UM150 RSSI questions for Signal Strength improvement

delaneybob · EVDO Newbie Joined: 15 Mar 2008 Posts: 3

ORIGINAL POST WAS FLAGGED DUE TO FULL LINKS_ I TOTALLY REMOVED THESE. SORRY IF IT MAKES A REPOST BUT I WAITED FOR MODERATION.
Hi, I am trying to get my elderly father-in-law set up out in the country with something better that dialup. He has a desktop. I had my wife take my laptop out there to check VZW EVDO reception. I just had her run speedtest.net and worst case inside was 280K down and 60K up. Outside it improved to 1000K and 280Kup. So off I went to the VZW store and got the UM150 USB. Today after install, I can only get maybe 130K down and 40K up and the connection would die after 2-20 minutes. After reading more in depth on line,(while it lasted) the RSSi at the desk was between -93->-117 (horrible). Most of he time was 100db when speed test was run. I read some of these forums and am pondering running an external antenna (cable would have to go 35 feet) , or an amp (yikes that is expensive). I may go back tomorrow and get a better feel for RSSI values at different locations but it appears i need to get the antenna outside. I a looking for guidance as to what is the best course of action. I would like to order parts etc ASAP. Thanks

Alex · Site Admin Joined: 19 Sep 2006 Posts: 1893

do RSSI research, in AND around the house. make sure data is moving when you read RSSI. consider walking/driving in direction of best signal until you find good signal/speeds, and report what that distance is, as well as what terrain exists between house and good signal.

delaneybob · EVDO Newbie Joined: 15 Mar 2008 Posts: 3

here there are:

27565 zip code
Inside house
SW bedroom- 1xRTT -97 EVDO -97
SE bedroom- 1xRTT -100 EVDO -98
North Living Room - 1xRTT -96 EVDO -96

Outside House
North Front Proch- 1xRTT -94 EVDO -94
North Front Driveway (by road)- 1xRTT -95 EVDO -91
Hill on Road (~ 500 feet West of fromt of house)-1xRTT -95 EVDO -95 SW edge of Backyard 1xRTT -91 EVDO -91

Traveling
1/2 mile West on a hill- no Signal
1 mile west and 1 mile south 1xRTT -95 EVDO -95

At my own hose I am 1xRTT -75 EVDO -80 and locked on (Zip 27613)

delaneybob · EVDO Newbie Joined: 15 Mar 2008 Posts: 3

Sorry - terrain is basically slighlty hilly but nothing more that 30-40 hills- pretty flat (Piedmont in Oxford NC)