How to choose a router for the country

It is no longer relevant to think that the routers, which are stuffed with antennas, are just a marketing ploy. Several antennas really allow you to increase the range of signal reception and its stability at a distance.

Internet for the farmer. Getting maximum speed in 4G networks. Part 1. Choosing the right router

A few years ago I already conducted a review of means of communication for a countryman or a person living in his house, where broadband is not available or costs so much money that it is easier to move to the city. Since then, quite a few terabytes have passed and I was wondering what's on the market right now for good LTE or 4G network access. So, I put together some old and new routers with cellular capability and compared their speeds and features. For the results, go under the covers. By tradition, if anyone is too lazy to read, you can watch the video.

To begin with, I did not set myself the task of finding out which of the cellular operators provides the best speed, but decided to find out which of the modem/router provides higher speed in the same conditions. Beeline was chosen as the provider. In my region the following operators are available: Beeline, MTS, Megafon, Tele2, Yota, WiFire. "Stripe" was chosen only because I already had his sim-card. I have no preference for any of the providers – each of them is just making money.

Testing methodology

To the base station, in a straight line, about 8 km, if you believe the router. All tests were conducted on weekdays from 11 to 13, because at this time the lowest load on the 4G network. As a matter of principle I do not consider 3G networks in the test, because they also carry the load of voice communication, while 4G only transmits data. Anticipating the talk about VoLTE, I will say that at the place of testing, voice over LTE has not yet been launched. The test was conducted three times using the Speedtest service, the data was entered into a table and the average download speed, data transfer speed and ping speed were calculated. Also, attention was paid to the capabilities of the router. Test conditions: clear weather, no precipitation. No leaves on the trees. The height of the equipment – 10 meters above the ground.

Tests for all devices were conducted separately for the "bare" router, in the factory. The second test was carried out when connected to a small directional antenna, if the device has the appropriate connectors. The third test was conducted with a connection to a large panel antenna.

In the last column I added the final cost of the solution: for example, router + modem + antenna can receive better than just a router, but cost less. The color gradation is introduced to visually identify the particular base device to which the additional antenna can be connected.

Here is a scan of the radio air for understanding the signal reception conditions and the presence of the BS in the radius of the router.

Antenna version: Room antenna
Antenna type: wave channel
Supported standards of connection: LTE, HSPA, HSPA +
Operating frequencies, MHz: 790-2700
Gain, max, dBi: 11
Standing Wave Voltage Coefficient, max: 1.25
Wave impedance, Ohm: 50
Dimensions of the assembly (without mounting bracket), mm: 160x150x150
Weight, kg max: 0.6

Ways of connecting

Global network outside the city works on different technology. The choice of method and wireless equipment depends on the characteristics of the village and the location of the house (on the hills, in the lowlands). Now there are 4 popular ways to connect to the Internet.

Fiber optic

A signal in the form of a light beam is transmitted via an optical cable. Subscriber receives high speed (up to 10 Gbit / sec), which does not depend on the weather and distance from the source. The channel is not affected by electromagnetic radiation, which allows the wires to be laid close to electrical equipment. The technology has excellent bandwidth.

The provider's fiber-optic cable is connected to the router in the house, providing Internet distribution via Wi-Fi in the country house. The speed and reliability of the connection does not depend on the length of the line. Unauthorized persons will not be able to cut into the optics, so you can not worry about interception of information.

Fiber optic cable is very fragile. Wires are hidden in protective covers to prevent accidental damage. If a breakdown occurs on the line, you'll have to replace the entire backbone network. As you use it, the transmitting elements become turbid, which leads to a reduction in signal quality.

If the village is not connected to fiber-optic technology, you will not get a cheap Internet connection to the dacha. If the number of subscribers is the same, it is economically more advantageous for the provider to connect a high-rise building than to pull a cable into a village through fields and plantations. The service provider passes its costs onto the connection fee.

Characteristics of a cottage router

The router for a country cottage should be powerful. The equipment must reach the most remote places of the site or house, while not losing the speed of data transmission. The parameter is specified in dBm. The higher the number, the better the work of the device. Models that support manual adjustment are handy.

The maximum speed of the equipment must comply with the declared characteristics of the provider. The bandwidth of the equipment must be 2 times higher than that of the Internet plan. The standard parameter is 300 Mbps. Less than that is the case with portable (wireless) models, and more is the case with flagship units.

When choosing a router for a country house, pay attention to the range of Wi-Fi operation. Standard equipment operates at 2.4 GHz, so all routers have it. The modern protocol in 5 GHz supports high speeds and minimal disconnects. The model in both types will be a great option "to grow up" for the cottage.

