Network Vision/LTE - Jacksonville Market (including Gainesville/St. Augustine/Ocala)

[Terrell352]

Well I just added my friend onto my everything data 1500 a few days ago, and he picked up a G3. Seeing some fantastic coverage around here. Actually picked up 73DL/55UL over by Silver Springs Park a couple days ago. Which means to me that slOcala must be getting some B41 roll out. As for the B26 going down 441 we were actually testing it yesterday afternoon and yes, its defintiely heavy out there. Definitely looking forward to going Spark when I pick up my M8 in a couple weeks.

 

Also seeing some 1x800 on my SIII out on 42 in the Weirsdale area where just a month ago I was Verizon roaming. Unfortunately there's still a lot of dead air out there starting right before the Ocklawaha river and continuing almost all the way to 452. Lot of call dropping and Verizon roaming for both our phones out there. But then again I don't know of any carrier with solid service in that area, it is the sticks after all

I have been by Silver Springs. Thats the water tower by dennys right across the street from Silver Springs. I has band 25 and 26 but 41 is not present there. I have never seen band 41 out there. Plus 55UL on Sprint is not possible so I don't know what you seen but it can be band 41.

[Faction]

The tower on Kernan/Beach behind Publix has NV Panels now. It wasn't there two weeks ago for sure. 

[tybo31316]

The tower on Kernan/Beach behind Publix has NV Panels now. It wasn't there two weeks ago for sure.

I believe that Ericsson is going back around to the sites that had issues. Whether it be installing a new rack to support the larger panels, flag pole sites, and sites on high voltage lines. Majority of NE Florida is done.

 

Sent from my Nexus 5

[Terrell352]

Well I just added my friend onto my everything data 1500 a few days ago, and he picked up a G3. Seeing some fantastic coverage around here. Actually picked up 73DL/55UL over by Silver Springs Park a couple days ago. Which means to me that slOcala must be getting some B41 roll out. As for the B26 going down 441 we were actually testing it yesterday afternoon and yes, its defintiely heavy out there. Definitely looking forward to going Spark when I pick up my M8 in a couple weeks.

 

Also seeing some 1x800 on my SIII out on 42 in the Weirsdale area where just a month ago I was Verizon roaming. Unfortunately there's still a lot of dead air out there starting right before the Ocklawaha river and continuing almost all the way to 452. Lot of call dropping and Verizon roaming for both our phones out there. But then again I don't know of any carrier with solid service in that area, it is the sticks after all

To support why I don't believe that you seen band 41. I'm at the tower right now and see no band 41 equipment nor have I been able to pick up band 41. Also this tower is almost never under burden so band 41 is not necessary. Pics below. band 25 signal and speed test. band 26 signal and speedtest

[tybo31316]

I rode past the band 41 site on Blanding behind the Walgreen's. I connected to the site for a split second then was kicked back to b25. Sprint must be blocking connections at the point.

 

Sent from my Nexus 5

[sarjxxx]

I have been by Silver Springs. Thats the water tower by dennys right across the street from Silver Springs. I has band 25 and 26 but 41 is not present there. I have never seen band 41 out there. Plus 55UL on Sprint is not possible so I don't know what you seen but it can be band 41.

 

Not sure. It's actually odd that you say that because he went back to check for it again, that was the day before your post, he could not only not duplicate the speeds, but also was not picking up LTE at all in that area. He was stuck on 3G only. Airplane Mode resets and power cycles could not get LTE up. But he's sticking to seeing 76/55 up there the first time.

 

IIRC however, I do seem to remember that area being one of the first to recieve any kind of WiMax coverage, so it wouldn't surprise me if they are doing some sort of testing around there for the B41 in Ocala...

 

In other words, my guess is that they were doing some testing, cut it off, had 3G coverage for while, then turned 25&26 back on. Becuase we all know how much they love to do that stuff to us lol.

 

On another note, has anyone noticed a total lack of LTE in ocala over last night / this morning? He said he could not get LTE on his G3 until he got down to Belleview this morning...

