About hamradio

I find it hard to believe that HN is not (apparently) effectively dealing with the CL issue. If they are , they are keeping it secret as far as users are concerned. The method used by phone tech support is to basically ignore my complaints about throughput performance if the speed test is OK. They even failed to call back as promised during my last two contacts. Measured speed is important, but obviously not the only consideration. Good luck! Woody - KZ4AK ... View more

Interesting...  It seemed that a little earlier there was less "waiting" for returns from sites, then I saw your post.  Watched several youtubes as a crude check.   The first few exhibited almost no buffering.  As time went on (now 7:45 PM Eastern) more and more buffering occurred.  Still not as bad as it often has been... Schizo  or mutiple personality disporder?   ;) _W_   ... View more

That is exactly what I expected would happen if I tried to communicate directly with CL.   I feel the frustration. I guess the solution, at this time, is to live with the problem and hope the providers (user and backbone) will get their act together. Will post any future developments in my quest. Woody - KZ4AK ... View more

Thanks for all the comments.   I really don't know what to expect but having exhausted all other avenues, gave the Commission a try -  Even if it may prove fruitless...  Since I do not have a direct association with CL nor direct proof that they are responsible for the problem, this was the last approach that came to mind.   Failure of HN engineering to cooperate and respond has not helped my attitude.  If it is CL, engineering should know, call me back, and say so.  I can only hope that if CL is the culprit, it will inspire HN to become more aggressive in applying  pressure on CL to fix their issues - and/or point the finger at CL to the Commission in their response.  I expect (hope) HN has a performance clause in their contract with CL.?.   If so, it needs to be enforced.   However, to expect the Commission to do much either way is rather optimistic. Certainly open to any suggestions as to how to otherwise address the CL problem! Thanks again, Woody ... View more

I agree, but my only point of contact is with HN.  They need to apply pressure to CL to get the problem fixed, I cannot.  Engineering did not call back today as promised.   Apparently they don't care, so I have contacted the "Fed Com Comm" to see if that will get their attention.  Don't know what else to do.  --Interesting the the abbrevation for that agency is not allowed on the forum - would not post if it was in content. Had to use "alais"--   Reply to me from Fed Com Comm : -- Hi Norvell, Thank you for your submission. Based on our review, your Ticket No. 3621612 was served on your provider on Oct 28. Here's what you can expect from the "commission"s informal complaint process: - Your provider should contact you directly in an effort to resolve your issue. - The "commission's" role in this process is to facilitate a conversation between you and your provider. - Your provider is required to submit to the "commission" a written response regarding your issue no later than 30 days from today. - The "commission" will not contact you until we receive a response from your provider.   ... View more

Damian - Sorry, got you name incorrect in an earlier post. Have gotten only one thing from engineering, disappointment.   The proper issue has not been addressed even though the "case" was closed, and they are failing to call back as promised.   They simply did a remote speed and system check, then concluded there was no problem.  They did not  seem to understand the problem is with poor throughput due to delays, not speed. It seems (although no one will address it) the bottle neck is the result of problems within HN;  hubs - network op center - outside world.     Sure appears HN has over sold their capability to deliver, or there is an undiagnosed internal problem.  See my recent posts. Woody - KZ4AK   @Damian @Liz ... View more

FWIW, here is a graphic of what my symptoms indicate  (and what HN does not admit to, or test, when trouble shooting a throughput issue): ... View more

Gabe, "One thing you've got to remember is that system updates, especially from Microsoft, are one of the worst ways one can gauge the speed of their service. Microsoft downloads,... "    Ok on that.  It was just another attempt to provide an example.  Like the multiple failures to download a pdf - the example I used with phone support. ...After several tries it finally downloaded.    Due to phone support's lack of understanding of the difference between and example and the general problem,  phone support initially focused on me having only one problem, downloading a specific pdf.   So frustrating trying to explain that the pdf was not the base issue, just an example. BTW, I know you understand the difference but were simplty commenting on the specific example. _W_   ... View more

