Will an antenna or booster improve speed or stability?

Darkober · EVDO Newbie Joined: 14 Jun 2008 Posts: 9

I'm using an Alltel UTStarcom UM150 modem and have been getting about 2-3 bars. I've seen that certain days are faster on the internet, and others are slower. I'm living out in the country, and I'm just curious whether or not an antenna/booster will really affect much in terms of performance considering my 2-3 bar situation.

m1ckey · EVDO Newbie Joined: 28 May 2008 Posts: 9

Same scenario here. Wilson dual-band trucker antenna mounted to side of house took me from 2 bars with national (slow) access to 4 bars broadband (fast) access.
Difference is night and day.
Suggestion: Only buy antenna/mount first. An amp might be a waste of money.
Numerous posts on here describing your exact situation. You're in good and similar company. Very Happy

WarHippy · Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2008 7:40 pm Post subject:

I guess there are two sides to every success story. I live in the Heart of Phoenix, Arizona. My signal was substandard and fluctuated down to '0' bars and an internet disconnection about twice an hour. I hadn't experienced that since my dial-up days and really didn't appreciate their return. I bought an indoor booster antenae for $76 including 2nd day air shipping. My connection improved only marginally, and still fluctuates to '0' kicking me from the internet. If your problem is with your ISP or your card is faulty, an antenae will only frustrate you some more, since you won't see an improvement. Sprint is still using smoke and mirrors instead of just resolving my problem, maybe they think that is cost effective. I do hope your experience goes better.

jimlit · EVDO Newbie Joined: 14 Jul 2008 Posts: 8

I don't know if will help with your problem. I live in two different areas of the country (Minnesota snowbird). In my MN location which is a large suburb of the Twin Cities, I was only getting 1 bar and constantly being dropped off the net with Verizon even with a supplementary antenna. Turns out I live only 500 feet from the Northwest Airlines Operation Center. They have a huge antenna for Verizon and AT&T which is drawing all the signal in this area. I was able to cancel my contract without penalty because of this problem. I went to Sprint and with no extra antenna I am now getting 4 solid bars. The point is it may be something that is drawing your signal from your location. Check with your carrier and file a complaint. They will check out your location. Also go to a antennasearch.com, put in your address and it will show every antenna within 4 miles of your location and I mean every antenna. You will see what I mean.

JoeCHecht · EVDO Junkie Joined: 05 Jan 2008 Posts: 342

Starbuck · EVDO Fledgling Joined: 12 Jul 2007 Posts: 19

I suggest the booster antenna & the wilson Amp. I get max bars EVERYWERE. I was in Phoenix for a convention, had Broadband speed all day.

visited several places in the valley, always had full bars.

An antenna only get's you so much, & for it to be effective on it's own, it needs to be near or on a window.

With an AMP, it just doesn't matter. It even boosted my Cell phone signal