Bad EVDO Coverage (SPRINT) from my Flat in Beverly Hills

stuartbh · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 03 Aug 2005 Posts: 14

EVDOers:

Since recently asserting a new contract with Sprint for EVDO Services, I have yet to achieve an EVDO connection from my home in Beverly Hills. I have in the last some several weeks achieved such [EVDO] connections in other locations, so this leads me to believe my configuration/PC CARD (S620) is working properly.

Apparently from my location I get nothing but 1xRTT connections, and even those connections are ransidly slow (33 Kbps average, 51Kbps highest since having asserted the new service with Sprint).

A service ticket is open with Sprint, and I am in touch with someone that will move the problem forward (I hope) despite it has been ongoing for over three weeks now.

While I expect Sprint to fix the issue by making changes to their system's towers or transmitters, I want to have a solution ready to present to Sprint, should they tell me "there is nothing we can do but refund you".

All that said, I hope that any proposed solutions will range from the very basic, to the most advanced, and consider an antenna, and/or, Amp, or Repeater.

I have a small "garden area" in front of my flat, that is just in front of a window, so having an outdoor yaggi or verticle is not impossible, and should be accomplishable with a minimum run of cable (LMR I suppose?). Additionally, I understand that it might be requisite for me to build a small metal platform for the antenna to mount on in order to provide a ground plane, I am okay with this as well.

Additionally, if this system can also become capable of assisting me with poor Nextel (BlackBerry 7100i) reception (a different issue than the EVDO issue), then I would be open to the idea of spending more money on the solution if it accomplished that task additionally (as an option in a proposed solution?).

(1) In terms of cost/capability of a given solution, I will review the capability first, and the flexibility second, and the price third.

(2) If all things are equal (excepting the fact I know repeaters cost more than amps) then I prefer a repeater over the idea of using an amplifer

(3) In terms of an antenna I have no preference except to try to purchase the maximal gain antenna, if it is not too much more than the antenna capable of "just solving the problem", as I presume I might need more gain sometime in the future and am willing to buy it in advance despite the increased cost.

(4) EVDO "Rev A" is forthcoming in the near future, and I am not sure if the difference between the current EVDO, and "Rev A" are modulation, frequency or both; thus I would be interested to understand how this new technology would juxtapose against any proposed system, presuming an upgrade was done from the S620 to the S720.

(5) The area I am trying to cover (currently) is approximately 1000 Sq/Ft, however in the futre that number will be closer to 2000 Sq/Ft, when I buy a new place.

While I am an Amateur Extra, and am fully capable of understanding explanations made in very technical terms, I do hope that any answers be written so as to benefit the entire community reading this formum, despite their potentially lower comprehensive level of RF theory.

Thanks,

Stuart
N3GWG

horsessmellfunny · Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2006 11:54 pm Post subject:

Well, your location explains why you have poor cell covereage! I know there are many places like that all over the country. Out here in CO, on Long Island. The reason is, nobody wants a big tall "ugly")I think they are a piece of art!) Cell phone tower in a very rich upscale neighborhood! "It will reduce property values". Yet when you can make a freakin phone call, or use your $60/month internet, you are going to be upset. Dont complain to Sprint, rather complain to your neighbors and your neighborhood! Sorry, I am not trying to sound arrogant or incite an argument. I just hate how some areas are too good for a cell phone tower. So when you pass through you must "suffer" and not be able to use a service you pay a lot for!

You sound like a very educated individual, so please dont take this as a slam against you or where you live!

Anyways, as far as Rev A is concerned, I beleive it is a change in modulation technique. It allows more bandwidth per channel. The frequency *typically *(Dont jump down my throat all of those experiencing Verizon EVDO on 800mhz) needs to be on 1900mhz. The reason is 1900mhz carriers ALOT more badnwidth, thus allowing the use of this EVDO. EVDO will work on 800mhz, just not as efficiently.

As far as coverage goes in your flat. A repeater may do you well because you will be amplifing a low signal, and re-transmitting it to a certain amount of space. The repeater people will correct me if I am wrong on this.
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horsessmellfunny · Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2006 11:58 pm Post subject:

For some reason, I cannot edit, but "Yet when you can make a freakin phone call" should read Yet when you cant make a freakin phone call"

"The reason is 1900mhz carriers ALOT " Should read: The reason is 1900mhz carry's ALOT
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vtoljaga10 · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 24 Nov 2005 Posts: 18

Stuart,

I'm in a very similar situation to you, in that I initially experienced suspect EVDO coverage within my weekday abode (flat in a multi-story building).

However, I was fortunate enough to come across the very helpful people on this board; they suggested that I first try the EVDO booster antenna, sold on this site. (See the link in this page's heading: http://booster-antenna.com)

I'm very pleased to report that this antenna, whilst demur in profile (it's the size of a thin paperback book) and portable, has been indispensable. My experience has been that the antenna improves my signal from ~ -95db to ~-84db. This is enough to provide for a consistent EVDO connection, which I did not experience before I started using the antenna.

I invite you to search this board to gauge the experience of others with the antenna; it won't be terribly dissimilar to mine.

(I must note that I get this by also placing the antenna flush against a window; nevertheless, this is something I could not do anyway with my PC.)

Finally, a nice residual benefit of getting the booster antenna is that it helps keep the operators of this board nicely rewarded and even more inclined to keep up the forum! Wink

Absolutely worth a try.

Wally · EVDO User Joined: 28 Jun 2006 Posts: 36

Stuart,

I have the same thing to say. Try the little beaver tail anntena it worked for me. I have the 1x next to my house and they are not going to turn EVDO on until the first of next month, I installed the little anntena above my notebook facing east and get solid EVDO.

If you want to come south to Escondido and check it just let me know I'm retired and home most the time.

I'm having fun,

Wally
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