Less signal strength with antenna?

gil · EVDO User Joined: 31 Dec 2006 Posts: 82

Yes, I used that method for the first three months but found the direct connect to get fewer drops and a consistently strong signal. This amplifier has a feature that powers down in higher signal areas(causing drops?) but does not seem to affect performance when directly connected. I would have bought a direct connect amplifier but was even more electronics ignorant then than now.
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DHESS · EVDO User Joined: 08 Jan 2007 Posts: 42

Do not buy a new omni they do not work!!!!! My signal went up 13 dbm(from -81 to -94) when i hooked up a new omni.

WPSANTENNAS-MATT · Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 8:32 am Post subject:

DHESS · EVDO User Joined: 08 Jan 2007 Posts: 42

My replacement omni came today. They got it to me in 3 days. I will hook it up later today and have a report up about midnight on how it worked. The last omni i got made me lose about half my signal strength. They said it was DOA. I hope this one works!!!!!

DHESS · EVDO User Joined: 08 Jan 2007 Posts: 42

Sadly I got the replacement antenna (omni) and the results were not much better. With the little tombstone (booster antenna) my ping average was 237 download was 1248kbps and upload was 137kbps and signal strength was -78dbm. With the omni in the same spot leaning against the wall the ping was 227 download was 588 kbps and signal strength was -82dbm. Now with the omni mounted and level 5 feet away from the house my ping was 389 my download was 235 kbps and up load was 88kbps and signal was -96dbm. I was given a good lecture and story about an old lady and how she paid someone to level and install her omni for her and it got great reception. I was told this is why I was not getting better reception with the omni. So i took an hour an carefully leveled and mounted it(still no results) then it was thought that the antenna was bad (DOA).Now i think tere in no doubt that the omni is infact no better than the little booster antenna(actually worse).I really hoped it would work better.I bought it so i could give my mother the little booster antenna(so she did not have to keep putting her u720 just outside her window).So if you can get the little booster antenna to work by sticking it on the outside of your window DO NOT GET AN OMNI AND THINK THE RESULTS WILL BE BETTER!!!!!! I will be buying a booster from Radio Shack ($40 cheaper) and running a set of tests this weekend or later in the week and will post the results. I may try a power rod antenna (I am not sure of the name) and will post those results. To the credit of booster antenna they did send a replacement very fast (3 days).If i was not told the omni was better i would have never ordered it.To make sure I am giving the antenna every chance to work i will try one more time tomorrow after talking to tech support then sent it back(they do stand behind their product) if the results do not improve.

MaximumSignal · Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2007 12:22 am Post subject:

I know the Tombstone ( booster-antenna) antenna is a great little antenna but there is no way it should be out perfrming a good omni directional antenna mounted outside , I do not doubt your results at all as you were very thorough in your testing . Just really bizarre situation

WPSANTENNAS-MATT · Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 7:08 am Post subject:

DHESS · EVDO User Joined: 08 Jan 2007 Posts: 42

I have tested the omni at 7 to 12 feet higher in the air than the booster. I keep hearing that higher is better.I my tests this is not the case. When the omni is under a metal overhang leaning up against a window it gets -82dbm to -87dbm.When it is up in the air with no obstructions it gets -92dbm to -99dbm.When I do get the dbm level close to the booster the results are much worse(download is not even half as fast).I have said on other posts how GREAT the booster antenna is. I do not think i should just report just good results. In my opinion the omni is no better(actually worse) than the booster if both are placed outside.I will be doing a test with the booster from radio shack in a few day(comparing it to the one sold at booster antenna).

gil · EVDO User Joined: 31 Dec 2006 Posts: 82

I have seen demonstably poorer signal strength direct connecting to s720 with the truckers antenna and I just bought a new 13" magnet mount with equally obvious signal loss. Possibly a defective adapter but I doubt it I will buy a new one to test.
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WPSANTENNAS-MATT · Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 9:41 am Post subject:

gil · EVDO User Joined: 31 Dec 2006 Posts: 82

DHESS says,
Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 9:13 am Post subject:

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I have tested the omni at 7 to 12 feet higher in the air than the booster. I keep hearing that higher is better.I my tests this is not the case. When the omni is under a metal overhang leaning up against a window it gets -82dbm to -87dbm.When it is up in the air with no obstructions it gets -92dbm to -99dbm.When I do get the dbm level close to the booster the results are much worse(download is not even half as fast).I have said on other posts how GREAT the booster antenna is. I do not think i should just report just good results. In my opinion the omni is no better(actually worse) than the booster if both are placed outside.I will be doing a test with the booster from radio shack in a few day(comparing it to the one sold at booster antenna).

Is it possible that the terrain is such that the higher positioning puts the antenna above the elevation of the cell tower that you are using? I have read posts from some who seem very knowledgable that insist this will result in poorer performance.
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gil · EVDO User Joined: 31 Dec 2006 Posts: 82

I am not sure where you purchased your adapter but if it is a Wilson or Booster-antenna one it is fully warranted and will be replaced for free.

A magnetic antenna is intended for vehicle use only. if used in an office or home setting a rooftop placement on a metal cookie sheet is necessary to creat a ground plane.

I am in a Freightliner Classic XL
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DHESS · EVDO User Joined: 08 Jan 2007 Posts: 42

I am in a valley(lot real bad but a valley none the less).I would like to get a responce from someone that has used the omni with the u720 or s720 that has had success. From all the people that have posted signal loss with the omni and 720s I tend to think they are not compatable. It would be very easy to just make an adapter and sell it for the 720 without testing. This is just a thought becouse the 720 is relativley new.

gil · EVDO User Joined: 31 Dec 2006 Posts: 82

My results with the omni are obvious, plug in adapter signal loss take out signal gain. There are no exceptions for this procedure.
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WPSANTENNAS-MATT · Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2007 11:05 am Post subject: