I've had it with HughesNet!!! Need Advice

[NorCalDelta]

Others have suggested the EVDO solution and it worked for me. We had a WISP vendor but service was erratic. Switching to a Verizon USB type EVDO modem - we then plug it into a USB wireless router. Now everyone can log on at the house, provided we've given them access. Speed is actually faster than the WISP. I'd think you could check a Verizon coverage map to see if you have that option.

 

[polo1665]

Looks like Eddie's internet connection is down again. Hope he can get it up again soon to see all the suggestions.

 

[3RRL]

Hi Eddie,
As you know, we've made the move to our 3R hone now. We elected to get Direct TV but not their Internet service since it is subbed out to Wild Blue. Instead, Loretta got an AT&T "Air Card". She gets great upload and download speed though it. In my Log Home thread, I had several suggestions given from Ravensroost which paid off. There is a new(er) router that accepts the air card and it is wireless. We plug the air card into the router and place it (the router and air card) in a spot that gets the best reception. The computers are wireless and get great reception because the air card is in the best reception spot. You can feed several computers that way and enjoy much better Internet. We pay $69 bucks a month for the one air card.
Here are some of the links he provided for me:
875 AirCard and wireless router?? - PC Cards - Wireless Forums from AT&T
3Gstore Has LinkSys WRT54G3G-AT: AT&T / HSDPA Router for AirCard 881 : EVDOinfo.com
Using a Wireless Router with an ATT aircard - Wireless Routers - Linksys Community Forums

We did not get the linksys router but another brand which was more expensive. But it had a usb port connection for the air card that Loretta already has. I believe the linksys router needs an air card that goes into the router, but if you have to buy the air card anyway, get one that fits the linksys, since it is at least a hundred bucks cheaper.
Anyway, that works for us and I hope you get a chance to check it out. BTW, Verizon also has an air card so you will need to see which cellular service works best for you. AT&T works great for us.

 

[arrabil]

My WildBlue service really sucked for the first year. Then WildBlue came out to my place completely voluntarily to check on my service because they noticed some of my signal parameters were low. What they found is that the tech who installed my system did not use the proper weather proof crimp-on RG6 connectors. Ever since they replaced every connector, my WildBlue service has been everything advertised and doesn't hardly ever go out.

Not that I think they have good service. They were obviously just concerned that I would cancel if it continued to suck. Their phone support is still staffed full of non-tech people which really gets me since I only call with serious tech questions.

 

[EddieWalker]

What is EVDO : EVDOinfo.com

Eric,

This is the last page I was able to see before loosing all access to the net. Luckily, I kept it up while all my other pages disapeared and was able to read all of it!!!!!!!

Thank you.


Monday morning I started building a deck for a client. I asked him what he was using for the net and he told me Verizon. Said his son is a tech for Trane Air Conditioning and is very knowledgable on it. So he called him over later in the day and he told me about it and then that Alltel, which is who I have for my phone, also has the same service, but unlimited downloads. He said it was rare that he went over his limit on Verizon, but with games or music, it happens.

I went to Alltel and was told they had a 15 day trial period that cost $25. The upfront cost was $135, but I get $110 back if I return in before 15 days. If I kept it, I fill out a form and they rebate me $100 for a total of $35 for the modem.

Monthly fee is $59.99 plus taxes and whatever for a total that should be around $65 or so a month. I'm currently paying $60 a month for HughesNet, so that's something I'm already used to.

Steph hooked it up to her laptop last night and was amazed at how fast it was and quickly the pages loaded. She's been on the router and dealing with issues on that front. We're not sure if it's the router or Hughesnet, but it wasn't all that great. With this, she was opening pages instantly.

I just hooked it up this morning and including downloading the software, it took five minutes. Really easy and simple.

I don't know how to test to see how fast it is, but we're both extremly pleased and excited about how much faster it is then HughesNet!!! Can somebody tell me how to test the connection speed?

They sell the router for $299, which seems kind of expensive to me. The clients son told me that he got his on Amazon for allot less then Verizon sells them and for me to shop around for one. I guess that's a new priority for me.

Thank you everyone for your help and suggestions. Now I got to figure out how to cancel my account with HughesNet and stop that monthly payment for something that never worked very well, if it worked at all!!!!!

Eddie

 

[jinman]

I don't know how to test to see how fast it is, but we're both extremly pleased and excited about how much faster it is then HughesNet!!! Can somebody tell me how to test the connection speed?

Eddie

Eddie, I "stole" this link from dmccarty (Dan) and it works great.

Speakeasy Speedtest

 

[kennyd]

Eddie, I "stole" this link from dmccarty (Dan) and it works great.

Speakeasy Speedtest

That is the one I use also, it's very good.

 

[EddieWalker]

Thanks for the link. I tried all of the tests and kept getting a different result. The slowest was 815 kbps download and 93 kbps upload. The highest was 1059 kbps download and 117 kbps upload. I had allot of upload speads in the low 900's, which I think is my average and my uploads were mostly in the mid to high 90's, which I think is my average.

I don't know if this is good, average or just so-so. The pages and pictures open up faster then when I was on HughesNet, so we're gonna stick with this for awhile.

