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Topic: Verizon Mobile Broadband Equipments? (Read 3 times) previous topic - next topic
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Verizon Mobile Broadband Equipments?
Yahoo Message Number: 102118
I will be subscribing to Verizon 5GB plan.  I need advice on the equiqments.

1) UM175 USB modem:  Is there any reason I should avoid this modem?  
2) Does the external Mini Glass Mount Antenna (or Mini Magnetic Mount Antenna) result in better reception?  If so, which one is better?  Are these antennas weather proof?  Can I install them on the roof?  
3) Is there anything else I should be considering?  I'm assuming that Verizon is the best plan available today.  Am I not correct?

I just spent an hour chatting/conversing with Verizon "sales" people, I did not get a single meaningful answer from them!

Thanks,

Sam
Re: Verizon Mobile Broadband Equipments?
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102120
Sam, I don't know anything about the Pantech UM175 USB modem. With regard to antennas, glass-mount antennas are generally agreed to be less effective, and in any case, a roof-mounted antenna is always better.
 I'd suggest buying a Wilson cell antenna rather than trusting whatever Verizon is pushing this week. Get the Wilson universal adapter cable with it, and you'll be able to use it with any cell phone *or* cell modem ("aircard") without needing to invest in special cables.
 There are plenty of online vendors offering Wilson products. One that many people have recommended for excellent customer service and tech support is http://3gstore.com/>. In fact, they sell Verizon cell modems and contracts, so you might want to buy from them rather than from Verizon, who are generally clueless (as you found).
 3GStore's website has detailed reviews of both the UM175 and Verizon's other choice, the Novatel USB760. I suggest reading these before buying. Just the fact that they go to the trouble of putting this information out there is a good reason to buy from 3GStore rather than from Verizon, in my humble opinion.

http://www.evdoinfo.com/content/view/2421/64/>
http://www.evdoinfo.com/content/view/2597/64/

"I'm assuming that Verizon is the best plan available today."
 Verizon's *coverage* is generally agreed to be the best available today, and that's the deciding factor for most of us. The vast majority of the RVers I know use Verizon as their cell phone voice carrier, and most who connect to the internet through the cellular network also choose Verizon.
 There will still be places where you can't get a good signal, especially in the wide-open spaces of the West, but overall, your chances are better with Verizon than with any other carrier. The roof-mounted antenna will help, and you also have the option of adding a Wilson cellular booster amp if you find yourself running into low-signal problems.

Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Verizon Mobile Broadband Equipments?
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102121
Quote
From: sam_82fl
 To: lifewithalazydazerv@yahoogroups.com
 Sent: Tuesday, May 05, 2009 8:31 AM
 Subject: [LD] Verizon Mobile Broadband Equipments?

3) Is there anything else I should be considering? I'm assuming that Verizon
 is the best plan available today. Am I not correct?
 I just spent an hour chatting/conversing with Verizon "sales" people, I did not get a single meaningful answer from them!

Thanks, Sam

It took a whole hour to figure that out? . . . reminds me of Radio Trash, "You have questions, we have blank stares". (g)
 A wireless cell phone amplifier works great with my Verizon USB modem, just like it does with regular cell phones. I'm using a Digital Antenna amp (repeater) which consists of an outside antenna, an amplifier, and an inside antenna. No need for hook up adapters to anything - - they all work inside the LD with up to 30 db more gain than outside. There's lots in the archives about this subject, btw.

all the best,

bumper Yonder Minden, NV
bumper
"Yonder" '05 MB
"WLDBLU" glider trailer
Re: Verizon Mobile Broadband Equipments?
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102122
Sam,

To address your questions:

Quote
1) UM175 USB modem:  Is there any reason I should avoid this modem?
I have this one and have had no issues at all. I use it on the road, both when camped and while the hubby drives i'm online :) and now at home( gave up my RR & Cable)

Quote

2) Does the external Mini Glass Mount Antenna (or Mini Magnetic Mount Antenna) result in better reception?  If so, which one is better?  Are these antennas weather proof?
  Not familar with either as I had a small wilson cell phone antenna  that I used with an older phone. Per Wilson I use the same antenna now , I only had to purchase the short connect cable from the modem to the cable on the antenna.  I have only needed the antenna ( so far) at my daughters house in the rv. Poor cell reception in the rv & around her house.

