Increasing reception in outlaying areas...
ADFAMCORP
Newbie

I have to add port numbers to my browser settings so my 4G LTE network Extender with external aerial will program itself.

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John_Getzke
Champion - Level 1

There are a ton of posts to sift through so forgive me if I have overlooked something.

From what I can tell this user does not have access to a landline internet connection (coax,dsl,fiber).  He uses satellite for his TV at the moment and there may be a local Muni WiFi service provider in his area willing to broadcast a WiFi broadband signal to him, but that is unconfirmed.

That means all Verizon Network Extenders are out of the equation.  NEs are only going to help if there is a reliable broadband connection behind them providing a consistent connection.  Satellite and Muni WiFi isn't going to cut it in my experience.

That leaves him with the a 4G router that talks directly to his local tower(s?).  The best thing he can do is boost his reception with a booser/amplifier kit.  I cant tell if he already purchased one or not but it sounds like he has and also worked with a local tech at some point or another (for the GPS concern?).

Roof mounting the GPS antenna should not be necessary.  Satellites would be just as visible a window facing the equator with a clean line of sight as they would on the roof, although roofs will certainly perform better.  Having to mount a GPS antenna on the roof suggests the area is covered heavily by trees or other objects that are otherwise not present on the roof.  Users need a minimum of 4-5 good GPS satellites to get a lock.  There is not much of an advantage of viewing more than the minimum with these devices as they are stationary.  Once locked the GPS coordinates are not very important anymore.  GPS performance is not related to the throughput of the device itself.

So... If this were me I would spend my time playing with the booster kit to get the best VZW service that I could in this environment.  Sounds like he already has a roof mounted antenna to play with so I'd consider adding that to the solution to improve the results.  If the native signals in the area are too poor to begin with then the booster isn't going to make much of a difference and alternative service providers or setups should be considered.  Generally speaking placing the antenna higher in the air in addition to a higher powered antenna/booster kit will improve the results.

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stef7
Master - Level 2

Yes, I think this person has some particular settings in the router that are preventing it from going online, and I suspect it's the firewall, or maybe even MAC filtering. Who knows what was and wasn't set up on the router.

In order to really help this person, someone is going to have to log into his computer, or he'll have to share his computer screen and talk him through the various screens and settings.

We are probably just "enabling him" to think he can *easily* do this himself. I think he really needs to speak to Samsung Tech Support (not a ding against VZW Support), it's just that a range of expertise is required if his router is doing anything but supporting a wifi connection to his modem.

Alternatively, maybe he's got a neighbor that is in IT and knows networking, or there's a neighborhood adolescent who's set up his or her high-end game system and knows enough to be "dangerous" that could lend a hand.

It's really sad. The device should be almost plug and play, but the smallest of modifications to one's router takes one right off script. One would think that if one has to pony up the $$$ to get an extender because their signal is marginal, it comes with in-house installation, specially for people dealing with health issues in the home that rely on the service. Smiley Happy

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ADFAMCORP
Newbie

Hi,

My router is a Verizon LTE internet and home phone... SKU NOVT1114V...

John

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Ann154
Community Leader
Community Leader

Wait a minute. Are you attempting to add a cellular network extender to a router that is also connected to the Verizon Wireless LTE network? If so, why?

The network extender is intended to provide you with a micro cell tower within your house and it requires a connection to a landline based Internet service.

I'm most definitely NOT a VZW employee. If a post answered your question, please mark it as the answer.

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stef7
Master - Level 2

Wow talk about off script? He's attempting to extend service and is using a router that provides WiFi via the very Verizon service he's trying to extend? My brain hurts!

Good thing you flagged that.

This poor person. Who recommended this setup?

Ann154
Community Leader
Community Leader

It certainly provides a possible explanation for why it wasn't working properly.

I'm most definitely NOT a VZW employee. If a post answered your question, please mark it as the answer.

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jav6
Champion - Level 3

Actually, not necessarily.  The network extender needs an internet connection provided by a router.  There  should be no reason (I can see) this couldn't be provided by the Verizon LTE Router.  John apparently has an external antenna boosting the 4G signal to his router.  The normal 4G signal (not available from the LTE router) may not be strong enough for his local phones which is what the 4G Network Extender would provide.  It still looks like a config issue in the LTE Router SETTINGS that might be blocking access from the network extender device or there needs to be PORT FILTERING adjusted or a CUSTOM APPLICATION defined allowing the required ports for the network extender. Here is a link to the LTE Router User Guide: https://ss7.vzw.com/is/content/VerizonWireless/Devices/Verizon/Userguides/verizon-LTE-internet-home-...

UNLESS: There would be a conflict/confusion with the LTE Router's 4G signal acquisition IF the 4G Network Extender ever got to a point where it was providing a 4G local signal....geez.....

...Just another VZW customer...trying to offer some assistance...
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Ann154
Community Leader
Community Leader

It is creating a circular loop. The LTE router connects the nearest cellular tower to connect with the Verizon Wireless network. The network extender creates a micro cell tower within the building and transmits the calls, text and data over a broadband internet connection. The extender is intended to be used when the external cell tower signal is too weak inside the building. If you connect an extender to a LTE router, the extender is now the closest tower and the LTE router will connect to it instead of the weak external tower. Circular.

4G LTE Network Extender FAQs | Verizon Wireless

I'm most definitely NOT a VZW employee. If a post answered your question, please mark it as the answer.