[Terrell352]

Not sure. It's actually odd that you say that because he went back to check for it again, that was the day before your post, he could not only not duplicate the speeds, but also was not picking up LTE at all in that area. He was stuck on 3G only. Airplane Mode resets and power cycles could not get LTE up. But he's sticking to seeing 76/55 up there the first time.

 

IIRC however, I do seem to remember that area being one of the first to recieve any kind of WiMax coverage, so it wouldn't surprise me if they are doing some sort of testing around there for the B41 in Ocala...

 

In other words, my guess is that they were doing some testing, cut it off, had 3G coverage for while, then turned 25&26 back on. Becuase we all know how much they love to do that stuff to us lol.

 

On another note, has anyone noticed a total lack of LTE in ocala over last night / this morning? He said he could not get LTE on his G3 until he got down to Belleview this morning...

Nope I had LTE all yesterday. What area of Ocala was having problems

[Terrell352]

Not sure. It's actually odd that you say that because he went back to check for it again, that was the day before your post, he could not only not duplicate the speeds, but also was not picking up LTE at all in that area. He was stuck on 3G only. Airplane Mode resets and power cycles could not get LTE up. But he's sticking to seeing 76/55 up there the first time.

 

IIRC however, I do seem to remember that area being one of the first to recieve any kind of WiMax coverage, so it wouldn't surprise me if they are doing some sort of testing around there for the B41 in Ocala...

 

In other words, my guess is that they were doing some testing, cut it off, had 3G coverage for while, then turned 25&26 back on. Becuase we all know how much they love to do that stuff to us lol.

 

On another note, has anyone noticed a total lack of LTE in ocala over last night / this morning? He said he could not get LTE on his G3 until he got down to Belleview this morning...

The only tower in Ocala that ever got wimax was the one behind dunkin donuts cross the street from the DMV. Not even the college site which is the busiest one in all of Ocala got it.

[tybo31316]

Went back by that site. It has full NV gear up and running now.

 

Sent from my Nexus 5

It's has band 41 equipment being installed today also.

 

Sent from my Nexus 5

[sarjxxx]

The only tower in Ocala that ever got wimax was the one behind dunkin donuts cross the street from the DMV. Not even the college site which is the busiest one in all of Ocala got it.

 

Hmm yeah that sounds right. I was thinking Veteran's park area but I couldn't remember just how much of 40 got it. I do remember being drastically disappointed with WiMax coverage. I was pleasantly surprised to see how fast NV got the LTE running in Ocala after I moved into the SIII however.

[Terrell352]

Hmm yeah that sounds right. I was thinking Veteran's park area but I couldn't remember just how much of 40 got it. I do remember being drastically disappointed with WiMax coverage. I was pleasantly surprised to see how fast NV got the LTE running in Ocala after I moved into the SIII however.

Yep. Still two major sites legacy. One by Golden Corral on college road. Go by that area and band 26 is there but barely also the same site that gives that best buy plaza coverage so inside best buy is 3G only even with band 26. And then the square is another major one. Christmas parade is going to be a bad network experience if that site does not come online by then. Once again go into a building in that area and even band 26 will go back to 3G and I'm talking legacy 3G aka useless. Other than those to areas Sprint is looking good around here.

[jdray]

I rode past the band 41 site on Blanding behind the Walgreen's. I connected to the site for a split second then was kicked back to b25. Sprint must be blocking connections at the point.

 

Sent from my Nexus 5

I haven't been able to keep a LTE signal at times from that tower. They are doing some kind of upgrades/updates.

[N4NXS]

It's has band 41 equipment being installed today also.

 

Sent from my Nexus 5

 

Is that site active?  I see the old cables are cut and no new fiber/cables to the tower?!?

 

Old photo a month ago

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/106286908/IMG_9343.JPG

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/106286908/IMG_9333.JPG

 

two days ago. 

