FAQ
TL;DR: A 17 dBi Cybertech MIMO1800 antenna raised real-world Orange LTE throughput 3× (10 Mb/s→30 Mb/s); “the antenna … improve the stability” [Elektroda, jarek7714, post #17137091]
Why it matters: Proper band selection and low-loss cabling often deliver bigger gains than switching operators.
Quick Facts
• BTS Stare Dragań broadcasts LTE 800 + 1800; 1800 is ~1.5 km from Bronowo Kmiece [Elektroda, Gawo1992, post #17136612]
• Huawei B315 supports single-band LTE Cat 4 (max 150 Mb/s) and lacks carrier aggregation [Huawei Spec, 2018].
• Cybertech dual MIMO1800 antenna: 17 dBi gain, <1 dB/m loss with H155 cable [Manufacturer Sheet, 2023].
• Recommended feeder: ≤10 m H155 or ≤15 m RF240; each extra 5 m costs ~1 dB at 1.8 GHz [Times Microwave, 2022].
• Orange LTE800 cells at busy hours drop below 5 Mb/s download—upload stays ≥8 Mb/s, a congestion sign [Elektroda, matek451, post #17136854]
Which LTE bands reach Bronowo Kmiece from the closest Orange mast?
BTS Stare Dragań delivers LTE 800 and LTE 1800; only LTE 1800 offers usable capacity here [Elektroda, matek451, post #17136953]
Why is the Huawei B315 criticised in the thread?
B315 cannot aggregate bands and tops out at Cat 4 speeds. Users therefore lose the 50-60 Mb/s that LTE800+1800 combos could provide on newer routers [Elektroda, matek451, #17136668; Huawei Spec, 2018].
What antenna model gave the best field results?
A Cybertech CT-MIMO1800 (17 dBi) mounted 6 m high improved RSSI from –85 dBm to –68 dBm and tripled download speed to ~30 Mb/s [Elektroda, Gawo1992, post #17138447]
Is a broadband 800-2600 MHz antenna worth the extra cost?
Only if you plan to upgrade the router. The current B315 ignores LTE2600 and cannot aggregate with LTE800, so a dedicated 1800 MHz panel is more cost-effective now [Elektroda, matek451, post #17136977]
How long can the RF cable be without killing the gain?
Keep H155 under 10 m; every additional metre at 1.8 GHz loses ~0.2 dB, so a 15 m run erases about 1 dB—roughly 20 % of the antenna’s net benefit [Times Microwave, 2022].
Will an external antenna always speed up LTE800?
No. When a cell is saturated, download can stay <5 Mb/s even with perfect signal; Orange LTE800 showed this failure case in the forum tests [Elektroda, matek451, post #17136854]
How do I measure signal and force bands on Huawei B315?
- Install LTEWatch H on a PC. 2. Log into the B315 and select ‘Diagnostics’. 3. Use LTEWatch to lock LTE 800 or LTE 1800, then run Speedtest. This reveals RSSI, RSRQ and CID for each band [Elektroda, matek451, post #17136714]
Can I do a quick BTS check with a phone?
Yes. Install Network Cell Info Lite, stand outside, and read the DATA tab for eNB ID and RSRP. Compare IDs with known mast coordinates to confirm alignment [Elektroda, matek451, post #17138517]
What alternative routers solve the aggregation issue?
Huawei B525, B528 or ZTE MF286 support LTE-A with 2-band CA and cost ≈PLN 400–500; Orange offers MF286 on contract for PLN 49 upfront [Elektroda, matek451, post #17136854]
Does an external antenna help voice calls?
Use Wi-Fi Calling or VoIP over the boosted LTE data link; no separate voice-specific antenna is needed [Elektroda, internick, post #19028464]
Edge-case: I live in a mountain valley with near-zero signal—what’s the first step?
Run NetMonster logs at balcony height after 18:00. If RSRP stays below –110 dBm on every band, consider a 17–20 dBi directional antenna plus a CA-capable router; otherwise, satellite or fixed wireless access may be cheaper long-term [Elektroda, plotter78, post #19028321]
How much extra speed should I expect after correct installation?
Users typically gain 2–4× download and 30–50 % lower ping; in this thread, speeds jumped from 10 Mb/s to 30 Mb/s after optimisation [Elektroda, Gawo1992, post #17138447]
Quotation recap?
“The antenna will definitely improve the stability of the connection, indirectly also the speed” [Elektroda, jarek7714, post #17137091]
