External antenna help

[Tiger009]

Hi Members,

Thank you for reading my post. Any help is appreciated.

I currently have a Huawei B535-232 with an O2 sim card in (in contract for another 18 months or so).

I would like to maximise the download/upload speeds I am getting. Currently very slow. Previously I was using id mobile(three) and the speed was better but as now in contract want to stay with O2.

I had purchased a Poynting Xpol 001 about 18 months ago but not fitted it yet, have done some testing. (omnidirectional antenna)

I have found my local phone masts using cellmapper and tested the speed when near the masts (100 mbps+)
The cell mast that the router connects too is 652m away. (ENB ID:507236)
Although there is one closer it always connects to the one 652m away/

I have tried to place my router in different locations in the house and these are the readings I am getting.

Would a directional antenna improve the reading significantly. The mast is quite far away

Any advise on how to improve speed and where to place the router and weather to purchase a directional antenna is appreciated

Front bedroom

reading one:
RSRQ-7.0dB
RSRP-98dBm
RSSI-73dBm
SINR23dB

reading 2:
RSRQ-11.0dB
RSRP-87dBm
RSSI-59dBm
SINR8dB

Office
RSRQ-7.0dB
RSRP-92dBm
RSSI-69dBm
SINR2dB

Middle
RSRQ-9.0dB
RSRP-91dBm
RSSI-65dBm
SINR6dB

Front room downstairs
Internal
RSRQ-8.0dB
RSRP-102dBm
RSSI-73dBm
SINR8dB

Following readings are with external antenna

Right (90 degrees)

RSRQ-11.0dB
RSRP-95dBm
RSSI-67dBm
SINR13dB

Right (45 degrees)
RSRQ-9.0dB
RSRP-95dBm
RSSI-69dBm
SINR8dB


RSRQ-10.0dB straight
RSRP-97dBm
RSSI-71dBm
SINR5dB

Left (45 degrees)
RSRQ-10.0dB
RSRP-96dBm
RSSI-69dBm
SINR2dB

Left (90 degrees)
RSRQ-9.0dB
RSRP-93dBm
RSSI-67dBm
SINR13dB

 

[EssexBoy]

You've said you haven't fitted the Antenna yet?, but you have measured Signals using the Antenna?, how are you doing this?, where's the Antenna?

 

[Tiger009]

@EssexBoy.

Apologies I should have clarified.
I have not permanently mounted it.
I had one person stand on a ladder holding it about 75cm above the roof guttering on a pole whilst I measured the reading at different angles.

 

[Tiger009]

I would like to have a permanently mounted external 2 x 2 external mimo antenna and have a good speed in the future.
Also any advise on upgrading to 5g or which network will be beneficial if I have to move from O2 in the future.

I would like to upgrade to a 5g router. I have heard the mikrotik brands can lock to a mast.
I was considering buying a used ZYXEL NR5103E or Huawei cpe pro 2. I know the ZYXEL NR5103E has 4 x4 mimo external antenna. 4 x4 external antenna are quite pricey.
My local mast I connect to is ENB ID:507236 Please see image below

approximate location circled in black

https://www.dropbox.com/s/pnwnhcbt5ljtex5/Cellmapper.png?dl=0

 

[EssexBoy]

Ok, reason I asked, is that with External Antennas, Position and Height is your best friend, whilst Signal loss in Cable Length and lack of Line of Sight is your enemy.

Try and get the Antenna as high as possible and ideally facing your Target Mast with a clear LOS as near as possible.

Once you have figured out the sweet spot for the Antenna, probably worth then experimenting with some Band Locking to see if you can achieve the best Data Throughput before you start spending money on Directional Antennas as you may not need to.

 

[Tiger009]

Cable length is standard 5m.
Looking at the internal readings is it worth installing the external? I have tried to get it as high as possible and also tied band locking.
Just did a speed test only getting 3 Mbps download upload 1/2 Mbps.
With id mobile was much faster. 15-30 Mbps download.

Please see this message from me:

Hi Members

Thank you for your time.

I have tried band locking on the above router, locking to band 20 my router says its 10 MHz does improve upload speed but decrease download speed.

I am a complete newbie to band locking.


Could someone kindly explain how band locking can help me increase my internet speed and how I can go about this?

 

[dazmatic]

I would never advise anyone purchase an omni directional antenna if they know where the tower is they're connecting to, unless they're sat on top of it.

 

[Tiger009]

I was thinking the same. Directional will be the way forward.

 

[mikeliuk]

I was thinking the same. Directional will be the way forward.

In recent days people have reported their best tower is under maintenance and they are connected to one of a number of alternative nearby towers.

Now imagine you've installed a directional antenna outside high up on your property pointed directly at the tower under maintenance and attenuating signal to and from all other nearby towers.

 

[Tiger009]

In recent days people have reported their best tower is under maintenance and they are connected to one of a number of alternative nearby towers.

Now imagine you've installed a directional antenna outside high up on your property pointed directly at the tower under maintenance and attenuating signal to and from all other nearby towers.

I guess with my router it allows me to switch to the internal antennas and if I get a sufficient reception from other towers. Whats your thoughts to this?

 

[mikeliuk]

I guess with my router it allows me to switch to the internal antennas and if I get a sufficient reception from other towers. Whats your thoughts to this?

Unless the router is badly designed, the internal antennas are likely designed to be omnidirectional and at the point you are using omnidirectional antennas anyway, you may as well have it in the best position such as in the loft or outside instead of where the modem is.