Verizon EVDO signal problem

jhalv27 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 22 Jun 2008 Posts: 2

Hello,

I just found these forums here and I thought someone might be able to help me with a problem I am having.

First here is some info.

Service: Verizon
Phone: Blackberry Pearl 8130

I am an OTR construction worker that is currently located just south of Owatonna MN. I use my phone for internet access as I have nothing else. I can use the phone separately or dongle it to my laptop. Owatonna MN has EVDO serice, but I am staying at a place approx 6 miles south along Interstate 35. I lose my EVDO service approx 1.8 miles north of where I am staying. I have traveled back and forth through here many many times and have pinpointed almost the exact spot where EVDO drops and switches to 1X.

This is my problem.

I bought a 40" Bi-directional antenna to see if my problem would be fixed. I did nothing. I was then contemplating buying a dual band cell booster but did not want to waste the money if it did not work, so I borrowed one from a friend, it's a model DA4000 booster it works on 800/1900mhz bands. I thought for sure this would work but it does not. My EVDO service drops at the exact same spot with or without it.

When my phone switches from EVDO to 1X my bars do not drop then switch, it justs switches from EVDO to 1X.

When I shut the network connection off and back on again, it shows I have EVDO service for about 10 seconds then switches straight back to 1X. I have also changed my network selection back and forth from "Home" to "Automatic" many times to try and force a tower change with no luck.

For the life of me I can not figure out how a cell booster cannot "grab" a EVDO signal from 1.8 miles away.

Does anyone have some advice for me or have an idea what might be happening?

BTW: I've tried calling Verizon Support numerous times and 2 to 3 weeks later they haven't even bothered to call me back like they said they would.

jhalv27 · EVDO Newbie Joined: 22 Jun 2008 Posts: 2

Ok, I've got things figured out. I found a Verizon code *228 99 to force update secondary tower information and now I've got EVDO service where I'm at. I even did a speed check at speakeasy and got a 1 Meg download speed.

EvdoNonLOSuser · EVDO User Joined: 14 Mar 2008 Posts: 36 Location: PNW

I live way outside the verizon service are.I had a big grid antenna that I was finally able to put up about 30 ft. It was tuned for pcs. After a week, I lost all evdo signal. I was able to get 1900mhz with my cell phone but still no evdo at 1900mhz. My call to vz was unhelpful. I asked about tower changes and of course they said there was no record of any. However, after 2 wks of no service, I went do into town and talked with the local vz seller and found that they switch to 800mhz in this area from 1900mhz.
What a pain, now my antenna is useless...unless I can get a 900mhz dipole to replace the 2400mhz I have now. Anyway, I just thought I would post this info in case anyone had ever had the same problem.