FAQ
TL;DR: For Huawei B525 in Dąbrówka Warszawska/Radom, expect 5–15 PLN/month and "You need an external antenna working in the 1800–2600MHz band." Lock bands in HManager, aim at Żelazna/Wierzbica/Krogulcza Sucha, and test. LTE+ shows only during active traffic. [Elektroda, matek451, post #17180285]
Why it matters: This FAQ helps Play users near Radom pick the right antenna, bands, and placement to stabilise carrier aggregation and boost speeds.
Quick Facts
- Use an external MIMO antenna for 1800–2600 MHz; force LTE2600/1800 in HManager; LTE+ appears only on active data. [Elektroda, matek451, post #17180285]
- Cybertech 1800–2600 MIMO + 10 m H155 delivered ~90–120 Mbps from a BTS ~10 km away. [Elektroda, jawal1980, post #17316752]
- Indoors on B525, 1800+2600 aggregation reached about 50 Mbps without an external antenna. [Elektroda, jawal1980, post #17179848]
- Prefer ≤5 m coax with the router near the roof; add an access point for whole‑home Wi‑Fi. [Elektroda, internick, post #17181877]
- Play RBM Free LTE Internet plan typically costs around 5–15 PLN monthly. [Elektroda, matek451, post #17180285]
What’s the best antenna setup for Huawei B525 to aggregate 1800+2600 near Radom?
Use an external MIMO antenna covering 1800–2600 MHz. Aim at Żelazna, Wierzbica, and Krogulcza Sucha and test each. Force LTE2600 and LTE1800 with HManager, then check CA performance. Pick the BTS and band combo with the best speed. “You need an external antenna working in the 1800–2600MHz band.” [Elektroda, matek451, post #17180285]
Which antenna model did forum experts recommend?
ATK-504 from Telkob was recommended for this use case. It’s a known option for 1800–2600 MHz deployments. [Elektroda, internick, post #17180447]
Did the Cybertech 1800–2600 dual MIMO antenna work well in Dąbrówka Warszawska?
Yes. After installing the Cybertech 1800–2600 MIMO antenna with 10 m H155, the user saw about 90–120 Mbps, even evenings. The serving BTS was about 10 km away. They recommended both the antenna and Huawei B525. [Elektroda, jawal1980, post #17316752]
How do I aim and lock bands on a B525 for the Radom area?
Use HManager to lock LTE2600 and LTE1800 separately. 1. Lock a band. 2. Aim at Żelazna, Wierzbica, then Krogulcza Sucha. 3. Speed test and note UL/DL, then repeat for the other band. Choose the best result and enable CA. LTE+ shows only during active data. [Elektroda, matek451, post #17180285]
What speeds can I expect without an external antenna on B525?
Around 50 Mbps on 1800+2600 aggregation was reported indoors. Results vary by signal and load. [Elektroda, jawal1980, post #17179848]
What speeds are possible after adding a proper antenna and cable?
With a Cybertech 1800–2600 MIMO antenna and 10 m H155, speeds reached about 90–120 Mbps. This held even during evening hours. [Elektroda, jawal1980, post #17316752]
Is LTE2600 viable at roughly 10 km in Dąbrówka Warszawska/Radom?
Yes. A user achieved stable performance from a BTS about 10 km away using an 1800–2600 MIMO antenna. Location and aiming still matter. [Elektroda, jawal1980, post #17316752]
Should I run a long Ethernet or a long coax from the antenna?
Use a shorter coax run. Place the router under the roof and keep coax near 5 m. Extend coverage later with a Wi‑Fi access point. Longer coax (e.g., 10 m) adds loss. [Elektroda, internick, post #17181877]
Do I need two antennas for MIMO, or is one unit enough?
MIMO uses two polarizations. Two separate ATK units cover horizontal and vertical. Cybertech integrates both polarizations in one housing, simplifying installation. [Elektroda, internick, post #17181877]
Which coax cable should I pick: H155, LMR240, or H1000?
Cable quality and length drive loss. One user measured about a 1 dB gain at 2600 MHz versus H155 using a ~14 PLN/m cable. Expect modest improvements; prioritize short runs. [Elektroda, internick, post #17181929]
Why is my upload speed low on B525?
Weak signal quality limits upload. The forum noted low UL with poor parameters. Improve antenna placement and alignment to raise UL. [Elektroda, matek451, post #17180285]
Why does the LTE+ icon disappear or CA feel unstable?
LTE+ shows only while data is actively flowing. Lock bands with HManager and add a proper 1800–2600 antenna to stabilize throughput. [Elektroda, matek451, post #17180285]
What Play plan suits heavy LTE use here?
Use an RBM card with RWK and Free Internet LTE. The typical monthly cost is about 5–15 PLN. [Elektroda, matek451, post #17180285]
Can I connect without line-of-sight to the Żelazna chimney BTS?
Yes. A user connected with the modem at a window despite no visual on Żelazna. They noted a closer Wierzbica BTS linked by radioline to Żelazna per UKE. [Elektroda, jawal1980, post #17180238]