A router for a country house should have a user-friendly interface. The "out-of-the-box" option doesn't need configuration and subscriber intervention. For experienced users, solutions with extended functionality and the ability to fine-tune the settings for themselves will be suitable.

If the tower of the mobile operator is far away, the quality of signal reception will improve the amplifier. The equipment must support the option, otherwise you will not be able to connect the antenna. If the panel does not have a jack, you need a non-contact adapter. The device is connected to the catching device, and the router is placed on a special platform.

The gain varies from 14 to 36 dB. The higher the power, the more expensive the model. The quality of reception is affected by the obstacles that are located between the tower and the router. A dacha in the lowlands catches the signal worse than on a plain or a hill.

Frequency range

More and more buyers are opting for dual-band routers – and rightly so. In an apartment building, the popular 2.4 GHz frequency is overloaded, and those who don't have a 5 GHz router have to endure inconveniences like slow speeds, hang-ups, and dropped connections. Many people still use this frequency, and as a result, their neighbors' routers interfere with each other.

Dual-band router is especially relevant in today's environment when the family finds itself at home on self-isolation, and everyone needs access to the Internet – study, work, play, and just watch shows online. Two bands help a lot – you can "share" them between family members and gain a little bit in speed.

By the way, the 5 GHz band also has a higher bandwidth, so you will definitely notice an increase in speed on it. There is a "but": the signal on this frequency has a higher sensitivity, so in the presence of obstacles its range will be less than that of 2.4 GHz. But the situation can be saved by the signal repeater, installed near the problem areas.

In general, a router that supports two bands can and should be bought (for a list of the most popular models look in our selection). Just keep in mind that not all of the gadgets you have in your home can support 5 GHz – and you'll have to create a 2.4 GHz channel for them.

Ports

Let's start with the LAN ports – the jacks for connecting appliances directly to the router. Yes, many devices for which uninterrupted Internet service is critical are wired to the router: game consoles, work PCs, TVs, set-top boxes, and others. If you have such contenders for patchcord connection, choose a router with at least four LAN ports.

D-link DIR-825 router with a USB 2.0 connector и four LAN-ports, including a gigabit

Of course, the connection speed is limited by your provider. But even if your subscription doesn't go over the proverbial 100 Mbps, you may create a local network for video streaming and file sharing – think about it when you decide if you need a gigabit port.

Many routers also have one or more USB connectors. Through it, you can connect a 3G/4G modem and deploy a network somewhere out of town, connect a printer or storage device for file distribution. So if you are planning at least theoretically to connect a printer or modem, it is better to take a router with USB.

Frequency range

The connection speed is also affected by the frequency range. Many routers operate on the popular 2.4 GHz frequency, so in apartment buildings neighboring devices can interfere with each other, causing users to experience reduced speeds and dropped connections.

Of course, this problem will not arise in the country house, unless you often gather large companies and all the guests are not hanging out on the web. So for basic tasks a device with 2.4 GHz support will be enough.

Dual-band routers also use the freer 5 GHz frequency. Such a router is well suited for homes where a lot of people live all the time, who need high-speed Internet for work or entertainment. Then the advantages of such a router will be appreciated: you will be able to share the range between all users, thereby maintaining a stable connection speed.

However, the 5 GHz signal is more sensitive – walls and overlaps reduce its range. This can be dealt with by installing repeaters that support the appropriate frequency.

The area of the site, the number and type of antennas

Of course, in the countryside, you will want to use the Internet not only in the house, but also on the site. Therefore, it is important to consider its area, because different routers are able to provide a different range of the network. The larger the size of your area, the more powerful the network equipment should be.

4G router D-link DWR-921 with two external antennas

The signal strength is also affected by the antennas – they come in internal and external. It is better to choose a router with external antennas – if necessary, they can usually be replaced by a more powerful. Also important is their number: the more, the better the signal spreads. And it is good if they can be pointed in different directions. But keep in mind that antennas will not improve the capabilities of your ISP – and if the Internet is initially weak, a hundred antennas will not make it fly.

If the area is large and it regularly encounters "dead zones" of reception, it is worth installing repeaters or several routers with Mesh support to enhance the signal.

A Mesh system is several devices networked together, where each device is both a router and a repeater. This approach allows you to get a stable signal over the entire area of the house or country area. The connection in such a system is unbreakable: when you move around the territory with your smartphone, you will automatically connect to the nearest router.

In addition, unlike traditional amplifiers, Mesh-systems do not require complex configuration, and they can be controlled using an application for a PC or smartphone. If you need to cover a large area with a signal, the Mesh-system – the best way.

