How to get a strong wireless laptop signal?

[Jeff Hawkins]

Sorry if this is a question that's been discussed before, please post the link to the discussion if it has been.

I was frustrated last spring chasing in remote areas with a laptop and Verizon wireless (supposedly the best signal) and pretty consistently having the signal drop out when I got into remote areas, even where they said they had coverage.

I chose Verizon based on the research I'd done ahead of time, which suggested it was the best service and stormchasers who'd I read posts from about this topic, seemed to consistently recommend Verizon.

If this is true and Verizon is the best option, what do I do to improve the signal (if anything)?

If it isn't true, what service/equipment should I purchase/subscribe to (or whatever) so that I can be in the middle of nowhere and actually still be relatively safe by being able to get radar/data?
Thanks!

 

[Skip Talbot]

Jim, no cell service is going to be perfect. Every carrier has data holes.

There are several things you can do to improve your signal, though. The first thing I would look into is getting an external antenna. You can search the forums here for threads on those. I bought mine from CellGear USA on ebay. After that you can add an amplifier to boost your signal. There are several threads on that as well.

You can also use an additional cell service if you have the money. I too use Verizon for my primary data source. I use ATT for my voice, however, and for $15 on top of my voice plan I get data from them as well. They're nice to have as a backup, and ATT fills in some holes that Verizon doesn't cover (although Verizon has better coverage overall). Even with Verizon, an external antenna, amplifier, and a backup carrier, you may still find some holes out there. I know I did this Spring.

 

[David Wolfson]

Definitely add an external antenna if you're able. Make sure to update the PRL from the VZ Access Manager regularly, and before you head out of your home area. If it's a USB aircard and you don't use an external antenna get a USB extension cord and put the aircard on your dash or somewhere its little antenna gets a better view above window level.

 

[Ric Burney]

I too have Verizon. Early on during this season I experienced drops in places where I really should have had a strong signal. I even had an external antenna. After several instances of this I finally traced the problem to the jumper that led from the actual antenna connection to the data card. It seems the jumper was some after market thing that was thrown in when I bought the external antenna. I located an actual verizon jumper specifically made for that card and the problem went away. Just something you might look into.

 

[Mike Potter]

I use Sprint as my primary and at&t as Back up. I have not had to use my at&t very often though. I have had great success with sprint. I have the sierra usb 596 card and do use the extension.I travel the Plains and rarely loose signal all together.Sprint also has GPS data so thats nice.

 

[Kory Hartman]

...I finally traced the problem to the jumper that led from the actual antenna connection to the data card. It seems the jumper was some after market thing that was thrown in when I bought the external antenna. I located an actual verizon jumper specifically made for that card...

+1000

Make sure you search for the correct adapter/jumper. And after a while, replace it because it wears out from plugging/unplugging. They shouldn't be more than a few dollars straight from the Verizon online store.

(hint: even if your card isn't a Verizon card, look for the MODEL number like PC5750. I have an alltel card, but bought the Verizon adapter and it works great)

 

[Steve Polley]

You might also consider using a mobile broadband router such as the Cradlepoint series routers. They have a really nice feature called failover. This will say allow for the Verizon card as your primary connection and in the event you lose service, it will switch over to a different providers connection such as ATT. I am considering this option for next spring as I found several holes in CDMA coverage in the eastern panhandle of TX and Western OK where ATT seems to be more dominant.

 

[Jeff Hawkins]

Wow, what awesome responses! I just LOVE this chaser community !
External antenna. OK, will get one.
Get correct adapter/jumper...not sure about that...my jumper cable and card work OK. HOWEVER...I got it with my Verizon card, at a Verizon "store". Could it still be some after-market junk? How would I make sure if I got another jumper that it was an authentic Verizon jumper cable?
...and a mobile broadband router?!?! Didn't even know there WAS such a thing, but it makes sense!
But how do I have 2 carriers (I could..I suppose...get Sprint, since I have them already for my cell coverage)...and not pay $60 each for data?
...and of course any other additional info related to the original post is helpful...hopefully to others too and not just to this one lonely chaser.