Mobile Broadband - NEC - DC to Philly

[Apple25]

I just started using Amtrak to commute from DC to Philly. I need to work on the train based on the length of my commute. Obviously, the Amtrak wifi is not sufficient, so I am looking into mobile broadband and/or mifi alternatives. My office has a verizon pamtech VZcard that I've tried out, but it loses connection multiple times starting in Baltimore and all the way to Wilmington. Does anyone have a good way to stay connected--at least most of the time, on that stretch? Thanks!

 

[Ryan]

First step is to look at a coverage map and see if the places you're seeing drops are covered by VZW. If they're not, there's not much you can do but look at other providers. If they are, then maybe you just need some different hardware.

 

[Steve4031]

That stretch is the most rural part of the nec. You might be hard pressed with any provider to get a connectiOn.

 

[CHamilton]

You may want to check what type of connection your mobile broadband card uses. I have found that the 3G connections used by Verizon and Sprint are much less prone to dropouts than 4G. 4G WiMax, the older technology, is being phased out, and is useless on a train because it takes a long time to hand off between cell towers. 4G LTE is new, and is not yet widely available. So if your card can do both 3G and 4G, try setting it to "3G only" or "3G preferred" and see if that helps.

 

[the_traveler]

1344006337[/url]' post='384757']That stretch is the most rural part of the nec. You might be hard pressed with any provider to get a connectiOn.

That is the most rural?

Have you ever been on the NEC from NHV to PVD?

You see more trees and shoreline than you do houses!

To the OP, I have AT&T, and between BOS and WAS, I can get coverage thru out the trip. Sure, there are some spots where I have dropped calls, but they are few and far between. And if I call back, it goes right thru.

 

[benjibear]

It probably depends what you are trying to do. I would say all wireless technolgies will drop out on the train and will not prvide the speed and bandwith needed for heavy applications such as a remote desktop.

 

[Anthony]

I just started using Amtrak to commute from DC to Philly. I need to work on the train based on the length of my commute. Obviously, the Amtrak wifi is not sufficient, so I am looking into mobile broadband and/or mifi alternatives. My office has a verizon pamtech VZcard that I've tried out, but it loses connection multiple times starting in Baltimore and all the way to Wilmington. Does anyone have a good way to stay connected--at least most of the time, on that stretch? Thanks!

That stretch is particularly difficult with regard to VZW data -- if your aircard is a 4G one, the advice given to set it to 3G preferred is a good idea. 4G is fast but north of Baltimore it is patchy until you get to Wilmington. Some of those aircards don't deal with the 3G/4G handoff very well.

 

[Peter KG6LSE]

3G is not being phased out . Not for years .

'

There are a TON of embedded devices that use a 3G embedded chip for Very slow Rate serial data..

3G like many other slower data rates tends to be more nice to HIgh BER Bit errror rates.

. some of those USB sticks have a rather deaf antenna in them . not gonna get geeky but it deals with 1/4 wave and dipoles and RF magic ..

 

[CHamilton]

3G is not being phased out . Not for years .

Agreed. I said that 4G WiMax is being phased out.