Can someone shed some light on this?

JKrolja · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 01 Jan 2009 Posts: 22

For the past few months, I've been a good 4 Bars on Rev-A with no problems ( I never move the Laptop) I was getting a good -80 dbm. Now I'm normally -90 to -110dbm. I still get 3 bars on Rev-A now, but it'll drop to 1x which also seems to completely disconnect me. Then Randomly shoot to 3 bars on Rev-A again. Currently using 40050 PRL. Tried using 51250m Verizon PRL, and the previous 40049 PRL. All with the same result.

I live in the rural part of Southwest Michigan, Kalamazoo area.

Doing everything within my power to figure this out, albeit having a Huawei EC360 (which I'm told can have external antenna's hooked up to it, I've found no such port) there's no real way for me to improve my signal. I even tried to make one of those homebrew 'Can'tennas. To no avail.

Alltel tech support says I'm in a very good coverage area, yet I'm not seeing the fruits of this statement. The ping in the speedtest seems okay, but it varies, I can't even talk to people online right now. It used to be to the point where I could play FPS games online *AND* talk to people in Vent, yet, now I can't even play WoW (which isn't really that demanding on a connection).

Anything anybody could add?

Currently it's a Thinkpad T23 hosting the Huawei EC360, with only Windows XP and Quicklink Mobile 4.7.7 (2026a) running on it.

EDIT: So I'm dropped to 1x right now, and taking a second look, my HDR RSSI is 117 - CDMA RSSI is 100 (it's not changing, it's 117 for sure), my ECO/IO db sets around -5.5, and PER is pretty steady at 0% (even while test-browsing youtube). I've noticed my HDR EC/IO is 15.5, not changing either.

So on a side note, which is more pertinent to signal clarity/strength -- CDMA or HDR? What's the difference?

So having lacking any funds whatsoever, would Alltel let me replace my EC 360 with something more versatile (most notably being able to hook up an antenna or something to that extent in the near future).

EDIT 2: Randomly 4 bars on Rev-A again (haven't seen 4 bars in a while)
CDMA RSSI: 96
CDMA ECO/IO: -3.5
HDR RSSI: 86
HDR ECO/IO: -4
PER: 14.06% (stabalizing to 5 now)

I just took my laptop outside for a walk looking for a better signal, was still on 1x the way through while doing a 'ping google.com -t' command. Signal was better, and the battery in the laptop lasts only a measly 2-3 minutes, but now that I've got it setting back in the window, hopefully this moment of 'goodness' will last.

pioneer_56 · Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 1:48 am Post subject:

It's Michigan's fine Rev A at it's best, your rssi could be better for HDR, but it isn't terrible. HDR is download and cdma is upload, HDR is the important one If you could get an antenna it would help or at least it should if Alltel fixes their rA disaster they created. I don't know if your card can though, not seeing anything for it in the 3Gstore.

I think you should try a newer Verizon prl, I am using 51433 and this is with me and my wife sharing the same connection networked:

That's with only 2-3 bars.

JKrolja · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 01 Jan 2009 Posts: 22

pioneer_56 · Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 4:33 am Post subject:

Google it or:

http://www.roamingzone.com/prl/

dieselguy · Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:02 pm Post subject: EC 360 antenna

I have the same card. When the antenna is in the fully up position just pull it straight out from the card. You can then hook up an external one.

As far as speeds go I know when I'm home my speeds are similar to yours, maybe a little faster. The wife says we now have revA and if I remember right she was getting 0.50 down and 0.25 up. Not what we envisioned when revA finally came to the north woods Sad

!

I think 1x had about the same speeds when we first signed up. I just hope it's because of the merger and things will improve soon.

Ken