Internet Conectivity on a Rural Amtrak route now Possible

[dlagrua]

Like most of you here, I am a regular Amtrak traveler. Like many of you I carry an internet capable cell phone and a netbook (small laptop) with me. As far as I know, WIFI availability on the long distance routes is still very poor so if you want to go online,you have to make your own connection through your cell phone. This can sometimes be a problem.

I recently purchased a cell phone amplifier booster called a "Wilson Sleek". It is an innovative cell phone antenna amplifier product that extends the range of your cell phone 2 to 3 times what it normally is. My tests have shown that I can get 3 to 4 bar 3 and 4G service in most rural areas now where service is very weak.

With the Wilson Sleek signal booster I use my cell phone to set up a wireless hot spot (internet sharing) for my laptop and connect to the internet on my netbook while traveling, just like I was sitting at home. The product works but if you buy one make sure that it is compatible with your service as there are four different versions to choose from.

While my cell phone/laptop connectivity solution may not appeal to everyone ( and it won't work in completely cell free areas), it does seem ideal for those train travelers that want to go online while going through rural areas where cell service was once hard or impossible to receive.

 

[CHamilton]

The FCC is cracking down on cell phone boosters. Although there seems to be some doubt about exactly how the new rules are supposed to work. See the updates in the original article.


FCC orders 2M people to power down cell phone signal boosters (Updated)

The Federal Communications Commission today enacted a set of rules governing the sale and deployment of wireless signal boosters, devices consumers use to improve cell phone signals. More than 2 million of these devices are in use across the country, and until now consumers who bought them could just turn them on and let them work their magic.

Not anymore. Anyone who buys one of these devices from now on must seek the permission of carriers. Even the 2 million devices already in use must be turned off immediately unless their owners register them.

 

[dlagrua]

The FCC is cracking down on cell phone boosters. Although there seems to be some doubt about exactly how the new rules are supposed to work. See the updates in the original article.

FCC orders 2M people to power down cell phone signal boosters (Updated)

The Federal Communications Commission today enacted a set of rules governing the sale and deployment of wireless signal boosters, devices consumers use to improve cell phone signals. More than 2 million of these devices are in use across the country, and until now consumers who bought them could just turn them on and let them work their magic.

Not anymore. Anyone who buys one of these devices from now on must seek the permission of carriers. Even the 2 million devices already in use must be turned off immediately unless their owners register them.

On a long distance Amtrak train you need a cell phone booster. The concern is that these antenna amplifiers will cause intereference with wireless networks. On LD routes there are no WIFI networks available so I am not interfering with anyones connection. If I was on the Acela then I would be courteous and not use it.

Regardless, I will continue to use my cell phone booster whether big brother likes it or not.

 

[Ryan]

You can't boost a signal that isn't there, and in vast swaths of the US there just isn't any signal to boost.

These things might help performance around the edges, but won't do anything to help in many areas and create harmful interference in others.

 

[AlanB]

On a long distance Amtrak train you need a cell phone booster. The concern is that these antenna amplifiers will cause intereference with wireless networks. On LD routes there are no WIFI networks available so I am not interfering with anyones connection. If I was on the Acela then I would be courteous and not use it.Regardless, I will continue to use my cell phone booster whether big brother likes it or not.

Actually there is a WiFi net onboard the LD's, it's just not usable by the passengers. But Amtrak has one setup for the credit card machines in the cafe & dining car.

 

[Aaron]

Actually there is a WiFi net onboard the LD's, it's just not usable by the passengers. But Amtrak has one setup for the credit card machines in the cafe & dining car.

Plus, the concern isn't interference with wifi networks, but interference with the other cell phone communications going on in the frequency range of the booster. If a signal booster is malfunctioning or poorly designed, it has the potential to disrupt other cell phone communications for miles around.

 

[montana mike]

I take the LD trains frequently throughout the year and for the most part am able to successfully tether my iPhone to my Macbook perhaps 80% of the time-even when trekking thru eastern Montana, which is notorious for poor cell service. No service when the EB goes thru Glacier National park or tunnels of course, but other than those "holes" in the system I have generally had decent success in communicating with my office and others-especially in the East and South. At least I am not told to turn my device off during my travels!!

 

[dlagrua]

You can't boost a signal that isn't there, and in vast swaths of the US there just isn't any signal to boost.
These things might help performance around the edges, but won't do anything to help in many areas and create harmful interference in others.

Yes there is truth to your statements but it the Eastern half of the USA on the Crescent, Cardinal, Autotrain, Silvers, Lake Shore, and Capitol Ltd., I'd venture to say that a cell phone signal booster would improve reception. As for the vast areas of the mid-west and western US I can see that you might get any cell signals.

A cell phone booster is just a repeater amplifier with an antenna and it boosts the incoming signal and outgoing signal. If you use it for data (internet connection) only, it might not interfere with other cell phone voice connections but I am not an expert with these gadgets . Also AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile carriers all operate at different frequencies so more research is needed before we can conclude what if any ill effects could be caused by their use.

