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zooner
EVDO Fledgling
Joined: 27 Feb 2006
Posts: 12
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 Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 2:26 am Post subject: improving the reception on a non-external antenna evdo phone |
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Howdy folks!
This forum has been a fantastic took in my journey to evdo-land.
I do have one questions though.
I've noticed that the signal strength (-#dBm) has an enormous impact on my download speeds. I've considered building a pringles-like antenna for the cell phone, but I haven't been able to find any resources online about how to build such a device.
any suggestions?
A good signal will give me 110-130 on the downloads. A poor signal will only give me about 40.
I have noticed that using a charging usb cable lessens my downloads speeds, even with an identical -#dBm value. Has anyone else experienced this? |
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WPSANTENNAS-MATT
EVDO Heavy User
Joined: 27 Oct 2005
Posts: 110
Location: Rochester Minnesota
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| Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 9:24 am Post subject: |
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| What is the make and model of the card that you are using. |
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zooner
EVDO Fledgling
Joined: 27 Feb 2006
Posts: 12
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| Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 3:15 pm Post subject: |
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| WPSANTENNAS-MATT wrote: | | What is the make and model of the card that you are using. |
sorry, I can't believe I didn't mention that!
I'm using a samsung a920 |
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deginde
EVDO Newbie
Joined: 27 Aug 2005
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 9:26 pm Post subject: |
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| I noticed that mu usb+charging cable from gomadic gave me much lower d/l speeds than the usb cable included with my A900 from the same location. |
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zooner
EVDO Fledgling
Joined: 27 Feb 2006
Posts: 12
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| Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2006 5:18 pm Post subject: |
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| MaximumSignal wrote: |
The picture I saw shoe
wed the battery in and it was just above the battery. Drilling a hole in the cover would give access. I don't ecourage drilling holes unless you are really handy |
that seems CRAZY.
What's the story on wireless repeaters? How much do they really help, considering the cost? |
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MaximumSignal
EVDO Vendor
Joined: 08 Apr 2005
Posts: 586
Location: Cheektowaga, NY
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| Posted: Sat Apr 08, 2006 5:38 pm Post subject: |
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| zooner wrote: | | MaximumSignal wrote: |
The picture I saw shoe
wed the battery in and it was just above the battery. Drilling a hole in the cover would give access. I don't ecourage drilling holes unless you are really handy |
that seems CRAZY.
What's the story on wireless repeaters? How much do they really help, considering the cost? |
There is not much available in wireless repeaters that is really worth the money right now.The units out there really only retransmit an existing signal , If the signal is weak outside they do not work well . We have wireless coming but I can't commit to a date . Everytime I do it gets delayed again |
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zooner
EVDO Fledgling
Joined: 27 Feb 2006
Posts: 12
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| Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 1:30 am Post subject: |
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| MaximumSignal wrote: | | zooner wrote: | | MaximumSignal wrote: |
The picture I saw shoe
wed the battery in and it was just above the battery. Drilling a hole in the cover would give access. I don't ecourage drilling holes unless you are really handy |
that seems CRAZY.
What's the story on wireless repeaters? How much do they really help, considering the cost? |
There is not much available in wireless repeaters that is really worth the money right now.The units out there really only retransmit an existing signal , If the signal is weak outside they do not work well . We have wireless coming but I can't commit to a date . Everytime I do it gets delayed again |
okay, here's the deal.
I work in a secured room with no supervision, so I spend a great deal of time on my laptop and evdo.
I usually get between -88dBm to -97dBm on my samsung a920.
If I can somehow get it to be mid-80's, that gives me approx 120KB/s. Hofwever, if it is resting in the mid 90's (as it often is); them I'm stuck with 40-50KB/s downloading.