@hamradio wrote: No improvement yet.  Placed another call to phone tech support.  They called back Sat, but after hearing my symptoms, wanted to wait until the begining of week when higher level support will be available, then they said would call me.   So, waiting to see. _W_   No call back on case 124537656.  So, I called them.  This is SO frustrating!!!!   The 1st level support person said an attempt was made to call me.  NOT true.  No calls, no missed calls in phone log.  Then told me a speed check indicated no problems and the case was closed.  I told her that a simple speed test would not show the problem and that is why I needed to escalate to engineering.  She did not understand, repeatimg the same old mantra about speed tests and latency.    Also, said that since speed tested OK, she could not revive the old case or create a new one.  Asked for supervisor.  At first the supervisor focused on one pdf file download I used as an example.  It took a lot of conversatiom, but finally convinced her that the pdf download was not the central issue, but only an example.of a general problem. I repeatedly told her that a simple speed test would show all ok, but would not detect what is happening.  She spoke with engineering and returned with the usual -  Since speed tests were within specs, there was no promlem and so, would no open a new case.  After multiple repeats, and at my insistance she re-contacted engineering.  This time she said engineering would call me in an hour or so.   I hope they really do.  It seems that HN does not have the ability to comprehend the difference between instaneous speed checks and overall network throughput - Or they will not admit to having a problem, or both.  The supervisor asked me to do another testmy speed test.  She was at a loss as to why the download speed result was 266 Mbps.  https://testmy.net/db/8sU3mOZG7 Woody - KZ4AK @Liz @Dameon   ... View more

No improvement yet.  Placed another call to phone tech support.  They called back Sat, but after hearing my symptoms, wanted to wait until the begining of week when higher level support will be available, then they said would call me.   So, waiting to see. _W_ ... View more

Results of polarization change as of 23 Oct....   Viewing small youtube videos, on a week day morning seems to incure less buffering.  Not so much for evening times - still significant buffering.  The % buffering time is a bit hard to quantify.  Still evaluating. Here is an example of performance on a week day evening...  Time to download (not install) a Microsoft update  of 6 files totaling 385 MB was 15 minutes.  FWIW, for the first 3 minutes after starting, there was zero download activity.  If I got the math right: 385 MB x 8 = 3080 Mbits. in 900 seconds,  3080 / 900 = 3.42 Mbps.  If I got this right, this is still nowhere near the speeds reported reported by testmy. After more evaluation will report further.... Woody - KZ4AK ... View more

Although I had rescheduled for tomorrow, the HN contractor came today (22nd).  Per the work order, he changed the antenna polarization.  Given my symptoms, he was no more optimistic than me about the "fix" working.   ...But certainly giving it a try! Will need to gather some data over time to see if performance actually improved.   In a day or two will report back with observations. Woody - KZ4AK   ... View more

Rain in the forecast for the 22nd, so rescheduled for the 23rd.   Will report back with visit details... Woody - KZ4AK ... View more

I received a call from HN tech support.  They reported a number of issues similar to mine from my area.  A visit by a field tech has been scheduled for 22 October.   They indicated the tech may change my dish polarization.   I understand antenna polarization (e.g. vertical/horizontal/left-right circular), but uncertain what the implications may be for my connection.  The signal strength is typically =>100... Unless this puts me on a different beam, not so hure how changing the polarization will fix the data delay issue. I guess we will see.... _W_ ... View more

Got it - Thanks Damian !    Will be waiting to hear.   Observation:  Earlier, I was asked if I could see a reference to HN on testmy.   Yes and no...   No mention of HN when I login to testmy.  However, after a test, if I scroll to the bottom of the page, there is a clickable box for HN.  Clicking the link sends me to a page that mentions HN and has links for  up / download tests.  I tried it that way and noticed no difference ( https://testmy.net/db/VktXVI1c6  ) -  The initial test results page is still quite different from what is seen by going to the link -- still reporting the wacky, beyond reality, Mbps maximum.  Testmy is also still loosing connection and reconnecting - repeatedly.   _W_ ... View more

FYI, One more pair of scn grabs. First is the scn returned after the test.  Second is what I get after clicking the TID. _W_ ... View more

Thanks guys,,, I certainly agree that something is weird.  I hope  HN engineering will/can figure it out and correct it.   FWIW, performance isn't too bad right now (11 AM Eastern, 10-17-19.   As mentioned, sometimes the system works, just not too often or for too long. _W_   ... View more

Here is another scn grab of results... If I use the link (  https://testmy.net/db/Bm5VlNtRx  ), I get a report, but it is quite different from the first screen data when the test finishes: ... View more

Yet another thing...  testmy is very often "losing connection", then "reconnecting".  Sometimes multiple reconnects attempts... Quite a bit of that during one session a few minutes ago... ... View more

