NSW
10 posts
Been looking at 3g signal boosters on ebay as I used one years ago and it worked fantastic (New Zeland built) and I'd like to rig one up on board my boat.
The booster back then was supposed to be illegal in Aust but I noticed they sell them on Ebay now with two options, one is a 850mhz and the other is like about 1200mhz.
Does anyone know what MHZ a simple 3g network runs on?
Or better still, does anyone use these things onboard that could steer me in the rite direction, I won't be going too far off the coast but I will be inbetween towers along the coast.
Cheers
QLD
160 posts
I have a Powertec 746 antenna (7db) on the masthead, with LMR400 low-loss cable, and have good reception up most of the QLD coast and offshore including Lady Musgrave lagoon. Almost continuous coverage from Brisbane to Sydney last year. However there are QLD dead zones including Fitzroy Reef a few miles north of Lady Musgrave, and the Percys and nearby islands.
I've heard the NZ-built booster makes a big difference, but as far as I know they're still illegal.
Telstra NextG is 850mhz, or 1800mhz for 4g (but 4g has poor coverage). Optus runs different frequencies - but coverage is poorer so not such a good choice.
I originally bought one of these:
http://www.powertec.com.au/ericsson-w35-marine-pack.html
I got it a few years ago when the W35s were fairly new. Whatever you do don't buy a W35, it had lots of problems. Or if you do want one, I'll sell you mine, which is still in "working" condition, for a carton of beer. Other components in that Marine Pack were good and still giving good service.
Please update us with your findings, I'll be interested.
NSW
1458 posts
I use an aerial by RFI, model number COL2195.
It has a gain of 6.5 dBi on 3G850.
I also use this at home and my signal strength goes from maybe 1 bar to a strong 4 on a 4G sierra wireless.
Had the aerial with me on a 2011 voyage from NSW to the Whitsundays, really only used it in the military area north of Yeppoon,
elswhere there was a signal or NONE at all.
