Increase Wifi Hot Spot Reception

[Ericmpls]

Going to start camping every other week next summer. I plan to work from my camp site and will need internet access on my laptop.There is a Sprint Hot spot tower not far from the camp ground.I used to be a Ham General class operator(60 ft tower, beams , rotors) At my camp site I'll be using a Sprint NetGear zing modem to pick up sprint hot spots with my laptop..
I plan on putting up a 20 ft pvc pipe with a Hawking 15 db omni antenna and running a coax cable from antenna to the Sprint modem.

My question is will a wifi booster also help in addition to the antenna? From my internet research so far I don't see how it will help since my laptop will be pulling the signal from my Sprint modem only a couple feet from the laptop

[Ericmpls]

I saw reviews that the Jetpack had an antenna port and also saw ads for external antennas for the Jetpack but I went in today to a Verizon store and they said their Jetpacks don't have antenna ports(must of been with older models and they discontinued antenna ports on new ones) I'm going in on Saturday to get my account going with the jetpack and also switching my cell phone from virgin mobile over to Verizon... I'm guessing on the 3GB plan?..I don't watch or download movies via internet

[Bill_Satellite]

Unless your 6620L MiFi is something different than my 6620L MiFi I don't understand your answer. My 6620L MiFi DOES have an antenna connector.

[MrWizard]

NO..
the jetpack does NOT have an antenna connector

[Ericmpls]

I was looking at the 4GM verses the WeBoost Sleek but couldn't tell how much more powerful it is.. Regarding the 4GX - I would have to sell 3 of my 4 Shitzus to afford it :)...

On the coverage map Verizon has a couple towers within 4-5 miles of my campground vs Sprint 1 tower 9 miles away..So may not need the Weboost since I'll go with Verizon and the Jetpack...But will get one any way just to be safe and will get the 12" mag mount antenna and put on my camper roof...If I end up not needing the WeBoost I can just plug the 12" antenna into my Jetpack??

[tamijohnson]

We use the new WeBoost 4GX (formerly Wilson) cell booster with our Verizon MiFi. It works wonders when we aren't getting a great cell signal. It can used for more than one device unlike the cradle. It's not cheap, but when you need cell signal, you'll usually be willing to do anything for it...especially if you need it for work. They do offer a WeBoost 4GM that is less powerful (and less expensive).
WeBoost Cell Boosters options

[pianotuna]

Verizon is the better choice for coverage. Be aware they are still using CDMA. Some day the penny will drop and they may be forced into gsm technology. That means different frequencies so any booster you purchase ought to be compatible with both cdma and gsm.

[Ericmpls]

I don't plan on using the outside antenna while driving. In my Active Ham radio days of the past I had a $375 rotor to turn my beams but think I'll just use my hand to turn the Yagi antenna to the strongest signal then tighten the 25 ft pole in place.

Looks like Verizon has a lot more Cell towers than Sprint and suppose to have better rural coverage than Sprint... Think at the end of the month I'll go with Verizon and the Jetpack MiFi 6620L or the Jetpack 4G LTE AC791L. I couldn't really tell from reviews which one is better

[vermilye]

Something to consider - the Yagi antenna will have to be aimed at the cell tower, while the lower gain vertical does not. If you go to the same location or set up for long stops, no problem, but if you stop at a different location each night, or want to use it while driving, the additional gain yagi may not be worth the trouble...

While no longer available from Amazon, the BoatAnt has as much as 10db gain, is omnidirectional, and does not need a metal ground plane. I've used one for a year & prefer it over the Wilson Trucker antenna I replaced.

[Ericmpls]

Been researching more.... Over heating? lay the device at an angle in the cradle to create air gap? what about putting a mini 12" fan next to it also?

http://www.rvmobileinternet.com/resources/preventing-mobile-hotspot-battery-swelling-when-using-a-cradle-booster/

[Ericmpls]

This forum is so very helpful!!!... I haven't been able to camp for about 20 years and next summer I'm going to be able to go camping every other week Sunday afternoon thru Wed mornings....

I was reading the online manual for the Wilson Sleek 4g. Looks like I plug the ac adapter into my campers wall outlet and just lay the Sprint Zing mobile modem in the cradle. Then plug whatever antenna I decide on into the Sleek 4g's SMA's female antenna adapter.......

I was thinking of the Wilson 12" mag mount antenna that only has a 10 foot coax cable(put on my Campers roof on a 2 X 2 ft piece of sheet metal.

But after researching I thinking I will go with the Sprint 18db yagi that comes with 30 ft of coax cable and has the SMA Male adapter on it and mount it on a 25 ft pipe (or would pvc be better???) Then turn it till I get the strongest signal


Yagi -->
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HAM3VH0?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_1&smid=A22NW6GWAHNGLR

[cpaulsen]

I use Verizon instead of Sprint but use a Wilson Sleek that my Jetpack stays in there. And use the Wilson Trucker antenna hooked to the Jetpack...have had no problems with getting a signal anywhere I have stayed.

[rwbradley]

I think there may be some confusion in this thread. If you decide to do the Wilson Sleek, you do not want to buy an antenna for the Zing. It will defeat the purpose of having the Wilson. Do not worry about the ports on the Zing. The Wilson will essentially become the antenna. If you decide to buy an upgraded antenna separate I would get one from Wilson or one that covers the cell bands and will connect to the Wilson with a min 6' of antenna cable.
However the one you posted from Amazon is about the best option you can get from Wilson.

[jodeb720]

Eric,

Mr. Wizard is spot on. The Zing is a cell phone on one side that "talks" to the sprint tower, and a WiFi device on the other side that talks to your laptop and other WiFi devices.

He's also correct about purchasing the correct antenna that will amplify the correct frequency the 4g (Cell) signal is broadcast on. I would call sprint's tech support and ask them what frequency the LTE signal is broadcast on. Furthermore, tell them their answer will necessitate your purchase of the zing (this gives the tech support people brownie points because they've just made a sale by providing pre-sales support).

Be sure to ask Sprint what type of external antenna port they have on the zing!

Once you have the frequency, then purchase the correct antenna (again, Wilson does make good products and has good technical support as well). Give them the port name provided by sprint and they will help you purchase an antenna that is focused (not directional) and connects directly to the antenna.

I'm assuming from your background in Ham radio you'll be more than able to tune the antenna towards your tower.

Good Luck!

josh

[Ericmpls]

Thank u... I almost goofed buying the Hawkings for 2.4ghz... looks like I'll get the sleek 4g adc the bigger 12" antenna Mag mount and put a piece of 2 X 2ft sheet metal on my roof for the antenna