Can I install them on the roof? No steel on the roof and the cable is not very long.

.
   I had lookd at the glass mount with the suction cups bfore I remembered my other one. The mini Magnetic ( and the one I have )    Are these antennas weather proof?  Not sure of the glass mount. Would think the other is as it ( if u had steel) could go on the roof of a vehicle

Quote

3) Is there anything else I should be considering?  I'm assuming that Verizon is the best plan available today.  Am I not correct?
I happy with my Verizon( have had Verizon cell quite a while. I have our cells phone & the data with them.  It's a personal choice I think. Now my brother who has Sprint cell service just got a verizon data contract the 5gb..Not sure what made him change co for that..I think the coverage area etc.

Quote
I just spent an hour chatting/conversing with Verizon "sales" people, I did not get a single meaningful answer from them!
Odd..Were you on the phone or in a corporate store ?I personally prefer to go into a corporate store to look and discuss.

 Hope this may help some

Sylvia
Re: Verizon Mobile Broadband Equipments?
Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102125
"Can I install them on the roof? No steel on the roof and the cable is not very long."
 It's easy to provide steel on the roof for a magnet-mount antenna: buy a steel outlet box cover (less than a dollar at any large hardware store) and stick it  to the roof with Goop, Liquid Nails, or PR-255/Parlastic type sealant.
 As for the cable, just don't buy an antenna with a short cable. The Wilson magnet-mount antennas are available with nice l-o-n-g cables, and once you add the Wilson Universal Adapter cable, you'll have plenty of reach.

Andy Baird http://www.andybaird.com/travels/
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Verizon Mobile Broadband Equipments?
Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102126
Quote
A wireless cell phone amplifier works great with my Verizon USB modem, just like it does with regular cell phones.
I wish I had results as good as everyone else with our Wilson amp.
It adds, at best, one bar to the Verizon USB modem or the AT&T cell phone. i.e. no bars to 1 bar and four bars to five.

We have a roof mounted antenna. It works as well inside.

Where can one get the db increase measured?

****** Nothing but good things to say about the Verizon USB 720 modem and the Kyocera router. We use them on the road and at home.

Cheers, Don
Don & Dorothy
Sold our LD in June of 2023

Our boring always non-PC travel blog
Traveling Dorothy
Re: Verizon Mobile Broadband Equipments?
Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102128
Don,
 I was one of the early Wilson wireless antenna customers, having placed my order several months before they became available. Performance was dismal and I returned it. I understand they fixed the problems though. In any case, I went with a Digital Antenna amp - - much better.
 To measure the performance in db, some Verizon phones have a hidden service menu. You get there by pushing zeroes after going to menu. Then select screen, then field tests. It will then show RX signal in db. >90 is considered good. 70's, or even below 80 with some phones and you will be dropping calls.

bumper
bumper
"Yonder" '05 MB
"WLDBLU" glider trailer
Re: Verizon Mobile Broadband Equipments?
Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 102130
Quote
It's easy to provide steel on the roof for a magnet-mount antenna: buy a steel outlet box cover (less than a dollar at any large hardware store) and stick it  to the roof with Goop, Liquid Nails, or PR-255/Parlastic type sealant.
I have gotten good results leaving the external antenna inside, but as far forward as possible up in the nose, in front of the overcab bed.  The nose cone is fiberglass, and avoids most of the shielding of the aluminum roof.
If using a mag mount, a cookie sheet will provide an adequate ground plane.

-Dave '06 MB, Indianapolis