So, I'm not really looking for an expensive or huge improvement. A device that would give me a minor boost would be enough to make me a happy camper.
thanks for any thoughts, suggestions and the time you've taken already. |
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MaximumSignal
EVDO Vendor
Joined: 08 Apr 2005
Posts: 586
Location: Cheektowaga, NY
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| Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 1:40 am Post subject: |
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| zooner wrote: | | MaximumSignal wrote: | | zooner wrote: | | MaximumSignal wrote: |
The picture I saw shoe
wed the battery in and it was just above the battery. Drilling a hole in the cover would give access. I don't ecourage drilling holes unless you are really handy |
that seems CRAZY.
What's the story on wireless repeaters? How much do they really help, considering the cost? |
There is not much available in wireless repeaters that is really worth the money right now.The units out there really only retransmit an existing signal , If the signal is weak outside they do not work well . We have wireless coming but I can't commit to a date . Everytime I do it gets delayed again |
okay, here's the deal.
I work in a secured room with no supervision, so I spend a great deal of time on my laptop and evdo.
I usually get between -88dBm to -97dBm on my samsung a920.
If I can somehow get it to be mid-80's, that gives me approx 120KB/s. Hofwever, if it is resting in the mid 90's (as it often is); them I'm stuck with 40-50KB/s downloading.
So, I'm not really looking for an expensive or huge improvement. A device that would give me a minor boost would be enough to make me a happy camper.
thanks for any thoughts, suggestions and the time you've taken already. |
The booster antenna should give you the boost you are looking for .Your phone takes the same adapter as the Novatel v620. let them know that |
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zooner
EVDO Fledgling
Joined: 27 Feb 2006
Posts: 12
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| Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 6:28 am Post subject: |
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| is it really possible to use a booster antenna though, considering the battery is blocking access? |
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MaximumSignal
EVDO Vendor
Joined: 08 Apr 2005
Posts: 586
Location: Cheektowaga, NY
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| Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 11:56 am Post subject: |
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| zooner wrote: | | is it really possible to use a booster antenna though, considering the battery is blocking access? |
The gentleman that sent me picture showed it was above the battery not under it . If under, if your phone will operate with the AC adapter in and no battery it will work . Look for a little rubber plug above the battery with the cover removed |
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comcc
EVDO Newbie
Joined: 05 Apr 2006
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 2:21 pm Post subject: |
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I guess this is as good a place to jump in as any... I have a Samsung a940 Sprint phone with a similar issue and a similar connection problem.
The battery covers the RF port (see photo below), and the phone will not remain on if the battery is not in place. There are 3 plastic stickers on my
phone that cover various connectors. The round one (the RF port) is near the top left corner. When the battery is removed the phone powers off
even if there is power supplied through the bottom power connector and will not come on even with the charger connected. It is probable that
the other connector shown on the right side of the phone (also under the battery) is a test connector to allow the factory to service this phone
without using a battery. I am using a Wireless Extenders YX500-PCS on a 30' pole (35' of cable) with my phone and I am seeing about a 6dB
increase in signal strength (appx -77dBm w/Wi-Ex). So far I have not seen any significant increases in speed (~15 to 60kB/s), but the
connection is MUCH more reliable/consistent.
_________________
Samsung MM-A940 (The camera is a pathetic JOKE!!) |
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MaximumSignal
EVDO Vendor
Joined: 08 Apr 2005
Posts: 586
Location: Cheektowaga, NY
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| Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 4:32 pm Post subject: |
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| The feedback on Wireless Extenders is - no strong signal outside none inside. They do not amplify the signal. they just retransmit existing signal.Like I said we do have wireless units coming I have no date I can comit to. Wilson might have a 1900 wireless unit . Check Matt's site . WWW.WPSAntennas.com |
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boater805
EVDO Junkie
Joined: 16 Feb 2005
Posts: 182
Location: California
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| Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 7:46 pm Post subject: |
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| MaximumSignal wrote: | | The feedback on Wireless Extenders is - no strong signal outside none inside. They do not amplify the signal. they just retransmit existing signal.Like I said we do have wireless units coming I have no date I can comit to. Wilson might have a 1900 wireless unit . Check Matt's site . WWW.WPSAntennas.com |
Gosh, I guess I missed that feedback. The only 2 reports of actual users of wireless amp/repeaters on these forums I have seen (I'm 1 of the 2 reports) indicate excellent results. The only negative report I've ever seen here is from you and you've been asked to quantify that several times but to my thinking never have. I suppose an extender is NOT an amplifier/repeater. But for whoever was asking, an amplifier/repeater combination has worked very well for me and given me high quality signal in what is a 0 to 1 bar area otherwise. Nothing will get you signal where there is no signal at all, but if you have some signal you should try a wireless amp/repeater if its returnable should it not work for you.
