Antenna Comparison Test Results!

ChoP · EVDO User Joined: 13 Jul 2008 Posts: 45 Location: Alabama

Lnd Svyr, you may find that your zBoost works just as well, and yes it is also an amplifier. If I already had it I would sure try it. I for one would like to know the results.

I have heard that if you hook a dual Band Amp up to a single Band Antenna it will burn the Amp up, this is acording to *.

Lnd Svyr · Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 6:46 am Post subject:

Thanks, CHoP.

I am going to run the signal antenna up the end of my house on some pvc pipe and get it above the roof line today. I was able to get more bars up there on my cell before I ordered the zBoost so I figured it should work good. I'll just get the signal antenna as high as I can, run the cable thru the window, hook up the zBoost repeater and see what happens. If it doesn't work well enough, I'll send it back and try the direct connect amp. I think I saw a Wilson that has a universal connection that I am hoping means will work with the Verizon USB727.

Either way, I'll post back about the zBoost test today. The zBoost got a lot of good reviews online from a few sites.

The repeater is appealing in that I can carry my laptop around the house and not be tied to one point as I had been with dialup.

Widgetman's speed test numbers are very appealing--I'm seeing mostly dialup numbers right now. For $60 more a month, I'll have to go back to dialup if I can't get my speeds up.

Thanks.

Lnd Svyr · Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 10:29 am Post subject:

Hey guys. I just ran the wi-ex zboost omni antenna up on a 1/2" piece of pvc pipe about 24' above ground level (talk about wobbly)-- a couple of feet above my roof peak and still about 46' below tree level. VZW access is now showing FULL bars, the RSSI is around -65 (was -92 at best)and I am getting speeds of 650 +/- down and 275 +/- up which is almost ten times better than what I had from the recommended server in DC.

A bird in hand as they say. I'll keep the zboost, stay wireless and still get better cell phone reception, too.

I guess I'll know more once it is final installed. I may just skip putting up a taller mast and let the signal antenna be attached to the rake board. I'll have to get a ground block and another run of RG-6 so that may affect the signal but if everything stays pretty close, it'll all work out fine.

I'd say this is pretty good given it's an omni antenna and not directional.

I'll post back after the final install--which may take a couple of weeks. Thanks for everyone's input.

Now if I can just stop doing speed tests and enjoy the thing....

Jim_in_VA · Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 11:08 am Post subject:

what part of Gloucester are you in?.. I'm in Mathews
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Lnd Svyr · Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 5:50 pm Post subject:

No kidding!

I am just off of Route 14 a few miles from the courthouse. We are out in a hole in the woods with almost no signal--until I pushed that antenna up above the roof.

I have surveyed one or two properties in Mathews. A friend of mine used to work for Christie (sp?) Chevrolet.

We have probably passed each other on the road a dozen times or more!

Jim_in_VA · Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 6:14 pm Post subject:

yup, if you're on 14 you are probably connecting to the Verizon tower that is just inside the Mathews County line ...on 14.
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elkhornsun

I use a Yagi and amp and the net result is a -72 to -79 signal strength from the nearby Verizon tower. I cannot establish a data connection to the tower and have found that network support from Verizon for EVDO is virtually non-existent. Problems are not addressed even after weeks trying to work with the Verizon Wireless support people.

I am on my 3rd trouble ticket and they keep telling me that someone will be going out to check the tower in the "next 3-5 days" but after 4 weeks this still has not been done. Verizon Wireless tech support plays the usual game and closes out a ticket after X days regardless of whether the problem has been fixed or even when no engineer has touched it. Keeps their statistics looking good but does nothing to address surface or root problems with their "support" organization.

No problem connecting if I drive into town, which is I expect how Verizon manages its support. If it is not a primary tower that is down it becomes a very low priority tower to fix. Verizon probably figures you will just keep driving until you connect to a tower that is functioning.

EVDO by its nature with dependence often on a single towers makes it a very fragile system. Fine for travel but not something to rely on for business use at a single location. I am having to maintain my satellite "service" which bad as it is, far surpasses Verizon Wireless in terms of uptime.

Lnd Svyr · Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 6:28 pm Post subject:

That's a shame as Verizon DSL support (at least for business where I work--small company, too) is excellent. And, you have to call them at least 3 times a year, which isn't bad.

Lnd Svyr · Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 12:43 pm Post subject:

With wi-ex zBoost:

working well.