Service Degradation

Lache · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 1:30 pm Post subject: Service Degradation

First off, I'm so glad that this forum is here. I've learned a ton here already.

I switched to Alltel's EVDO service in March after using dial-up for over 10 years. The resulting experience has been tumultuous at best.

Initially, I could only receive 1x, and on the rare occassion I'd maintain an EVDO connection for a day or so. Typically when I'd open Axcess, I'd show -95db, but 10 seconds in would usually kick over to 1X ~70%.

For a whole month, I stayed exclusively in DO mode which was just heavenly. My signal strength hovered around -85 to -95db. 3 weeks ago, I ceased being able to reach DO at all, even though at opening of Axcess I'm showing fairly consistant -85db signal strength, while 1x gives me a weak 50-60%. On the rarest occassion, I'll slip in to DO for a minute, it'll go dormant, and kick me back to 1x.

This is all perfectly frustrating just at that- however, the 1x signal seems to have been degraded as well. I'm now having rampant dormancy problems (even during page loads, not just when there's nothing coming across) and I'm lucky to get about 40kb down. My images have also become proxied which is... irritating, and at first, nervewracking. ("Why in the world am I operating through a proxy?!" Another reason I'm just thrilled this forum is here.) I should also mention that I've haven't moved my antenna from where I normally leave it, although in the past I had luck moving it to another place in my room (behind my Xbox would always make it connect to DO) although that no longer works, either.

So, I have a plethora of questions-
1. I've tried updating my PRL (using a UM150) and I could never get it to take. Would I be better off contacting customer service and having them push it, or would that likely affect my scenario at all?
2. I'm in the market for a new phone, currently. Are there any models that can double as modems that support locking to HDR? If so, what are the better models to shoot for?
3. Is there anything else I could try short of trying out external antennas/amplifiers that could help me to fix my problem? I'm not in a position where I can expend much money on something like this.

Thanks a ton for reading through my wall of text here, and any suggestions would be more than appreciated. If this keeps up for much longer I'll go back to the dialup, because although it was slow, it was predictable at least. And cheap. Very cheap.

Krileon · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 2:24 pm Post subject:

You aren't updating PRL properly if it isn't taking. Here's how to do it.

1 ) Download 40036 from http://www.corolada.com/prl/
2 ) Open Quicklink Mobile (Axcess)
3 ) Disconnect or if you already are. Don't connect.
4 ) Press Ctrl+D
5 ) Type 000000 (6 zeros)
6 ) Click the Actionaction Code box
7 ) Type 000000 (6 zeros)
8 ) Click the [...] box at then end of PRL:
9 ) Find the 40036 PRL you just downloaded
10 ) Click Open
11 ) Click OK
12 ) Let it activate then connect! DONE!

Also, yes you should buy an antenna. You can get one from here or one from maximumsignal.com.. doesn't really matter. I bought the 9 gain antenna from maximumsignal.. costs the same as the 6 gain antenna from here. I don't think it'll be up forever though.. I think it's a special deal.. and the cable is hardwired to the antenna. So if you need longer then 12ft on the antenna to converter cable or higher quality then you should get the 6gain. Antenna is only 60-80 bucks and well worth it.

I mounted it right outside my room on the roof and maintain a EVDO signal of -69 to -72 constantly. So I'm at max signal and even ready for RevA when it comes.

Take note though.. they're doing some funky crap to the network atm so it's kinda slow for everyone right now.. even my signal goes crazy sometimes due to these changes they're testing.