B618 Figures on RAIN LTE - who can explain this?

R

randmental

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Who can explain this - I switched between a OTTO 11dBi external antenna and the B618 internal antenna.

The B618 is forced onto the 2600MHz frequency band. Only difference halfway through tyhe graphs I swicted to the internal antenna

The Cell ID also stays the same - I am +/- 3.5km from the tower (I think).

According to this LTEwatch internal antenna is better, even though the signal strength and SINR are worse.


LTE B618 - INT-EXT Antenna - comparison - Same Cell ID.png
 
That is very weird...
Have you done any testing over a longer period using both options?
 
Not sure why speeds are better with the external could be related to MIMO not sure how MIMO would work internal vs external especially if you select external in the router settings.
 
cavedog said:
Not sure why speeds are better with the external could be related to MIMO not sure how MIMO would work internal vs external especially if you select external in the router settings.
Click to expand...
That's the question. When switching antenna, did you inform the router of the switch?
 
manicminer said:
That's the question. When switching antenna, did you inform the router of the switch?
Click to expand...

Well there is a setting for it which you can change. Did you try that? Default is Auto but I would suggest switching it between internal or external.
 
manicminer said:
That's the question. When switching antenna, did you inform the router of the switch?
Click to expand...

Yes I am switching the Antennas remotely using the Huawei Band Tool and confirmed it works by unplugging the antenna connectors on the back of the router as part of the various tests.

Note: Setting the Antenna config to Auto, it shows (in the B618 website app) that the antenna detects the external antenna being connected or not and switches over automatically. To make sure I have unplugged the antennas when doing the speed tests.

Has also rebooted the router after antenna switching, no difference.
 
Last edited:
Hi Cavedog,

I have used the tool you suggested to force 2600MHz band and then force the antenna to External or Internal for these tests.

In Auto mode it switches to external immediately, I guess it sees the short on the antenna connectors, or it measures the signal strength?

I have repeated the tests today and have done a full 360deg on the external antenna, this is the only 2600MHz site in Centurion (about 3.5km line of sight) which is supported by the Signal strength.

One explanation could be that the External antenna might have one of the antennas not working/tuned, thus seeing the signal strength, but cannot get the 2 channel MIMO communication going. Will be my next test.
 
randmental said:
Hi Cavedog,

I have used the tool you suggested to force 2600MHz band and then force the antenna to External or Internal for these tests.

In Auto mode it switches to external immediately, I guess it sees the short on the antenna connectors, or it measures the signal strength?

I have repeated the tests today and have done a full 360deg on the external antenna, this is the only 2600MHz site in Centurion (about 3.5km line of sight) which is supported by the Signal strength.

One explanation could be that the External antenna might have one of the antennas not working/tuned, thus seeing the signal strength, but cannot get the 2 channel MIMO communication going. Will be my next test.
Click to expand...

Interesting because I too live in Centurion and find the towers are plenty. I stay in kosmosdal and pick up 2 on 2600MHz. Did you try only plugging one antenna cable and see what stats look like.
 
cavedog said:
Interesting because I too live in Centurion and find the towers are plenty. I stay in kosmosdal and pick up 2 on 2600MHz. Did you try only plugging one antenna cable and see what stats look like.
Click to expand...

Yes did that. And the the speeds then drops to <2Mps.

I am in Eldoraigne X1, so I can see the tower at Zwartkop (the hill behind Rapsody's). I am directly north of the Eldoraigne 3 / Mulders Mile towers, but cannot see them and dont have line of sight. The 360 degree test did not show any signals from the south side.
Tonight tried the two External blad antennas one gets with the B315 Router - did not make any significant difference vs. the internal antennas of the B618.

I guess I'll wait for Poynting to open and get one of their 2600/1800 antennas, although the OTTO one has the same dimensions and looks the same from the outside side.
 
