HughesNet Modem Expires!!

C

Captains Cat

New member
Well my HuguesNet HN7000S modem died sometime in the last day or so. No power lights or anything. I'm left with a local wireless service which is less than stellar but works most of the time and is much faster. Wish we could get cable or FIOS or anything else out here but we're too far from anything with any copper in it! Not a very good 3G signal for using the DroidX either (as a hotspot). Erghhh!

They're sending me a new modem (for only $150 bucks or so) since my warranty has expired! The lady in New Delhi (or wherever she was) was not very helpful except to pry some $$ out of me. Already costs me $85 a month!!

Charlie
 
Hi Charlie,

We have had good luck with the Wilson Sleek for our Mifi card. It also works well with our Droid. It's a cradle type booster. Without it, we have no internet signal here in the Tetons; with it, we get an acceptable signal... certainly not lightning fast, but better than nothing (and that's what we'd have without the Sleek).

I've heard from others that there is a relatively small limit with the HughesNet set up. The Sleek cost me around $100 last year; our Mifi card is $60 per month. Most of the time we have a great signal with the card, but out here in the boonies we are in a bit of a "black hole" for communications. Friends here with AT&T get no signal, even with a booster.

Then, when you come west to meet up with us in the PNW next summer, you'll already have a mobile connection. :wink:

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Thanks Jim. My DroidX uses verizon but we get a very spotty 3G signal here, we really are out in the boonies. Fortunately, it's that Hughes system that I use for my business, I use the wireless company for personal things, have two routers, etc, etc. Just keep them separate. I found that I go back and forth twixt the two a lot when one or the other goes down.

When in a good 3G area, the Droid works great in the wireless hotspot mode. I use it at hotels while traveling on business a lot, it's usually better, faster, etc than the "free" hotel wireless and a whole lot easier to set up.

Sure envy you guys out there, 103 here yesterday. Gotta go down while it's still cool and finish cleaning the boat, some folks interested in TCs are coming for a ride at noon!

Charlie
 
Got all the way up to 76º here yesterday. I had to have a light jacket on when we started our 2nd Annual Dock Rodeo... but by 8:30, it was back to shirtsleeves. The weather here (this time of year) is the second best part of this job - the spectacular scenery is the best.

We do, however, have to deal with the lack of connectivity in this pristine area... it is about 40 miles to the nearest town (Jackson, WY). There are a few places in the park where the cell/data signal is decent. In fact, out in the middle of the lake, I can get a signal. I'm considering putting on a "Texting Tour": take people out to the middle of the lake, stop the boat, and let them text and talk. :wink:

We do go from one weak bar to three bars by putting the phone and/or Mifi in the Wilson Sleek. At least a half dozen of our co-workers have bought a Sleek after hearing about our experience with it.

Stay cool, having fun showing off that nice TC.

Best wishes,
Jim
 
Although we have a different Wilson system (Wireless dual Band Amplifier), it was the only connection we could get in the Smokies (and many other places)--both for Cell phones, (A T & T), Kindle for Wall St Journal, and a Verizon Card in our Mi Fi. We had no service on any of the devices. With the internal antenna up next to the phone or Mi Fi receiver, we had 3 to 4 bars (usually we can operate with internal antenna within a few feet--in this case, it had to be right up next to the device.

We have separate external antennas for the RV, car (and boat if we wish). So one amp, and internal antenna works for all three.
 
I tried out my Sleek in Canada and no joy. Wondering if I was using it incorrectly. Jim said something about putting the antenna on a pie plate? Maybe there was no signal to be had.

Warren
 
Doryman":zoscsz63 said:
I tried out my Sleek in Canada and no joy. Wondering if I was using it incorrectly. Jim said something about putting the antenna on a pie plate? Maybe there was no signal to be had.

Warren
Click to expand...

Ah, Warren, my friend... it is much more technical than that. I didn't have a pie plate, I used a cookie sheet. I read that you need at least 1 sq ft of metal for a ground plane. These were designed for truckers, so they work great on a metal vehicle where the mini antenna will stick to the surface. Our RV (like the boat) is fiberglass, thus the need for something to stick the Sleek antenna to. It works for us.

We haven't tried using it in Canada.

Best wishes,
Jim
 
Yes, and if it's over 100 degrees as it has been here, you can put cookie dough up there and after you make some phone calls, have some great cookies!! :mrgreen:

New HughesNet modem came yesterday, I'll unbox it today and make the dreaded tech services phone call to an eastern country to help set it up!

Charlie
 
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