- How to boost your mobile broadband signal
- Finding your Nearest Transmitter
- How to measure and improve your mobile broadband reception
- Which mobile broadband antenna do you need
- How to fit your mobile broadband antenna
- Mobile broadband antenna range extended
- How to improve signal in the car
- Antenna Compatibility Guide
UPDATE 23/03/2010: We’ve just updated the compatibility chart to include all of the latest dongles that are currently available from all UK networks. For the latest dongles, please visit the 3G dongle antenna compatibility page.
The table below shows the current 3G Broadband Dongles and the Antennas that are available. If you aren’t sure which dongle you have, our post on how to boost your 3G signal will show you where to find this information.
There are now three two different types of antenna available. The standard Clip Antenna is designed to be a portable solution that clips onto the screen on your laptop or sits on your desk. It is omni-directional, which means that it will pick up signals from all directions. The High Gain 3G Directional Antenna is a more powerful signal booster. It is directional, which means that you will need to point this towards your networks transmitter in order for it to improve the signal. The High Gain antenna when positioned correctly will make a significant difference to the signal you receive, and can be wall mounted as a permanent fixture. The latest dongle is the Panel Antenna. This is similar in many ways to the High Gain Antenna, but is slightly stronger and is weatherproof – making it perfect for outdoor installations.
Clip Antenna - High Gain Antenna - Panel Antenna
More information on the different antennas can be found on our blog post “Mobile Broadband Antenna Range extended“
To find your dongle quickly, press “ctrl” and “f” on your keyboard, and then type in the model number of your dongle (eg: E160G) to search this page. If your dongle is not listed here, don’t worry, this is only a snapshot of the most popular dongles.
We’ve now made it easier for you to find the right antenna for your dongle. You can now use the smart filter in the mobile broadband section of the main site. Go to the USB Dongle Antennas and select your dongle from the drop down box at the top of the page to see the antennas that are compatible with your 3G Broadband Modem.
If you still can’t find your dongle, please add a comment with the network, dongle make and model number and I’ll find out which antenna you need and add it to the list. If you have any questions about using the dongle or aren’t sure which one you need, please ask us on the Mobile Fun Forums
UPDATE: Due to the high number of questions this post raises, I’m closing it to comments and I’ve set up a new thread on the Mobile Fun forums. Please continue to ask any questions or check compatibility by post there instead.
Jump to the “Which 3G Antenna do I need?” thread on the Mobile Fun Forums.
Hi Ted, this isn’t a dongle we have listed yet, but I’ll query it with our suppliers tomorrow and update this comment when i know more
Hi I`m Ted, can you advise me which antenna I need to use to boost the signal strength for my laptop usb Novatel, MC990D,Dongle, supplied by Movistar. I live in south western Spain and have searched the net for this model of dongle with no luck,so far. 30KBPS is driving me crazy. Cheers Ted.
Post updated to include Sierra Wireless Compass 888
Andy
Hi, Just heard from our supplier that it takes a TS-9 connector, so you;’ll need this one:
https://www.mobilefun.co.uk/clip-antenna-for-3g-usb-modems-ts9-connection-p19635.htm
there isn’t a high gain one available on our site at the moment, but we can get it if you need it. Price will be the same as the other high gain antennas
Hi Andy,
thanks for the reply. There is a small ‘hatch’ on the side of my dongle that has what looks like an connection for an external antenna. I’ll keep an eye out for further info later.
Cheers.
Hi Karam,
The 880 and 880e are data cards rather than USB Modems, so it’s highly unlikely that they will take the same antenna as the USB modem 888. I’ve looked on the sierra wireless website and it looks like there isn’t an antenna connection, so you’ll need to use the universal antenna
Hi,
I’m using O2 (Ireland) Sierra Wireless Compass 888 and would like to know if it is compatible (antenna-wise) with the 880 listed.
Thanks.
Thank you very much, I will try that!
Hi Becky, It’s tricky to say for sure, but I’d say that the clip antenna will probably improve things outside, but it may not be strong enough to make much difference in the house.
