Best Directional Antenna for LTE: T-Mobile Issues, D-Link DWR921, & Nearby BTS Options

Lovely,

I got into LTE from T-Mobile and I regret it because it works tragically. In working hours of download below 10Mb / s, it even happens below 1Mb / s.
Of course, complaints do not give anything, because we all know how the contracts are constructed.

It seems to me that the only rescue is switching to another BTS (I have 13 in a radius of 5 km) - some further, which is not used by nearby ITI / TVN (I blame them for the heavy load of the station).
My guess is that I need a directional antenna for this.

Since reading the posts I already have a square head and practically no specific conclusions, so I am asking you for help in choosing the antenna.

My modem is D-Link DWR921 and I'd prefer to put the antenna on the windowsill rather than mount it outside.

Thank you in advance for your help!

In your case, the TRANS-DATA LTE KYZ 7.5 / 8/10 antenna should suffice on condition that it will see the transmitter from which you want to get a signal. Unfortunately, LTE works and competition is similar, high load on the transmitter = low transfer. Each contract is constructed so that the download speed is "to" and not "from". There is no guaranteed speed.

Piotr2608 - thanks a lot, but is it really a good option for me?
I look at this antenna and see that it has only one cable (not MIMO?), And it is typically external.

MIMO you say I have to have, so please TRANS-DATA LTE KPZ 6/8 MIMO
You can hang it outside the window or attach it to the window sill.

What is the location? Did you do any LTE signal tests at home, do you use LTE1800netWorks or LTE800 T-Mobile? DWR-921 does not have any normal diagnostics, weak, age router with LTE 3 category modem. Make a test on an LTE phone with the Network Cell Info application, show the screen. NCi will show BTS and LTE data. of course, do not buy a broadband antenna for now, meaning anything and everything. Its gain with a 10m cable and 1800MHz connectors will be 3dBi, 800MHz even less and 2600 MHz will be close to 0. In order to force connection with a specific BTS, an external narrow-angle directional antenna is needed for the selected band.

mothers451 - Warsaw, around the intersection of Przyczółkowa and Nałęczowska.

I launched Network Cell Info today, but it displays a colossal amount of information that I can not interpret.
I attach the screenshots - but this information only about the current station, saving them I was standing next to the modem but I'm not sure if my phone was connected to the same station as the modem.

An antenna with a narrow angle of radiation - I think I need something like that. Will you lead me a step further or two?

Connection with BTS-LTE1800NetWorks, permission Orange Drilling 166. Very low signal parameters, low SINR indicates BTS overload. Close to some other LTE1800NetWorks BTS. As it is exactly a street, you need to check if there are different directions. The level of the LTE1800 signal is low if you had a bit of a way to the BTS. Take the test outside. You have a tragic router with no choice of LTE and LTE-A bands. Meanwhile, LTE2600 T-mobile is already operating on the Lentz BTS, Powsińska 61/63. Of these BTSs, the LTE2600 + LTE1800 bands are also probably working. A region with a lot of users. only connection with another less heavily loaded BTS, if it is available nearby.

@ matek451 .
Rymanowska 3. I have 166 to the Wiertnicza 166 line in a straight line. But along the way is an old ITI building with a roof of antennas.
Tomorrow I will test on the balcony.

Maybe instead of / from the antenna I should change the router?
Added after 12 [hours] 56 [minutes]:
I made the measurement outside (balcony on the 1st floor).

Connecting with the same BTS, better parameters but still not crazy, as speedtest out? As I wrote DWR-921 is a poor old router with no possibility to force LTE and LTE-A bands. What is the visibility on other nearby LTE1800NetWorks BTSs? So Żegiestowska 18C, Bonifacego 75, Powsińska 31 and Augustówka 24? these are the locations of these BTSs, they are still but in different directions and the dual LTE1800 directional antenna can be in turn forced to connect with them and choose the least loaded one.

@ matek451 .

Thanks for the post.

I do not know how to check visibility. I do not see these antennas from the balcony.

Could you recommend a directional antenna that would be right for me?

@ matek451

I bought this antenna: link

I connected, directed more or less towards the alternative BTS, restarted the modem - and I see no difference.

Is there any software for Windows, by means of which I will check which BTS modem is currently connected to?

There is no program where you would read ECI, eNB BTS with which you connect. DWR-921 does not have such diagnostics, there are no external programs for this router. They are for Huawei, ZTE. Try BTS on the directions I wrote about.

Doopa - the same poverty in every possible direction.
In addition, I'm not sure which BTS modem is currently connected to.
I give up - I'm sending the antenna tomorrow.

Good morning

I would like to help someone with professional knowledge firstly when choosing an operator and then possibly an antenna. I will probably be using the internet option, but I am more interested in the technical opinion.

I currently have a Netgear LB2120 LTE 4 generation modem, i.e. without aggregation of bands, two TS9 antenna connectors, connected to the Asus RT-AC68u router.

1) Below is my approximate location in relation to BTS - at the end of the line flying from one BTS.

