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New setup is slower than my hotspot

Posted: Fri Aug 31, 2018 9:39 pm
by Serpwidgets
I set up an 826 with an MC7455 modem in it today, and it's slower than the ZTE I was replacing. (The SIM is from the ZTE.) I went from 10mbps to about 5, and the upstream is far worse, more like 1-3 mbps. :/

The router gets a signal strength of about 79-81, whereas my phone (same Sprint network) reports in the ballpark of 97-106. I also was able to get the signal strength up to 51-55 with a yagi, and it made no difference.

The modem is supposed to be capable of 30 up and 150 down, and I know the tower I'm connecting to is fine with 10, so it has to be something with the router/modem. Any help?

Re: New setup is slower than my hotspot

Posted: Sat Sep 01, 2018 4:58 am
by JimHelms
Try this firmware build and see if there is any difference.

Make sure to uncheck the save settings box.

Re: New setup is slower than my hotspot

Posted: Sun Sep 02, 2018 11:14 pm
by Serpwidgets
I updated the firmware to the above and no significant change. I was able to get a semi-decent (compared to the hotspot) 11 mbps downstream if I got the yagi in an ideal position. I think I will have to hook up the router to an inverter in the car and drive to a spot near the tower where the signal peaks out and see what it does there. I don't know if some towers only have some bands, but I'm only able to use 25. If I try to force 41 it won't even connect.

Re: New setup is slower than my hotspot

Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2018 1:16 pm
by Serpwidgets
Ok, I took the rig in the car and (in the middle of the night) parked at the best spot near the tower and ran some tests, here are my results:

- hotspot maxed out at 10 mbps both ways.

- Router with regular antennas got about 24mbps down and 9 up. (I think it was about 91% signal strength.)

- Router with yagi got 100% signal strength. Still maxed out at 24mbps down and 9 up.

- forced to Band 41. Router with/without yagi only got 38% signal strength and couldn't even do a speed test, the modem would say it was connected but the browser just kept saying no internet.

The router was connected to the car's 12v with a 2.5 amp capable power supply. I thought it was interesting that the hotspot was able to get better upstream, but I'm not sure why it's limited on the downstream, since it seems like other people report getting higher speeds with them.