External Antenna Band 13 MIMO?

[BillA]

Giving it a try, Thank you.

The best way to test the TTL values, is after having used up ALL your included hotspot data.
While you still have some data left, it's next to impossible to tell if the settings have any affect or not.
Regardless of the the Verizon warning, if it's set up properly, you should be able to continue using the data beyond the hotspot limit.

[WallyC]

The best way to test the TTL values, is after having used up ALL your included hotspot data.
While you still have some data left, it's next to impossible to tell if the settings have any affect or not.
Regardless of the the Verizon warning, if it's set up properly, you should be able to continue using the data beyond the hotspot limit.

I've used all my data. At a crawl. So far nothing is working. Not sure I'm adding these values right.
Thank you.

[BillA]

I've used all my data. At a crawl. So far nothing is working. Not sure I'm adding these values right.
Thank you.

In order to avoid wasting time, test your sim inside a phone to see if you can still call and go online on the phone's browser. If it doesn't work on a phone then there's a much bigger issue than just your hotspot data. If the data works on your phone and you've tried all the TTL settings on the router yet still no web, then it's possible that they are also using UA (User-Agent) or packet filtering, meaning that they can tell if the http traffic is coming from a phone or pc. Two ways to circumvent that, by using a UA spoofer (a simple browser plugin such as User-Agent Switcher), or a VPN. Let's just hope that's not the case.
There was a case on here with another Verizon user, which turned out to be some kind of imei (serial number) restriction on a corporate account. You may want to read through that thread at https://wirelessjoint.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=780

[WallyC]

In order to avoid wasting time, test your sim inside a phone to see if you can still call and go online on the phone's browser. If it doesn't work on a phone then there's a much bigger issue than just your hotspot data. If the data works on your phone and you've tried all the TTL settings on the router yet still no web, then it's possible that they are also using UA (User-Agent) or packet filtering, meaning that they can tell if the http traffic is coming from a phone or pc. Two ways to circumvent that, by using a UA spoofer (a simple browser plugin such as User-Agent Switcher), or a VPN. Let's just hope that's not the case.
There was a case on here with another Verizon user, which turned out to be some kind of imei (serial number) restriction on a corporate account. You may want to read through that thread at https://wirelessjoint.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=780

I will give it a shot, but my sim is a data only sim.

[BillA]

I will give it a shot, but my sim is a data only sim.

That's ok, it should at least allow you to go online, use the Chrome browser on your phone to go to a couple of different websites. Course before doing that, make sure you have set up the APN correctly. What kind of "data only" Verizon plan do you have, is it some kind of business/corporate plan? Have you switched to ATT? Out of curiosity what exactly happens when you try to make a call (not that it matters for data purposes).

[WallyC]

That's ok, it should at least allow you to go online, use the Chrome browser on your phone to go to a couple of different websites. Course before doing that, make sure you have set up the APN correctly. What kind of "data only" Verizon plan do you have, is it some kind of business/corporate plan? Have you switched to ATT? Out of curiosity what exactly happens when you try to make a call (not that it matters for data purposes).

I put the SIM in my phone, data limits still restricted.

I had 3 Verizon lines on an unlimited plan (not business) and decided I no longer need the 3rd line. I tried using it in a cradle-point and had to call Verizon to get the SIM to work. At that time they put me on a "data only" plan for that number. It cost $20 a month, 15g limit.

When I try to make a call it sends me to Verizon and answers with an automated recording.

I'm going to try AT&T now, Not giving up yet.
Thanks for the help.

[BillA]

I put the SIM in my phone, data limits still restricted.

I had 3 Verizon lines on an unlimited plan (not business) and decided I no longer need the 3rd line. I tried using it in a cradle-point and had to call Verizon to get the SIM to work. At that time they put me on a "data only" plan for that number. It cost $20 a month, 15g limit.

When I try to make a call it sends me to Verizon and answers with an automated recording.

I'm going to try AT&T now, Not giving up yet.
Thanks for the help.

Based on your statement "It cost $20 a month, 15g limit.", assuming that's a total data allowance per month not just hotspot data, there's no way to bypass that limit with any hacks on the router. As an additional test, go to the web browser on your phone and try to go to a couple of different web sites. If nothing comes up and your APN is set up properly, then then there's definitely a 15GB/month hard limit of all data usage on your $20 line. After all, I don't think Verizon is that generous to give you fully unlimited data for just 20 bucks.

[WallyC]

Based on your statement "It cost $20 a month, 15g limit.", assuming that's a total data allowance per month not just hotspot data, there's no way to bypass that limit with any hacks on the router. As an additional test, go to the web browser on your phone and try to go to a couple of different web sites. If nothing comes up and your APN is set up properly, then then there's definitely a 15GB/month hard limit of all data usage on your $20 line. After all, I don't think Verizon is that generous to give you fully unlimited data for just 20 bucks.

