If your broadband modem has screw-on SMA connectors for external antennas like these, you may be able to improve the signal:


In some cases, the modem may have push-on TS-9 connectors like these:


If the modem has the push-on TS-9 connectors like above, they need to be converted to SMA using our AN-28:

The AN-28 can be found here: https://www.gowifi.co.nz/an-28.html 


Antennas

Next you need to decide on the external antenna to use, where to mount it and which direction to point it in.


Many people get excellent results using a single ANT-205:

The ANT-205 can be found here: https://www.gowifi.co.nz/ant-205.html 

This antenna has only one N-Type connector however if you decide to use one for each of the connectors on your modem, for best results they should at +45/-45 degrees, similar to the picture below:


Another great choice is the ANT-228 which has two N-Type connectors: 

The ANT-228 can be found here: https://www.gowifi.co.nz/ant-228.html 


Mounting hardware

Our full range of pole/wall mounting hardware can be found here https://www.gowifi.co.nz/mounting-hardware/pole-and-wall-mounts.html however our most popular pole mount for this scenario is the BKT-22 which can be found here: https://www.gowifi.co.nz/bkt-22.html.


Cables

You will need to run at least one coax pigtail cable from the modem to your antenna of choice. Our full range of N-Type male to SMA male coax pigtails can be found here: https://www.gowifi.co.nz/index.php?keyword=n-male+to+sma+male&option=com_virtuemart&view=category&limitstart=0&virtuemart_category_id=0&Itemid=286&lang=en As far as the length of cable required is concerned, that will vary according to individual needs however among the most popular pigtails for this scenario are the 10 metre P-39 which can be found here https://www.gowifi.co.nz/p-39.html and the 6 metre P-38 which can be found here https://www.gowifi.co.nz/p-38.html 


Putting it all together

The first thing to do is to fix the pole or wall mount to the side of the building that faces your ISP or carriers cell tower. To find out which direction the tower is from your house go to https://gis.geek.nz/ and register. The website will send you a verification email and once you've verified your email address, go back to the website and login. Once logged in go to Cell Towers at the bottom of the page and click View. From here you can click on Map and zoom in to find your location and where your carriers nearest tower is in relation to your property.


Next, mount the antenna on the pole or wall mount ensuring that it is pointing towards your carriers cell tower.


Once the antenna is mounted and pointing in the right direction, connect the N-Type connector on you coax cable to it and run the cable back to your modem using proper cable clips to fix it to the walls. Don't use staples as they will damage the cable.


Connect the SMA end of the coax cable to you modem by screwing it on. Alternatively, screw the TS-9 adaptor to the SMA connector on the coax pigtail and push it onto the modem TS-9 connector.


If you are using two ANT-205s or an ANT-228 you will need two coax pigtail cables installed as above.