Wilson external omni/U720 combo

donbaloo · EVDO User Joined: 12 Jul 2007 Posts: 27

Well, received the external omni Saturday (wow that was some freakin' quick shipping guys!) and so started messing around with it that evening. Only had it a day but thus far it seems to be helping. I've gone from a generally stable signal of -85 to what appears thus far to be a stable signal of -80. More than the signal though, I'm seeing better speeds. I've gone from a wavering 475-700kbps/150kbps (down/up) to what has thus far been a stable 1000-1250kbps/350kbps. So that's pretty impressive to me.

Here's the weird thing though. I was getting the original -85 signal by taking the internal booster antenna and stretching as far out the window as I could (only about 2.5 feet) and tying it to a stake in the yard. Upon receiving the external omni I tried positions all along the edge of the roof on that side of the house, as far as the 12 feet of cord would stretch in either direction. Once I got that antenna raised up in the air (probably about 12 feet at its maximum height) I was getting very poor signals or no signal. The only place I can get the good signal is, believe it or not, right outside the window in exactly the same spot as I was placeing the little internal antenna: 3 feet off the ground and 2.5 feet from the window. I thought it was weird. Anyone have any thoughts on that?

Anyway, it accounts for some moderate success so I'll take it. Also, anyone want to buy my internal antenna from me on the cheap? Smile

WPSANTENNAS-MATT · Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 6:38 am Post subject:

What you are experiencing has occurred in some cases. The design of the antennas that are located on the cellular sites (towers) have changed over the years to offer an increased amount of accuracy in the coverage spread. Some of the latest ones have servos on the hinge that allow the tower and drive engineers from the carriers to tweak the angle of the antenna to maximize the amount of coverage that each antenna transmits. This new design also creates a horizontal disc if you may that keeps the signal penetration at ground level where it is needed most. It is more effective in very flat topography as opposed to hilly but very functional in efficient transmission of signal.

With this being said, we have found that coverage at ground level is stronger than on the peak of a roof due to the carriers signal spread in the area. This is not the case in all situations, but something to keep in mind when doing the install. Try taking some readings at different levels from the ground to the fascia of your roof in an attempt to find the best location. You may also want to test the signal in a 360 degree area around your home. If there is an obstacle between your antenna mounting location and the cellular site, the coverage can be sacrificed. In our testing of antennas, we have found situations on vehicle roofs where the same antenna had a variance of 10 dB when moved in an area of only 6 feet.
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glenozzy · EVDO User Joined: 03 Jan 2007 Posts: 49

sounds like pilot pollution, you need a dominate PN
in this case a yaggi ant will work better.
do you know how to place the modem in DEBUG?
if you can save the screen and post it

evil G

donbaloo · EVDO User Joined: 12 Jul 2007 Posts: 27

I'm assuming you do that similarly to changing the HA's....by using a ## command on the Connection Manager software? I don't know what the specific command is though. ##DEBUG?