How I got a cell signal at home
Chris Miller
I saw the post a while back about coverage in BC and decided to give
Verizon a try since based on the information provided by all of you and
the fact my mother in law had claimed to have gotten a signal with her
Verizon StarTac in my driveway (I'm about a mile south of the country
club on 236.). I've put off getting a cell for various reasons, but my
company was willing to foot the bill. One of those reasons is to have a
separate phone (other than my land line) to make business related calls
often long distance, they just pay the whole bill which makes my expense
reports less painful. It also comes in handy when down at the data
center...
So I got an LG TM 510 flip style triband phone (made by Qualcomm),
unfortunately from my house I only got one bar of digital and was unable
to make a call in digital or analog mode. Federal regulations limit the
power output to .6 watts to prevent brain tumors, these are known as
zero or 'unity' gain. The cell phones of previous days (the big box you
mounted in your car with an external antenna) were as high as 3 watts
which probably would have been fine.
Well if you've ever looked for cell phone antennas or signal boosters,
you will have seen plenty of snake oil solutions that don't work at all.
Rather than toy with this route, I browsed a few cell phone news groups
and came across http://antenna.com. They don't sell to the public, but
after a few phone calls I was able to locate a reseller in the Bay Area
that sold their products http://www.criterioncellular.com. I was
referred to 'Mike' and after a lengthy conversation I placed an order
for a 'Planar antenna', some low loss coax, and an adaptor for my phone.
I had heard about 'Yagi' antennas, but they tend to be very directional
whereas the Planar style is quite a bit less picky. Trusting Mike's
opinion, my antenna and accessories arrived UPS (free shipping) the next
day. Simply hooking up the antenna and tossing it on the lawn was enough
to get a poor analog signal worthy of at least placing a call. Further
experimenting with a 20 ft pole, I was able to get 3 bars of digital and
the ability to make stable calls with this 7.5db gain antenna. I mounted
it in a tree next to my house with some sheet rock screws (I love those
things :-) and I'm in business.
The Verizon tower is over the other side of the mountain from my house
so I was actually able to pick up a (presumably) reflected signal off
the other side of the valley.
I realize my case is a special one and most folks wouldn't have the need
to use their cell phone in this fashion, desire to spend the money, or
want to be attached by the cord to their cell phone, however I thought
my research and testing might at least be of information use to some of
you out there. The total cost for the antenna, a 30ft custom cable, and
adapter cable was about $140. There is also a 30 day warranty so if it
doesn't work you don't lose out.
http://www.criterioncellular.com/html/planar.html
I'll add a quick note on triband phones and the frequencies used by the
cell phone providers. 'PCS' (a very loose acronym) phones use 1900 Mhz
for digital, this would be Sprint, Cingular, etc. While the call clarity
is quite clear, I've heard mixed feelings about call stability.
'Cellular' digital uses the 800Mhz frequency which is typically what
Verizon uses in this area although they apparently have some 1900 Mhz
towers, none that I know of around here. Analog also operates on the 800
Mhz frequency. Given this information (thanks Mike) I chose the 800 Mhz
antenna since I would be able to use both digital and analog (not
knowing what if anything I would get). There is also a 1900 Mhz model
for you PCS folks.
Hope this helps.
Chris
Donald Kerns
> I'll add a quick note on triband phones and the frequencies used by the
> cell phone providers. 'PCS' (a very loose acronym) phones use 1900 Mhz
> for digital, this would be Sprint, Cingular, etc. While the call clarity
> is quite clear, I've heard mixed feelings about call stability.
> 'Cellular' digital uses the 800Mhz frequency which is typically what
> Verizon uses in this area although they apparently have some 1900 Mhz
> towers, none that I know of around here. Analog also operates on the 800
> Mhz frequency. Given this information (thanks Mike) I chose the 800 Mhz
> antenna since I would be able to use both digital and analog (not
> knowing what if anything I would get). There is also a 1900 Mhz model
> for you PCS folks.
Jeff,
If you know which of the various cell providers are on which of the
frequencies in the SLV, could you share them with us?
(*I'm* most interested in Verizon and Cellular One (and yes it really is
still Cellular One))
Pretty please?
-Donald
The MOST bizarre thing is that I get lousy Verizon signal and reasonable
Cellular One signal at my house, but my out-of-state guests get lousy
Cellular One and reasonable Verizon.
