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Jomac
SMARTY Commentator
Joined 15-12-2022
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4G Internet and Roaming?
Does anyone else use the Smarty 4G SIM with unlimited everything for their main internet connection? I found as a single person the unlimited SIM perfect for my internet connection not only in price but in speed as well. I have had some insane speeds with my SIM and most of the time it compares very well with the low end fibre speeds often hitting speeds of up to 150MBs+ ADSL or landline internet doesn't even come close to what I get. In addition, I enjoy going away in my motorhome, sometimes for weeks at a time and the ease of simply grabbing the 4G modem to use in the camper makes life very easy even when travelling abroad.3.2KViews1like3CommentsRe: [Prize Draw] Let us know about your favourite bit of tech
My favourite bit of tech is now 43 years old and without it, the world would be a different place. Back in 1980 I was the proud owner of a Sinclair ZX80 computer, considered by many to be the first small home computer and one that kickstarted home computing back then. By modern standards its a joke, no hard drive, no floppy drive, no colour and small programs (1K) were loaded eventually from cassette. There is far more computing power in your average Chip & PIN ATM card or SIM card. This small, archaic computer set me on the path to being a computer engineer and eventually teaching electronics at University. I still have mine safely tucked away and occasionally dig it out for a Memory Lane experience.19KViews1like1CommentRe: Home portable router
For what it costs Peto, I have two Sim card contracts, one for the router which is unlimited everything and a basic Sim for the phone, so no swapping needed. Other than general surfing on the phone, the only thing that would use expensive data would be Google Maps and even they can be preloaded into your phone before a journey. Using a basic Sim with limited data, I have never come close to using anywhere near my limit and never had to swap Sim's21KViews1like1CommentSpeed..Speed..and More Speed 4GInternet Router
I've been involved in radio and telecomunications for over 50 years and a lot of that with Ham Radio. The secret to high speed data and internet is the best signal you can get which involves not only testing different positions around the home but different antenna's as well. For internet speed testing head over to OOKLA on speedtest.net for a reliable speed test. Basically, the stronger your signal is, the faster your connection will be. It also goes without saying, the worse the signal is the slower the connection and sometimes even dropping below 1MBs. A lot of 4G routers have the facility to connect external aerials to increase the aerial gain and therefore the connection and download speeds. The position of the router plays a crucial part as well. Try your router in all windows of the house, especially upstairs to find your best signal. The next option is to look at an external aerial. Using an aerial outside will definitely give you a big signal jump and there are basically two types of external 4G router antenna, an omnidirectional which is easy to set up, all you have to do is get it as high as you can with the supplied cable and a directional aerial such as a Yagi which looks a bit like a smaller version of a TV aerial. There are Pro's and Con's here, the omnidirectional Aerial doesnt need to be pointed in any direction, just get it as high as you can with the supplied cable and the downside is less gain than a Yagi aerial but simple to set up. The Yagi aerial can have extremely high gains, much higher than other aerials but has to be pointed at the nearest 4G mast to achieve this. I live just under 1 mile from my nearest mast and whilst playing I have achieved speeds close to 400MBs on occasions. I use an omnidirectional aerial which gives me speeds around 200MBs, I chose this aerial simply because I can use this with my router in my motorhome with very little setting up.3.3KViews4likes2CommentsRe: Is there a way to move your number away from Smarty, but keep your account with a new SIM?
The simple answer is yes! Get a new SIM from another network, (that is assuming you dont want to use the number you are saving with Smarty) register the new SIM. Then ask Smarty for a PAC code which you give to the new network and the transfer shouldnt take very long. Now Smarty may simply provide a new number for your existing SIM that holds your new number. There is also an automated process which involves your new SIM provider doing all the work, you may need to investigate this.6.3KViews0likes1CommentRe: Using SMARTY for google maps when abroad
You should be able to download the maps for the countries in question and be able to navigate offline with these maps preloaded. More information here.... https://support.google.com/maps/answer/6291838?hl=en-GB&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid6.7KViews1like0Comments