Would like some advice, please.

Jonesy85 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 30 Apr 2008 Posts: 8

I just started Sprint mobile broadband yesterday. I'm using the Compass 597 usb modem.

Inside my house, I'm usually around -105 to -110dBm. It does rise some when outside. Also, if I travel less than 2 miles from my home, it rises to roughly -80 dBm. I live on the top of a fairly large mountain, so I suppose I have that to my advantage.

Would buying an antenna for the usb modem potentially make much of a difference? In my house, my download speeds are only about 20kb/s - 30kb/s, which is still much better than dial up, but I would of course like to have much better performance.

I'm really new to all this and it's quite confusing to me right now. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Jim_in_VA · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 11:38 am Post subject:

Your current signal level puts you right at the edge of almost no connection at all. What is your zip code?
_________________
--Sprint EVDO--

Jonesy85 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 30 Apr 2008 Posts: 8

zip is 40906

Sometimes I get one bar of service, and then sometimes for like 1 second I'll have 2 bars of service.

Right now, I'm able to keep a fairly steady connection. Not a great connection, but I do have one.

Jim_in_VA · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 11:55 am Post subject:

Have you moved it around in your house? Go into the connection manager software and put it in EVDO only mode. If you have a usb extension cable, attach the modem to that and try raising it higher in a window until you get a stronger signal.
_________________
--Sprint EVDO--

Jonesy85 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 30 Apr 2008 Posts: 8

When I go on my porch, there's an area where I can stand and keep 1 bar of service. While here I download at 50-60 kb instead of 20-30.

Jim_in_VA · Posted: Wed Apr 30, 2008 12:30 pm Post subject:

If you can get a better signal outside then an external antenna will most likely help a great deal. You can make one for yourself:

http://evdotips.blogspot.com/search?q=yagi

It is a very effective way to improve the signal.
_________________
--Sprint EVDO--

Jonesy85 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 30 Apr 2008 Posts: 8

Great, I'll look into making one of those very soon. Hopefully it will help.

I've been trying to get off of dial up now for about 8 years. Even at downloading 30 kb/s right now, I'm quite happy with this mobile broadband. I'd love to increase my speeds, though.

Is there a rough estimate of what kind of performance increase I may see with this coffee can? Thanks for all the help so far. I really appreciate it.

Jonesy85 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 30 Apr 2008 Posts: 8

I tried making the coffee can and I feel like I did it correctly, but it wasn't making a difference in my signal, or anything. But if I go outside, or stay in one section of my house, I'm able to get 1 bar of service, and sometimes for like 2 or 3 seconds, I'll get 2 bars of service.

I noticed this booster antenna.

http://3gstore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=842

Would it be a good idea to try that out?

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

your first post provided RSSI readings, but your last post uses bars.

don't use bars to judge. what was RSSI with your home made antenna?

Jonesy85 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 30 Apr 2008 Posts: 8

my dBm stays the same. Outside, the best I've been able to get it around -100. The coffee can didn't make a difference. I probably didn't do it correctly.

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

maybe i missed it in earlier post, but how far do you have to go to find -80 signal, and what is between you and that signal? trees? hills?

Jonesy85 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 30 Apr 2008 Posts: 8

I have to travel 1.5-2 miles to get -80. I may be able to get it before that, but that is the earliest I can safely park my car to test it out. If I really need to, I could try going 1/2 mile away to test it there.

There are many hills/low mountains in between, as well as trees. I don't have like a wall of trees surrounding me, but there are many wooded areas all around.

Typing this outside right now, I'm able to get -103 and EVDO REV A. And I get 0 bars, to 1 bar. Occasionally 2 bars, but not for very long.

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

the booster is a great antenna, but since its for indoor use only, it is highly unlikely to give you enough benefit.

in your case, i'd start with this panel antenna:

http://3gstore.com/panel

and consider ordering this amp to test at same time:

http://3gstore.com/amp

you may not need the amp, but you'll never know what it can do for you, unless you have it to try.

btw, the panel does not come with any cabling, you'll have to factor that into a purchase. This 20ft cable makes for easiest installation of panel, so long as 20ft is enough cable!

http://3gstore.com/20ft

-- alex

Jonesy85 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 30 Apr 2008 Posts: 8

When you say it's for indoor use only, do you mean that it would basically take the signal I'm able to get outside and bring it inside, and no other benefit? Sorry for my ignorance. I do want to use my computer in doors 95% of the time.

I'm really not in a position to spend hundreds of dollars.

Thanks a lot for all the help so far.

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

the booster should at least get the -103 you found outside, it not more.

but i don't hold out for much...