What I did to get better connection without antenna, Bucket idea

Keystone man wrote:

johnbor wrote:

I’ve had my T-Mobile Trash can for over a year already and did a lot of experimenting with it as far as location and how to get he best reception for the least money.

I noticed while I'm 3-4 miles from any tower , I would get very little reception at least anything good while in the house. And I was correct while in the house it was terrible slower than slow lucky to get 1.5 down with 2 bars showing for my primary signal and nothing for my secondary. So, before I jump out and spend a small fortune on an antenna and cables , I took the cheap approach to see if it would even work in my area .

 

I placed the trashcan inside a 5-gallon bucket with a lid on it upside down with one smaller entry hole cut into the bottom for electric and any drainage from dew buildup. While in the bucket I rotated the trashcan to get the best reception and marked it there, I also set the trashcan in the bucket but not on the lid but instead raised it on top a small empty coffee can so if any water or condensation were inside it would quickly drain out before ever coming near the height of the unit. Strapped it down from the winds and snow and now I get a primary signal of -104 dbm which is not that great and secondary signal of -92 dbm whereas now I get a constant download speed of 80-150 Mbps and uploads of 12-19 Mbps..   Been out there for almost a year and doing its job without dumping 4-5 hundred on an antenna that who knows if it will work on the next model that comes out.

 

 

 

The newer sagcom has way better antennas inside it. Plus a more powerful wifi6 system. I suggest going to a corporate store and exchanging yours. Oops,your old one is mysterious broken.  They don't check to see if it is. It just goes to scrap box in back.   I've had both and sagcom has way more power and signal strength.  

  Yeah I'm just worried the device might have other problem's and that's why no upgrade yet. Trashcan performing pretty good using the bucket..

johnbor wrote:

I’ve had my T-Mobile Trash can for over a year already and did a lot of experimenting with it as far as location and how to get he best reception for the least money.

I noticed while I'm 3-4 miles from any tower , I would get very little reception at least anything good while in the house. And I was correct while in the house it was terrible slower than slow lucky to get 1.5 down with 2 bars showing for my primary signal and nothing for my secondary. So, before I jump out and spend a small fortune on an antenna and cables , I took the cheap approach to see if it would even work in my area .

 

I placed the trashcan inside a 5-gallon bucket with a lid on it upside down with one smaller entry hole cut into the bottom for electric and any drainage from dew buildup. While in the bucket I rotated the trashcan to get the best reception and marked it there, I also set the trashcan in the bucket but not on the lid but instead raised it on top a small empty coffee can so if any water or condensation were inside it would quickly drain out before ever coming near the height of the unit. Strapped it down from the winds and snow and now I get a primary signal of -104 dbm which is not that great and secondary signal of -92 dbm whereas now I get a constant download speed of 80-150 Mbps and uploads of 12-19 Mbps..   Been out there for almost a year and doing its job without dumping 4-5 hundred on an antenna that who knows if it will work on the next model that comes out.

 

 

 

The newer sagcom has way better antennas inside it. Plus a more powerful wifi6 system. I suggest going to a corporate store and exchanging yours. Oops,your old one is mysterious broken.  They don't check to see if it is. It just goes to scrap box in back.   I've had both and sagcom has way more power and signal strength.  

copz1998 wrote:

Good thinking, johnbor. You are taking the gateway and placing it outside, closer and less obstruction interference between you and your cell tower. The gateway looks well protected for the fall and winter, but what about the heat of summer? Does it get hot in the plastic enclosure? 

It does have a vent hole a little smaller than the bottom of the water glass for heat out, power cord, drainage and haven't had a problem this past year in Ohio but maybe it would be a problem if it were in Arizona.. I guess in the hot summer I can change the bottom lid with one that has a larger vent area if needed but as far as now, I haven't had any problems and have to agree getting it out in the open makes a HUGE difference.

Good thinking, johnbor. You are taking the gateway and placing it outside, closer and less obstruction interference between you and your cell tower. The gateway looks well protected for the fall and winter, but what about the heat of summer? Does it get hot in the plastic enclosure?