FAQ
TL;DR: 10 MHz band deployments are planned; "The choice of antennas depends on it." For ZTE MF286 + Orange near Tuszyn, force LTE2600/2100/1800/800 one by one outdoors, log RSRP/CID, then select your antenna based on results. [Elektroda, matek451, post #17831457]
Why it matters: This FAQ helps MF286 owners on Orange pick the right antenna, bands, and aiming to stabilize service and speeds.
Quick Facts
- MF286 uses one external port only for LTE2600; the other handles LTE800/1800/2100 and 3G/HSPA+. [Elektroda, st128, post #17831440]
- For LTE800-only, use one ATK‑10 or ATK‑20; a log‑periodic suits multi‑band aggregation. [Elektroda, st128, post #17831440]
- Refarm plan: LTE1800NW 15 MHz split into 10 MHz per operator; LTE2100 10 MHz added; LTE800 10 MHz. [Elektroda, matek451, post #17831457]
- Congestion caps throughput regardless of signal; antennas won’t fix a busy BTS. [Elektroda, matek451, post #17878415]
- Field case near Tuszyn: ~2.5 Mbps download and ~14 Mbps upload after adding an external antenna. [Elektroda, barfor, post #17878221]
Which ZTE MF286 antenna port handles which bands?
On the MF286, one external antenna input is dedicated to LTE2600. The other input covers LTE800, LTE1800, LTE2100, and 3G/HSPA+. Connect your external antenna to the port that serves your target band. This design limits dual-antenna use on LTE800. [Elektroda, st128, post #17831440]
Should I buy one or two antennas for LTE800 on MF286?
Buy one directional antenna for LTE800, such as ATK‑10 or ATK‑20. The second external port does not accept LTE800, so a second LTE800 antenna brings no benefit. Pick a wideband log‑periodic only if you want multi‑band aggregation. [Elektroda, st128, post #17831440]
How do I force bands on the MF286 and read RSRP/CID properly?
Use the MF286 web UI with updated firmware to enable manual LTE band selection. Then test LTE2600, LTE2100, LTE1800, and LTE800 one by one, preferably outdoors. Open Device Information to read RSRP and the BTS CID (HEX) for each test. [Elektroda, matek451, post #17832224]
The router keeps selecting WCDMA/GSM when I pick LTE—how should I set it for tests?
Leave all GSM and WCDMA bands enabled; LTE has priority. For clean LTE tests, tick only one LTE band at a time and keep GSM/WCDMA available. Then measure signal and speed after each change. [Elektroda, matek451, post #17833580]
What if the tower is congested—will changing antennas help?
If the serving site is saturated, antennas will not solve slow throughput or latency. As one expert noted, “BTS is jam-packed.” Try off‑peak hours, another LTE band, or a different site or operator. [Elektroda, matek451, post #17878415]
Where should I aim the antenna in Tuszyn?
Aim at Orange’s BTS on Wysoka 7 (heat‑plant chimney). Rotate for the best RSRP/RSRQ and then secure the mount. Re‑verify by testing your targeted LTE band. [Elektroda, matek451, post #17878529]
What speeds did users near Tuszyn report on MF286?
One field report showed about 2.5 Mbps download and 14 Mbps upload after adding an external antenna. Treat that as a snapshot of local conditions at that time. [Elektroda, barfor, post #17878221]
Will my MF286 fall back to 3G/HSPA+ if LTE is unavailable?
Yes. Keep GSM and WCDMA bands enabled. The MF286 gives LTE priority, but it can connect to WCDMA when LTE is not available. For LTE-only tests, select a single LTE band while leaving GSM/WCDMA enabled. [Elektroda, matek451, post #17833580]
Can the MF286 web UI show which bands are aggregated?
Not always. In some cases, the interface does not display which bands are aggregated, even when LTE1800+800 are active. This limits on‑router visibility for CA diagnostics. [Elektroda, matek451, post #17833760]
What network changes are expected for Orange/T‑Mobile bands here?
LTE1800NW on 15 MHz is being split into LTE1800 on 10 MHz per operator. LTE2100 at 10 MHz is added, and LTE800 remains 10 MHz. LTE2600 may also be activated on the site. [Elektroda, matek451, post #17831457]
Does the ZTE MF980 have the same external‑antenna behavior?
Yes. Like the MF286, one MF980 input works only with LTE2600, while the other handles LTE800/1800/2100. Plan antenna connections accordingly. [Elektroda, st128, post #17831440]
I aligned to Wysoka 7 and still suffer slowdowns; what next?
One user reported full LTE_A coverage after chimney placement, yet use remained onerous under heavy load. Consider changing plans or operator after your contract if congestion persists. In that case, the user chose Play. [Elektroda, barfor, post #17969216]
Where can I check which bands my Orange BTS supports?
Use btsearch.pl to see bands and permits for your BTS. Then confirm by forcing each LTE band on the MF286 and logging RSRP and CID during tests. “The choice of antennas depends on it.” [Elektroda, matek451, post #17832224]