Go figure.
--
"I'm a poor little lamb who has lost his way, ba, ba, ba,ba,ba" -
Children's spiritual
Jeff Liebermann
<kernsdSPAML...@aol.com> wrote:
>Calling Jeff L.
We're sorry. All circuits are busy. Please hang up and go away.
>> I'll add a quick note on triband phones and the frequencies used by the
>> cell phone providers. 'PCS' (a very loose acronym) phones use 1900 Mhz
>> for digital, this would be Sprint, Cingular, etc. While the call clarity
>> is quite clear, I've heard mixed feelings about call stability.
>> 'Cellular' digital uses the 800Mhz frequency which is typically what
>> Verizon uses in this area although they apparently have some 1900 Mhz
>> towers, none that I know of around here. Analog also operates on the 800
>> Mhz frequency. Given this information (thanks Mike) I chose the 800 Mhz
>> antenna since I would be able to use both digital and analog (not
>> knowing what if anything I would get). There is also a 1900 Mhz model
>> for you PCS folks.
>
>Jeff,
>
>If you know which of the various cell providers are on which of the
>frequencies in the SLV, could you share them with us?
Actually, I'm not sure. However, I know someone that does and I'll
ask. As far as I know (i.e. guess):
1. All the cell sites have 800Mhz analog capabilities.
2. Cell One is TDMA 800 only. No 1800Mhz in this area.
3. Verizon is CDMA 800 and possibly CDMA 1800.
4. Cingular (PacHell), Sprint PCS, and AT&T PCS are GSM 1900.
>(*I'm* most interested in Verizon and Cellular One (and yes it really is
>still Cellular One))
Wanna just borrow an un-activated handset for each? I have a box
full.
>Pretty please?
You must have been reading the foundation garments thread. Sheesh.
>The MOST bizarre thing is that I get lousy Verizon signal and reasonable
>Cellular One signal at my house, but my out-of-state guests get lousy
>Cellular One and reasonable Verizon.
>Go figure.
Well, I can run a coverage map of the various services but I need to
drive up to the cell site and inspect the antennas and mounting. Send
me your lat-long again. I lost it. If I have time...
It would be interesting to know which instruments you're using. My
ancient analog Motorola 800 flip phone gets very good marginal service
from both providers in your location. The situation may be different
with instruments that try TDMA or CDMA before analog. You may also be
dealing with reflections. CDMA is much better for working with
reflections and multipath than TDMA. If coverage is a problem, try an
outside antenna or just get an aluminium hard hat, mount an antenna on
top, and wear it around the house.
--
Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D Santa Cruz CA 95060
(831)421-6491 pgr (831)426-1240 fax (831)336-2558 home
http://www.LearnByDestroying.com WB6SSY
je...@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us je...@cruzio.com
Donald Kerns
>> Actually, I'm not sure. However, I know someone that does and I'll
> ask. As far as I know (i.e. guess):
> 1. All the cell sites have 800Mhz analog capabilities.
> 2. Cell One is TDMA 800 only. No 1800Mhz in this area.
> 3. Verizon is CDMA 800 and possibly CDMA 1800.
> 4. Cingular (PacHell), Sprint PCS, and AT&T PCS are GSM 1900.
>
Cool, looks like I can get away with a single/single band antenna.
>>(*I'm* most interested in Verizon and Cellular One (and yes it really is
>>still Cellular One))
>
> Wanna just borrow an un-activated handset for each? I have a box
> full.
No worries, have both, but was wondering if I could get away with a single
antenna for both (with appropriate adapters...)
>>The MOST bizarre thing is that I get lousy Verizon signal and reasonable
>>Cellular One signal at my house, but my out-of-state guests get lousy
>>Cellular One and reasonable Verizon.
>>Go figure.
>
> Well, I can run a coverage map of the various services but I need to
> drive up to the cell site and inspect the antennas and mounting. Send
> me your lat-long again. I lost it. If I have time...
Jeff, you're busier than a one-armed wall paper hanger. No worries.
>
> It would be interesting to know which instruments you're using.
> My
> ancient analog Motorola 800 flip phone gets very good marginal service
> from both providers in your location.
