If you look at the Sierra connection monitor software (the thing that looks like a fake LCD control panel), how many bars of signal strength does it show?

Does it indicate that you have a 1X connection? It will say '1X' on the panel.

If you only have a couple of bars signal strength, then you could benefit from an external aerial.

The telecom shops here used to sell a small plastic omnidirectional aerial you could clip on to a laptop, looked like a plastic spatula about 150mm long.

Other than that, I guy I know who uses a USB T3G modem has a directional Yagi aerial that he reckons gives him 2Mb about 10km from the Hunua tower.

If you are in NZ,check out cellutronics anyway, I know they can give you advice on the Sierra cards

http://www.cellutronics.co.nz/AY9-12Yagiantennas.html

The question antenna has received a transmission:

Morning I have a 597e Air card, which I use as my only means of connection as I am not on a landline, here. I see it has a socket for a extension aerial, Orb has no knowledge of any device can you advise me please? Looking at the data on thedropdown its running at 115.2 Kbps Just wondering if I can get better reception somehow? Thanks a lot..

This question has so many components to it, I barely no where to start, but let’s take a crack at it.

A Question Regarding Reception and Data Speeds