 When I follow your link I see the single test, but when I go to https://testmy.net/quickstats/kz4ak I see dozens of tests and the provider is listed as "hughes".   So... ?????? A scn grab: -- Here is another example of my problem - when trying to view a little video from the BBC https://www.bbc.com/news/av/technology-49922290/why-scientists-are-listening-to-the-matterhorn Keep the comments coming !!! __W__ ... View more

This is from the latest test screen.  My bad - In that I just noticed the My Results graph is a historical plot. Still, this is not a credible test. ... View more

Still trying to gather data.  Not always easy... Signal strength in the mid 90s -   For example, an attempt at 11:30 AM, 10-16-19, got hung on the TLS handshake portion and "secure connection failed".   Did a power down reset of HT2000.   After reboot, got "Can't connect to server".  About 5 minutes later finally reached testmy and ran test. The results on first page: TiP Summary - Min imum :: 22.93 Mbps | Mid dle :: 620.25 Mbps | Max imum :: 1715.85 Mbps Not the same as reported in "My Results" when clicked that link: Minimum ☨ 2.64 Mbps : 0.73 Mbps Average ☨ 53.66 Mbps : 1.47 Mbps Maximum ☨ 94.8 Mbps : 1.78 Mbps ---- This difference is typical....   Another test shortly afterward:  (from first reporting screen) TiP Summary - Min imum :: 31.25 Mbps | Mid dle :: 752.72 Mbps | Max imum :: 2359.3 Mbps --------------- Also... FWIW, The time stamps do not agree with the actual time of the test.   ...Tests incomplete (more to come) but see https://testmy.net/quickstats/kz4ak Woody - KZ4AK       ------------------The time stamp is not the actual time of the test either.  -----------..   ... View more

Will run a number of tests and get back with the data.  FWIW, the first try did not work.  Received the message (not exact quote) "Your speed cannot be in excess of 2100 Mbps,  Try again".  Number an wording are approximate, but this kind of return from testmy is not uncommon.  Trying again produced numbers... _W_   ... View more

Damian, Yes I am interested in finding a remedy for the (intermittent, but frequent) extremely poor throughput rates. Please note that my test results are sometimes strange from testmy.net.  I know I don't get 1000 - 2000 Bpps as is sometimes reported, but often testmy.net reports near advertised HN speed.  Download speed, per testmy is (apparently) not the issue.  It is something else causing huge "waiting" delays between data bursts.  ...Much longer delays than could be attributed to latency.   BTW, What is the difference between a unmanaged beam (me) and a managed beam?   Thanks, Woody - KZ4AK   ... View more

Near record poor performance Sunday evening at 20:30 Eastern time!   It took nearly 15 minutes to logon to my server, dot5hosting.com, and just view (not download) my webmail.   This is with a testmy.net of: https://testmy.net/db/4wAFN3Ovq This in no way is representative of the ultra slow throughput.   Woody - KZ4AK ... View more

Thanks Gabe... Due to the symptoms, I suspect my beam loading isn't the problem, but at this point, would try anything.   _W_ ... View more

Took a look and I am on Echostar-19-NAD,  Gateway 14, Beam ID 68, Outroute ID 1. Is there any easy way I can determine the beam loading (traffic) at some point in time? Does more than one beam cover my location,  central Virginia? And then the obvious question...  If there is a less congested beam available that covers my location, can my connection be moved? Thanks, Woody - KZ4AK   ... View more

Thanks for the suggestion.  Tried turning off the Video Data Saver.   Unfortunately, could not notice a difference. I don't even try to stream movies, but it sure would be nice to view a low res youtube without so much buffering...   No doubt that video streaming is becoming more and more popular and loads the net.   It does seem that  HN needs to work with their connection provider to fix the bottle-neck delays - and/or - increase the bandwidth to meet the needs of what they are advertising and what we are paying for. _W_ ... View more

@hamradio wrote: As mentioned in the just previous post HN IS WORKING TODAY!   ...So far. I just watched a video (facebook > youtube) with no buffering, albiet it was low res.  Lately, similar videos have been ~40% content and 60% buffering.   I am estatic, but not so sure I will "hold my breath". _W_ Gabe,  Thanks for the indepth reply... My bubble has been burst.  It is now after dinner time and if I try a youtube, I get to watch more buffering than video.  :( It seems that is the price of using HN... _W_ ... View more

As mentioned in the just previous post HN IS WORKING TODAY!   ...So far. I just watched a video (facebook > youtube) with no buffering, albiet it was low res.  Lately, similar videos have been ~40% content and 60% buffering.   I am estatic, but not so sure I will "hold my breath". _W_ ... View more