_________________
Did you ever stop to think .... and then forgot to start again? |
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MaximumSignal
EVDO Vendor
Joined: 08 Apr 2005
Posts: 586
Location: Cheektowaga, NY
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| Posted: Sun Apr 09, 2006 8:54 pm Post subject: |
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| boater805 wrote: | | MaximumSignal wrote: | | The feedback on Wireless Extenders is - no strong signal outside none inside. They do not amplify the signal. they just retransmit existing signal.Like I said we do have wireless units coming I have no date I can comit to. Wilson might have a 1900 wireless unit . Check Matt's site . WWW.WPSAntennas.com |
Gosh, I guess I missed that feedback. The only 2 reports of actual users of wireless amp/repeaters on these forums I have seen (I'm 1 of the 2 reports) indicate excellent results. The only negative report I've ever seen here is from you and you've been asked to quantify that several times but to my thinking never have. I suppose an extender is NOT an amplifier/repeater. But for whoever was asking, an amplifier/repeater combination has worked very well for me and given me high quality signal in what is a 0 to 1 bar area otherwise. Nothing will get you signal where there is no signal at all, but if you have some signal you should try a wireless amp/repeater if its returnable should it not work for you. |
Well I get alot of feedback besides here . Even met the Wireless Extender reps at CTIA . They have changed name to WI EX . They will tell you that it is only 1/4 watt output no amplification . If you have a good signal outside it should do the trick but if not there is no amplification to enhance the signal.Also got feedback from the Cellular accessory buyer from Fry's basically the same thing thing others have told me.Lots of Returns on the product. Glad it works for you just passing on what I was told Boater |
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zooner
EVDO Fledgling
Joined: 27 Feb 2006
Posts: 12
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| Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2006 10:25 am Post subject: |
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| MaximumSignal wrote: | | boater805 wrote: | | MaximumSignal wrote: | | The feedback on Wireless Extenders is - no strong signal outside none inside. They do not amplify the signal. they just retransmit existing signal.Like I said we do have wireless units coming I have no date I can comit to. Wilson might have a 1900 wireless unit . Check Matt's site . WWW.WPSAntennas.com |
Gosh, I guess I missed that feedback. The only 2 reports of actual users of wireless amp/repeaters on these forums I have seen (I'm 1 of the 2 reports) indicate excellent results. The only negative report I've ever seen here is from you and you've been asked to quantify that several times but to my thinking never have. I suppose an extender is NOT an amplifier/repeater. But for whoever was asking, an amplifier/repeater combination has worked very well for me and given me high quality signal in what is a 0 to 1 bar area otherwise. Nothing will get you signal where there is no signal at all, but if you have some signal you should try a wireless amp/repeater if its returnable should it not work for you. |
Well I get alot of feedback besides here . Even met the Wireless Extender reps at CTIA . They have changed name to WI EX . They will tell you that it is only 1/4 watt output no amplification . If you have a good signal outside it should do the trick but if not there is no amplification to enhance the signal.Also got feedback from the Cellular accessory buyer from Fry's basically the same thing thing others have told me.Lots of Returns on the product. Glad it works for you just passing on what I was told Boater |
bummer some of the local stores don't have one.
love to try one at 'rent-a-shack', compusa or another return-friendly local outlet. |
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