Yeah, would be generous by Verizon. The plan is actually unlimited, just not at the speeds i want, lol.
Your comment got me thinking though (dangerous i know). What would happen if I put a sim card in from one of my other unlimited phones which are not being throttled on data, only hotspot?
Well, I tried it and immediately got a detailed (phone, sim, device info) message from Verizon...

20200121_114359.jpg

[Didneywhorl]

Verizon isnt playing around

[BillA]

Yeah, would be generous by Verizon. The plan is actually unlimited, just not at the speeds i want, lol.
Your comment got me thinking though (dangerous i know). What would happen if I put a sim card in from one of my other unlimited phones which are not being throttled on data, only hotspot?
Well, I tried it and immediately got a detailed (phone, sim, device info) message from Verizon...

I rest my case... he-he
As you can see, a lot of wasted time can be avoided if the sim card is tested in a phone when the router's not connecting. While the router's interface gives some information about the connection, there's nothing better than the information on a phone's screen along with warning messages/texts.

Well, here are some options for ya...
1. Imei "repair"... Please don't ask, but I will say this, a one time 50 bucks can make the router look like a Samsung phone to the network, or any other phone for that matter;) If it gets flagged by Verizon, you could also try replacing your existing modem with a non Sierra brand (such as a Quectel EP06-A or EM12-G), which hopefully won't be flagged as a MoFi.
2. Switch to a Verizon reseller which don't have these restrictions, for example Visible $40 (high latency), PagePlus $55 (great speeds but a bit pricey).
3. Or if you can do without Verizon, then try ATT $35 (relatively slow seeds), Tmobile/SimpleMobile $45 (great speeds over 100Mbps with good signal), Sprint (no comment;)

So there you have it, pick your poison.

[Didneywhorl]

Curious about your no comment on Sprint?

I run my main setup on Sprint. Best speed test is 380Mpbs )average 150Mbps (speedtest.net, taken with a grain of salt) on an EM20G, type2 NAT for gaming, and its comparable to ATT plans in cost. Also ridiculously easy to swap devices and not get janged for overages.

[BillA]

Curious about your no comment on Sprint?

I run my main setup on Sprint. Best speed test is 380Mpbs )average 150Mbps (speedtest.net, taken with a grain of salt) on an EM20G, type2 NAT for gaming, and its comparable to ATT plans in cost. Also ridiculously easy to swap devices and not get janged for overages.

"No comment" since I have no experience with Sprint in a router (other than Sprint sucks! haha just kidding)
But kidding aside, having run a phone repair shop for over 20 years, and at some point being a Sprint dealer, there were nothing but problems with Sprint customers complaining about the lack of signal etc. Let's just say it wouldn't be my first choice for service.

[Didneywhorl]

ahhhh, ten four. I wont deny my previous Sprint cell phone experience left me wanting for more.

[BillA]

ahhhh, ten four. I wont deny my previous Sprint cell phone experience left me wanting for more.

Roger that... it's still lacking signal around here, though I've heard it's great in Vegas... go figure.

[WallyC]

Update:
Since Verizon isn't working out with the data plan, I took some suggestions and tried AT&T.
I left the antenna in the same spot to start with. Verizon and AT&T share the same tower so I thought signal would be about the same, but AT&T was a little weaker. So, I moved the antenna to the other end of my barn roof so it wouldn't have to shoot over / across the roof. That did not help at all. A little frustrating because of the time it took to reroute wires etc...
Anyway, signal (image) is best I can get for now. Still working on it. Trying to decide what to try next.

I do want to add that this "poor" signal is as good or better than Satellite has ever been. Kind of crazy because doing speedtest Satellite shows consistently better speeds, but real life internet surfing and streaming video the cell service is rock solid. This is one of the main reasons (besides cost) I'm all in on the cell plan.

MOFISignal.jpg

[Didneywhorl]

Just for giggles, did you try aiming in all 360 degrees, 10-20 degrees at a time, to see if you can capture any mystery towers? Its sometimes surprising.

[WallyC]

Just for giggles, did you try aiming in all 360 degrees, 10-20 degrees at a time, to see if you can capture any mystery towers? Its sometimes surprising.

oh, I did. I tried a lot of weird angles, directions etc...
I'm sure it probably isn't unique to this router, but I can log into it with my phone and the signal page (I posted the picture of) changes in real time while I'm working with the antenna.

[BillA]

Anyway, signal (image) is best I can get for now. Still working on it. Trying to decide what to try next.

Well, your last two options are Tmobile and Sprint. In my opinion, one of the easiest ways to tell which carrier works best in a particular location, is by simply inviting some friends over with phones on all the major carriers. By running several speed tests in and around your home looking for the best signal quality/speeds, it can give you a good general idea on which one works and which doesn't, without having to waste time and money on signing up on all the carriers yourself. Also, using a good router with external antennas, speeds are usually even higher.

[Adm1jtg]

I havent read the entire thread but when you said your verizon plan didnt work out... did you try a visible plan?

[WallyC]

I havent read the entire thread but when you said your verizon plan didnt work out... did you try a visible plan?

No, still using AT&T for now. No other towers close enough to try.