Some real world NUMBERS please

thebubbleboy · Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2007 6:54 pm Post subject: Some real world NUMBERS please

Hello all,

I am going to order the indoor booster antenna within a few days after I get some answers to this question. What kind of speed increase can I expect with the addition of the antenna? I really want some idea of how much improvement I could get from some people who have used this antenna. I have read almost every post in this section and most just tell you the gain in signal but not their actual speed increases.

Here is my situation. Dell Dimension 4400 desktop pc with XP and the U720. My signal is usually 84-91. I am 3-4 miles from a tower. Down speeds usually 200-450 and ups from 55-150.

I know that speeds will increase with a better signal, to a point, but what is that point.....85, 80,75 .....????

I realize that this won't be some sort of a guarantee, but some actual speed numbers would be interestin.

Thanks, Bubble

Alex · Site Admin Joined: 19 Sep 2006 Posts: 1945

the problem is, while better signal can and should result in faster speeds, it won't always do so. your speeds are also affected by the load at a tower you connect to.

speed tests are a great guideline/benchmark, but keep in mind that they are not just a test of your connectivity to a tower, but of the test server's connectivity to the internet.

if that test server is being used by a bunch of people at the same time, how do you know if its your connection that sucks, or the test server's?

when given a choice, you always want the best signal possible so as to put yourself in position to get the best speeds possible.

thebubbleboy · Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2007 5:57 pm Post subject:

Alex, thanks for your reply and I understand all of the things that you mention are all very important. I just wanted a couple of people who actually added some type of an antenna to post what kind of increases they actually realized. Most people have tried various speed tests and I would assume that they ran some of the same tests again and could say how much they felt that they were helped.

I am torn between the indoor booster antenna and the outdoor antenna. In my situation and with the signal numbers that I stated in the first post, do you think that the outdoor antenna would be worth the added cost and install time?

Thanks, Bubble

bbennettfl · EVDO User Joined: 09 Apr 2007 Posts: 61

If you are talking about the little desktop booster antenna, I think it will be a waste of money when used with the u720 USB. In my tests the u720 with the built in antenna up worked best. I believe the u720 is already tuned really well and a 1 DBI antenna won’t do anything. Perhaps with other laptop cards it may make a huge difference, but things got worse for me with the u720.

Also, in my tests when you reach -74 dBi or lower is when you get your best and most consistent speeds. I notice anything higher results in slower speeds with huge flucations.

I think what you need is something like an 9dbi or higher antenna mounted outside.

I’m no export though, just wanted to share my experiences.