Verizon Jetpack (MiFi) External Antenna

Phillip Lancaster

Active Member
We constantly have problems with heat. The jetpack will just turn itself off. Now we carry a icepack and put the jetpack in a ziplock and lay it on the icepack in a little cooler. Solved our overheating problem.
 

Jim Campi

Active Member
Hi Jim,

This post may not be directly related to question/comments however; those considering the JetPack may find it useful...

I have used several different models of the iPhone as a WiFi hotspot in addition to the Verizon Mifi. My personal experience is that they are all significantly inferior to the LS's on board GSM radio. The LS just connects, is reliable and isn't plagued by the incessant drops in signal quality/performance. When using any form of WiFi to transmit corrections, it's been a frustrating process. The on board cellular just works.

In my view it's the most important "non-essential" upgrade. I waited about a year before purchasing and was very reluctant to do so. I am very pleased with the option and highly recommend both an internal UHF and Cellular radio when choosing LS options.

A quick side note:
Verizon uses CDMA technology in transmitting data. AT&T uses GSM. The LS also uses GSM. Thankfully, surveying uses very little data. I believe that a 90 day 1 GB, pay as you go plan is available from authorized AT&T stores for about $15. I don't recall if that's fifteen total or per month. Either way I haven't found it a problem. The cost of the internal modem and monthly fees will be paid back within a year in efficiency alone.
 

Phillip Lancaster

Active Member
Jim, when you figure out how to use the LS without a Jetpack in the equation. I'm all ears! I hate anything external.
Can the T1M use the internal modem on Verizon networks?
 

Jim Campi

Active Member
Hi Phillip,

I am using the LS with a T2 as on-site base station providing corrections from an autonomous or know point. This works very well.

For a number of months I would occasionally use the LS via my mobile phone, hot spot or client's WiFi to the California Real Time Network. I found this frustrating as the signal quality wasn't consistent. My connection to the network wasn't consistent and the survey was inefficient. A month or so ago I upgraded my LS and activated on board 4G/LTE mini-card. My thought was this would increase efficiency in sending data to DPOS, particularly if I was planning a hybrid survey. I could collect an autonomous point, DPOS the data via the LS and the on-board cellular connection to the internet and run an optical survey if needed.

I activated the LS's 4G cellular radio and was very surprised at the connection stability. All of the problems I experienced connecting via WiFi were gone.

So, to answer your question directly - I am using the LS without a Jetpack and it works very, very well. I purchase a pay as you go data plan from AT&T.

After I read your question above I went back and reviewed the specs on the LS and T1M. Both are similar. This is from the LS Data Sheet:

4G LTE Mini Card
LTE, HSPA+, HSDPA, HSUPA, WCDMA, GSM, GPRS, EDGE (up to 100 Mbps)
LTE, EV-DO, 1xRTT CDMA (up to 100 Mbps)

The last line above refers to CDMA. My limited understanding is that Verizon uses CDMA technology. AT&T uses GSM (as does most of the world).

Does anyone know if the LS will now connect to Verizon's cellular network via the on-board mini card?

Side note: Why is the LS equipped with 2 SIM card modules?
 

Jim Campi

Active Member
I usually use the Triumph T2 with the HPT401BT external UHF radio.

Occasionally I connect to the California Real Time Network via the LS's on board GSM minicard.
 

Adam

Well-Known Member
5PLS
When cell service is sketchy, I rely on the radio. I have been in a few places where I started out with the MIFI's only to get a few thousand feet away and not have any service. It's like Jim says, frustrating. If the service is good it's a dream. These are challenges we face working in the environments we do. AT&T is not reliable here in NC except for around the bigger cities. Verizon is king, when I was using the ATT sim card with my old reciever and the network I would have many bad days.
 

Jim Campi

Active Member
Okay. So you haven't connected to your T2 via cell?

I understand what you are asking now...no I haven't done that.

I don't have a need to do that in the field. The only way I see that happening would be to set up TCP connection from a known point at the office and transmit at 5 Hz over the internet. Keep in mind that I'm just an engineer. You gentlemen are doing most of the heavy lifting and require far more sophisticated surveying tools.
 

Phillip Lancaster

Active Member
Its not a Javad problem. Its a AT&T problem. On their 2G service it worked flawlessly. For their 3G 4G they have a no mobile data to mobile data policy. Unlike their 2G that is being/has been shut down.
 

Jim Frame

Well-Known Member
I got the new Jetpack today. I plan on not bricking this one! Out of the box I was still not able to ping the IP address. I spent an hour and a half on the phone with an assortment of Verizon customer support personnel, finally getting to a networking staffer, who figured out that my static IP had not actually been provisioned. (I guess they figured that once it had been paid for it was "mission accomplished.")

Now the IP is provisioned and it shows up in the Jetpack settings. But I still can't ping the device. I'm wondering if there's something in the Jetpack's built-in firewall that's blocking the connection. If any of you Jetpack users can take a look at your firewall settings, I'd be curious to know if its a configuration issue.
 

Jim Frame

Well-Known Member
Check DMZ and put address in under it Jim.

I'm a little unclear on the DMZ concept, but when I enabled the DMZ and tried to enter my static IP, it wouldn't accept it, responding with "Enter valid IP address." When I accepted the default DMZ address (192.168.1.4) instead, after a reboot my ping attempt messages changed from "Request timed out" on all attempts to "Request timed out" alternating with "Reply from 166.164.157.244: Destination host unreachable."
 

Adam

Well-Known Member
5PLS
I'm a little unclear on the DMZ concept, but when I enabled the DMZ and tried to enter my static IP, it wouldn't accept it, responding with "Enter valid IP address." When I accepted the default DMZ address (192.168.1.4) instead, after a reboot my ping attempt messages changed from "Request timed out" on all attempts to "Request timed out" alternating with "Reply from 166.164.157.244: Destination host unreachable."
Give me a call if you like Jim.
 

Adam

Well-Known Member
5PLS
Here are my settings for the 5510 Mifi, your settings may look a little different depending on what device you have.
5510 Mifi settings 1.JPG
5510 Mifi settings 2.JPG
5510 Mifi settings 3.JPG
 
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