FAQ
TL;DR: For Play LTE 3-band CA, a Cybertech 17 dBi MIMO panel plus 5 m LMR-240 (≈ 2.2 dB loss) offers the best balance; "the antenna works fine" when correctly aimed [Elektroda, matek451, #18239821; Elektroda, Anonymous, #18234196].
Why it matters: The right antenna-cable pair can lift SINR by 8 dB and double real-world throughput.
Quick Facts
• Cybertech 17 dBi MIMO covers 1800–2600 MHz; horizontal beam ≈ 30° [Elektroda, matek451, post #18236777]
• 5 m losses at 2600 MHz: LMR-240 ≈ 2.2 dB, H155 ≈ 2.7 dB, H1000 ≈ 1.3 dB [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #18234196]
• Typical panel price in Poland: 190–230 PLN, cables +30–60 PLN.*“Ceneo”*.
• LTE2600 offers 20 MHz bandwidth; UL speeds ≈ 2× LTE2100 [Elektroda, matek451, post #18234182]
• Huawei B535 aggregates two bands; B715 aggregates three (B7+B1+B3) [Elektroda, matek451, #19024494; #18234182].
Which external antenna works best for Play LTE 1800/2100/2600 within 2 km?
Tests show the Cybertech Dual LTE-A 17 dBi MIMO panel gives the cleanest SINR and RSRP when placed outside at 5 m height [Elektroda, Hevce, #18236794; Elektroda, matek451, #18239821]. It is tuned for 1800–2600 MHz and supports 2×2 MIMO needed by the Huawei B715.
Do I need an antenna that also covers the 800 MHz band?
If your router normally locks LTE800 because the higher bands are weak, choose a wideband model. For users 1–3 km from a multi-band Play BTS, omitting 800 MHz is fine; higher bands carry more data and are less congested [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #18234124]
Which cable should I pick for a 5 m run?
LMR-240 (or RF240) balances price and loss: ≈ 2.2 dB at 2600 MHz. H155 loses ≈ 2.7 dB, while premium H1000 drops to 1.3 dB but costs more [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #18234196]
How much signal gain remains after cable loss?
A 17 dBi panel minus 2.2 dB cable loss still delivers ~14.8 dBi net gain. Using H155, net gain falls to ~14.3 dBi; with old RG58 (≈5 dB) you would keep only 12 dBi—barely better than many indoor paddles [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #18234196]
Can too much antenna gain hurt performance?
Yes. Raising gain also raises unwanted signals. In the thread, boosting 1800/2100 MHz pulled in foreign emissions and drove SINR negative, blocking data on those bands [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #18239937] "High gain can be a disadvantage" when interference dominates [Elektroda, Hevce, post #18239997]
Why does my router attach to a farther BTS?
BTS sector orientation often overrides distance. The nearer mast’s beam may miss your window, while the farther Polna 2A site covers you directly; the router therefore shows stronger RSRQ despite weaker RSRP [Elektroda, matek451, post #18236777]
How do I aim the Cybertech panel for best SINR?
Follow this 3-step method:
- Mount at gutter height; keep mast clear of metal.
- Rotate slowly until SINR peaks on LTE2600; note that 30° beam makes small turns matter.
- Tighten bolts, then test aggregation in LTEwatch.
Most users see 5–10 dB SINR lift after step 2 [Elektroda, matek451, post #18236777]
Which connectors should I order with the antenna?
Buy the version with N-female sockets on the housing plus separate 5 m N-male → SMA-male jumpers. This lets you replace cables later without opening the panel [Elektroda, matek451, post #18234287]
My TP-Link MR6400 struggles; what router upgrade is sensible?
Switch to Huawei B535-232 (no SIM-lock) as a minimum. It aggregates two bands, letting Play users combine 2100 + 1800 MHz for double the MR6400 speed ceiling [Elektroda, matek451, post #19024494]
Does better cable shielding really change speeds?
Shielding blocks home-grown noise—LED lamps or HDMI cables can leak RF. Users report more stable modulation and 10–15 % higher peak throughput after swapping weak cables for well-shielded LMR types [Elektroda, Anonymous, post #18234632]
What speeds can I expect after the upgrade?
In the case study, raw indoors speed was 6 Mbps. After adding the 17 dBi panel and CA-capable router, peak downloads exceeded 60 Mbps, a 10× jump [Elektroda, Hevce, post #18236794]
Edge case: when should I avoid a high-gain directional panel?
In very strong-signal urban cells (< 500 m) a 17 dBi panel can overload the modem front-end or capture multiple BTSs, reducing SINR. A smaller 7–9 dBi log-periodic often yields steadier links in that scenario [RF Design Guide].
