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[Solved] ZTE MF286 External Antenna Selection: Best Options for 800MHz, 2600MHz, 3G & HSPA+ (Orange Card)

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  • #1 17831279
    barfor
    Level 13  
    Posts: 284
    Rate: 41
    Hello, I have a ZTE MF286 modem + Orange card. The installation is in Tuszyn, ul. Kasztelańska. The nearest transmitter is Orange (26003) ID: 90125 (N!) Tuszyn, ul. High 7 - housing estate boiler house chimney. I found out that the modem has the left port (seen from the rear of the router) is only suitable for receiving LTE 2600 MHz. On the other hand, the right socket is used to receive lower LTE frequencies (800, 1800, 2100 MHz) as well as 3G and HSPA +. Modem dedicated sets are available on Allegro.
    ZTE MF286 External Antenna Selection: Best Options for 800MHz, 2600MHz, 3G & HSPA+ (Orange Card)

    From what I read on the btsearch website, LTE is in the 800MHz band. Does it make sense to buy a set of two antennas or maybe only for 800MHz. What if the transmitter is "full" will the modem use 3G? I would like to add that I have two TRI LAN 240 50 OHM cables led out to the roof.
    Regards, and have a nice day.
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  • #2 17831440
    st128
    Level 11  
    Posts: 49
    Help: 1
    Rate: 3
    This antenna in a plastic tube is logarithmic and supports lte800 and the thigh yagi on the right is only for lte2600, in this model zte one antenna input only works with lte 2600, for lte800 you only need one atk-10 or atk-20 antenna (all the lte800 without aggregation) or the photo on the left, i.e. logarithmic (this one is suitable for aggregation of bands). The same situation as in mf286 is in the mf980 - one input only lte2600, the other - other bands.
  • #3 17831457
    matek451
    Level 43  
    Posts: 31046
    Help: 4313
    Rate: 5707
    LTE1800NW and LTE1800 + 800 aggregation also work on BTS NetWorks High. Generally, the modernization of the NetWorks network in this area should be expected, if it has not already been done. The common LTE1800NW on the 15MHz band will be replaced with the LTE1800 by T-Mobile and Orange, each on 10MHz. In addition, LTE2100 will be launched for everyone also at 10MHz, of course their LTE800 is also on the 10MHz band and it is possible that LTE2600 also fires on this BTS. Having the MF286, check whether the current FW has the option to select the LTe band in the webUI, if so, you force LTE2600, LTE2100, LTE1800 and LTE800 one after the other and show a screen with information about the device from BTS CID and signal RSRP. Test with MF286 outside. The choice of antennas depends on it.
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  • #4 17831809
    barfor
    Level 13  
    Posts: 284
    Rate: 41
    The modem was in an external service, it has the latest firmware. What program should I get the data. Could you please provide the page where you obtained the data that Orange also has other frequencies, best regards.
  • #5 17832224
    matek451
    Level 43  
    Posts: 31046
    Help: 4313
    Rate: 5707
    If the FW after the modernization, it has the option to select LTE bands, you check in turn, as I wrote, LTE2600, lTE2100, LTE1800 and LTE800 and show the screen with Device information, where RSRP and CID of BTS in HEX will be shown. Information that BTS is / was LTE800 Orange and LTE1800NW based on btsearch.pl. So far, there is no verification of this part of Łódź and the surrounding area in terms of modernization, but based on my own and my colleagues' information, I know that the southern part of the agglomeration has already been done. The work started in the summer of 2018 with "my" BTS in the northern regions and Stryków, continued, so it is possible that Tuszyn has also been done. Confirmation based on the tests I am asking for. I am the specialist in such matters.
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  • #6 17833534
    barfor
    Level 13  
    Posts: 284
    Rate: 41
    Hello again, I am attaching a screen of manual band selection. Unfortunately, if I choose single LTE, the modem also selects WCDMA and GSM. Which to choose for testing. What or where to read the RSRP and CID values of BTS in HEX? In the modem, I only have the station number and the data as in the picture.

    ZTE MF286 External Antenna Selection: Best Options for 800MHz, 2600MHz, 3G & HSPA+ (Orange Card)

    ZTE MF286 External Antenna Selection: Best Options for 800MHz, 2600MHz, 3G & HSPA+ (Orange Card)
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  • #7 17833580
    matek451
    Level 43  
    Posts: 31046
    Help: 4313
    Rate: 5707
    This CID is in DEC and it is LTE1800Networks from BTS JP II 98. Signal parameters are weak. LTE800 Orange is also confirmed on BTS, so LTE1800 + 800 probably works. Click on the detailed information and the aggregated bands will be shown. If you want to check each band, you leave only one for LTE, those for 2G (GSM) and 3G (WCDMA) can be all and so LTE has priority. what are your speeds at this setting as you showed, DL / UL?
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  • #8 17833665
    barfor
    Level 13  
    Posts: 284
    Rate: 41
    Screen info about the device.

    ZTE MF286 External Antenna Selection: Best Options for 800MHz, 2600MHz, 3G & HSPA+ (Orange Card)
  • #9 17833760
    matek451
    Level 43  
    Posts: 31046
    Help: 4313
    Rate: 5707
    Unfortunately, it does not show what bands are aggregated, but rather LTE1800 NW + LTE800 Orange from BTS JP II 98. LTE1800 as a baseband with a weak signal and LTE800 to it. No DL / UL speed test. you can see that Tuszyn before the modernization, but for confirmation, force LTE2100, LTE2600 in turn in LTE and check if you connect. For the same LTE800 to see the signal and CID parameters of BTS. The Łódź agglomeration is to be modernized by the end of July, so you will probably get the first LTE bands as well. T-Mobile na Wysoka already has permits for them. In Tuszyn, the optimal operator for today is Play.
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  • #10 17878221
    barfor
    Level 13  
    Posts: 284
    Rate: 41
    I am attaching the current screen. Range after connecting an external LTE FULL antenna with the letter A.

    ZTE MF286 External Antenna Selection: Best Options for 800MHz, 2600MHz, 3G & HSPA+ (Orange Card)

    Unfortunately, speed test 2.5 download - 14 upload.
  • #12 17878448
    barfor
    Level 13  
    Posts: 284
    Rate: 41
    So changing the antennas will not do anything?
  • #14 17969216
    barfor
    Level 13  
    Posts: 284
    Rate: 41
    The antenna is placed on the chimney. LTE_A coverage is full. Unfortunately, with a high network load, the use is very onerous. I'm waiting for the end of the contract (August 2019) and I'm going to PLAY. Thank you for your help.
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Topic summary

✨ The discussion revolves around selecting external antennas for the ZTE MF286 modem, specifically for optimal performance on LTE frequencies of 800MHz and 2600MHz, as well as 3G and HSPA+. Users highlight that the left port of the modem is dedicated to LTE 2600MHz, while the right port supports lower LTE frequencies and 3G. Recommendations include using a single antenna for 800MHz, such as the ATK-10 or ATK-20, or a logarithmic antenna for aggregation. Users also discuss the importance of testing different LTE bands and monitoring signal strength (RSRP) and CID values to determine the best configuration. The conversation notes that network modernization in the area may affect available frequencies and performance. Users report mixed results with external antennas, indicating that high network load can impact speeds despite good signal strength.
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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

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]
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