I purchased a second 2GIG Go! control panel for a vacation home we purchased, and opted for the Verizon LTE module. Testing that module at our current home it ran about a 14 signal strength, compared to our first system which is running about 21 with a 3G card. However Verizon was listed as the carrier with the best signal at our new location.
Unfortunately at our vacation home the best signal I get with that card outside in free air is around 14. Inside the house it’s an unsatisfactory 8 to 11. I’m not sure if that’s because it’s LTE, or because it’s Verizon and tower placement.
We have two AT&T 3G cell phones that have a minimum of three bars throughout the vacation home and seem to run fine. Can I purchase an AT&T 3G module for the 2GIG panel to see if it improves reception, and if it does return the Verizon LTE card for credit?
I’m an ex-radio engineer and I ran all kinds of signal strength tests throughout the house, and I’m afraid I just don’t have a satisfactory signal level.
Unfortunately at our vacation home the best signal I get with that card outside in free air is around 14. Inside the house it’s an unsatisfactory 8 to 11. I’m not sure if that’s because it’s LTE, or because it’s Verizon and tower placement.
There are a number of attenuating variables for each location, so the check tool can of course only provide a good estimate. I will say first that signal strength of 11 is an acceptable average level which should not see trouble due to strength. If it is on average in the single digits you probably want to boost the strength a bit though, yes.
Ensure that both antennae included with the LTE module are firmly connected to the module board. The 4G LTE module cannot function properly with only 1.
We have two AT&T 3G cell phones that have a minimum of three bars throughout the vacation home and seem to run fine. Can I purchase an AT&T 3G module for the 2GIG panel to see if it improves reception, and if it does return the Verizon LTE card for credit?
Keep in mind that phone coverage does not always correlate with m2m coverage, and can skew higher or lower, but it is never a bad idea to give it a shot. You can find our return policy here. If you have any questions about an order or whether it is eligible for a return, be sure to email customerservice@suretyDIY.com and our team can look into and provide detail.
Thanks Jason. Both antennas were securely connected, and if I mounted the panel in the interior of the house I would be in the single digit range. 11 to 14 was only achieved outside in free air, or at a glass window.
If I order and install an AT&T 3G module does my account at Alarm.com have to be reconfigured to match the new module?
Yes, the module number would need to be swapped on the account so the new module could signal. The new number can be submitted through our secure message tool here when you are ready to swap.
Our team will confirm in email reply when the swap is complete, with instruction to connect the new module to the cell network.
In your opinion is there any possibility that Verizon 3G might provide signal strength than Verizon LTE? I’m wondering if I should try Verizon 3G before or after AT&T HSPA. The carrier coverage maps are not really specific enough to give me a clue. They both appear to say I’m blanketed.
I realize you can’t speak for my location; my question is just in general, and for your opinion based on any related experience you might have.
I realize you can’t speak for my location; my question is just in general, and for your opinion based on any related experience you might have.
No problem, yes the CDMA and LTE coverage is not always one for one, and CDMA numbers are sometimes higher than LTE in the same location. We see that at our location, for example.
Last week I purchased the Verizon CDMA module, which is the same one I use at my primary location.
The LTE module in the second GC2 panel had a similar (unsatisfactory) signal here at my primary location as it exhibited at my second home. After I installed the CDMA module the signal improved and was comparable to my first GC2 while running here.
Tuesday I took the second GC2 panel back to the second home and voila! 31 out of 31 in free air. Inside the house, in multiple locations, the worst signal I had was 24/31. It varied between 24 and 29 depending on exact location and positioning. This was a minimum 10-12 point improvement over the LTE module. Where I ended up installing it on an exterior wall yielded 27-29/31. A vast improvement.
I realize this is just anecdotal and only two instances. But CDMA really outperformed LTE in both my locations in northern NJ and eastern PA. I have no technical explanation. Take it for what it’s worth.
That’s good news. CDMA does still have a bit more coverage in some areas than LTE. If both are over 11 or 12 I would say go LTE because once you have that value (roughly 3 bars of service) anything higher offers quickly diminishing returns in this context.
If lower than 11 on average it’s a good idea to switch.