I use a StarTac on Verizon (but it was lousy on the previous instrument
too) and a Nokia on Cell One. Cell One comes in so much stronger that the
StarTac roams to Cell One about 60% of the time. That's why my new provider
is Cell One.
Anyhow, I get poor analog/no digital Verizon (on a 2B/3M phone) and
mediocre Cell One digital (same). My guests get mediocre Verizon digital
(same).
>The situation may be different
> with instruments that try TDMA or CDMA before analog. You may also be
> dealing with reflections. CDMA is much better for working with
> reflections and multipath than TDMA.
The CDMA/TDMA sequence probably explains the situation.
My take up to this point, given my experince with multiple guests (mostly
Nokia 2B/3M), was that the East Coast Verizon people had a roaming
agreement with Cell One that put them on the Cell One network when they
were in this area.
> If coverage is a problem, try an
> outside antenna
That's EXACTLY where I'm going...
-Donald
Jedidiah Daudi
expert by any means, and it appears that Jeff L is, but...
I have an ATT phone, with the national plan. It is a "3 mode" phone,
which means, as I understand it, 800 tdma, 1900 tdma and analog.
In Scruz county Cell One is the tdma provider, right?
Verizon is a cdma service, right? On both frequencies I guess.
Sprint is 1900 cdma, PacHell is 1900 GSM.
I have read that ATT wants to convert to 1900 gsm, but they exist now?
I cannot buy a gsm phone for north american service from ATT.
When I had a pachell gsm phone the roaming availability was sh*te.
So, Verizon people cannot have Cell One service here, can they?
Verizon operates natively in Scruz, no?
As soon as I pass the Pajaro river I go into ATT territory
and reception goes WAY up.
Too bad ATT thought SCruz cell one was not worth acquiring.
We are a minor rural service area I guess.
I am going to look into these external antennae tho.
I want one for the top of my Silver Streak trailer.
David Lyall
> Jeff Liebermann wrote:
>
> >> Actually, I'm not sure. However, I know someone that does and I'll
> > ask. As far as I know (i.e. guess):
> > 1. All the cell sites have 800Mhz analog capabilities.
> > 2. Cell One is TDMA 800 only. No 1800Mhz in this area.
> > 3. Verizon is CDMA 800 and possibly CDMA 1800.
> > 4. Cingular (PacHell), Sprint PCS, and AT&T PCS are GSM 1900.
> >
> >The situation may be different
> > with instruments that try TDMA or CDMA before analog. You may also be
> > dealing with reflections. CDMA is much better for working with
Donald Kerns
> So, Verizon people cannot have Cell One service here, can they?
> Verizon operates natively in Scruz, no?
At my house about 60% of the time, my StarTac (normally Verizon) roamed to
Cell One analog service rather than connecting to Verizon analog service.
Annoying, what. Seeing that I couldn't place a call without giving Cell One
a credit card number over analog voice. (NFW)
That's why my new business cell phone is Cell One.
> In Scruz county Cell One is the tdma provider, right?
> Verizon is a cdma service, right? On both frequencies I guess.
The key point here is "In Scruz county." My visitors are from out of state,
certainly from out of county. Perhaps Verizon is a tdma provider in VA and
they are connecting to the Cell One network when they bring their tdma
phones to my house???
I don't know, that's why I find it bizare. They have Verizon, but their
received signal characteristics more strongly correlate to my observed Cell
One performance than my Verizon performance.
John R Pierce
<kernsdSPAML...@aol.com> wrote:
>Jedidiah Daudi wrote:
>
>> So, Verizon people cannot have Cell One service here, can they?
>> Verizon operates natively in Scruz, no?
>
>At my house about 60% of the time, my StarTac (normally Verizon) roamed to
>Cell One analog service rather than connecting to Verizon analog service.
^^^^^^
>> In Scruz county Cell One is the tdma provider, right?
>> Verizon is a cdma service, right? On both frequencies I guess.
>
>The key point here is "In Scruz county." My visitors are from out of state,
>certainly from out of county. Perhaps Verizon is a tdma provider in VA and
>they are connecting to the Cell One network when they bring their tdma
>phones to my house???
Analog is neither TDMA nor CDMA. If your phone is A) falling back on
analog, and then B) only finding a cell one analog signal thats what
you'll get.
