Not pleased with the CTR350 so far ...

TAPper311 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 09 Jan 2008 Posts: 10

Ok, so I order the CTR350 and an Omni antenna for my Verizon USB720. Hooked both up today and I'm actually getting worse connection speeds now than with a direct connection to my laptop. I'm running a Vaio V505BX with XP, the CTR35 has the 1.7.3 firmware installed. I was getting 500-1100kbps DL ad 100-250kbps UL and -73db to -95db. Now with the new equipment I get 120-350 kbps DL and 80-150kbps UL and haven't gotten better than -95db. So, if anyone can help me, I'd really appreciate it. Want to see if this system is worth keeping.

Alex · Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 9:37 pm Post subject:

the CTR350 isn't your problem... its the loss of signal.

did you install the ground plane spikes? see below

TAPper311 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 09 Jan 2008 Posts: 10

yes I did ... and everytime I try to adjust the settings on the 350 to try improve things ... it crashes and and I have to reset it and start all over ...

Michael · Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 9:42 pm Post subject:

Also....

We have seen some problems with USB720/U720s not working well with any antennas. You might try the CTR350 + your USB720 without the antenna to see the results.
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TAPper311 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 09 Jan 2008 Posts: 10

tried that as well and it still didn't get any better ... I don't understand what the problem is ... and unfortunately for me this is the only broadband available to me ...

also right I've got the 720 on the Y cable directly into my laptop the signal was a little better but once I tried the OMNI again the went from -88 db to -92db ... I'm beginning to think EVDO just isn't going to work for me ...

I feel like I'm not getting much better than dial-up here and I don't know what else to try ...

Alex · Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 4:01 am Post subject:

since you got your stuff from 3gstore, call tech support in the morning.

Hardware · EVDO Heavy User Joined: 07 Dec 2007 Posts: 141

On the remote chance it is the CTR, can you get us all more info? What firmware is it running?

kalen43 · EVDO Heavy User Joined: 30 Apr 2007 Posts: 131

Hardware · EVDO Heavy User Joined: 07 Dec 2007 Posts: 141

So you are using a beta firmware, and the 720's have been problematic with antenna/amp setups in the past.

Could you revert the firmware on the CTR and see if that improves things. All over the place it's posted that 1.7.3 is a beta, an it could have problems, so why not eliminate it from the equation by using an official release?

TAPper311 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 09 Jan 2008 Posts: 10

I have not yet tried reverting the firmware but I had thought about that and I'll certainly give it a try when I get home. I am using the new firmware because I am also trying this connection out on my xbox 360 and I don't want to buy the $100 network adapter for it yet till I see how it works. So I've had it hardwired to the CTR350. Is there any more info that i need to get for you guys? I'm definitely still new with this.

TAPper311 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 09 Jan 2008 Posts: 10

Tried reverting the firmware and no improvement. And furthermore I would like to add my displeased thoughts about the fact that 3G did not mention that the firmware was a beta driver during my purchase. My understanding was that I was buying a router with "exclusive" updated firmware, not a product with beta firmware that should work.

TAPper311 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 09 Jan 2008 Posts: 10

**Update**

Ok I took the CTR350 took my brothers house (maybe 1/2mi closer to the tower) and I must say that the signal and the router is a lot better I am getting 1000 - 1100 kbps. Thats without the external antenna. So since the antenna is not helping from my house what else can I do to try to fix this problem??

Alex · Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 4:59 pm Post subject:

how old is your USB720? its been a LONG time since i've seen someone not able to get an omni work with a USB720, but there was a time when we would not recommend that combo.

the booster antenna has a better reputation with the novatel *720 series units that had problems with wilson omni. try a booster antenna?

relic · Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 5:23 pm Post subject:

I did a few test with my 595u and the ctr-350 (1.7.3 firmware).

The up/down speed is identical (+/- typical fluctuations) regardless of if I use the CTR350 or direct connection to my USB port.

The ctr-350 is averaging better than the direct USB connection, but all the speed tests are pretty close, and all are within the normal variations so I'd have to call it 'equal'.

Doesn't seem to matter about good or bad reception areas, the speeds are the same with or without the CTR-350.

The router is certainly as efficient as possible with my modem, but I can't attest to its functionality with a u720.

TAPper311 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 09 Jan 2008 Posts: 10

I've only had this modem for a week. I had the 150 but after reading the forums here I traded it out for the 720. I think I'm just ready to give up on EVDO, it doesn't seem to be working in my house.