I'm having trouble locating a shop or service supplier that can sell me an external (roof/wall) antenna and compatible router/modem to help me gain access to an existing wifi service. I use Wind as the wifi service supplier. however, DR buildings have so much rebar inside them that the wifi signal can't even penetrate the house (I get one light on the modem, which is useless). I want an antenna/router that's not just a compatible pair but also compatible universally with DR wifi, so can be used with Wind, Altice or Claro. My location is Santo Domingo East. Can anyone suggest either a good shop (anywhere in SD) or, better still, someone who can supply and install (or both!)?
- Thread starter an.coco
- Start date
External wifi antenna and compatible router/modem needed
Pleas provide a bit more information about the wireless serve you wish to receive. You say it is WIFI from Wind but Wind does no provide traditional 802.11 WIFI service. The wireless service they provide is probably 4GLTE (cellular network). Wind use to provide WiMax on 3.5 GHz a few years back but I believe that service has been discontinued.
Yes, good point. Thanks.
I use a standard Wind internet service (that what I should have said!) which is, as you rightly said, a 4G LTE service (the standard router provided by Wind includes a chip and has no visible antenna nor the ability to attach one.
Ideally I would like an external (roof/wall) antenna and router pair that is compatible not just with 4G LTE but with whatever 5G service the DR is likely to have in the future. But that's an idea and, if not possible, a solution to getting a stronger signal is needed ASAP.
If your current 4GLTE router doesn't have an external antenna connector, your best bet is to buy a 4GLTE router on Amazon/Ebay that has external antenna connectors and buy an outdoor antenna. There are 4GLTE router for under US$100 and external roof mount antennas for around US$20. If you are somewhat handy you could install the antenna yourself but here in DR you could find a helping hand that could install it for you for a few bucks. Good luck and keep us posted for future reference. TIA
The comments are appreciated - thanks. Not as easily done as said, though. Reputedly, routers are not all compatible with DR services. This may be as simple as requiring unlocking but, until I can find an expert to check this with, i'm unsure; it may be that Caribbean internet uses something different to US services. Hopefully I'll solve this. When I do, I'll follow your suggestion and post so that others might be helped.
I've got an Alcatel wireless router (with a simchip) in my house with two (Yes! Count them - TWO) little 5 in. screw in antennas.
If I'm understanding you guys correctly, I can buy a screw in external antenna on Amazon to improve my signal?
I have 3 out of 4 bars usually but it drops like crazy.
I'd love to improve it.
If I'm understanding you guys correctly, I can buy a screw in external antenna on Amazon to improve my signal?
I have 3 out of 4 bars usually but it drops like crazy.
I'd love to improve it.
This raises one of my problems. If there is a chip, as mine also has, then I'm assuming the connection to the internet is maintained in the same way as a cellphone, via the antenna inside the phone. If so, then it might be poossible to extend that antenna by adding an external one. If that is so, it can be a long way away, connected via a cable. This also assumes there is a socket to connect an external antenna to. If all of this is true, then there are external 9roof, pole, wall) antennas precisely to improve signal reception. Reading what little I could find, routers can be incompatible within some geographies. IBelieve this might simply be a locking issue (commercial protectionism) but if not, one needs to know which router will work. I haven't yet found any written issues about antenna compatability. To resolve if anything is possible, I've asked WIND 9my internet supplier) to give me a chance to talk personally with a techy. If I get a meeting and if the techy tells me a solution, I'll post it here so you cans ee it too. I'll try to be as helpful as possible but you'll need to work out how your router model may or may not work with whatever I post (if I get a solution).
On the other hand, if the signal is received directly via the chip, it seems unlikely that an antenna could be connected to the chip. In that case, my guess is that you'd need a different router. This is possibly my situation.
I'll post as soon as I have further info.
Yes, the connection is the same as a cellphone, so it's basically the same as making a cellphone call. The router also has a 4 bar signal strength indicator which normally is around 3 bars but sometimes can hit all 4. Adding a better antenna may give me 4 bars all the time.
The antennas it has are moveable and removable, so I can unscrew them and screw in something else(like a exterior antenna hopefully)
A 4GLTE router is exactly the same as a cellular phone in its technology. A router that is compatible with AT&T 4GLTE cellular service will work in DR without issues on Wind 4GLTE. In fact most newer cellular phones and cellular data routers sold today comply with all GSM data standards. Cellular modem technology has advanced significantly in the last few years. Any GSM antenna listed as compatible to AT&T should work perfectly with Wind 4GLTE.
For Claro, Altice and Viva any router or antennae compatible with AT&T or Tmobile 4GLTE will work with no issues here in DR.
Note: when buying a router please make sure it is listed as unlocked for all carriers.
For Claro, Altice and Viva any router or antennae compatible with AT&T or Tmobile 4GLTE will work with no issues here in DR.
Note: when buying a router please make sure it is listed as unlocked for all carriers.
My plan was to buy an exterior antenna I can screw into the existing socket on my router, not buy another router. I do appreciate the information.
Excellent, the info is provided for anyone that needs it but mainly for the OP. In your case the same applies. Amazon and Ebay usually list their cellular equipment (routers, phones, tablets, antennas....) to what USA service they are compatible with. Knowing to what our DR GSM cellular services are compatible to the USA GSM services makes selecting anything cellular (ie antenna) on Amazon or Ebay easier.
Personally I would not do this but as practical matter an ISM 2.4 GHz (WiFi) antenna could be used on the 2.6 GHz cellular frequency band in a pinch. The problem is that it doesn't necessarily achieve a better signal strength which is the goal of replacing the antenna in the first place. You can use a hatchet to peel an orange or slice a tomato but that doesn't mean that the tool is suitable for the job. At GHz frequencies it is important to match the antenna to the wavelength of the interested frequency to insure maximum gain particularly in fringe reception areas. Using a 2.4GHz antenna would defeat the purpose of replacing it in the first place. It would be best not to replace the original antenna that came with the device if a 2.4 GHz one is to be use as replacement.
On another note... There are many DIY antenna project online for WiFi that can easily be adjusted to work on the cellular band of interest and can be constructed with pennies of material and minimal effort. I've seen cellular antenna projects online as well but these are scarce at best. There are many types of antenna projects online, biquad, yagi, cantennas, parabolic reflector, dipole and many others, all with pros and cons of both design and performance. There really is no need to buy or use the wrong antenna. With a bit of research and handy work the sky is the limit. For those a bit apprehensive of undertaking a new project in an unknown area they can opt to buy resonantly priced application specific antennas. Either way good luck with your signal receptions.
You are not talking from your personal experience? 2.4Ghz yagi or panel or dish antenna (usually covers from 2400MHz to 2500MHz) may loose a few dbi on higher 2600MHz but still gets you an excellent boost. If you loose 2dbi from original 16 or 20 or 24 dbi you still get much better results than with original dipole 2-4 dbi omni-directional antennas. High quality RF cable (not cheapo TV coax cables they use here) and proper installation will guarantee successful results.