buffalobill
Senior Member
Having just joined this forum and not being too technical I have some questions to ask, some observations and comments to make etc. And yeah, I've read the FAQ and gone back a long way on the message board:
1. I'm on base station 50 (Northcliff). Where is it physically situated? I would guess on top of Aasvoelkoppie, p'raps on the water tower, but it would be nice to know.
2. How would I know if I have an option of stations to connect to? I can't see that.
3. Cables and connectors. For those of us not in the know, can someone explain what an N connector is and where do you get these from? I stopped in at Mantech on Saturday looking for an MCX connector and they didn't know what I was talking about. Could take them a couple of weeks to get it in. It could be handy for the FAQ to detail the types of connectors you need, the cabling required etc to make your own cantenna (in plain language). I put together a cantenna on the weekend but not having the connectors, I can't test it.
4. Being in the area today, I dropped in at Broadband Zone in Village Walk and picked up one of their antennas. Cheaply made, it couldn't have cost enough to justify the cost (R285). It's marginally improved my signal strength - which is currently 25-27% to 31%. I haven't played around enough to say if it's any good, but last week my connection sucked to the tune of 10-12%. It was abysmal, so anything that stabilises it can only be good. We'll see.
5. Packet losses. Forgive me if I'm stupid, but I would think that the more you can cut down on packet losses, the more you optimise your performance? At least you should then get closer to what the technology you're paying for allows. Surely then, the better your signal, the less packet loss and the better performance? What's the minimum reasonable packet loss ratio and how does this work back to signal strength?
6. Sentech marketing and customer communication sucks. We know that and I won't bore you with details but even their marketing manager, Marcel Raath, didn't bother to reply to my e-mail or call me. Despite all this, MyWireless is saving me a packet of money as a self-employed individual. I like the monthly fixed cost, so it's the best of a bad world. Wait for real competition (which is when?) and then watch my dust.
Enough for now. I'm sure I'll remember more questions once I've sent this.
I have an inferiority complex. But it's only a little one.
1. I'm on base station 50 (Northcliff). Where is it physically situated? I would guess on top of Aasvoelkoppie, p'raps on the water tower, but it would be nice to know.
2. How would I know if I have an option of stations to connect to? I can't see that.
3. Cables and connectors. For those of us not in the know, can someone explain what an N connector is and where do you get these from? I stopped in at Mantech on Saturday looking for an MCX connector and they didn't know what I was talking about. Could take them a couple of weeks to get it in. It could be handy for the FAQ to detail the types of connectors you need, the cabling required etc to make your own cantenna (in plain language). I put together a cantenna on the weekend but not having the connectors, I can't test it.
4. Being in the area today, I dropped in at Broadband Zone in Village Walk and picked up one of their antennas. Cheaply made, it couldn't have cost enough to justify the cost (R285). It's marginally improved my signal strength - which is currently 25-27% to 31%. I haven't played around enough to say if it's any good, but last week my connection sucked to the tune of 10-12%. It was abysmal, so anything that stabilises it can only be good. We'll see.
5. Packet losses. Forgive me if I'm stupid, but I would think that the more you can cut down on packet losses, the more you optimise your performance? At least you should then get closer to what the technology you're paying for allows. Surely then, the better your signal, the less packet loss and the better performance? What's the minimum reasonable packet loss ratio and how does this work back to signal strength?
6. Sentech marketing and customer communication sucks. We know that and I won't bore you with details but even their marketing manager, Marcel Raath, didn't bother to reply to my e-mail or call me. Despite all this, MyWireless is saving me a packet of money as a self-employed individual. I like the monthly fixed cost, so it's the best of a bad world. Wait for real competition (which is when?) and then watch my dust.
Enough for now. I'm sure I'll remember more questions once I've sent this.
I have an inferiority complex. But it's only a little one.