Fulltimers
Anywhere, USA
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Joined: 07/16/2004
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Does anyone have any experience with antennas for a Verizon broadband pc card?
I am presently in Lake Havasu. There is no Verizon here in Havasu however it is across the lake on the California side. My PC5750 PC card is running at National Access speed. Sometimes I can connect at Broadband speed but after a minute or less it drops back to National Access. I believe when it connects at Broadband speeds it is picking up the signal from the California side of the lake.
I am looking at the 13dBi External Booster Antenna To Verizon/Alltel PC5750. My question is will this antenna pick up and stay locked on the signal across the lake? Do you think this antenna needs a ground plane? I will be setting it on top of my fiberglass motorhome.
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hershey
Albuquerque,(fulltime) NM, USA
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I don't know about your particular aircard, but the USB720 has a jack that you can plug in the Wilson Antenna. It certainly does help in those fringe areas.
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YC 1
Yuba City Calif.
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If your card does have the direct connection to go to the antenna then the cost is well worth giving it a try. Getting a decent size antenna and being able to move it to an optimum location can make a tremendous difference.
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MELM
GA
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Moving to Technology Corner from Tech Issues.
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SPacheco
Rhode Island
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We have a Verizon BB card plugged into a wireless router (we sometimes have multiple computers on board). We have a Wilson antenna mounted to the windshield and that seems to help.
We have been up and down the east coast (95 and 81) and have had very little trouble with reception.
Steve P.
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jmanatee
Willington, CT
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Joined: 04/27/2004
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I have the Wilson amplifier http://www.wpsantennas.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2
and the Wilson Truckers antenna. http://www.wpsantennas.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=3.
I am not sure where I bought these this is just where I googled them this time.
I also got a suction cup thing http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=46134 and use it to mount the antenna only when needed.
This setup works Excellent.
I have Full strength every where I have used it. Before I would have only 1 bar in some places.
Jon
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Magician
Belleville, ON
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I can't speak to your particular situation but I can share experience. In situations where service is marginal, an antenna can and usually will make a difference with improved signal strength and the resulting improved speed you'll realize from your air card. I use a pizza pan under my antenna for a ground plane.
Eating an occasional Pizza provides the chance to see if the antenna really does make a difference.
MCP, IEEE, CCP, BJCP
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ed6713
FL
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Joined: 04/24/2004
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An external antenna *plus* a cell phone booster will yield a very noticeable improvement in your speed & your ability to operate in marginal areas. Sometimes it makes a difference between no reception and poor reception; a huge improvement.
If I get one "bar" of service without the antenna/booster combo, then attach the antenna/booster, I usually jump to 3 "bars".
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Pete D
Washington
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Joined: 11/19/2005
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I always wonder if the bars are measuring the connection signal to VZ or just the connection signal to the booster... Any one know for sure?
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JTMO
Novato, CA
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Pre-broadband aircard several years ago we used those in our trucks. Made a BIG difference in connectivity.
Go for it.
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