Yes,

Don't use this tool. You got it from LTE Forum in Germany. Problem is, switching bands (from auto 1800 to 2600TDD). This tool doesn't do a correct band switch over. If you wish to force your B618 into 2600TDD. Use "huawei_band_tool.exe", as the batch tools don't just use simple band switch over, but uses network mode, hex and band. LTE Watch is not your answer.
 
Also, external antenna are directional, make absolutely sure you're pointing at the correct tower with it.
 
What is the best option for LTE-Advanced? i'm looking for good speeds, Reliable and alot of data (not a small user)

Cell-C ? or MTN ? or Vodacom?
 
Napalm said:
What is the best option for LTE-Advanced? i'm looking for good speeds, Reliable and alot of data (not a small user)

Cell-C ? or MTN ? or Vodacom?
Click to expand...

Telkom lol. 200Gb + 200Gb night surfer data for around R1200 a month. Offf topic though.
 
randmental said:
Who can explain this - I switched between a OTTO 11dBi external antenna and the B618 internal antenna.

The B618 is forced onto the 2600MHz frequency band. Only difference halfway through tyhe graphs I swicted to the internal antenna

The Cell ID also stays the same - I am +/- 3.5km from the tower (I think).

According to this LTEwatch internal antenna is better, even though the signal strength and SINR are worse.


View attachment 488030
Click to expand...

Well.. Firstly, it would seem that either you are using 0xAA's tool and THEN running the LTEwatch tool (which, by the way, would counter anything done prior as both probe the router). So, rather, use 0xAA's tool, LEAVE LTEwatch alone.

The answer to Global Cell ID, is revealed by clicking it.. BUT, you are connected to 65519 (Which is the RAIN MMC), seems by this you are on automatic, not 2600. LTEWatch cannot force TDD.

Use the 0xAA tool for all, including setting your antennae. BTW: You would have bought the MIMO antennae as well as the converters. Use non-conductive tape to ensure both plug into the router and stay there.

Log into your webgui, check antennae type, try auto. If the results show Both as external, they are plugged in. if one is internal and one external, it means they aren't connected. Switch.. (They are inter-operable, i.e. doesn't matter which to which 2x2). Once you're sure. Use the 0xAA tool again, ensure you run:

1. "LTE_2600_TDD.bat"
2. if success, run, SET_ANTENNA_TYPE_EXTERN.bat
3. Check your signal via "SHOW_SIGNAL_STRENGTH_NO_CLEAR_SCREEN.bat"

And.. don't touch LTEwatch.

Happy to help.
 
randmental said:
Who can explain this - I switched between a OTTO 11dBi external antenna and the B618 internal antenna.

The B618 is forced onto the 2600MHz frequency band. Only difference halfway through tyhe graphs I swicted to the internal antenna

The Cell ID also stays the same - I am +/- 3.5km from the tower (I think).

According to this LTEwatch internal antenna is better, even though the signal strength and SINR are worse.


View attachment 488030
Click to expand...

I had similar results as this when i tried to use the external Antenna, just the speeds are bad so i cancelled and scored some free routers due to the afrihost mess up
 
Napalm said:
What is the best option for LTE-Advanced? i'm looking for good speeds, Reliable and alot of data (not a small user)

Cell-C ? or MTN ? or Vodacom?
Click to expand...

Try and get hold of the Telkom uncapped LTE thats R799 a month or so. i sold mine to someone not that long ago but every now and then you can find one. Carbonite is a good place also to look etc just take over someones contract.
 
Don't they sell it anymore? Fresh out of the box/

under_sky said:
Try and get hold of the Telkom uncapped LTE thats R799 a month or so. i sold mine to someone not that long ago but every now and then you can find one. Carbonite is a good place also to look etc just take over someones contract.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
Don't they have caps on these "uncapped" accounts.

What is AUP like and the average speeds.

I'm guessing daily AUP or an monthly AUP of 50gig or 100gig.. then they start shaping.
 
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