Thank you,
Eddie

 

[CinderSchnauzer]

Sounds about the same as my DSL modem (Washington DC Server)

Last Result:
Download Speed: 1030 kbps (128.8 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 128 kbps (16 KB/sec transfer rate)

 

[charlz]

Those speeds are pretty good, I could certainly live with them. My local wireless company gives me:

Seattle
Download Speed: 3115 kbps (389.4 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 953 kbps (119.1 KB/sec transfer rate)

San Fran
Download Speed: 2706 kbps (338.3 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 1039 kbps (129.9 KB/sec transfer rate)

it is advertised as a 1.5mbit up and down. I like the having the fast upload, its nice for posting pics etc.

 

[bones1]

Eddie that is good news.There are tweaks you can do to increase your speeds, some quite a bit.The rwin settings of your computer can make a big difference in speeds.Verizon just bought Alltel not long ago so check your paperwork as I believe that data usage is now capped at 5G as well as all the other providers but it is unlikely you would need more than 5G. Look at the control panel That comes with your plan(diagnostics screen) and see if your are getting Rev A signals as opposed to RevO or 1x.Near a good tower and with an antenna you can at least double those speeds with a Rev A connection.
Everything you need to know is here EVDO Forums - EV-DO Discussion, Support, Coverage, Compatibility, Tips, Verizon, Sprint, Alltel, UM175, Kyocera KR2, WRT54G3GV2, WRT54G3G-ST, Cradlepoint CTR350, PHS300, MBR1000, CTR500 : EVDOforums.com and here Alltel Axcess forum - dslreports.com broadband community

This is the router you want if you need one Kyocera KR2 Evdo Wireless Broadband Mobile Router EV-DO (KR2) | KR2 [Kyocera] | kr 2 rotuer kr1 TXRTR10000 kr 1 D-Links DIR-450 3G Wireless Router 54Mbps 802.11g 4-Port EV-DO Kyocera Kr1 Evdo Wireless Mobile Router EV-DO dir450 dlink

 

[bake321]

I just recently dumped Hughes and went with Verizon wireless broadband (EVDO) I couldn't be more pleased with the results. CradlePoint makes a good USB router.

Bake

 

[bones1]

Yes they do. Kyocera is made by Cradlepoint but has a 4 port switch built in for cat 5 connections if you don't have wireless cards in some computers.

 

[DougM]

Verizon just bought Alltel ?????????????

News to me

DougM

 

[NuBota]

Glad to hear it Eddie!

Sounds like you're dead on as far as the service and device - basically the same as buying a cell phone

You speeds will be variable depending on so many factors - the speed tests are good to gain an order of magnitude, but I wouldn't sweat it much, unless DSL, Cable, or WISP becomes an option in your area. You'll beat satellite regardless. You already noted a perceptible difference.

$300 bucks does seem high for a router -I would check around, as you said. I haven't talked to my co-worker yet - but I will find out what his set-up is - he is one of the best network engineers I know - and we go way back, so I trust his advice. And he is thrifty - so I know he has done all the research to find the best "value". The Kyocera bones1 suggested looks promising - if your card is compatible.

But - if you want to defer the decision/purchase, you could use a PC as your router as well. If your air card is usb and you have a desktop PC, you could use it as your router. Probably more trouble than you'll want to deal with, but let me know if you want to try. If my cable is out for extended periods, I use this setup.

Other's have posted some good advice here as well (I realized after I posted that others had already provided the EVDO link)

Oh and BTW - that $700 dish you're stuck with - point it straight up - makes a good bird bath........

-Eric

 

[EddieWalker]

Thank you everyone. The link Bones provided for the router seems to be the best price that I've been able to find, so that's where I'm leaning right now. It lists my modem on their chart, so that part is covered too.

We're supposed to get rain today, and I'm excited to see if it works in the rain. I know allot of you must think that's foolish, but if you had HughesNet for as long as I have, you come to expect it to not work when it's raining outside.

Eddie

 

[NuBota]

Bones posted some great info - and just realized he's a neighbor! Worked in his neck of the woods for years....

Eddie - I'm telling ya - bird bath with the dish - rain will be perfect for it then!

And I think you'll be suprised how reliable your connection will be. There may be times when it's slow - competing with other users, etc. But if you have good cell reception, you should be just fine, rain or not -especially if it's stationary in the router. That's when I use mine the most - bad weather causes cable outage - EVDO works just fine

 

[EastTexFrank]

I'm glad it seems to be working out for you Eddie. Lack of a good internet connection is the one drawback of living out in the country. There's absolutely no chance of getting DSL or cable connections where I live and a wireless card is a non-starter either. The only cell phone that I've ever been able to get reception on at the house is a $15 TracPhone from Walmart ... go figure. Since I've heard all the "horror" stories about satellite, WISP was my only answer. When I see the speeds you other guys are getting, I'm jealous but you know what?, it's still so much faster than dial-up that I can live with it. It has made the internet fun again. Happy surfing Eddie.

By the way, I'm using it right now and it's pouring down rain ... wonderful.

 

[NuBota]

Started thinking - Eddie has over 7600 posts - now he has 3 or 4 times the bandwidth - and at least that much more "uptime" - hmm.......

 

[JazzDad]

Eddie, it may be some time before you need the bandwidth, but how are you going to provide service to your RV park? Travelers are used to having their internet and e-mail. If you will have the demand soon, why not get your campground system up and running, with you and Steph as the first "customers".