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stef7
Master - Level 2

Yeah, what Ann wrote. Smiley Happy

Ann, you think this person's solution might have been an amplifier?

weBoost 470103 Connect 4G Signal Booster Kit

or

weBoost 471104 Connect 4G-X Extreme Signal Booster Kit

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jav6
Champion - Level 3

John said 'I ended up with an external aerial 30 ft in the air on a tower' indicating he has an external antenna for his LTE Router.  Wouldn't this be OUTSIDE the range of the 4G Network Extender? Are we sure the 4G Network Extender is even at the point of sending the local 4G signal if it hasn't even established the IPsec connection to the Verizon Security Gateways?

...Just another VZW customer...trying to offer some assistance...
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stef7
Master - Level 2

I'm not sure, it's like a bad version of Abbot and Costello's "Whose on First?" sort of thing.

jav6
Champion - Level 3

Right,  I was 'chat'ing with a rep and they said they have multiple people looking at this thread. Hopefully they have someone familiar with the LTE Router and 4G Network Extender.

...Just another VZW customer...trying to offer some assistance...
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stef7
Master - Level 2

Hey that's great to know. Thanks!

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ADFAMCORP
Newbie

Boy have things gone ballistic. All I'm getting is confused. Maybe an

explanation of the progression that led to where I am at, would help. I've

been going on the assumption that the advice from Verizon personnel was

mostly correct. I tried to confirm their advice with Q & A from the

Verizon website. When it didn't all agree I discounted it. I started this

adventure knowing zero about cell service and I made that perfectly clear

to all Verizon employees...

I started in Sales. My wish list was for all cell service and doing away

with my landline. I would get free email service and free internet service

plus unlimited phone calls. I also wanted to keep my current phone number...

I was set up with my old landline number as a cell phone using a new router

and all my existing equipment. This was on the ultimate unlimited service

plan and I received a new smartphone...

I proceeded to set up my new email and started using the Verizon internet

service. It was apparent that I had a poor signal and speeds from the

start. One to three bars, slow downs and signal loss. I read everything

I could and set my smartphone on Wi-Fi and all the other settings in the

Verizon information for my phone to interact with my equipment...

In further reading I found boosters and extenders to enhance signal

strength. Called Verizon tech support and discussed the problems with

them. Because of my distance from the nearest tower they suggested an

extender over the booster. The 4G LTE network Extender was suggested, so I

purchased one.

While waiting for it to arrive, I read everything I could about

installation, including videos, on the Verizon site and used Goggle a lot.

When it arrived I installed it exactly as I had learned. For days I tried

different locations and placement of the unit and the GPS aerial after

finding the location of the only tower in my area. This included mounting

the GPS unit on an old TV tower on the end of my home. 2 to 3 strong

satilalite signals out of 11' but still would not program the Extender.

Went to channel 8a then reset to channel 6' then back and forth for hours.

Same as most anywhere I tried it...

My further research led me to Gilsson Technologies who was listed as the

actual manufacturer of my extender. I called and talked to a gentleman who

was tech service. He suggested a external aerial made to go with my

extender. Best one for that unit. I ordered one with high quality cable

made for these units...

I mounted the aerial on my old TV tower, about 25 feet off the ground. I

now have 10 strong satilite signals but still won't program. 6 to 8a, same

as before. I leave the Extender unplugged

That's where I stopped and I am trying to find out what is or has gone

wrong. Some of what I'm hearing from some of you is disturbing. How do I

tell who's right and who is not?

I even read this morning that the router they set me up with may not be

right. Wish I had never started this...

What should I do? I want 5 bars and I'll be a happy camper...

Maybe I should try to plug my aerial into my booster and see what happens?

John

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stef7
Master - Level 2

The good thing is this - it's going to get better (at some point). Smiley Happy

Let us unwind just a tad further... Please answer these two questions:

1). Do you watch TV? If so, how does the TV signal get to your home? Do you have COMCAST or DISH, or something else?

2). Do you desire WiFi for other computers, tablets or phones in your house, i,e, un-tethered to a cord?

If you have TV service, then maybe you convert that also into Internet service with a cable or dsl Modem, and connect that to a WiFi router (but not the VZW Router) and use your phone on WiFi to make calls or connect to the internet, and of course other computers and tablets would have internet access.

Then outside the house when travelling, you use cell-tower access for phone and internet.

Am I making sense?

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ADFAMCORP
Newbie

Hi,

I use Direct TV, but will change to Dish at the end of the month...

WI-Fi has 2 phones and 4 computers. 2 laptop pc's and 2 IPads...

l Can't afford internet tv. Verizon ultimate unlimited is not

unlimited... Been there, done that. Ouch!!!

John

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ADFAMCORP
Newbie

This is where I live. Paste it in your address bar...

https://goo.gl/maps/haHsHdx3t2o

John

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jav6
Champion - Level 3

So you're using WIFI calling on your phones thru your Verizon LTE Router. Is it that your internet connection thru your LTE Router is slow or unstable?  If so, the 4G signal to your LTE Router may not be strong enough and the 4G Network Extender is not intended for that and would not help.  If anything, a 4G signal booster as discussed earlier would probably be the only thing. If you changed your internet service FROM the Verizon LTE Router to another method/provider you might be able to use the 4G Network Extender to provide a local 4G signal in your home for wireless/non-WIFI calling.

...Just another VZW customer...trying to offer some assistance...
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jav6
Champion - Level 3

John, if you determine that the 4G Network Extender is no longer of value to you and cannot return it for a refund, I'd be interested in taking it off your hands.  You can send me a private message when you decide.

...Just another VZW customer...trying to offer some assistance...
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ADFAMCORP
Newbie

Hi,

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind...

John

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Ann154
Community Leader
Community Leader

You need to send and approve follow requests in the community in order to send a private message between the two of you.

I'm most definitely NOT a VZW employee. If a post answered your question, please mark it as the answer.

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ADFAMCORP
Newbie

I don't think I understand...

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