Honeyview_...3) (2).png Download (607.8 kB)

I tested the 4 most popular operators (modem in the house by the window). I did measurements at different times. Orange (despite probably better upload and download results) together with T-Mobile quite often switch to 3G. In total, they share BTS, so it's probably no wonder. Actually, it's T-Mobile even more often in this 3G. Plus, on average, had the smallest results. Play has a set of LTE frequencies on each of the two closest masts. T-Mobile and Orange 800 and 1800. This mast from which the line flies covers only one row of birches. One Orange / T-Mobile just south of me. The other two do not know yet because I have to go up to the roof. With Playem one strange thing, once download 30 / 60Mb and upload 0,1 Mb, another time download 1 Mb and upload already normal 4/5 Mb. Sometimes balanced several to several Mb. In general, all have RSRP hesitating -106 to -113, of which Play closer to this 106, RSRQ Play in the area -8, others -12 and worse. The results generally jump for all networks.

On Netgear you can check the parameters as below. I give for all 4 networks you can talk about the network and what about these antennas. There is no aggregation modem but maybe some multi-band antenna targeting the Playa transmitter? Admittedly, without aggregation, but could it switch between 800 and 1800 if necessary?

Orange:
Honeyview_...ot (4).png Download (131.49 kB)
Honeyview_...ot (5).png Download (483.5 kB)


T-Mobile

Honeyview_...ot (6).png Download (131.32 kB)
Honeyview_...ot (7).png Download (488.3 kB)


Play
Honeyview_...ot (8).png Download (125.94 kB)
Honeyview_...ot (9).png Download (471.1 kB)


Plus
Honeyview_...t (10).png Download (125.47 kB)
Honeyview_...t (11).png Download (505.75 kB)


The subject for me seems quite complicated. And on what frequencies, whether not too weak or too strong, what cable and whether not too long, multi-range, directional or not ... and so on. From what I read above, it's best DUAL LTE 1800. But is it the same in my case? After studying a few articles and reaching almost at the end of the internet, it seems to me that the best direction is PLAY (due to BTS and available frequencies, although for me probably only 800 and 1800, bandwidth count). Just what about this antenna? My modem can work on different frequencies, but without aggregation I thought that this should lead me towards the multi-range antenna. However, how to stick to what he writes @ matek451 : how is anything to everything, it is good for nothing, but maybe it is one-way directional? Only what and on what BTS?

In the futureI will have some work on the chimney a week and I would like to start this antenna and pull the cord.

If someone was so kind to snap in and write something constructive then I will be so grateful.

Orange is a connection to LTE1800NetWorks on BTS. Boiling, a weak but not bad speed signal. It should connect to T-mobile but probably the T-mobile card has no access to LTE and connects to 3G with UMTS2100HSPA + DC T-mobile on it BTS-e. Play is LTE1800 with BTS on Konstilanie, weak signal and lower speeds. At this BTS, Play has a set of LTE bands and 5 sectors, it is possible that with weaker signal Netgear goes down to slower LTE800. If it is possible to force the modem in turn LTE1800, LTE800 and LTE2100, LTE2600 and check the parameters and speeds, make a test with the modem outside of the Konstilana site. Play has an aggregation of these bands and a lot of potential. Plus with the BTS-LTE1800Aero2 in Porszewice, it works even well for such poor signal parameters. if there is to be a pre-paid offer, Play with free LTE Internet service without limit on RBM for Card 5 with RWK remains, minimum cost of 100GB with full speed and then possible 2Mb / s funnel is 5 PLN / month. You already have equipment, unless you want to use the LTE band aggregation. You have about 4km to BTS on Konstilanie, so there is a chance for LTE2600, LTE1800 and aggregations of these bands. LTE2600 and LTE1800 are the fastest in band theory in Play. Do these Play tests on individual LTE bands. subscription is T-Mobile for 45/55 PLN for no limit from B525 for 1 PLN. Coverage from Konstilany, Lutomierska to LTE1800NW or from Lutomierska (Szadkowska), Porszewice to LTE800.

Thanks for fast reaction. As for the choice of the operator, I rather depend on technical parameters. I have full freedom card / subscription / ffirma. What, however, after the best offer but not working well. Rather, I will be guided by what works better.

On this modem I have not found the option of forcing bands. Unless it can be done by installing a laptop program. Possibly, maybe I can do phone tests - Lenovo P2 (and possibly xperia z3 compact). Only I do not know if it is possible and if so, how to force work on a given frequency.
As for aggregation of bands, I generally do not have much pressure. I wanted a nice router with many options and so it fell on this Asus plus the Netgear modem, which has very good reviews. Somehow I could not find an LTE router that would satisfy me. It's just that this is a topic for a separate long discussion. Generally, I am an average user who wants to watch something on Netflx or something similar, of course happy in HD , play sometimes online, and besides, it's just websites, mail, etc. So I do not know if I should worry about aggregation. In fact, when I use this modem next to the window, paradoxically everything goes smoothly. Recently, I reinstalled the laptop and downloaded a lot of data and did not complain. Witcher downloaded updates to The Witcher in the range of 2/3 MB. It occurred to me, however, to stabilize it and, however, it could improve.