Donald Kerns
>>At my house about 60% of the time, my StarTac (normally Verizon) roamed to
>>Cell One analog service rather than connecting to Verizon analog service.
> ^^^^^^
>
>>> In Scruz county Cell One is the tdma provider, right?
>>> Verizon is a cdma service, right? On both frequencies I guess.
>>
>>The key point here is "In Scruz county." My visitors are from out of
>>state, certainly from out of county. Perhaps Verizon is a tdma provider in
>>VA and they are connecting to the Cell One network when they bring their
>>tdma phones to my house???
>
> Analog is neither TDMA nor CDMA. If your phone is A) falling back on
> analog, and then B) only finding a cell one analog signal thats what
> you'll get.
Yes, but while the phones do not indicate the frequency they are on, they
DO indicate when they are in digital vs analog. My guests who have Verizon
service on the East Coast are receiving digital service (not analog) at my
house.
Jedidiah Daudi
kernsdSPAML...@aol.com says...
> Jedidiah Daudi wrote:
>
> At my house about 60% of the time, my StarTac (normally Verizon) roamed to
> Cell One analog service rather than connecting to Verizon analog service.
>
> Annoying, what. Seeing that I couldn't place a call without giving Cell One
> a credit card number over analog voice. (NFW)
I see. Roamed to CellOne analog. I was assuming digital.
My att phone gets analog for free in Scruz.
Chris Miller
Jeff Liebermann wrote:
>
> ask. As far as I know (i.e. guess):
> 1. All the cell sites have 800Mhz analog capabilities.
> 2. Cell One is TDMA 800 only. No 1800Mhz in this area.
> 3. Verizon is CDMA 800 and possibly CDMA 1800.
> 4. Cingular (PacHell), Sprint PCS, and AT&T PCS are GSM 1900.
From what I was told, 1800mhz is the frequncy used in Europe, and GSM
phones simply work both in the US and Europe so they would also work on
additional frequencies as well.
Don't know about TDMA and Cell One.
PCS as I said is a loose term, but at least in the case of Cingular and
Sprint they're networks are primarily built on 1900mhz.
Verizon apparently runs 800mhz digital for the majority of their
networks and may have some 1900mhz somewhere, or lease services from
other providers that do. This could be part of the east/west coast
theory if the phones/service sold on the east coast is primarily
1900mhz.
> Wanna just borrow an un-activated handset for each? I have a box
> full.
If you want to do some tests, you're perfectly welcome to bring your
phones up and give it a try. The adaptor I have fits the Verizon
LG-TM510 and Nokia 61xx (possibly 51xx) phones. The StarTac adaptor is
different. My antenna cable comes down to female 'TNC' which looks like
a miniature version of CB/VHF radio connectors. The adaptor for the
phone takes this down to a male miniature rca plug. It looks like
Criterion adds a female TNC adaptor to the oem phone extension cable,
the cable comes with a female miniature coax.
I'm not sure what other phones use, my wife's Samsung 8500 through
Sprint has no plug. Maybe there's an adaptor that threads in place of
the regular antenna?
Chris
John R Pierce
>> 1. All the cell sites have 800Mhz analog capabilities.
>> 2. Cell One is TDMA 800 only. No 1800Mhz in this area.
>> 3. Verizon is CDMA 800 and possibly CDMA 1800.
>> 4. Cingular (PacHell), Sprint PCS, and AT&T PCS are GSM 1900.
>
>From what I was told, 1800mhz is the frequncy used in Europe, and GSM
>phones simply work both in the US and Europe so they would also work on
>additional frequencies as well.
>
>Don't know about TDMA and Cell One.
>
>PCS as I said is a loose term, but at least in the case of Cingular and
>Sprint they're networks are primarily built on 1900mhz.
>
>Verizon apparently runs 800mhz digital for the majority of their
>networks and may have some 1900mhz somewhere, or lease services from
>other providers that do. This could be part of the east/west coast
>theory if the phones/service sold on the east coast is primarily
>1900mhz.
when we changed our Cell One plans recently (from CellOne/ATT SF to
Dobson/CellOne S'cruz), we had to get new 3-band phones, our old Nokia
6120 TDMA800 + Analog phones were disallowed. The new phones (Nokia 8260)
do TDMA 800, TDMA 1800, and Analog.
