How much of a speed difference will I get? (U727)

Hen6Dbb · EVDO Newbie Joined: 23 Mar 2008 Posts: 4

I have a Sprint Novetel Wireless Ovation U727 USB Broadband Card... I have been researching all of this for weeks. I still don't know where I am going with this. I hear from people that an "Amplifier" for wireless broadband cards are only for metal buildings? Is this true???

Also, if I get an antenna which one should I get? I am about 2 - 3 miles away from my local tower... My signal strength is about -71db(if thats what you call it). I get around 500 - 900 kbps... My question is if I get an antenna thats real strong what will the speed difference be? I have found all the antenna's available for my card. Which antenna is right for me:

Link: 3gstore.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=95

Can you give me a comparison please ^.

Also, I want around 1.5 - 2.0 mbps without the speeds dropping for no reason like it seems to do often. I have tried almost everything. I made my own antenna out of kitchen tools (strainer & etc.) and it didn't seem to work. I guess it's all bs but I got one more important question...

I recently had a family type broadband company that was just in my area only. It was satellite type stuff but the satellite they used on our roof isn't like a normal satellite dish. It's similar to the one EVDO is selling. Could I use that than rather than spending hundreds of dollars on this new equipment? If so that I can use this satellite, how would I set it up?

Oh and someone explain to me what this is:

Link: evdo-coverage.com (ADMIN:dishonest evdo vendor)/evdo-v650-lightning-rod-router.html

I know it doesn't goto my card but it basically tells you your going to get 2000kbps(2mbps) if you get this router and stuff. It also says you get around 60MS for your ping??!?! That's an excitement. I would love to have that... So someone explain to me how that works out... Would it work out where I live?

If you know anything about this PLEASE tell me. I am really wondering what to do here... I want real fast speeds...

Thanks, and sorry if I sound so newbish...

-Hen6Dbb

Hen6Dbb · EVDO Newbie Joined: 23 Mar 2008 Posts: 4

Please ignore the ADMIN thing in the URL I gave to you. Just delete it out of the url and it should work...

karlyn

Alex · Site Admin Joined: 19 Sep 2006 Posts: 1945

Hen6Dbb, at -71db, it is NOT likely that signal is your problem.

Most people who get to -80, already are seeing as much speed as they are going to get.

Find out for yourself: drive in the direction of best signal strength until signal gets to -65 or -60 etc, and each time signal gets better, do a speedtest. report your findings back here, noting the distance in miles from your house that each test represents.

i think you'll find that even as signal increases, you don't see much increase in speed, and the likely reason is tower load or network load.

Hen6Dbb · EVDO Newbie Joined: 23 Mar 2008 Posts: 4

Well I did goto the sprint store today and they have an amplifier there that works pretty well from what they told me. They said if I already had a pretty good signal it would make it even better and pick up more speed. I want more speed for gaming and my ping isn't ALL that bad. I just want more speed. He also stated that you need upload speed for gaming too?

Also I would take my laptop out but the battery seems to be broken and it has been like this for months now so it's just like a normal pc now. If you unplug it it's done and the dell battery's cost alot... -_-

Bigdave · EVDO Addict Joined: 08 Nov 2006 Posts: 1068

Well you be sure to go ahead and do what they tell you at the Sprint store. There's even a chance someone who works for Sprint can spell EVDO and might have even used it before. It's just money huh . . . . . . geez, I just don't get it. Rolling Eyes

Alex · Site Admin Joined: 19 Sep 2006 Posts: 1945

Bigdave · EVDO Addict Joined: 08 Nov 2006 Posts: 1068

Exactly.

No offense meant to those 2 cell store employees who don't fit this mode and actually either use/have used EVDO or have taken a couple of minutes to brush up on it . . . . . . no flame intended.

I'd be willing tp bet there's nothing EVDO related that can NOT be found on this forum. Folks here have either used it, tried it, experimented with it, use it all day every day, are actual experts on it . . . . . . . including but certainly not limited to all things antenna related, lightning related, home made antennas, routers, gaming, yada yada yada . . . . . . . . you name it and if it's EVDO related someone on this board can tell you about it FROM EXPERIENCE!!

So why come here and ask for advice and then not pay it any attention?

Boggles my mind but that indeed is what makes the world go round. Please excuse my ranting . . . . . been a lomg Monday for the last several days!!

Hen6Dbb · EVDO Newbie Joined: 23 Mar 2008 Posts: 4

Now I am going at 156 kbps down. Wtf?

Bigdave · EVDO Addict Joined: 08 Nov 2006 Posts: 1068

Wireless technology is affected by so many variables. Give it a little time and see if it comes back up. If not, call Sprint CS and let them know. Often they have no idea there's a problem until someone calls. Good luck.