Added after 3 [minutes]:

I thought it was better to have an antenna first and then to do some tests. It's just that if I had to think about this aggregation, my equipment does not support it and it would be better to know it in front of the antenna if I understand it well.

Hello, I am using huawei b535 connecting to bts Mzurki. It mainly uses the 1800 MHz band. Only 900 and 1800 plus networks are available. I would like to increase the coverage power to the router and I have a dilemma as to the choice of antenna. Just a directional antenna or go in the direction of a parabolic antenna. The distance to btsa is 4.30 km with single trees along the way.

What is your location and what are your problems with Plus, what DL / UL on lte1800? What signal parameters from BTS Mzurki to 1800MHz, outside?

Jumping transfer during the day. Medium LTE coverage.

Speedtests without any value, made when a few use Plus, show from 19-22. outside, a weak signal for lte1800 from this BTS-a, jumping speeds and dl

In these hours DL transfer drops max. up to 4mbit. He realizes that in the evening the speed drops. I want to raise the signal level to have full range on the router. At the moment I have 2 up to 3 lines from 5. That's why I need an antenna. Unfortunately, I don't know which one to choose.

In your location, you won't get much out of BTS Mzurki, improving the signal at 1800MHz will translate into a slight increase in speed. I would check the LTE2600 band on the B535 after forcing it with HManager, with btS-Bełchatów-Budryk 14. Using Plus internet with 4-6Mb / s has nothing to do with LTE

Unfortunately, it doesn't catch other bands. On Oduid 200 caught the residual signal. Without aggregation it was much worse than now on 1800 with flush.

If aggregation occurs, it should be 25mhz in the selected circle

Not the lte1800 + 900 aggregation works because it is LTE + and always shows only the baseband, in this case it is LTE1800 and to it as an additional LTE900. The LTe900 in Plus at 5Mhz band is a shell, usually full of clogging. On IDU-ODU200 on LTE2600 there was no chance for a mormal internet from Bełchatów, hence my request for a test on b535 of this band with the router outside the window to check the eNB and signal parameters at 2600MHz. He decides whether to buy an antenna on 1800MHz to LTE1800 from Mzurek or an antenna on 1800-2600MHz to LTE2600 and aggregation LTE2600 + 1800 from Bełchatów. Have you checked how Play works with BTS Mzurki?

Dear,

I need support in choosing an antenna (or making sure that the one I have in stock is ok). Of course, it is about enhancing the quality and stabilizing the signal (pre-paid internet in Play, Huawei B525 router, Łupki 12-200 53.650927,21.879970). I will add that I am completely 'green' when it comes to network topics (the only knowledge comes from this Forum).

I attach screenshots from the phone:
1 / measurements of Cell Cell Info + SpeedcheckPro results taken from a phone with a Play card on both sides of the roof of the house (phone exposed through the roof window).
2 / HManager measurements (at various aggregations) for the mentioned HB525 router and also SpeedcheckPro tests for these aggregations.

Currently, the router is connected to the external antenna Sorensen Dual MIMO SR-17 / 1800LTE with a 10-meter cable. The antenna is attached "temporarily" in a non-optimal position (not to say anyhow) on the northern roof.

I would be very grateful for your help,
greetings,

And this antenna is like set up because once it is BTS 5GR with 4 CC CA from W.Polski in Pisz, the one with LTE2600 and LTE2100 and once some village with LTe1800 and LTE800, probably Szczechy Wielkie. Only the first one will give better speeds but on a good router with aggregation of 4 LTE bands.

Thank you for the fast reponse.
It is hard to say that it was installed - it is screwed to the technical step on the roof slope (relatively vertically) and directed to the north, i.e. more towards the Szczech Wielki, which you mentioned, than to the Pisz of the Polish Army. It is of course possible to mount it on the roof top on an extension arm and point it in any direction (I don't know there are no tall trees / buildings on the road), but I refrained from confirming first whether I have a sufficient router and antenna.

Do you think I should:
1 / properly mount the current antenna (pointing it towards Pisz Polish Army (I do not know if I will be able to direct it well - I understand that this should be done by trial and error, measuring the results with a speed test?) Or

2 / replace the router (which router would you recommend and where to buy it) and only then measure with the current antenna, or

3 / replace the router and replace the antenna and then mount it?

What will you advise?

You will change B525 to B818 with aggregation of 4 LTE bands, do on it and on the antenna that you have tests from Pisz on individual LTE bands and aggregations and decide whether you change the antenna to Dual LTE1800-2600MHz.

Thank you very much. I'm ordering B818 (probably will come next week).

In the meantime, at the weekend (out of curiosity) I will try to test the effect of changing the antenna setting on the signal quality under the current B525.