If you know where your transmitter is, I’d say to go for the high gain one and make sure it’s pointing at your nearest T-Mobile transmitter. If it doesn’t work, we offer a 30 day no quibble money back so you can return it for a full refund.
Hi Andy, I have a T-mobile dongle (only just got it not sure what model it is until I get home!) and I cannot get a 3G signal indoors at all. I have tried every room in the house and they only place I can get it is outside but even then it is weak.
Will these antennas work for me if I cannot get a signal inside? When I bought the dongle I was told I was in a “good” 3G signal area.
Hi Dean, yes, if your dongle isn’t listed or doesn’t have an antenna connection, then the universal one will work
If my dongle doesn’t have an antenna connection, do i just need the universal one?
I have a Verizon USB 720 Running on 3g. Need to boost. Thinking about the directional. I tried the one that plugs into the USB under the little flip up antenna and no better. Thanks
Hi Dave,
Apologies for the delay. The E180 doesn’t have an external antenna connetion, so you’ll need the Universal one.
Andy
Huawei E180 is not listed (provided bt BT). Which 3G clip antenna do I need? Thanks, Dave
Hi Andy..
Many thanks for the swift response.
It seems the 3-Network has now piggy backed Orange
I will give your suggestion a try when everything is back in stock..
Cheers
TK
Hi Glyn, the K3520 is the same as the Vodafone USB Stick, so its the High Gain Universal Antenna that you’ll need.
https://www.mobilefun.co.uk/product/18963.htm
Hi
What model(s)can I use with my Vodafone supplied Huawei K3520 (not K3250). It is for a fixed installation so I would prefer a high gain unit
Thanks
Glyn
Hi TK,
In theory, yes they will. You’d need to use the universal one as this has a connector pad that straps onto your dongle or card (or phone in this case)
as long as you sat this pad as close to the aerial on your phone, there’s no reason why it won’t do the same job.
With regards to GPRS signal, the clip antenna will work on both GPRS and 3G, but the High Gain ones are 3G only.
If O2 and 3 are still sharing transmitters, then you should be ok using the clip antenna at home, but if they’re not (I think they switched to partnering with orange) then the clip antenna may not be strong enough, in which case I’d suggest to go for the High Gain one and point it towards the 3 transmitter.
On a similar note, 3 themselves don’t have a GPRS network, so for a GPRS signal, you’ll actually be using their partner, (o2 or orange)
Hi Andy.
Will your 3G Antennas boost a 3-Skypephone S2?
If yes which one?
I currently use it as a HSPDA modem for my Asus PCEEE 901 3G Broadband connection & when I am in a favourable signal area, speed is fine upto 2+mbs
However the 3Network coverage inside my home becomes non-existant & we have to rely on wifi.
Sometimes I have to go outside & stand on a chair just to get GPRS.
The nearest transmitter in the area is an ‘O2’ one approx 3miles away across flat terrain.
All others are 6-8 miles away on higher ground.
Please dont say move house! According to all the network provider websites there is good 3G signal in the village. But none of us can find it!!
Cheers
TK
PS: I dont suppose these antennas will also boost phone GPRS signal as well 3G?
With out seeing it, I’d guess that the CE number is the safety mark number – if the CE number looks the same as the one on this post, then its the safety number and you can ignore it.
The antenna for the Icon is the universal antenna
Hi Andy
Barry agian, you say there are two different antenna’s for the numbers I sent in but both those numbers are on my Orange Dongle icon225 & ce 0682 can you advise me which one I need to use please many thanks
ok that great thanx very much. il give it a try pal
Hi Lee,
The MC9930d takes the universal antenna or the universal high gain antenna.
Both will make a difference, but it really is down to signal strength where you are. If signal is really bad, then I’d suggest the high gain one, and point it towards the nearest O2 transmitter.
hi i have 02 mobile broadband mc930d. i get gprs/edge signal 237kbps but when im at my mums i get 7.2mbps on 3g. my mums house is 2miles from mine. will one of these antennas make a difference to me and what one will i need cheers lee
Hi Barry,
Can you see your dongle listed on this page? We do antennas for an icon dongle, and a 225, but they’re two different ones..
https://www.mobilefun.co.uk/cat/Orange.htm
Orange dongle (icon 225) ce 0682 which Antenna will I need please.