Chris Miller
John R Pierce wrote:
> when we changed our Cell One plans recently (from CellOne/ATT SF to
> Dobson/CellOne S'cruz), we had to get new 3-band phones, our old Nokia
> 6120 TDMA800 + Analog phones were disallowed. The new phones (Nokia 8260)
> do TDMA 800, TDMA 1800, and Analog.
According to their site it's 1900, not 1800 :
http://www.nokiausa.com/beauty/1,2498,49,FF.html
Here's a great page on this, it was someone's final exam at the
University of Washington.
http://www.ee.washington.edu/class/498/sp98/final/marsha/final.html
Another interesting site, care to see cell coverage in Afghanistan?
http://www.cellular-news.com/index.htm
Chris
Jeff Liebermann
<email_on_...@ibrewbeer.com> wrote:
>From what I was told, 1800mhz is the frequncy used in Europe, and GSM
>phones simply work both in the US and Europe so they would also work on
>additional frequencies as well.
>Don't know about TDMA and Cell One.
Sorta. Each vendor uses a specific modulation technology. Locally
those are TDMA, CDMA, GSM, and analog. Then, they have 3ea bands in
which to play games. 800MHz, 1800MHz, and 1900MHz. All 4ea modes are
available on 800MHz locally. 1800MHz is somewhat of a crap shoot.
PCS (Sprint and Cingular) are stuck with 1900MHz only. I'll make a
chart when I have time.
Some day, we'll have overprice software defined radios so that FCC
politicians and lobbyists can make an even bigger mess. However, such
nervanna cannot last because the FCC has decided to use 2.5GHz,
currently occupied by ITMS and MMDS, for 3G (Third Generation)
wireless, which adds additional modes and frequencies.
>PCS as I said is a loose term, but at least in the case of Cingular and
>Sprint they're networks are primarily built on 1900mhz.
No primarily. PCS service is specifically licensed on 1900MHz.
However, GSM is not an FCC requirement. It's just the way they
decided to do it.
>Verizon apparently runs 800mhz digital for the majority of their
>networks and may have some 1900mhz somewhere, or lease services from
>other providers that do. This could be part of the east/west coast
>theory if the phones/service sold on the east coast is primarily
>1900mhz.
Almost correct. Locally, Verizon is CDMA digital on both 800 and
1800MHz. Verizon also owns some PCS vendors (not locally) and does
GSM on 1900. When any of the multimode digital phones roam, they
first try of compatible digital modes at 1800. That failing, they try
again for a compatible digital mode at 800MHz. That that fails, it
*MAY* try for 800Mhz analog. However, since an analog signal occupies
the same airspace as 3ea TDMA or 3-5ea CDMA signals, this is not
particularly popular with the carriers. I've heard reports where a
locally registered Verizon CDMA phone claimed "no service" at John
Wayne airport in Orange County. Basically, either analog service was
turned off or the handset (fairly new) had been programmed to ignore
analog service. Bummer.
>> Wanna just borrow an un-activated handset for each? I have a box
>> full.
>
>If you want to do some tests, you're perfectly welcome to bring your
>phones up and give it a try.
Nope. I'm lazy. You get the phones to play with and see how well you
do. You can use them to make a call with a credit card. All are
seriously old and are 800Mhz only. A few have external antenna
connectors, but that's not the object of this exercise. You can get a
good idea of your local coverage by simply walking around and watching
the signal strength bar graph.
Page me for arrangements...
Chris Miller
Jeff Liebermann wrote:
> Some day, we'll have overprice software defined radios so that FCC
> politicians and lobbyists can make an even bigger mess. However, such
> nervanna cannot last because the FCC has decided to use 2.5GHz,
> currently occupied by ITMS and MMDS, for 3G (Third Generation)
> wireless, which adds additional modes and frequencies.
Hmm, Sprint owns the MMDS licenses in the Bay Area for their Broadband
product that they bought from WavePath (Videotron). Not sure what the
time limit is on the licenses, but if this is true I can see a lot of
pissed off SBB customers.
> >Verizon apparently runs 800mhz digital for the majority of their
> >networks and may have some 1900mhz somewhere, or lease services from
> >other providers that do. This could be part of the east/west coast
> >theory if the phones/service sold on the east coast is primarily
> >1900mhz.
