Best external 4G antenna setup for Huawei B618s-65d (2degrees RBI Modem) ?

Forums › LAN (ethernet/Wifi/routers/Bluetooth) › Best external 4G antenna setup for Huawei B618s-65d (2degrees RBI Modem) ?

kenkeniff

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#272245 16-Jun-2020 11:44

The modem seems to support LTE CAT11 MIMO 4x4 with software options to use either;

both sets of internal antennas (INT1 & INT2),
or 2x external antennas via 2x TS-9/CRC9 ports (EXT1 & EXT2),
or one of each (EXT1 & INT2).

I tested a cheap MIMO antenna (2x connector) which did provide a fair increase in speeds (& noise) however as I need one with longer cables I took it apart and it looks pretty basic inside:

However before I purchase another antenna I'm interested to know what is recommended price vs performance wise and whether it's better going with a single enclosed MIMO antenna (with 2x connectors) or two different antennas spaced apart?

Linux

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#2505708 16-Jun-2020 12:53

@coffeebaron

MrAmerica

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#2505767 16-Jun-2020 14:29

I am using a couple of these https://www.gowifi.co.nz/700-directional/ant-205.html with these cables https://www.gowifi.co.nz/coaxcables/p-39.html, everything has been working fine for a few years now.

Antennas set at 90 degrees to each other, 45 degress each from vertical if that makes sense.

tripper1000

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#2505857 16-Jun-2020 15:45

kenkeniff: I tested a cheap MIMO antenna (2x connector) which did provide a fair increase in speeds (& noise) however as I need one with longer cables I took it apart and it looks pretty basic inside:

Don't be too put off by how basic that antenna looks - the design if actually quite complex if you know what you're looking at (phasing, impedance matching, reflectors etc). Result are what matters at the end of the day.

kenkeniff

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#2505906 16-Jun-2020 16:03

I figure I'd be better off with 1x or 2x Omni Directional antennas as 2degrees RBI doesn't appear to be cell-locked and given I have a few different towers around me could be safer not getting locked onto an overcrowded cell. Was looking at something like: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000506382996.html

Interestingly the 4x4 MIMO seems to imply 4x (internal) antennas and this tear-down video seems to confirm it however for some reason they only expose external connectors for 2x of them.

I wonder if it would be worth taking it apart and connecting 4x external antennas directly to the board connectors like they do with the Netgear Nighthawk 4x4: https://community.netgear.com/t5/Mobile-Routers-Hotspots-Modems/LTE-4x4-MIMO-outdoor-antenna/td-p/1502588

freakngeek

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#2506101 16-Jun-2020 20:44

I just installed one of these at work today:
8dBi Dual Polarised 698-960/1710-2700Mhz 3G/4G/LTE Antenna
Gave a nice boost to a marginal site
Also running a Huawei b618s-65d with Spark
40/1.25Mbps to 80/25Mbps 8km from tower, down in a hole

coffeebaron

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#2506104 16-Jun-2020 20:48

freakngeek:

I just installed one of these at work today:
8dBi Dual Polarised 698-960/1710-2700Mhz 3G/4G/LTE Antenna
Gave a nice boost to a marginal site

These are what I install for RBI or other 4G wireless.

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BarTender

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#2506107 16-Jun-2020 20:50

Cellutronics also sell good quality Yagis.
https://www.cellutronics.co.nz/sparkskinny-data-only-v2

freakngeek

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#2506124 16-Jun-2020 21:59

coffeebaron:

freakngeek:

I just installed one of these at work today:
8dBi Dual Polarised 698-960/1710-2700Mhz 3G/4G/LTE Antenna
Gave a nice boost to a marginal site

These are what I install for RBI or other 4G wireless.

I was quite impressed with the performance of this antenna, not the cheapest but it does what it says
As the site is sunk below the landscape made it even more impressive, Spark signal on phone is just one bar and Vodafone has no coverage till I climb out of hole
Would highly recommend these and if you are installing them enough said.

lapimate

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#2506132 16-Jun-2020 23:30

kenkeniff:... or 2x external antennas via 2x TS-9/CRC9 ports ...

Are they TS-9 (3.5mm) or CRC9 (3.0mm)? (Spark supplied Huawei B618s-65d is TS-9).

freakngeek

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#2506133 16-Jun-2020 23:32

lapimate:

kenkeniff:... or 2x external antennas via 2x TS-9/CRC9 ports ...

Are they TS-9 (3.5mm) or CRC9 (3.0mm)? (Spark supplied Huawei B618s-65d is TS-9).

Huawei B618s-65d has 2x TS-9's

thenwhat

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#2540517 13-Aug-2020 20:14

Thanks for the recommendation are those the only antennas you guys have used for 4G or are there others you would use under certain circumstances?

I can get low Mbps with 2 x MIMO 700MHz yagis and no line of sight to spark. Might this dual one work better? What about a mesh antenna? Does the latter work with MIMO?

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Mike2090

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#2540542 13-Aug-2020 21:04

I have this aerial. Installed by Downer. It actually gives worse speed tests than no aerial.

I’m currently chasing this with Spark.

thenwhat

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#2540708 14-Aug-2020 09:21

I don't doubt it, but speed tests can vary (and thus given less importance by Spark).

Also send them a screenshot of your signal strength from your modem device information page (with and without the antenna connected).

Sounds like something's not setup correctly, possible just the pointing, or the cable.