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/106286908/IMG_0049.JPG

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/106286908/IMG_0046.JPG

 

they added a whole new section and didn't take down the old antennas (except for some tiny antennas with reflectors).  I'm still confused on what antennas were sprint/nextel prior.

 

I'm going to swing back by today as it's a clear day and get better photos.

 

 

edit: OK.  after looking at the photo further I see what looks like fiber splices/enclosures and cables going down the pole, though I don't see where they comes out to the shack.

 

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/106286908/IMG_0045%20-%20Copy.JPG

Edited September 21, 2014 by N4NXS

[tybo31316]

Is that site active? I see the old cables are cut and no new fiber/cables to the tower?!?

 

Old photo a month ago

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/106286908/IMG_9343.JPG

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/106286908/IMG_9333.JPG

 

two days ago.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/106286908/IMG_0049.JPG

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/106286908/IMG_0046.JPG

 

they added a whole new section and didn't take down the old antennas (except for some tiny antennas with reflectors). I'm still confused on what antennas were sprint/nextel prior.

 

I'm going to swing back by today as it's a clear day and get better photos.

The site is active band 25 only. Was a GMO site until last week. The middle rack is sprint. I believe the top rack is old nextel gear. The old legacy sprint gear is gone and its replaced with 3 NV panels and 3 band 41 panels.

 

Sent from my Nexus 5

[N4NXS]

The site is active band 25 only. Was a GMO site until last week. The middle rack is sprint. I believe the top rack is old nextel gear. The old legacy sprint gear is gone and its replaced with 3 NV panels and 3 band 41 panels.

 

Sent from my Nexus 5

 

I see now.  It's kind of hard to tell what antennas are at what level with the long photo shots.   The entire middle section is now gone as you indicated.  They had a different antenna style facing south.

 

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/106286908/IMG_9333%20-%20Copy.JPG

 

There are 6 large coaxial cables going to the antennas,  only 4 in the shed photo.  Must have been an additional path way I didn't see when I took the photo.   I'm guessing the new fiber goes to a different equipment cabinet or via that other pathway.   I'll head over there in a few and grab some better photos.  

 

I can't wait to see what B26 and B41 can do from this location.  I still pick up B26 from sleepy hollow at my house in Tanglewood.   I need to see if I can grab some signal strength readings using my RTL-SDR or HackRF.  My phone may still just like the B26 from Sleepy Hollow better.   Wish I was closer to the center of the beamwidth.  I'm on the edge.  I may try and survey this direction when I run out as well to see what sector I'm on.

 

 

 

Thanks.  

[N4NXS]

So I went back to Blanding and Parkridge and captured these photos and frequency scans.

 

Shed is no longer in use

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/106286908/IMG_0057.JPG

 

Everything goes to these BTS cabinets

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/106286908/IMG_0060.JPG

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/106286908/IMG_0067.JPG

 

Better photos of antennas and RRUs

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/106286908/IMG_0059.JPG

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/106286908/IMG_0065.JPG

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/106286908/IMG_0077.JPG

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/106286908/IMG_0078.JPG

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/106286908/IMG_0081.JPG

 

Side view/long shot

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/106286908/IMG_4945.JPG

 

CDMA1x-800 looks to be active, But nothing showing for Band 26

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/106286908/870.JPG

 

Band 25 (1992.5MHz) PCS downlink is nice and active.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/106286908/1992.5.JPG

 

Nothing showing for Band 41 that I can tell.  I have some signals in the 2500MHz range, but think they are coming from the old WiMax tower or from a different site!?!?.    Does the new 8T8R units support both LTE and WiMax?  I didn't save the entire range as it wasn't that active.  This was the highest signal strength I found in that range.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/106286908/2530.JPG

 

I'm pretty new to RTL-SDR and HackRF.  Just purchased my HackRF a week ago.   Pretty cool device.   I'm using a 2.5/5GHz 2.9dbi antenna on it for those scans.

