Recommendation for laptop modem in fringe 3g network

[PeeBee]

I have recommenced a 12 month contract at a minesite in remote MW QLD and the phone coverage at the accom village where I am located - furtherest from the tower has a bouncing signal strength between 1-2 bars at best on my phone, mostly 0 - 1 bar strength. I tried using the phone as a hotspot however simply cannot connect and when I do, it drops out. What would be a recommended solution(s) to explore for better internet coverage in this fringe zone? We have strong 3G in the central village area, however I am a further 500m away and its basically dead. Telstra recommended using the phone, however I have going to re-activate a 4G USB modem however they claimed my model would not work well with a windows 10 platform.

The floods in Northern QLD have closed all the supply roads and about 100 people are being flown out early from site to go home until maybe mid to late Feb, so I have some time to resolve this.

[rusty_nail]

I have a Telstra 4g/3g wifi modem if you want you can have it. Should do what U need it to

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[PeeBee]

I have a Telstra 4g/3g wifi modem if you want you can have it. Should do what U need it to

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Thanks, but I also have one, and am wondering if there is a really super duper solution thats portable or if I need to rig up a big antenna to the side of the donger, As the days get hotter out here the signal drops off even further - its totally crap. Last time I was here i used the dongal I have but with Windows 7 from memory. i might head back to Telstra and grill them a bit more. Thanks Nick, i will be back to you if they crap out on me. I could be up here from 12 months upwards, so need a solid solution. I will let you know as i have a spare PATG sim to try as well with the existing modem.

[Maxhead]

You should be able to get a dongle with an external antenna plug, then just get en antenna with long lead and sit it somewhere with a bit of reception. That’s what I used to do in my caravan in remote areas


Edit: from memory you could get a little directional antenna where you point it at the closest tower, I never gone down that path

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[Cuppa]

I've read a few travellers have reported finding these pretty good lately. Means getting another sim though.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/3G-4G-Wi...frcectupt=true

[PeeBee]

Thanks guys, currently sitting at the minesite waiting to find out if I am flying out or not. Townsville airport currently closed, Mt Isa flights miss the egg beater connection from the mine, so would have to overnite in a town thats already under stress from isolation and flooding. Few people I work with have lost their homes, including a couple that have places on the market, so in the scheme of things, finding a signal extender is pretty low priority compared to what others are going thru. I have to evac from the camp because they are running out of food! Its saturated out here and roads are cut off for at least a further 10 days - been closed for 7 now.

@Cuppa, i have sent off an enquiry about the unit you suggest and see what its capability is for signal strength in the 0/5 to 1/5 band.

[PeeBee]

Update guys, just got hold of the IT hamster on site and he says I am wasting my time. Signal is so weak this won't work. They have wifi in the main village but thats a klm away and i am not able to easily get down there. This area of camp, known as Kosovo, has limited everything because its only used fro contractors, and contractors are the lowest life form in existence, and I am a contractor! Seems like its back to postage stamps!

[Cuppa]

Blow hard & send some of that rain west. Bloody Qld is hogging the lot.

[PeeBee]

Blow hard & send some of that rain west. Bloody Qld is hogging the lot.

The forecast is for another week of rain and maybe a cyclone to top it off! I have just arrived home after being removed , along with another 100 people because the food levels were at critical levels and the roads are shut for another 10 days. I guess they will have to start flying in supplies. Return date is up in the air, might be 13Th could be 20th - might head bush!

[PeeBee]

I've read a few travellers have reported finding these pretty good lately. Means getting another sim though.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/3G-4G-Wi...frcectupt=true

I contacted the seller of this unit and true to form, they sell them and know nothing about them, so he can't give comment on performance on really poor 3G service, so will speak with telstra tomorrow and see what they can off. I have to wait 3 months before being eligible to move into an area where there is good coverage - absolute crap.