Antenna installation and alignment

I am posting this by request of Azimuth
For background please see this post

this is basically what the setup looks like CAM00290.jpg
The antenna is connected to my Huawei B683 router.

I had an idea of where the MTN towers were, and I took a ride out to what I thought would be the best site just to confirm exactly where the tower is in relation to my flat.
When I installed the antenna I took my laptop with me on the roof, so I could almost immediately see what signal strength was being received, and I could fine-tune everything before finally fastening the bolts.
The antenna came with a 7m cable, and they also sent me a 5m extension. At the moment I am using both cables.

Using the router's built in antenna I get ±-90dB. With the external antenna it jumps to ±-75dB!. My internet speed has improved drastically as seen with the speedtest results below

Without external antenna :cry:

With external antenna :D

I am sure the extension cable causes some signal loss (I only need to move the router about 1m to avoid using the extension), but at the moment my home setup requires it to be so.

Hopefully someone finds this helpful!
 
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charlh said:
I am sure the extension cable causes some signal loss (I only need to move the router about 1m to avoid using the extension), but at the moment my home setup requires it to be so.
Click to expand...
If it is LMR195 cable (which is considered good), expect 3dB loss @2GHz on 5M long cable. Yes, it is better without extension.
 
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A small update, currently have the antenna disconnected and getting -78dBM...was getting -80dBm 2 months ago *with* an antenna.

Edit: reason for this is that the XPOL-0002 "v1" doesn't support 2300MHz and has no gain at this frequency.

773014332.png


No, the cell tower hasn't moved closer. :p It seems my cell tower is transmitting at a higher power now and lessened the need for external antennas.

I'm now rather keen to get the correct antenna - the XPOL-06 - and see what results I get. Stay tuned.
 
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How much do you spend on antennas? You are like I am with cellphones. Must try every possible thing. :D
 
LOL. Well I have a couple LPDAs, a couple XPOL-0002s and and my omnis are gone now at least. Wirelesswarrior indeed.
 
Azimuth - what is your current set up now with regards to Antenna only. Gosh you are enthusiastic - Telkom Mobile should employ you on weekends to install Antennas! You live up to your reputation WirelessWarrious :P
 
Share your home equipment setup

Haha - thanks for the compliment. I'd like to do more than antennas though, I'd like to manage their national LTE footprint. :) I hope to break into telecoms soon enough. ;)

I'm still not using an antenna. I've been meaning to return my XPOL-0002 - since it's not really for Telkom Mobile - and get an XPOL-06 instead (strictly 2300MHz). However, I'm now considering reinstallation of my LPDA antennas since they support all bands and I can then chop and change service providers when needed. Remember I have a second B593 that supports VC, MTN and Cell C LTE. I won't install in the same place and will have clear line of sight compared to before. Also, I won't go full height since it won't be necessary; weather won't be a big issue any more.

All the results I post are without an antenna. My signal strength is -78dBM and of course I get full signal. Speed tests are stable every day at 30-40Mbps down and 6-7Mbps up. Pings are 30-50ms.
 
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Howdy folks, Azimuth asked that I post the details of my setup here.

G&E Project Management, the company doing the installation on behalf of Poynting, was gracious enough to supply me with photographs of the installation.
They did a marvellous job, and I would not hesitate to use their services again.

Area: Goedemoed, Durbanville
Mobile broadband of choice: Telkom Mobile
Distance from tower: No idea
Cell ID: No idea
Antennas used: 2 X LPDA-0092-V2 mounted for MiMo LTE (PBN-LPDA-0092-LTE)
Bracket: Poynting large wall bracket
Mast: Poynting 3m mast
Router: Huawei B593 601
Before antennas: -101dBm, no bars
After antennas: varies between -60dBm and -64dBm, 4 bars
Antenna cable length: 10m +3m extension
Speeds: speedtest results.jpg

Installation cost: approximately R7.5k (Modem + Antennae + Installation)
Contract or prepaid: Both (Telkom Mobile 60+60GB and Telkom Mobile 10GB contract)

Antennae.jpg
Bracket.jpg
Cable extension.jpg
Modem back.jpg
Modem front.jpg
 
Thanks for sharing!

Interestingly I see several issues with the installation yet it was done by a professional contractor. I guess you have the speeds though so it matters little.
 
Could you please elaborate on how the installation can be improved?
It would be very interesting to see how fast my connection can go.
 
Share your home equipment setup

Azimuth said:
The new install saw a loss of 7dBm in signal strength. I was hoping for better quite honestly...but I suppose a compact housing cannot compete with those monster LPDAs I had to begin with.

With the insane electric storms this season (worst I've seen in 6 years), I wasted no time in decommissioning my LPDAs. :(

View attachment 88521

No further need to worry about lightning strikes or the mast bowing under the terrible winds we've been having.

Edit: as a learning and note to the LPDAs, I didn't have them spaced far enough apart to be recognised as separate antennas and they need to be perfectly aligned on top of each other.
Click to expand...

Basically this. The top and bottom antenna must be perfectly aligned and about 0.5m apart. Poynting told me that if they aren't spaced properly you don't get proper MIMO, or something. Given your results I'm wondering if it's a case of a textbook installation but real world, it doesn't make a huge difference?
 
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Thanks Azimuth

I sent your comment about the antennae spacing to G&E Project Management and will post here once they respond.
 
Share your home equipment setup

What about grounding? And teeing off the top of the mast for lightning protection? I never did these things but my installation was only a trial.
 
Good questions.

By now, you have probably already figured out that I am a complete noob when it comes network equipment :)
 
Actual lightning is extremely scarce in the Cape peninsula.

Interesting thread though, kinda shows really how far behind the curve Telkom's residential last mile is as far as fixed lines go.
 
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