Hi Diane,
I’ve had a look at our supplier lists, and its the same as the T-Mobile 510 so it’s the universal one that you’ll need.
https://www.mobilefun.co.uk/cat/TMobile-510.htm
Andy
I have a Tmobile 530 and it drops out after 15 minutes. I have been told that it is a weak reception area, although not when sold it. What, if any, antenna would work.
Plus my Walls r 2 feet thick LOL
yes mate I do no where the mast is and what direction it is and it’s 0.3 mile away from my flat . And there is no pipes or wires in the wall where I’m using the modem. what else would give such diffrent speeds the only diffrence is each side glass LOL I’m stumped
Crazy isn’t it. Chances are that its not the wall/window causing your problem, but some other electrical device causing interference.
chances are you’ve got cables and pipes in all the walls all around you, and its these that are scrambling the signal rather than the glass…
do you know which way it is to your nearest transmitter?
Oh yeah modem is huawei e160g cheers for ya help
Ok mate nice 1 the prob I have if I use modem in side my flat I get 3 bar hspda signal but down load speeds of about 60 Kbps . If I put the modem on outside of window I still get 3 bar hspda signal but the speed is between 2.2 and 2.8 mb how can they b so much diffrence between 1 side of the glass to the other. ?
Hi Steve,
They are designed to be wall/pole mounted, but are for internal use really.
We can source an outside antenna, these retail around the £70-£75 mark, but will need to confirm availability with our supplier – I’ll drop you an email on Tuesday once I’ve spoken to them.
Andy
Hi peeps
Just a quick 1 can the crc9 high gain antena b mounted on a ouitside wall is it water proof .
Thank you!
Hi Maggy,
The samsung Modems don’t have a dedicated antenna connection, so you will need to use the universal one for it.
In terms of signal strength, the High gain should make more of a difference as long as its pointing in the right direction.
Hi Chris, Apologies for the delay – I’ve been on hols!
The Vodafone E870, if its the express data card, rather than a USB modem uses the SSMB Connection, the same as the E880. To fit it you have to remove the small antenna that flips up on the card, and connect the clip antenna or high gain antenna into where the flip one detaches.
Andy
HUAWEI E870 (Vodafone)? Which antenna please?
Hi Andy,
when I am in Morocco I use this USB Dongle:
http://www.wana.ma/modems-samsung.php
Is it compatible to your “3G High Gain Directional Antenna – Universal” or the “Clip Antenna for 3G USB Modems – Universal”?
Is the High Gain Antenna “stronger” than the Clip Antenna?
In Morocco there are these alternatives:
http://www.wana.ma/accueil-modems.php
Is there another compatible one mentioned?
Thanks and greetings from Germany,
Maggy
Hi Sara, laptop antenna’s are something we’re currently looking into. i’ve tried to find information on the E3400, but am not having much success. The Antennas don’t connect to the sim card, they connect to the antenna that is built into the USB dongle or laptop. If you know where the antenna is located within your laptop casing, (i’d imagine around the screen) then you will be able to use the universal one with your laptop, you’d just need to secure it in place with an adhesive pad.
It will improve the signal, but as I have no way of testing I can’t say by how much.
Hope this helps
Can you tell me if it is possible to buy a booster for the Dell E3400 Lattitude laptop? The sim card sits behind the battery so there is no dongle to attach the aerial to.
Thanks
Hi Gerald, I’m pretty sure that 5 bars is the most that you can get, so the high gain one probably won’t make much more of a difference if you’ve already got maximum signal.
If you can get more than 5 bars, then yes it will improve it.
ANDY
I am using a HUAWEI E156G on a 5 metre cable which improves the signal from 1-3 up to 5bars will a high gain CRC9 improve the signal any more
GERALD
Hi, We’ve got that one listed as the Vodafone USB Stick, so it takes the Universal one. I’ve been trying to track down the manufacturer of that one for months, so thank you for that!
Will get the lists and site updated now.
Andy
huawei model no k3520 not on list. it has micro sd connection on side. running on vodafone (ireland).any compatible booster???