ZTE MF286R external antenna issue

[Paroshin]

Hi guy’s I have a problem I have an dual external LTE antenna installed when I plug it into the router signal strength is good but my speeds are slower than without the antenna, it doesn’t make any sense to me, -82 dbm with antenna and -88 dbm without.
Please can someone help.
Router : ZTE MF286R
Service Provider : MTN

 

[lloydernest]

The negative 82 is better than negative 88. it means you gained +5 dbm

 

[lloydernest]

How did you enable the external antenna? is it just plug and play?

 

[Jason-ZA]

It might be because with the external antenna you only get 2x2 MiMo (less than the internal antenna).
@cavedog generally knows this stuff