Verizon USB727 (weak signal, ok speed) antenna/amp help

vteds1 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 16 Feb 2008 Posts: 3

Hello,

I'm in a situation where I need broadband in order to work from home. I have satellite service (so-so), but looking at other options.

I'm trying out the Verizon USB 727 but am getting signals in the mid 90s DBm. Interestingly I'm getting pretty good speeds (for what I'm used to!) as in 500-800 kb down and 200-300 kb up (depending on which speed test site I use, time of day, etc). I would like to get a better signal in hopes of even faster speeds.

I bought the standard Verizon external antenna (window mount) with little increase in signal. Seems to help my desktop but laptop always seems to get better signal (why is that?). I've been poking around on this forum and am looking for any thoughts help, etc. I'm even willing to spring for a different antenna and/or amp if it will really make a difference.

I'm using Win XP. Not sure what other info would be helpful.

Thanks, look forward to any help.

RobtWms · Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2008 9:55 pm Post subject:

I, too, am a sat refugee (HughesNet). For home use, I would suggest first a better omni antenna mounted on a mast for elevation. Something like the Wilson Trucker on a 15' mast would be an improvement, I'll bet.

My problem is that I'm located in a fringe area and roam all the time. When I have EV-DO, it works pretty good. When it falls back to 1x, it's not worth a hoot. I'm researching now trying to figure out why it falls back. Doesn't seem to be signal strength related and the house doesn't move (much).

If you have to, you can go to a directional antenna and amplifier. More bucks and a little more involved installation.

Good Luck!

Alex · Site Admin Joined: 19 Sep 2006 Posts: 1754

those of you at great distances from civilization and are fed up with satellite, might want to look at a fairly new and relatively inexpensive (compared to satellite up front costs?) wireless amplifier/repeater setup that many 3Gstore customers are reporting great success with.

SignalBoost DT Wireless Amplifier w/Antenna

Brand New - $399.99 kit contains everything you need, including: Amplifier, antenna, mounting kit, 50 feet of cable and wireless antenna

Features
* Works with all cell phones (except iDEN/Nextel)
* Supports multiple phones and data cards simultaneously
* Covers up to 3,000 square feet
* Works with all U.S. Cellular and PCS carriers (EVDO, HSDPA, EDGE, UMTS, ETC. does not work with Nextel/Iden)
* Oscillation and overload protection
* Extends cell phone battery life
* Comes with everything you need - plug and play
* Wireless operation
* Works on all generations of CDMA, TDMA and GSM
* For 800 MHz Cellular and 1900 MHz PCS bands
* Supports multiple phones/data cards
* Attractive, sleek design
* Automatic oscillation/overload protection
* Receiver sensitivity -108 dBm CDMA FER 1/2%
* Up to 2 watts power amplifier
* FCC and IC type accepted

Includes
* Outdoor / window directional 5 dB cradle antenna
* Omni-directional inside antenna
* 50ft of RG6 cable
* All mounting hardware
* AC power supply
* Installation guide

RobtWms · Posted: Fri Feb 29, 2008 7:47 am Post subject:

Zip Code: 65020 I'm in the far NW corner of Camden county, near MO 7 and J highway.

According to Sprint's coverage map, I'm a LONG way from their broadband coverage. I think part of my problem is roaming, and I'm not sure an amp will solve that problem.

BTW, how do you aim a directional antenna that mounts on a (fixed) glass surface?

vteds1 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 16 Feb 2008 Posts: 3

Thanks for the suggestion of the antenna/amp kit. To be honest I'm not sure I need to go that far. I just bought the Freedom Antenna (AT-BA $57.95) and that does help some (getting speeds of 848 up and 543 down with antenna on windowsill) but would like to see better speeds. I'm only 3 miles from the tower and can get 1.2 meg download speeds on my laptop with just the flip-up antenna in my car at nearby locations. I guess I'm thinking a better (maybe directional) antenna without the amp would do the trick. What would you suggest for this situation?

BTW I'm seeing a signal strength of 89 dbm with 2 bars.

Thanks![/img]

RobtWms · Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2008 8:30 am Post subject:

I solved my MO roaming problem by using Connection Manager to force evdo only. Now I'm Rev0 all the time. Signal runs low 90dBm consistently. Speeds in the mid 400's and pings in the upper 300's.

Now you might find this hard to believe, but those numbers are good enough for me to terminate the HughesNet account. I'll enjoy revA in KS and rev0 in MO and go up the road happy!!

BTW, this solution came straight from this board. I appreciate your help!!

Thanks!

herschel_marker · Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 7:55 am Post subject: Mobile Broadband

You make it sound like you are able to connect to the Broadband Network at the Lake of the Ozarks, I have a place in the 65052 zip code. Far southeast end of the Lake, Linn Creek area.

I was trying to find a way to get Broadband at this rural area of the lake. Tried to sign up with Wild Blue (Hughes) they sent the equipment but never came to hook it up. From alot of the posts I have seen, sounds like satellite is a waste of money.

I currently use my a Sprint Broadband card in the St Louis area, and works great, at the lake I essentially get Dial Up Speeds.

Are you able to connect to the Broadband Network. According to the coverage maps, service is at least 60 miles away.

RobtWms · Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2008 9:52 am Post subject:

Lake Road 7-9 at MO Hwy 7 ping 541

I suffered with HughesNet (wildblue is 10x worse, much worse fap) for over two years. I just don't know what to tell you.

While this may look bad to other users, it was plenty good enough for me to dump Hughes. Normally in runs around ~400.

This is using a Wilson Trucker (omni) antenna on a 15' mast. 30' low loss coax.

echalab · Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 9:06 am Post subject:

vteds1....Did you ever solve your problem and get some kind of directional antenna? I am in the same situation as you, being only 3 miles from the antenna but am surrounded by tall trees. I have an omni trucker antenna at the moment and I want to try a directional panel antenna. I get about 600-800 download speeds and 200-300 up, but just think that a directional would do the trick for me. Anyone else have any ideas? thanks

herschel_marker · Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 7:12 am Post subject: Broadband Lake of the Ozarks

Saw yesterday that Verizons Broadband map now covers most of the lake. Also talked with JAK wireless in Osage Beach, and they said Verizon turned on new towers on Friday. Can anyone confirm this

Uberbob102000 · Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 11:35 pm Post subject:

Man, that sucks for you guys in fringe areas.. I get -59dBi inside my house using just the card.