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Upgrade LTE router antenna or upgrade router?

Hainesy

Member
Looking to get the best possible performance from a LycaMobile (on EE) line which I use as a failover WAN for my primary connection (Virgin, which isn't that stable). Using a Unifi UDMP router to handle WAN1 + WAN2 with automatic failover. Currently have a cheapo 'Strong 4G 1200' LTE router with 2 x antennae sat in the loft. I get between 10-50Mb/s download on 4G with RSRP of -95dBm and RSRQ -8dB - from reading around this seems reasonable?

Wonder if I could further improve this by a) replacing the antennae with alternatives (external is an option), the router has 2 x SMA connections.

Alternatively would I be better off replacing the router with something better, obviously loads to choose from, ideally I'd like to run it in bridge / pass-thru mode (the Strong doesn't support this) and present the public IP directly on the UDMP. What's the general consensus on something that's high performance, reliable etc? I've got PoE switch in the roof and am happy to have something either indoors or outdoors if it makes a difference.

Am open to buying a 5G device that would cover me if coverage gets extended in my area (MK41 7XQ if it helps), I can get 5G on my phone just down the road so again, not sure if by sticking some big 'ol antennas on something would help!?

Would welcome any suggestions!
 
Uhh I spent soem time yesterday to help out a frend with his "Strong 4g" device it has an LTE cat 6 modem so buy a router and find the closest elecrtic waste bin for this child toy (Strong LTE device). Check on https://www.cellmapper.net the EE coverage for 4G and 5G what't availalbe on the nerby towers first
 
Thanks, I had a look at the mapping sites, I'm not sure exactly how to interpret the info but EE looks like Bands 1 & 3 with 3 x near(ish) towers - am in the area in the orange circle:

1726151489057.webp
 
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If you switch on the map from 4g to 5g any of the tower has 5g band? And another 4g tower from for around 5-10km? What's your budget and what speed you want to reach? Wort to chek voda as well there are some cheap mvno using there network
 
In the ara below has tower for Voda, Three and EE I think this will be your best option with a directional antenna as you mentioned the roof. 5g is questionable at the moment. So depends what is your goal and the budget you can go for a Mikrotik ATL https://www.wifi-stock.co.uk/details/mikrotik-cat18-lte-outdoor-router-atl-lte18-kit-atlgm.html and later you can replace the modem with 5G one but local towers has only 2 band, so cat6 modem can handle those if you are happy with the current speed and you can try external antenna as your original idea (but I really hate that router, but this is nly my personal opinion)
1726157830258.webp
 
Thanks for looking into it for me. EE seems to def get the best coverage. I need to read up on bands / cat specs to understand what performance i can expect I think. That mikrotik looks nice, was ideally hoping to spend a bit less than that though!
 
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