Sprint Coverage at Mille Lacs Kathio State Park in Minnesota

Jim1348 · EVDO User Joined: 28 Aug 2005 Posts: 30

My family and I are going to Mille Lacs Kathio State Park http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_pa...thio/index.html this weekend in Minnesota. What is the best way to determine ahead of time if I will have Sprint wireless aircard coverage in the park? I Idid look at this
http://www1.sprintpcs.com/explore/coverage/ServiceAreaDetail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=1471599&CURRENT_USER%3C%3EATR_SCID=ECOMM&CURRENT_USER%3C%3EATR_PCode=None&CURRENT_USER%3C%3EATR_cartState=group&bmUID=1130470431204
but it doesn't give me enough detail.

WPSANTENNAS-MATT · Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2005 7:30 am Post subject:

Our company is located in Rochester Minnesota and I have had experiences with customers in the Isle MN and Atkin MN area that state that the Sprint coverage in that area is the typical “spider web” coverage that Sprint is famous for. It is difficult to pre-determine if there will be any coverage at the park itself, however you should have coverage along U.S. 169 or Minnesota 65.

Jim1348 · EVDO User Joined: 28 Aug 2005 Posts: 30

Well I fired this up and we do have Sprint Wireless Aircard coverage up here. It is SLOW, but something is better than nothing.

WPSANTENNAS-MATT · Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2005 1:02 pm Post subject:

If you find yourself needing coverage in questionable areas on a regular basis, you may want to consider an external antenna. Most EVDO card allow for this.

Michael · Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2005 9:11 pm Post subject:

Sprint is in the process of updating their web site to show the latest coverage (to be announced on November 1, 2005).

We have a page that allows you to check both Verizon and Sprint. According to that page, Sprint doesn't have coverage, so adding a booster antenna, external antenna, or signal amplifier, won't help, since there is not coverage available Sad

EVDOinfo: Verizon vs. Sprint EVDO Coverage Maps
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WPSANTENNAS-MATT · Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2005 6:28 am Post subject:

I strongly agree that if there is not any signal to be received in the area that adding an antenna will not help, however with slow service and somewhat limited coverage would you still rule out the option of a stronger antenna?

I remember 10 years ago when the 3 watt bag phone to .6 watt conversion was taking place, there were coverage maps generated by some carriers that listed the coverage differences with the use of each type of phone. I think the same principal can be applied to the use of an antenna.

Jim1348 · EVDO User Joined: 28 Aug 2005 Posts: 30

Yes I use this http://www.antenna.com/product_overview_detail.cgi?id_num=10422&styleid=6 I probably could do better by getting an antenna with more gain. Is the slow throughput in the rural area that I was at necessarily a result of poor signal strength or could there be other factors involved?

WPSANTENNAS-MATT · Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 7:32 am Post subject:

The signal strength is important. The antenna that you are using is an excellent quality antenna however it does require a ground plane. When you are connected do you have the antenna in the center of the roof of your vehicle? If you are using it in a portable application do you have it on a metal plate 12 inches in diameter?

Jim1348 · EVDO User Joined: 28 Aug 2005 Posts: 30

You guys will laugh, but I have a pizza pan for a ground plane that I carry in my lap-top bag. Or I put the antenna on the roof of the van.

WPSANTENNAS-MATT · Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 8:29 am Post subject:

You have all the bases covered. The next step would be to try an in-line amplifier.

Jim1348 · EVDO User Joined: 28 Aug 2005 Posts: 30

If you guys want an even BIGGER laugh, I have actually thought about getting a small yagi antenna cut to the appropriate frequency range and then point at the tower when stationary in remote areas. I have done this in a basement of a government center that has windows treated with something that attenuates signals severely. It actually helped significantly!

WPSANTENNAS-MATT · Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 9:34 am Post subject:

The yagi antenna will outperform the omni directional one that you are currently using. The height will also make a difference. The higher up in the air the yagi, the better the reception.

MaximumSignal · Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2005 12:55 pm Post subject: