In search of the holy grail or the best signal

earglued · EVDO Newbie Joined: 30 Apr 2007 Posts: 5

Can someone explain why we are seeking the best signal to noise ratio in real numbers. I use a booster antenna and have tweaked the computer to get the highest dl and ul and latency that I can.

However although I get dl at 1200 usually (sometimes 900 depending on time of day) and latency at 150-200, my signal strength is -87 to -95 depending on time of day.

Is signal strength boosted by amplifiers and roof mounted antennas (expensive) the absolute key to the only important issues, ul dl and latency?

I gave up cable (very high speed) for Sprint (portable) and so far with my U720 (possibly obsolete) I am happy.

I am very pleased with this web site and its store. However I am frustrated with posts that state the samed signal strength that I have or better where the best dl is 700 etc.

Is the search for the best signal self defeating?

Please don't flame me. Very Happy

Walter · EVDO Junkie Joined: 14 Sep 2005 Posts: 307

If you are getting good download and upload speeds with decent latency, and your connection is stable. then you're right that there really isn't any reason to try to improve your signal.

In general, once you get to around the mid -70 values in signal, trying to get even better signal is unlikely to get you better performance. But in my case, even though I had a -75dBm signal and good upload and download performance, I was having connection issues. Switching to an omni on the roof solved my connection problems (I won't go into why here, I've posted on this in other threads).

On the other side, others with similar signal values as you have reported less performance in dl/ul and sometimes other problems. There are a number of extenuating factors that go into all of this.

Bottom line is: if you're happy with your performance with the signal level you're getting... leave it alone, you're in good shape.

HTH.

<This post made with 100% flame-free materials and recycled bits>
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Gladiator · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 09 Feb 2007 Posts: 25

There is no need to improve your signal, as you are pretty much already at the max you can get. It seems you have a single T1 tower (or whatever its called) instead of a dual T1 tower. The max for a single T1 tower is 1280 kbps down and 700 kbps upload. And increasing the signal strength will hardly improve latency. There is really only a need for an antenna if you cant get EVDO without one, or if you have a very high signal, like over -100dBm. So your doing fine, don't worry Very Happy