Ubiquiti NanoStation Loco M2

This solution is for those who do not want to install an incomprehensible monster, but would like to have a quite understandable solution with familiar standards – a kind of outdoor Wi-Fi router.

• MIMO 2×2 with 802.11bgn.
• Range of a stable signal – up to 2 km at speeds up to 150 Mbit / s.
• 100 Mbps Ethernet.
• Of the chips – there is a Reset button on the power supply so you don't have to go outside.

Approximate average price in stores at the moment – about 3 200 rubles.

Comments and additions

For some reason people looking here are interested in other things:

• Some are looking for a portable access point – here the emphasis should be on the battery, and often 4G support. Since full-fledged outdoor spots are still aimed at creating a bridge out of an off-the-shelf network, but they don't support basic 4G. There is another concept for this purpose – portable routers. That's what I recommend you look for in our country as well.
• Ceiling access point – for this purpose, the most common home router will do. Many of them have the usual attachable wall mount – with the right hands and ingenuity you can easily try it on the ceiling, don't forget what country we live in! But again, this article is not about you!
• I'll leave the option of running the bridge over the plates in the video below:

Were looked at and some models from MicroTik, Cisco and even ASUS – but on familiarity, budget, quality and our audience – models from Ubiquity will be better. So let's try on, think, go to the store and consult on all questions. I hope our review article on outdoor Wi-Fi access points has helped a little to make a choice and set the right direction. Go for it!

ASUS ROG Rapture GT-AX11000

This model looks something like an airplane and that's why it has a powerful quad-core processor inside. One of the first routers to support the 802.11ax standard – a kind of Wi-Fi 802.11ac, only operating at 2.4 GHz – high speed and huge radius.

According to the company, this model has the best coverage area. You could dub it the most powerful in the world, precisely because of 802.11ax support. If you compare with the cheap models, the area of wi-fi zone is 80% more. So you can get internet without any problem sitting in your garage. Supports speeds up to 11 Gbit per second.

GameFirst V is made especially for the game over the Internet. The system specifically prioritizes game traffic ignoring the other traffic and decreasing the ping. AiProtection Pro – allows you to protect the network from malicious attacks, viruses and DoS-attacks. But most importantly, the router has a port at 2.5 Gbit per second. You can connect the Internet there. Usually other models have a maximum speed of 1 Gbit.

Supports popular network games to reduce ping. The router has a built-in system that optimally calculates the traffic path for the least time loss. Therefore, you will have a much lower response time than with other devices. With all the advantages, the model is cheaper at 2000 rubles than a similar from TP-Link.

MIKROTIK HAP AC

Supports all standards, has a dual-band network. Has support for MIMO, to connect a large number of devices. More often used for small offices. Very reliable model because of the quality soldering and internal iron. Many people say the same about "Microtic" – "set up once and forget it".

Can work even at -20 degrees, and in the hellish heat of +60 – not all transmitters can boast about it. In spite of the fact that the antenna internal transmitter power reaches a mark of 20 dBm. The processor frequency is 720 MHz. Of the budget option – this is the best. It costs only 9000 rubles. The only downside is that it is difficult to configure, although for many this will be a plus. It is very flexible in configurations. I keep wanting to buy this particular model – inexpensive and reliable.

Choosing an Internet connection

Earlier I thought that Wi-Fi and Internet – is the same thing, but how I was wrong. Let me tell you right away that they are different things, and they work on different standards and technologies. For example, you can have internet at home, but there will be no wifi network. And vice versa – there is no internet, but when you turn on the router around you immediately get a wi-fi network, but no internet. I don't need a regular wireless network, so I need to start by looking at options to connect to the WAN.

• Fiber optics – The most popular connection option in urban areas. It's the fastest, the most reliable, the cheapest. But in suburban homes, it is almost impossible to connect it unless there is a large population center nearby. You can ask around – perhaps there is such a possibility in your locality.
• Satellite – is very expensive. As far as I know, it's still on a per-gabit basis. Plus you have to buy an expensive antenna and receiver.
• WiMAX – In the nearest big city or town there is a tower, which transmits information via waves. It is enough to have a weak antenna and receive the signal from it. It is a very rare technology, but it is cheap.
• aDSL – The internet is transmitted via telephone wires. The connection is poor and so is the speed. Maybe it will suit someone, but I have not even considered it. I wrote it down to complete the picture.
• 3G/4G – Mobile Internet, the cheapest option, it is enough to have a modem.

I chose the latter option because there are more 3G/4G towers, the connection is improving. But most importantly, you do not need to spend a lot. This immediately raises the question of signal amplification. The fact is that if your dacha is far away from the house, the radio waves may not reach you. Or the connection will be bad.

