got my antenna today

Azmyth · EVDO Junkie Joined: 04 Apr 2007 Posts: 197

No idea how to mount it though, and It may be less feasible than I thought. i'm gonna have to buy a few 100 feet of cable to run the cable to an existing hole in the floor so that it doesn't lool silly with cable running through windows and such. Its too cold for windows to be open. I wanted to run this by you guys, because I haven't opened it yet.. and if this will be more feasible I'll return it and swap it out for something else. from where I am right now with my laptop.. for the past 2 days.. I have had 4 bars strong.. my RSSI right now is 77 and I am getting about as good of speeds as its probably gonna get until rev a comes. My question is.. if my speeds are already 1.5mbps a sec, and I am already getting 3-4 bars consistently. Is several hundred dollars for cable I am going to have to spend, going to make that much of a difference vs. a indoor booster?

I'm content with it like it is, but if its going to make a HUGE difference.. then I don't mind trying it.

Alex · Site Admin Joined: 19 Sep 2006 Posts: 1899

there is not likely to be enough benefit to justify expense.

one way to find out, is drive until you find -70 signal and see what speeds are like.

Azmyth · EVDO Junkie Joined: 04 Apr 2007 Posts: 197

thats the thing... i can't get any lower than that without driving to the next town which is about 10 miles away. What I am asking.. is that if I am pulling 3-4 bars consistently now.. would the indoor booster do just as good of job as keeping that signal consistent? I was thinking that the outdoor was more for getting a signal when there really isn't one.

before I decide.. what are some ways to lessen cable length and still get it inside my house? there are windows.. but how does that work without leaving it open?

Alex · Site Admin Joined: 19 Sep 2006 Posts: 1899

Azmyth · EVDO Junkie Joined: 04 Apr 2007 Posts: 197

If i were to open the antenna, just to test it out, would I still be able to return it? The idea with this, is possibly so i can switch it out for the indoor booster antenna, and then i would place it and the linksys 3g router I intend to buy later in the "sweet spot". If its not gonna be much problem to open it up and test it out inside or even get up on the roof with it and my laptop.. maybe I can see what the difference will make before I commit to either.

Alex · Site Admin Joined: 19 Sep 2006 Posts: 1899

don't damage it, and make sure you install the ground plane spikes:

Azmyth · EVDO Junkie Joined: 04 Apr 2007 Posts: 197

well I tried the antenna last night..

carefully!

It seemed to actually make my signal worse.. if thats possible. I was already getting 4 bars, and 77 RSSI. I've found the one spot in my house that gets amazing connection.

What I am wanting to do more than anything is just amplify the signal a bit more to reach a wider radius. The place where the card is right now is slightly in the way (not too bad) If I could get the same signal just about 5 feet to the left.. I'd be set. Thats why i am thinking the booster antenna would probably be a better bet.. can it boost my signal a couple feet so i can move the card to a more non "in the way" area?