 

[Ryan]

Actually, for 3G data all 4 major carriers (Sprint, plus your list) use the 1900MHz band. In addition, Verizon and AT&T use the 850MHz band.

For 4G, AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon (planned) all use the 1700/2100MHz band. AT&T and Verizon also share the 700 MHZ band.

Of those bands listed above, all of them except for the 700MHz band are also used for voice.

More research has already beed done, by the people who are trained and authorized to do it. Their verdict? Turn 'em off.

 

[dlagrua]

Actually, for 3G data all 4 major carriers (Sprint, plus your list) use the 1900MHz band. In addition, Verizon and AT&T use the 850MHz band.
For 4G, AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon (planned) all use the 1700/2100MHz band. AT&T and Verizon also share the 700 MHZ band.

Of those bands listed above, all of them except for the 700MHz band are also used for voice.

More research has already been done, by the people who are trained and authorized to do it. Their verdict? Turn 'em off.

Not to belabor the point but from what I read the FCC is developing a set of compliance standards for cell phone boosters. Since there are a variety of brands now on the market, it is certain that some of these cause RF interference. One company, Wilson Electronics states that they are concerned with the development of products where new non-interference compliance standards will be met. Perhaps this will lead to uniformity in development technology of cell amplifier products that do not infringe upon the cell phone connections of other users. Meanwhile here is some info on the product:


The only way that I will use an antenna amplifier is if it is in compliance with the new FCC standards to not cause cell phone interference. Ones rights always ends where another persons begins.

 

[rene50]

On a long distance Amtrak train you need a cell phone booster. The concern is that these antenna amplifiers will cause intereference with wireless networks. On LD routes there are no WIFI networks available so I am not interfering with anyones connection. If I was on the Acela then I would be courteous and not use it.Regardless, I will continue to use my cell phone booster whether big brother likes it or not.

Actually there is a WiFi net onboard the LD's, it's just not usable by the passengers. But Amtrak has one setup for the credit card machines in the cafe & dining car.

If the trains are already equipped with WiFi, is there a reason why Amtrak doesn't charge passengers for WiFi access as a way to generate more revenue?

 

[SarahZ]

On a long distance Amtrak train you need a cell phone booster. The concern is that these antenna amplifiers will cause intereference with wireless networks. On LD routes there are no WIFI networks available so I am not interfering with anyones connection. If I was on the Acela then I would be courteous and not use it.Regardless, I will continue to use my cell phone booster whether big brother likes it or not.

Actually there is a WiFi net onboard the LD's, it's just not usable by the passengers. But Amtrak has one setup for the credit card machines in the cafe & dining car.

If the trains are already equipped with WiFi, is there a reason why Amtrak doesn't charge passengers for WiFi access as a way to generate more revenue?

I would imagine they don't want to bog down the system. Since service is spotty in many areas, it would create an issue when they're trying to process payments while 250 passengers are trying to stream video and look at cat pictures.

Even if they added more routers, that still doesn't change the fact many areas don't have good/any service.

 

[rene50]

On a long distance Amtrak train you need a cell phone booster. The concern is that these antenna amplifiers will cause intereference with wireless networks. On LD routes there are no WIFI networks available so I am not interfering with anyones connection. If I was on the Acela then I would be courteous and not use it.Regardless, I will continue to use my cell phone booster whether big brother likes it or not.

Actually there is a WiFi net onboard the LD's, it's just not usable by the passengers. But Amtrak has one setup for the credit card machines in the cafe & dining car.

If the trains are already equipped with WiFi, is there a reason why Amtrak doesn't charge passengers for WiFi access as a way to generate more revenue?

I would imagine they don't want to bog down the system. Since service is spotty in many areas, it would create an issue when they're trying to process payments while 250 passengers are trying to stream video and look at cat pictures.

Even if they added more routers, that still doesn't change the fact many areas don't have good/any service.

That makes sense.

 

[ne52]

If the trains are already equipped with WiFi, is there a reason why Amtrak doesn't charge passengers for WiFi access as a way to generate more revenue?

If there's an additional charge, there's an expectation that it will reliably work. On board staff don't have the ability to troubleshoot wifi problems or issue refunds when it doesn't work. If it's free, customers have less room to complain.

The could probably bring in a third party vendor like Gogo or Boingo but they're marketing it as an 'added value' in some areas, so they'd probably lose that.

 

[leemell]

On a long distance Amtrak train you need a cell phone booster. The concern is that these antenna amplifiers will cause intereference with wireless networks. On LD routes there are no WIFI networks available so I am not interfering with anyones connection. If I was on the Acela then I would be courteous and not use it.Regardless, I will continue to use my cell phone booster whether big brother likes it or not.

Actually there is a WiFi net onboard the LD's, it's just not usable by the passengers. But Amtrak has one setup for the credit card machines in the cafe & dining car.

If the trains are already equipped with WiFi, is there a reason why Amtrak doesn't charge passengers for WiFi access as a way to generate more revenue?

