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mardunba
join:2002-01-05
Taylorsville, NC

mardunba

Member

Debugging slow speed

I've been on Millenicom about 2 years and on Verizon the 2 years prior to that. Speeds have never been very good but we've gotten by. Seems like speeds are getting slower and slower these days. I'm trying to figure out if a better antenna or adding an amplifier is going to help.

For software, all I use if MobiLink3 with the Novatel U760. I'm locked in EVDO mode and I don't see how to get the signal strength. Can someone point me to a procedure on getting stats on my signal so I can determine if signal may be the problem?

Thanks,
Marshall
Jim_in_VA (banned)
join:2004-07-11
Cobbs Creek, VA

Jim_in_VA (banned)

Member

download »www.vzam.net/
mardunba
join:2002-01-05
Taylorsville, NC

mardunba

Member

I downloaded and attempted to install the VZ Access software from Verizon that said it was compatible with U760. After installation, it would not detect my modem. I have been using MobiLink successfully on that PC for months. Do MobiLink and VZ conflict?
Jim_in_VA (banned)
join:2004-07-11
Cobbs Creek, VA

Jim_in_VA (banned)

Member

they should both be able to co-exist, selecting one or the other. Perhaps a total reboot is needed.
mardunba
join:2002-01-05
Taylorsville, NC

mardunba

Member

Okay, the PC is an old one and it started failing to boot properly after the install of VZ Access. Nothing to do with VZ, just old PC. Put in a new motherboard battery, reset the BIOS, wiped the disk, ran disk and memory tests, reloaded OS from backup image. Seems to be in good shape now.

Installed VZ on the refreshed PC and it detected the U760 and offered to upgrade the firmware. I let it. I was able to connect with either VZ Access or MobiLink, although I seem to have to power off the machine for a minute after using MobiLink or VZ won't detect the modem.

Now I can finally get to the point where I can find the instructions to get to the diagnostic mode of VZ Access to get the raw signal strength numbers. Sheeesh!
mardunba

mardunba to Jim_in_VA

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to Jim_in_VA
Click for full size
Here is the field test. I had to turn off EVDO only mode to get anything other than 0 (zero) to show in RSSI.

Based on the information provided, do the experts believe a Cyfre 819 amplifier would help my throughput?
Jim_in_VA (banned)
join:2004-07-11
Cobbs Creek, VA

Jim_in_VA (banned)

Member

Looking at that data I'm surprised you can post anything at all. How about a speedtest.net result ... can you do that?
mardunba
join:2002-01-05
Taylorsville, NC

mardunba

Member

This is my most recent test. Back in November I have one that was as high as .44 Mb/s down and .11 Mb/s up.
Max Signal
Premium Member
join:2008-03-07
Buffalo, NY

Max Signal to mardunba

Premium Member

to mardunba
With a signal of -109 . You are in definite need of an amplifier / antenna combo
mardunba
join:2002-01-05
Taylorsville, NC

mardunba

Member

I have a Wilson Trucker antenna. Without that I get nothing. Looks like the Cyfre CA-819 kit on the max signal site is going to include one of three Cyfre antennas. Those don't seem to have any better specs than the Wilson trucker I already have, but I'd be willing to try the one that comes in the kit, if you think it might give me better performance.
Max Signal
Premium Member
join:2008-03-07
Buffalo, NY

Max Signal

Premium Member

The mag mount that comes with the kit , out performs the Wilson Trucker big time . Here is an independent test.

»www.jackdanmayer.com/Fil ··· Test.pdf
mardunba
join:2002-01-05
Taylorsville, NC

mardunba

Member

That looks good, too bad the comparison is against the longer Cyfre mag mount, instead of the Wilson. I'm willing to give it a shot, since it comes with the kit anyway.

I think I'll order everything from Max Signal today. You said I'll need the adapter extension plus the 819 kit. I'm going to order another antenna adapter (current one doesn't seem real tight to me) and an antenna extension cable since I barely have enough length on the Wilson cable now.

How does the cabling work on this? Is it antenna cable straight to CA-819 input, then CA-819 output to adapter extension to adapter cable to U760 card?
Max Signal
Premium Member
join:2008-03-07
Buffalo, NY

Max Signal

Premium Member

correct
mardunba
join:2002-01-05
Taylorsville, NC

mardunba

Member

Order placed. Hope this works!!
mendinfences8
join:2012-12-05

mendinfences8

Member

mardunba: MaxSignal will not steer you wrong. He is a great guy who WANTS you to be successful. Be sure to ask him any questions you have as he is truly willing to help!

compuguybna
join:2009-06-17
Nashville, TN

compuguybna to mardunba

Member

to mardunba
Speed depends on the tower and location i'm sold on.

Got this in my home town.....




In a crowded metro city, I was only able to get about 130kpbs. (murfreesboro, TN)
mardunba
join:2002-01-05
Taylorsville, NC

mardunba to Max Signal

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to Max Signal
Click for full size
 
Got everything hooked up and running. New mag mount antenna on roof (metal roof), attached to RF extender cable, attached to CA 819 amp, to new card adapter cable, to U760.

No change in speeds. RSSI is improved, bounces between 95 and 106. Best speed test today with the new setup is .37 down, .13 up. Best speed test a couple of days ago with no amp and old Wilson antenna was .51 down, .35 up. Average speeds today are on par with average speeds for the last few weeks.

Needless to say I am disappointed.
Max Signal
Premium Member
join:2008-03-07
Buffalo, NY

Max Signal

Premium Member

You should be getting much more gain than that , Check all connections . Is ground plain ferrous metal ? . Aluminum and stainless steel do not work .
mardunba
join:2002-01-05
Taylorsville, NC

mardunba

Member

It's a metal roof. Magnet sticks to it. It is not tin, aluminum or stainless steel.
Max Signal
Premium Member
join:2008-03-07
Buffalo, NY

Max Signal

Premium Member

check all your connections , something not right , you should be around -80 or better , with amplifier and antenna , starting -109
Max Signal

Max Signal

Premium Member

Also is roof flat or slanted ? Antenna must be perpendicular to ground to work best . If slanted roof , that could also be having a negative impact .