MiFi Cellhire Router Signal Quality?

Tony Gilbert

Tony Gilbert

EF1
Joined
Mar 24, 2013
Messages
82
Location
UK (Hampshire; south coast)
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Hmmm. looks like the device ATT in the US uses. I have one of those in the bottom of a drawer since I dropped my ATT hotspot in exchange for a Verizon device. As I recall it seemed to rx/tx as well as other "naked" hotspot devices. I incorporate a cell phone booster that has a "wireless" connection (antenna) to relay the hotspot device signal to/from the booster. But keep the device up in the open as best as you can (on the dash perhaps) and you should get reasonable performance in fringe areas.

I hope your chase vacation goes well. Things (weather patterns) are kind of slow and instead are creating an extended winter weather pattern for late March but maybe things are going to break loose soon.
 
chaser1963 said:
Hi,
I've booked a MiFi router from cellhire for my chase vacation this year at $154.00 http://www.cellhire.com/products/usa/usa . Apparently doesn't have an antenna socket nor needs one? Anyone else used this router and can let me know what the signal range was like?
PS. Uses the Verizon carrier!
Many thanks in advance!

A member of TORRO (UK) http://my-contribution-storm-research.webnode.com/
Click to expand...


Tony

Wow that is a ridiculous monthly rate . It is an old mifi 2200 been discontinued for 3 years . One of the big weaknesses was no external antenna port . For them to tell you it does not need one was an outright lie !
 
It may seem pricey, but to do a no-contract deal for a 1 time trip to the US with Millinecom would be about $160 up front, plus 1 month at $70 ... and that's assuming Millenicom would even initiate service to a foreign address account.

It's unlimited data but it is older tech and limited to 3G but I'm not sure what other solutions (providers) are out there who do no contract US service devices for foreign visitors but at least he has that available.
 
]

If he were willing to settle for 3g , he could pick up a virgin mobile 3G device at Walmart, no residency required , pre paid , just refill when you use up your data limit for a lot less money .

You could get a US chaser to get a device through millenicom , just pay them cash and they can cancel or use themselves after he heads back to Europe
 
Hi Robert and Gordon,
many thanks for the feedback, guys! The reasoning behind a wireless router as opposed to a data card was to facilitate both myself and co chasers laptop network access. So the cost will be halved between us. Also note that we have gone for the unlimited package so we don't have to worry about restrictions on pulling in constant data on the GRL3. I also have a knack in snapping off external data divices from the USB port during pit stops for a 'Meatball Mariana'! :( Based on the many variations for which I have accessed data I would say the cost is not really that bad! Though as you say the main concern is quality of signal?...In fact I made it clear to 'Cellhire' that I would only hire the device if it used the Verizon carrier and not AT&T! At first the CS wasn't sure which one it networked on?
Regarding 4G access, not too worried there as it looks like this is still only available around big towns or cities which I prefer to avoid whilst chasing! I suppose my main concern was the lack of any antenna port on the device! Probably have some concerns now if this is an older type of wireless device! I'll look into the Walmart wireless device when I get out there for next year, maybe!

Could there be a way of wirelessly boosting my signal from a seperate magmount antenna, I wonder?

PS. Not out on the plains till 14th May this year (2 week period) so plenty of time for things to pick up, hopefully.
 
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Only way to amplify with no antenna port is with a wireless amplifier . You can buy a mifi as i described . Your unit you are getting already is just a mifi. A mifi is just a cellular modem and a router in one . I believe you can buy the Verizon prepaid 3G/4G mifi's at best buy as well , Those also have antenna ports !
 
Hi again,
thanks for the additional advice! I am currently committed to the cellhire mifi package now as it is already booked and paid for. Though I will certainly consider the deal mentioned http://millenicom.com/plans/#hotspot-plan for next year. Have been searching through the customer reviews and looks like there are maybe some issues regarding initially setting up some of these wireless routers. Obviously flying in from the UK with jet lag may not be the best choice when you need to get on the road the next day. Though the deal direct from Verizon in theory could be purchased and set up at the nearest Verizon outlet. I suppose for me the most important issue will be an antenna port, next time around. We will nevertheless be bringing one of the early model Baron Systems with us as back up. Though probably won't activate it unless we are really dropping signals or end up in a coverage hole.

PS. James, how do you mean 'no need to plug it in'?....Do you mean you have a separate wireless booster?
 
PS. James, how do you mean 'no need to plug it in'?....Do you mean you have a separate wireless booster?[/QUOTE]

No. The sleek is a cradle. It just slides in. I extended the holder for mine so the top half of my phone sits in the bottom half of the cradle cause that's where the antennas are on my phone and the mifi on the top half.
 
James Hilger said:
PS. James, how do you mean 'no need to plug it in'?....Do you mean you have a separate wireless booster?
Click to expand...

No. The sleek is a cradle. It just slides in. I extended the holder for mine so the top half of my phone sits in the bottom half of the cradle cause that's where the antennas are on my phone and the mifi on the top half.[/QUOTE]

So you mean this would work with a mifi? If so, then its the price for this gadget that looks appealing to me ATM.
cradle.jpg

Tony
 
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chaser1963 said:
No. The sleek is a cradle. It just slides in. I extended the holder for mine so the top half of my phone sits in the bottom half of the cradle cause that's where the antennas are on my phone and the mifi on the top half.
Click to expand...

So you mean this would work with a mifi? If so, then its the price for this gadget that looks appealing to me ATM.
View attachment 7402

Tony[/QUOTE]

Yes. As I mentioned earlier I average a 19 db gain with the stock antenna.
 
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