Signal amplification

So, having chosen mobile Internet as my primary connection I immediately bought a modem, which I should not have done – a little later I will tell you why. I went to the cottage, connected the modem to the laptop and tried to use the Internet. The quality of connection was abysmal, the speed was constantly jumping, there were lags and interruptions. After calling the mobile operator, I was informed that the radio tower was too far away. That's what I didn't think about. The house is 10 km away from the city.

After talking to experts, I was told to buy an antenna. That is, the antenna will stand on the street on the roof and take that far away signal from the tower of the mobile provider. Bought myself a powerful 3G antenna, as in the picture above. As for the choice, you can get a professional one or a Chinese one, which is sold in a regular computer store. Here are a few models that I would recommend:

Now you have to connect it to the modem. From the antenna comes a normal cable. To connect it to the modem (flash drive) you need a special adapter – Pigtail.

And here is where the question arose: where to plug this adapter. The thing is that there are "flash drives" which already have a connection to a similar antenna. But on my version, of course, there was nothing. So I had to buy another "flash drive". There is of course the option to solder the adapter directly – but it's a pain, and it's easier to just buy. Connection is quite simple – nothing complicated. Then we insert the modem into the router.

How to Make a Signal Amplifier With Your Hands

You can make your own amplifier at home. To be more precise – to collect a directional antenna. To do this you will need:

1. Bend the end of the copper wire in the shape of a diamond. Do the same with the other end of the wire. You should have something like a "figure of eight" of two rhombuses. The ends of the wires converge in the center at a distance of 2 mm. And go 90 degrees inside.
2. To the ends of the wire solder a coaxial cable.
3. Fix the antenna to some flat surface (plywood, piece of plastic). To lead it to the roof.
4. The ends of the coaxial cable connect to a USB modem in the house via special adapters.

In this case you will need a modem with two sockets for external antennas. For example, 4G WiFi Modem – Router ZTE 79U or 3G/4G Huawei Brovi E3372-325.

Criteria for choosing a kit for the Internet at the cottage

Keep in mind! When choosing such a set, you should pay attention to the package and parameters of the equipment for access to the Internet:

• Antenna.
  Depending on the model, it may be a room antenna with not the highest gain and an outdoor antenna with high signal gain.
  If the cottage is located at a considerable distance from the mobile operator's base station, the second option is recommended.
• Router.
  The set can be completed with a 3G/4G modem with (or without) the possibility of distribution via Wi-Fi, a separate modem and router or a fixed router with a slot for a SIM card.
  Each option has its own characteristics, advantages, disadvantages and is chosen individually.
• Extras.
  When choosing a set for the Internet in the country you should also pay attention to the speed of the modem and router, the antenna gain, the availability of the adapter to connect it to the modem.
  When selecting equipment it is important to take into account external factors – the landscape, the distance from the base station (BS), the presence of industry in the area.
  One should also think carefully when choosing a provider.

Rating TOP-7 best options for connecting the Internet in a country house in 2023

Location	Model	Description and main advantages (based on reviews)	Average price (rubles)	Price
#1	Home 3G/4G Internet Kit	I can definitely recommend those who have the wilderness, improvement in dozens of times, guaranteed. Whether a cheaper version of such a result, I do not know, I personally did not take the risk and satisfied with more than. Catching at a distance from the router ~ 50m.	17 500 ₽	Find out the best price
#2	Launch" Equipment Kit	Equipment set for 3G/4G "Start" Internet access in the country or at the office. Works in hard-to-reach places for 3G/4G Internet signal.	9 000 ₽	Find the best price
#3	Internet Kit with LTE Antenna MiMO 24dBi + 4G Modem + WiFi Router for Home and Cottage	I installed it at my country house, even the connection is poor here. The internet is really good, even better than in Moscow. So I advise to buy it.	12 900 ₽	Find out the best price
#4	3G internet package for the country house	3G 4g Lte 15 kit is suitable for places with very poor or no reception. Antenna NITSA-5 with up to 15 dB gain and support frequencies from 700 to 2700mhz	5 900 ₽	Check out the best price
#5	Huawei B593-ANT32 Internet kit for country houses	An excellent kit with a router Huawei B593, which has gained popularity among many users, the main features of which are stable work with SIM cards of any operator	11 500 ₽	Find out the best price
#6	3G/4G LTE Internet amplification kit for country houses with Kroks 27 dBi antenna	With the KNA24 MIMO antenna kit you get high-speed connection to 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi internet up to 150 Mbps.	12 500 ₽	Find out the best price

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