>
> Almost correct. Locally, Verizon is CDMA digital on both 800 and
> 1800MHz. Verizon also owns some PCS vendors (not locally) and does
> GSM on 1900. When any of the multimode digital phones roam, they
> first try of compatible digital modes at 1800. That failing, they try
> again for a compatible digital mode at 800MHz. That that fails, it
> *MAY* try for 800Mhz analog.
Hmm, My phone is 1900D/800D/800A. Are you sure about Verizon using 1800?
I was in Vegas last week and the phone did go to roaming mode, but I
don't know which frequency it used. OK, I sent them a note, but I really
don't expect an intelligent answer (if any) to be provided...
> However, since an analog signal occupies
> the same airspace as 3ea TDMA or 3-5ea CDMA signals, this is not
> particularly popular with the carriers. I've heard reports where a
> locally registered Verizon CDMA phone claimed "no service" at John
> Wayne airport in Orange County. Basically, either analog service was
> turned off or the handset (fairly new) had been programmed to ignore
> analog service. Bummer.
It seems to be user definable on most phones. Mine was on by default, my
wife's off.
> >If you want to do some tests, you're perfectly welcome to bring your
> >phones up and give it a try.
>
> Nope. I'm lazy. You get the phones to play with and see how well you
> do. You can use them to make a call with a credit card. All are
> seriously old and are 800Mhz only. A few have external antenna
> connectors, but that's not the object of this exercise. You can get a
> good idea of your local coverage by simply walking around and watching
> the signal strength bar graph.
Well what I meant was, if anyone else in the area wanted to try their
phone or one of yours on my antenna before buying one, they could come
by. So we would both be lazy co-sponsors of this event :-)
Chris
Jeff Liebermann
<email_on_...@ibrewbeer.com> wrote:
>Jeff Liebermann wrote:
>
>> Some day, we'll have overprice software defined radios so that FCC
>> politicians and lobbyists can make an even bigger mess. However, such
>> nervanna cannot last because the FCC has decided to use 2.5GHz,
>> currently occupied by ITMS and MMDS, for 3G (Third Generation)
>> wireless, which adds additional modes and frequencies.
>
>Hmm, Sprint owns the MMDS licenses in the Bay Area for their Broadband
>product that they bought from WavePath (Videotron). Not sure what the
>time limit is on the licenses, but if this is true I can see a lot of
>pissed off SBB customers.
This is true. Worse, the FCC found it necessary to placate Sprint
because of the loss of millions that Sprint has invested in MMDS, they
decided that Sprint effectively already has a 3G license for the
2.5MHz band and therefore will not need to bid on the 3G auctions.
It's highly likely that Sprint will simply unplug all the MMDS
equipment and customers, and go into the 3G wireless business.
>Hmm, My phone is 1900D/800D/800A. Are you sure about Verizon using 1800?
Yeah. However, there is some overlap. I'm too lazy to dig out
exactly where the bands end but I tend to use 1800 for the CDMA/TDMA
designations and 1900 for PCS. The bands don't neatly stop at the
1800/1900MHz boundary. I'll look it up later.
>I was in Vegas last week and the phone did go to roaming mode, but I
>don't know which frequency it used. OK, I sent them a note, but I really
>don't expect an intelligent answer (if any) to be provided...
Most of the new phones can be put into a test mode that belches
channel number, mode, s/n ratio, cell number, and such. I'm sworn to
secrecy (NDA) so don't ask me for details.
>It seems to be user definable on most phones. Mine was on by default, my
>wife's off.
Not quite. Many of the phones locally are set so that switching to
analog is defeated by default and the setup menu is missing or locked
out. Verizon has been doing that for about a year. I know of 2ea
customers that had to scream at Verizon to get them to unlock the
handset programming to allow them to roam in analog only areas.
Drivel: My ancient analog only Rotomola flip phone works just fine
and have no plans to "upgrade".
Donald Kerns
>
> Most of the new phones can be put into a test mode that belches
> channel number, mode, s/n ratio, cell number, and such. I'm sworn to
> secrecy (NDA) so don't ask me for details.
Jeff provided me absolutely no information nor details in finding the
information below...
