GSchenck
join:2004-07-27
Cuttyhunk, MA
| Reception in Fringe?
Hello,
I currently use ATT 3G from Cuttyhunk, MA (02713).
Cuttyhunk is an island off the cost of Massachusetts south of Cape Cod.
While the official ATT coverage map shows some bits of coverage along the island, it officially doesn't show my part of the island yet my reception is fine. The only reason I'm looking to change is the 5 Gig cap. Hence my interest in Millenicom.
However, as I understand it, Millenicom uses Sprint's network for it's unlimited wireless broadband service and checking sprint's map seems to show good coverage on the south coast as well as parts of near by Martha's Vineyard. Given that I would be connecting over water and assuming I deploy a good antenna I'm someone confident it would connect.
However, short of knowing someone how has a Millenicom or Sprint 3G card and would be willing to test is there any reasonable way to determine if I can connect?
I guess worse come to worse I could sign up and give it a try. What would be my out of pocked assuming I sign up and after a couple of weeks can't get it to work well? Would I have to eat the up front costs? At least it sounds like I'm not locked into a contract...
Thanks, |
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Jim_in_VA
join:2004-07-11
Cobbs Creek, VA
 ·Verizon Wireless B..
·Sprint Mobile Broa..
·Millenicom
| Probably the easiest way is to signup with Sprint on-line, have them send you a modem. Try it out for a couple of weeks ... you have a 30 day trial period. If it works, tell Sprint "no thanks", send the modem back, cancel, and sign-up with Millenicom.
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... need help? »evdo-tips.com/ |
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compuguybna
join:2009-06-17
Nashville, TN
| That is what I did with Verizon.... Got the UM175 to see if it would work at my location. It did.
Took it back within 3 days to avoid the activation charge and committment. Only paid $6.42 for the usage I had used.
Cancelled.
Went with millenicom (same device, no contract, no taxes) |
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xrayman
join:2008-12-09
Kansas City, MO | reply to GSchenck
GSchenck,
Reception in Fringe? If you have not already done so, click on the link in Jim's posting above. He has a great site with a wealth of info that will help with pulling in that fringe signal. |
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video
Browsing Through Purgatory
Premium
join:2005-11-27
Newburg, MD
 ·HughesNet Satellit..
| When you say fringe, do you know how far the tower is from you? Xrayman is right check out Jim's site, he even tells you how to tell where the tower is from your home site. Check out the coffee can antenna for testing your trial modem.
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Franklin CDU-680, CradlePoint 350, DLink 655 router, HG2424G Grid antenna, Cyfre Amp. |
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GSchenck
join:2004-07-27
Cuttyhunk, MA
| reply to Jim_in_VA
Great tips on your web site!
I'm having trouble finding towers. I did use a sprint phone about 5 years ago from this location with around 3 bars as I recall. In addition as I said, I use an ATT modem and I've also used Verizon and T-Mobile phones and other people use Verizon data too. So, obviously some towers serve the area but not clear how I'd find which ones.
The good news is that clearly the signals travel a longer distance over water. I have direct line of site to about 30 degrees of arc of the south coast of Massachusetts (Dartmouth). |
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compuguybna
join:2009-06-17
Nashville, TN
| they look like this.... |
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GSchenck
join:2004-07-27
Cuttyhunk, MA | I'm not actually at the location right now. In addition, it's an island around 10 miles off Dartmouth, MA. I believe the cell towers we get come from Dartmouth area and possibly Martha's Vineyard, MA. |
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video
Browsing Through Purgatory
Premium
join:2005-11-27
Newburg, MD
·HughesNet Satellit..
| You should check out the Sprint and Verizon coverage maps, you can find them online. The tower I'm pointing at is 8 miles away using a grid antenna.
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Franklin CDU-680, CradlePoint 350, DLink 655 router, HG2424G Grid antenna, Cyfre Amp. |
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caribconsult
Premium
join:2003-03-19
Mayaguez, PR
·HughesNet Satellit..
·Millenicom
·Sprint Mobile Broa..
| reply to GSchenck
Do exactly like Jim_in_VA says. I took the same route and it worked out just fine. I was able to verify good service without committing to anything, canceled the Sprint and went to MCom. No problem.
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Sierra 598U/Cradlepoint CTR500, grid antenna, Millenicom unlimited, 2 LinkSys WiFi a/p, 4 XPPro and 1 Ubuntu units, FireFox everywhere. |
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stevenjb0
join:2003-02-25
Concord, CA | reply to GSchenck
Use the following link to find the physical tower locations:
»www.cellreception.com/towers/ |
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video
Browsing Through Purgatory
Premium
join:2005-11-27
Newburg, MD
·HughesNet Satellit..
| reply to GSchenck
Also if you think you are on the fringe of cell tower reception check out what this guy is doing.
»boxcarcabin.com/ruralcell.htm
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Franklin CDU-680, CradlePoint 350, DLink 655 router, HG2424G Grid antenna, Cyfre Amp. |
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