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Personal hot spot advice request
Posted by goodgps on January 11, 2019 at 1:51 pmGreetings
I currently use a 5 year old AT&T unite 4g hot spot I have an impossible time staying connected to the internet for the RTK networks. The error message always says lost internet connection, yet the hot spot and data collector indicates good connection. The solution goes autonomous I’m wondering if it is the old hot spot ? I keep it less than 5 feet from the GPS unit at all times. I’ve also tried two different hosts is there a better unit I should buy maybe ?
Thank you
goodgps replied 5 years, 2 months ago 5 Members · 5 Replies- 5 Replies
I use a small Verizon Jetpack MiFi 6620L 4gLTE that works great. I can get two long days out of the battery and probably three if needed. No connection issues. It seems to pick up cell signal better than my phone as it will stay connected to NC’s RTN when my cellphone shows just one bar and I can’t make a call.
I use a Verizon AC791L that has performed very well. (With one minor exception: I found out the hard way with the first unit that it’s possible to brick it using allowable setup commands. I set the first one up to require password entry and then set it to disable the keypad. Doh! Unlike many similar devices, the AC791L ha no hardware reset button, so I effectively hosed that unit. Verizon swapped it out for a new one at no charge.)
I wonder how much of goodgps’ problem is due to the hardware, and how much is due to the carrier. It’s kind of hard to untangle the two based only on the symptoms described.
I have a similar unit to yours on AT&T and the only issue that I have had is the screen is unreadable and had to look at my old GPS to get the password for the old hot spot because of the screen I have not had any connection issues once it was properly set up.
I also have a Verizon Jetpack like Murphy that I connect to the NC VRS and have not had any connection issues with it. The reason I have two is that due to the nature of my work I may be in an area with only one carrier available.
Ed
I use a ‘straight talk’ branded hotspot. It’s connected through verizon towers (has a red map on the retail box). It has been great and cost $50, new. I don’t run vrs all the time, so I buy a card when needed.
$15 for 1 gig data card that expires after 30 days. You can buy up to 4 gig/ 60 days and I think that card is $50. FYI: I have never run out when using the 1 gig card.
So, a funny thing on connectivity. If I add a new card over the internet, using my straight talk account, the hotspot never misses a beat. If I call the 800 number and add data that way, the hotspot takes a nosedive and I end up on tech support. After two instances wasting field time, I quit trying over the phone.
My guess is they provision the sim as a phone when renewed over the 800 number and this causes some issue when the hotspot pings a tower. After grinding through tech support, they straighten it out and everything works fine (after a 1 hour loss of productivity). Straight Talk tech support is as good (mediocre) as they come.
When I use the internet to renew, my account has the device registered as a hotspot, putting the data in the correct bucket, and the renewal clicks along without missing a minute.
Nothing to back up that conclusion but, the effects are real.
Thanks for the input. The last week I had the opportunity to travel to different areas nearby. It was discovered that two of the areas had AT&T phone service, but not data service for the AT&T not spot. Very weird . The other areas had excellent connection and the XYZ residuals were great. Since I don’t have a Verizon account, I like the idea of the straight talk pay as you go device. Perhaps this can be used in the AT&T dead zones. I always carry a base unit with me to keep from wasting time trying to connect to VRS networks . The BE A network is great to use in those rough neck hoods where they’ll rob you blind .
Thanks guys . Dave H
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