 

Edit:

I'm guessing this is the MetroPCS (now T-Mobile?) PCS band (downlink ch) in use at that site or nearby.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/106286908/1946.JPG

 

 

Regards,

Edited September 21, 2014 by N4NXS

[N4NXS]

How do I find out what PCS blocks Sprint is using in Jacksonville for CDMA?  It looks like Sprint could be on any of the blocks A thru F for CDMA.  They are using block G exclusively for LTE and they own that block nation wide which makes that easy to identify.

[tybo31316]

So I went back to Blanding and Parkridge and captured these photos and frequency scans.

 

Shed is no longer in use

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/106286908/IMG_0057.JPG

 

Everything goes to these BTS cabinets

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/106286908/IMG_0060.JPG

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/106286908/IMG_0067.JPG

 

Better photos of antennas and RRUs

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/106286908/IMG_0059.JPG

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/106286908/IMG_0065.JPG

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/106286908/IMG_0077.JPG

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/106286908/IMG_0078.JPG

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/106286908/IMG_0081.JPG

 

Side view/long shot

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/106286908/IMG_4945.JPG

 

CDMA1x-800 looks to be active, But nothing showing for Band 26

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/106286908/870.JPG

 

Band 25 (1992.5MHz) PCS downlink is nice and active.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/106286908/1992.5.JPG

 

Nothing showing for Band 41 that I can tell. I have some signals in the 2500MHz range, but think they are coming from the old WiMax tower or from a different site!?!?. Does the new 8T8R units support both LTE and WiMax? I didn't save the entire range as it wasn't that active. This was the highest signal strength I found in that range.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/106286908/2530.JPG

 

I'm pretty new to RTL-SDR and HackRF. Just purchased my HackRF a week ago. Pretty cool device. I'm using a 2.5/5GHz 2.9dbi antenna on it for those scans.

 

Edit:

I'm guessing this is the MetroPCS (now T-Mobile?) PCS band (downlink ch) in use at that site or nearby.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/106286908/1946.JPG

 

 

Regards,

8t8r's doesn't support Wimax at all. The clearwire setups does but the wimax portion will be decommissioned next year. Those sites will more than likely be converted to 8t8r's also.

 

Sent from my Nexus 5

[lilotimz]

8t8r's doesn't support Wimax at all. The clearwire setups does but the wimax portion will be decommissioned next year. Those sites will more than likely be converted to 8t8r's also.

 

Sent from my Nexus 5

The wimax sites will be completely torn out next year and replaced with Ericsson / Nokia equipment.

 

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[tybo31316]

The wimax sites will be completely torn out next year and replaced with Ericsson / Nokia equipment.

 

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

That will happen to the clear sites that are not colocated with sprint?

 

Sent from my Nexus 5

[lilotimz]

That will happen to the clear sites that are not colocated with sprint?

 

Sent from my Nexus 5

All of them.

 

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

[tybo31316]

Does anyone know who's equipment is on the flag pole on Brannan Field road? Across from the hospital and Walmart. There's been a crew there for the last two days installing new base station gear. I wonder if it's a sprint site.

 

Sent from my Nexus 5

[tybo31316]

Spotted another 8t8r install on a Sprint/Clear colocated site. On the corner of Normandy and Foraker.

 

Sent from my Nexus 5

[Terrell352]

Sprint site/Att and edge T-Mobile. Sprint network vision equipment and Att equipment has been there for over a year. But the middle rack has something that has been added a few days ago. At first I thought it was Sprint band 41 equipment not sure though.

[tybo31316]

Sprint site/Att and edge T-Mobile. Sprint network vision equipment and Att equipment has been there for over a year. But the middle rack has something that has been added a few days ago. At first I thought it was Sprint band 41 equipment not sure though.

AT$T has been adding or swapping out panels here in Jacksonville. I believe it's for their WCS spectrum. Or maybe they are adding 700MHz to that site. It's definitely not band 41 it would have been on the bottom rack with the Sprint gear.

 

Sent from my Nexus 5