I would imagine they don't want to bog down the system. Since service is spotty in many areas, it would create an issue when they're trying to process payments while 250 passengers are trying to stream video and look at cat pictures.

Even if they added more routers, that still doesn't change the fact many areas don't have good/any service.

On several occasions I've had the cafe attendant do the sale by hand because they had no connection.

 

[AlanB]

On a long distance Amtrak train you need a cell phone booster. The concern is that these antenna amplifiers will cause intereference with wireless networks. On LD routes there are no WIFI networks available so I am not interfering with anyones connection. If I was on the Acela then I would be courteous and not use it.

Regardless, I will continue to use my cell phone booster whether big brother likes it or not.

Actually there is a WiFi net onboard the LD's, it's just not usable by the passengers. But Amtrak has one setup for the credit card machines in the cafe & dining car.

If the trains are already equipped with WiFi, is there a reason why Amtrak doesn't charge passengers for WiFi access as a way to generate more revenue?

It's not a true internet system, it's a minimal connection designed to handle credit card authorizations only. The band width and the system won't support surfing the web.

 

[xyzzy]

A better approach is to grant WiFi access to business or first class passengers at no additional charge, as is frequently done in the UK. This creates incentive for upsell from coach. If people pay specifically for WiFi, they will expect it to be provided without fault -- and that's just not doable.

 

[rrdude]

Great idea, reminds me of an external antenna I used YEARS ago when WiFi was just starting to be used. Back then I had a stand in my car for my laptop, (used almost exclusively as a GPS. Nice Big Screen) but would frequently "hop on" to any unsecured WiFi to check mail, surf, etc.

"The FCC is cracking down on cell phone boosters".......To the FCC, all I can say is "GOOD LUCK ENFORCING THIS ON A MOVING TRAIN!" Ha.

However, now when I travel, I almost look forward to the time that I AM out of cell range, just an excuse to unplug for at least a few miles.

 

[Peter KG6LSE]

CDMA and GSM are not really helped by a amp ! . a RX Pre amp is a Great Idea If its not gonna up the noise Floor ..

I am not gonna get in the deep tech details but Really TDMA and AMPS are the only 2 that would directly gain from a 2 way amp /

CDMA is gets its sharing by a pseudo random code used for modulation . think of a cocktail party and you have a knack to filter out the noise and can understand your friend ......... Yet this only works If every one is at the same volume . you get some dude on a PA and NO one can hear .

Now a Good YAGI antenna is a good way ! It is more sensitive in one direction so less power is burned up to get a certain DBm SIg in a direction and by its 2 way nature it is Deaf on its Sides and back .........think of a light reflector .. no point listening to your back if the person speaking is in front ................. however trains move and unless you are Johnny on the spot with aiming that antenna to the cell site ... its gonna make it worse..

I do this all the time with my Ham radio stuff ..

the best ant for a train is a collinear ...........

360 Coverage but puts the power Out to the horizon.... with little power going Up in the sky......... ALL the cell ants used on the bases are like this ......

the normal 1/2 wave dipole has a pattern like this...

Remember Db is not linear but LOG ! so that top one is WAY better ! ..... but its gonna be longer then a normal internal cell ant and again It has to he vert to the world Else you are launching power in to space .. this is why they use a Very Omni ant in a phone ( a patch normally ) cause they cant force a consumer to keep the phone upright at all times ..

2 suction cups and some zipties to mount the ant to the window and Volla you can has sig..

Be aware Coax is Very lossy at the Freqs used for WiFI and Phones ! so Please no 10 foot runs ... any gain you had was totally lost in the coax.......

http://backtrack-linux.org/forums/showthread.php?t=10368

http://www.trevormarshall.com/byte_articles/byte1.htm

Peter ...

 

[TimePeace]

I do this all the time with my Ham radio stuff ..

Peter your words and diagrams evoke memories of my former days as a ham...

My best antenna ever was a pair of phased quarter-wave verticals on the 40m meter band... home-made from two damaged aluminum sailboat masts... I was talking to guys in the South Pacific the rest of the stateside guys couldn't even hear (that nice low angle radiation as shown in your first illustration...)

When I want connectivity I'll just stick to my 4G hotspot when I am on the train - and when there is no signal, I will look out the window or read my book. Or talk to other riders of all stripes!

 

[Peter KG6LSE]

Maine Rider ,, I have on occasion Worked a few people While " Amtrak Mobile " On 2 Meters . Its a Hoot !

80% of the time I have a HT on my Belt .

While I own a 3G USB stick and I have 4G on my Phone... Really I Don't want to be bothered ..... The Train is ME time ..

Peter...

 

[TimePeace]

[SIZE=14.399999618530273px] [/SIZE]... Really I Don't want to be bothered ..... The Train is ME time ..

Peter...

I hear that Peter... train time for me is looking out at scenery you never see anywhere else, and meeting people you never run into anywhere else. And I love it!