Otto Antennas with Huawei B315

[RooiWillie28]

I tried to read up on my setup that I have installed - a Huawei b315 with 2x DBDS-800/2500-11 7MT otto wireless antennas, but could not find much. So here is my experience:

Antenna Info: http://www.otto.co.za/products/ante...-antenna-15db-with-bracket-and-7-meter-cable/
Router Info: https://www.google.com/url?q=http:/...ggVMAA&usg=AFQjCNFVUtTeiJXz8ZOwJhLeGlTsNlHGjg

I got the router on Cell C's 100GB smartdata contract for R999 per month and I stay in Klerksdorp. We do not have LTE signal here. The fastest download speed I got with the standard antennas and optimal placement was 8.5Mb.

Using the open signal app to locate my closest tower, I put the antennas up and directed them in the general direction that the open signal app showed. I have no idea where the tower is at, and I have no line of sight. In fact, we are surrounded by many huge trees.

With this setup I constantly get 12Mb down and ping times are about 50% of what they were. Skype video calls are no issue and social browsing with mobile phones over wifi is pretty good.

 

[RooiWillie28]

Here is a speed test result:

Signal before:

Signal after:

Sorry guys, I'm not sure how to get the actual signal strength reading from the router.

 

[sajunky]

Excellent for 3G connection. As for signal sthrenght, you can:

1. Check it on router management page: Settings -> System -> Device information. I shows RSRQ, RSRP, RSSI, but not SINR.

2. On your browser using API: http://192.168.8.1/api/device/signal
IE do not display XML output correctly, go to View -> Source.

3. Use this tool: http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthr...x-for-new-Huawei-HiLink-devices-(E5186-B315s)

 

[RooiWillie28]

Awesome, thank you! Here we go:

rssi: -81dBm
rscp: -85dBm
ecio: -4dB

 

[RooiWillie28]

A quick update. I had the antenna out, it was pointing north instead of east. So the new numbers:

rssi: - 77db
rscp: - 83db
ecio: - 6db

I am also contemplating getting a taller mast.

 

[RichardG]

A quick update. I had the antenna out, it was pointing north instead of east. So the new numbers:

rssi: - 77db
rscp: - 83db
ecio: - 6db

I am also contemplating getting a taller mast.

What readings you getting without the external antenna

 

[RooiWillie28]

What readings you getting without the external antenna

RSSI: -88dBm
RSCP: -99dBm
ECIO: -11dB

 

[RooiWillie28]

Most interesting though, after tightening the antenna cables (with a spanner), I get the following readings with the external Otto antennas:

RSSI: -58dBm
RSCP: -65dBm
ECIO: -7dB

 

[RooiWillie28]

I'm also starting to wonder about something else, would there be a difference in signal if you place the antennas slightly further apart, i.e. 300mm at the bottom? currently they are very close, less than 10mm.

 

[proze]

You're meant to tighten SMA connectors with a SMA torque wrench. You can strip those threads very easily!

I think the spacing is a function of frequency and how much local reflection you expect to experience. There's a video on Youtube by Andre (?) from Poynting talking about it.

Edit: here's the vid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPZ-rkX-eHw

 

[LazyLion]

How did this affect your internal wifi signal?