Internet option for air only locations

[txdon]

You have a 30 day trial period to try that. Just make sure you get it in writing that you can return it with no ($50) restocking fee and don't send in your rebate right away, if you cut the code out of the box you can't return the MIFI.

 

[thatguy]

The problem with MIFI for me is it does not have the capability to hook up an external antenna. I am right on the hairy edge of Verizon's Mobile Broadband coverage. <deleted text>

Wilson Electronics has the "Sleek" which is a cradle the mifi sits in that has a built in amplifier and a connection for an external antenna.. its sorta expensive $125 (including the adaptors for use in the house), but all the reviews I read said it would increase the signal strength pretty good..

Brian

 

[buckeyefarmer]

What plan do you have???? I've never seen anything faster than 110kb download speeds from Hughesnet, and usually slower (e.g. 87kb on a download, sometimes worse).


Ken

I have the home version of hughesnet, which is their least expensive and lowest rates. When I got switched from Earthlink managed hughesnet to just hughesnet, they made a big deal about the cost being $10 month less, but they failed to mention that they reduced by data rates. I never got FAP's when Earthlink managed it, but now I get FAP'd all the time.
tonights speeds on HN are 700 Kbps down and 210 Kbps up. This is using speedtest.net.

 

[troutsqueezer]

Wilson's Sleek may work but I would be careful before purchasing. The ad says it comes with a magnetic vehicle antenna. If you are on the outskirts of a broadband cell area, the vehicle antenna probably won't work if you are using it from your home. Unless it is a loaded antenna, it needs a metal base such as a car roof to work properly, I'm sure. For this application, a highly directional antenna is preferred, such as a Yagi used with a low-loss cable. No amplifier necessary.

I know some cell companies do not like people using amplifiers for data modems since they can interfere with other users in the general area. At least that's what I read on the Internet, so it must be true.

 

[thatguy]

Wilson's Sleek may work but I would be careful before purchasing. The ad says it comes with a magnetic vehicle antenna. If you are on the outskirts of a broadband cell area, the vehicle antenna probably won't work if you are using it from your home. Unless it is a loaded antenna, it needs a metal base such as a car roof to work properly, I'm sure. For this application, a highly directional antenna is preferred, such as a Yagi used with a low-loss cable. No amplifier necessary.

I know some cell companies do not like people using amplifiers for data modems since they can interfere with other users in the general area. At least that's what I read on the Internet, so it must be true.

The Sleek home/office accessory kit (the price i posted included this kit) comes with a metal 'stand' that has suction cups to mount to a window and the antenna attaches to it.. Not being all that savy on that sort of stuff, I am assuming this metal stand would be sufficient base for the antenna..

I bought the Sleek but it did not solve the problem im having with dropping to 1xrtt from Evdo every once in a while.. We also already got 5 bars of 3G service (and dont have a RSSI meter on the Virgin Mobile MIFI) so i can not say it improved our signal strength.

b

Brian

 

[thatguy]

Also on the Wilson Sleek - I made sure i purchased it from a retailer that offered a 30 day return policy - I bought it from Quantum-Wireless and it was drop shipped directily from the mfg..

I tried to email Quantum for an RMA but they said I had to call them.. When i called CS rep was very nice and was trying to make sure there wasnt any user error on my part with the device - but issued me a RMA when I explained my issue..

Brian

 

[Ken45101]

tonights speeds on HN are 700 Kbps down and 210 Kbps up. This is using speedtest.net.

I just realized that speedtest.net gives it's results in bits (lower case b) and my Apple activity monitor gives the speed in Bytes (upper case B). That's why you are seeing 700 kbps and I'm seeing 100 kBps.

Well, at least I haven't seen anything gives speeds in nybbles ;-)

Ken

 

[thatguy]

I just realized that speedtest.net gives it's results in bits (lower case b) and my Apple activity monitor gives the speed in Bytes (upper case B). That's why you are seeing 700 kbps and I'm seeing 100 kBps.

Well, at least I haven't seen anything gives speeds in nybbles ;-)

Ken

help me out.. is 100 kB/s is actually 1.0 MB/sec or 1,000 kb/s ???

Brian

 

[rekees4300]

help me out.. is 100 kB/s is actually 1.0 MB/sec or 1,000 kb/s ???

Brian

There are 8 bits in a byte so 100 kB/s is actually 800 kb/s

 

[thatguy]

There are 8 bits in a byte so 100 kB/s is actually 800 kb/s

thank you.. I know i have probably used the wrong b/B before..


brian