Google: StarTac test mode
http://ridge.trideja.com/wireless/testmode.html
Google: Nokia test mode
http://geckobeach.com/cellular/secrets/nokia_secrets_6188.htm
http://geckobeach.com/cellular/secrets/default.htm
Enjoy!
Chris Miller
Jeff Liebermann wrote:
> >Hmm, Sprint owns the MMDS licenses in the Bay Area for their Broadband
> >product that they bought from WavePath (Videotron). Not sure what the
> >time limit is on the licenses, but if this is true I can see a lot of
> >pissed off SBB customers.
>
> This is true. Worse, the FCC found it necessary to placate Sprint
> because of the loss of millions that Sprint has invested in MMDS, they
> decided that Sprint effectively already has a 3G license for the
> 2.5MHz band and therefore will not need to bid on the 3G auctions.
> It's highly likely that Sprint will simply unplug all the MMDS
> equipment and customers, and go into the 3G wireless business.
According to the news paper today Sprint is laying off 4000+ people not
including 1500 contractors and dropping it's high speed internet
business that it's been loosing millions on. I'm assuming that's the SBB
folks. Sprint probably took Wavepath's poor business plan and ran with
it, at least in the Bay Area.
> >Hmm, My phone is 1900D/800D/800A. Are you sure about Verizon using 1800?
>
> Yeah. However, there is some overlap. I'm too lazy to dig out
> exactly where the bands end but I tend to use 1800 for the CDMA/TDMA
> designations and 1900 for PCS. The bands don't neatly stop at the
> 1800/1900MHz boundary. I'll look it up later.
OK, I follow you.
> Most of the new phones can be put into a test mode that belches
> channel number, mode, s/n ratio, cell number, and such. I'm sworn to
> secrecy (NDA) so don't ask me for details.
Hmmm. :-)
> >It seems to be user definable on most phones. Mine was on by default, my
> >wife's off.
>
> Not quite. Many of the phones locally are set so that switching to
> analog is defeated by default and the setup menu is missing or locked
> out. Verizon has been doing that for about a year. I know of 2ea
> customers that had to scream at Verizon to get them to unlock the
> handset programming to allow them to roam in analog only areas.
Perhaps analog roaming is shut off on my phone, although I was never out
of a digital zone when roaming last week.
Chris
John R Pierce
<email_on_...@ibrewbeer.com> wrote:
>I was in Vegas last week and the phone did go to roaming mode, but I
>don't know which frequency it used. OK, I sent them a note, but I really
>don't expect an intelligent answer (if any) to be provided...
my Dobson Cellular/Cellular One 3-band phone, which is on a 'all
california plan' was giving me local mode (not roaming) calls in Vegas
last month. I only called numbers in my home area, and, AFAIK, got
charged nothing special for this.
John R Pierce
<kernsdSPAML...@aol.com> wrote:
>Jeff Liebermann wrote:
>
>>
>> Most of the new phones can be put into a test mode that belches
>> channel number, mode, s/n ratio, cell number, and such. I'm sworn to
>> secrecy (NDA) so don't ask me for details.
>
>Jeff provided me absolutely no information nor details in finding the
>information below...
>
>Google: StarTac test mode
> http://ridge.trideja.com/wireless/testmode.html
>
>Google: Nokia test mode
> http://geckobeach.com/cellular/secrets/nokia_secrets_6188.htm
interesting. my Dobson Cellular nokia 8260 responds to the same test mode
but is giving me somewhat differnet info. per the self help (# for 4
seconds), the screens are...
help values
01
rssi DVC S -101 103 1
Bchan Pw A a1011 2 1
CS-state CAMPING
02
mode M C DCCH 0 1
FB E SP pc 8 3 21 12
net SID.. 100 31
03
RS SS SI b 1 1 1 1
NA ND 0 9
MA MD MO 0 0 0
04
SID.. t 31 4
NN NT NR 0 0 0
Alphatag.. CELLULAR O
05
S bandorde H aABbDEFC
NC NP IRC 4 2 0
RSCO RSLO 300 2
06
PSC PSD 1 33
FSC FSD 1 11
XSC XSD 0 21
07
User CELLULAR ONE
interface
display
of all these values, the "-101 103" on the 01 screen changes as I move the
phone around, now its "-95 109"... Ah, per
http://geckobeach.com/cellular/secrets/nokia_secrets.htm thats my signal
strength...