-100dBm NationalAccess vs. BroadbandAccess

thebordella · EVDO User Joined: 12 Mar 2007 Posts: 26

I am trial'ing a USB720 with Verizon. My home is in a fringe location, about 2 miles outside the edge of an EVDO cloud according to the Verizon street level coverage maps. There is a hill and about 1/4 mile of forest between my house and the EVDO coverage area.

Using the USB720 with the included USB Y-cable, the best position I can find pulls a signal of about -100dBm. It varies between -98dBM and -103dBm.

Sometimes, the VZAccess software will show "BroadbandAccess" (but not Rev-A), and sometimes it will show "NationalAccess". Occasionally it bounces between these.

I am unclear on the correlation between signal strength and BroadbandAccess. At times, I will be at the weaker end of this range -- say, -102dBm, and it will register BroadbandAccess.

At other times, the signal improves to -99dBm, and holds steady on NationalAccess. The difference in browsing is noticeable; i.e. BroadbandAccess even at -102 is faster than NationalAccess at -99.

How does the software/hardware decide? Can I "force" it to BroadbandAccess?

I ordered a $30 external antenna from eBay, advertised for 7dB. When connected to the USB720's jack, my signal worsens considerably -- it loses anywhere from 5-10dBm. I am assuming this is added signal loss from the antenna cable, without a complimentary gain in reception.

With careful placement of the external antenna, I can, at best, achieve the same best as without the antenna, but no better. The external antenna does "hold" the signal better -- fewer fluctuations than without -- but the VZAccess software always stays on NationalAccess with the external antenna connected.

Any suggestions for improving this signal (I've tried every spot in the house) and/or staying on BroadbandAccess?

thanks!

dagger · EVDO Newbie Joined: 11 Feb 2007 Posts: 1

I've been dealing with similar issues. I live on a fringe area but am able to get -85 to -90 dbm and my home and similar reception at my office location. My office location is in the heart of an EVDO area but seems to have hit/miss reception. I do have an Omni antenna which does seem to help the signal strength add one bar (total 2-3).

Since signing up for the service I've been working with Verizon Techs to find out where the real issue is. In the morning at my office location I get 2mbps downloads. By noon, I'm relagated to National Access if I can get a connection at all. After hours of testing with Verizon I was provided a simple trick to force the cards into 1xRTT mode (national Access). But there does not appear to be a similar method of forcing Rev A.

If you are using VZAccess Manager, disconnect then press CTRL-D in the VZAccess Manager window. It will prompt for a password and enter 'diagvzw'. This will open a menu where you can force 1xRTT mode under the Settings button (the option is titled CDMA only I believe).

I personally have not received an acceptable explaination why I can sometimes get EVDO Rev A and other times I can not. They have a tech visit my area and noted that I'm in a poor coverage area. In addition, they extended an offer to let me cancel the service.

WPSANTENNAS-MATT · Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 11:53 am Post subject:

You mention that you are seeing a degradation of signal by 5-10 dB.

Try placing the antenna on a metal ground plane like a cookie sheet.

Keep in mind that -50 is full signal and -113 (or -105 on some models) is no signal.
_________________
http://www.wpsantennas.com