[SOLVED] Boost signal for fixed wireless

[cathairez]

I have ATT fixed wireless. My only options are expensive satellite which I had and hated, hotspots at $10 per gb, or fixed wireless. I'm at the edge of the coverage area, they couldn't find the tower they were supposed to connect me to, so they used a "leg" that at was one number different on cell ID. The tech walked around my yard, the best signal he could get was RSRP -114. Their no install cutoff is -120, my signal fluctuates between -112 and -119.

Despite that I get almost the max 25 mbps advertised, but only about 300kbps up instead of the 1mbps.

The antenna is mounted on a metal pole, about 5 foot off the ground. It could not be roof mounted due to our metal roof he said. I asked about a taller pole, he said company policy was 5 foot max on a pole.

I took an old tv antenna pole, 20 foot tall, and mounted it on that. It didn't help the signal. I hooked a coupler to the cable and walked around the yard only getting a -112 at best despite where I went. Is there anything I can do to improve signal or at the very least boost upload? The only option they give me is cancel or live with it. This really is the best / most affordable option for my area. Is there an antenna / booster that would work, if so how would I use it with the wireless antenna that is installed. It has an rj45 port that runs to an antenna box, with another rj45 that runs to the modem/router. That same router has a coaxial port on it. The antenna model is an OWAR0-35 (nrb-5104).

I'm sorry if I seem foolish or stupid for asking. I really didn't know where to go.

 

[cathairez]

If I got one of these " Sonora 14dB Gain Satellite DBS Amplifier (LA141)" and one of these "2300 mhz antenna" and hooked it to the coaxial port on the modem/router or maybe to another antenna near the fixed wireless one to amplify and rebroadcast? Sorry, i'm stupid and desperate, just guessing.

The signal is 2300mhz, band 30. I forgot to mention. and the antenna is currently hooked to a Pace 5268ac via an rj45 connection and cabling.

 

[bill001g]

That is not what I expected when you said antenna. I have sorta been looking for a device like this for some time....them again google search leads to some tech data but nobody actually selling it. I bet they only sell it to cell companies.

In any case that is not a antenna it is best called a CPE. It is the antenna and radio receiver and bridge all in one unit. It in effect is a outdoor LTE modem connected via ethernet.

The only thing you have access to is the ethenet connection between the unit and your router. The signal has already been converted at this point. There is not a signal issue between your router and the unit on this cable.

If I had to recommend a solution for this problem this unit is your best case. Kinda why I was looking to see who sold them.

The other way you seen this done is with actual antenna attached via a coax type of cable. You hook this to some unit in your house. In these cases you can put in amplifiers or maybe different antenna. First issue is any form of amplifier is going to be expensive. It is very hard to only amplify the signal but not the background noise when the signal is weak. Next problem is that good low loss microwave cable is expensive.

The big problem with using your own antenna and any amplifiers is it is in the grey area of the law. The issue is you are transmitting as well as receiving. The cell carrier is ultimately responsible to ensure that radio transmission on their bands conform to their license. The way the law is it says you can use antenna with the permission of the provider. Problem is the provider will never give you the paper work so you can prove you are legal. I doubt they enforce any of this anyway. It would be your cell provider that would be complaining if your equipment was messing up their stuff.

You already did what I would and put it on a taller pole. There is not much you can do to the unit itself. There is no way to change antenna or insert amplifiers in between the radio and the antenna since it all one box. Your problems could be the radio units on the cell tower and not your unit.

Maybe you get lucky and there is WISP in the area. The antenna for these look very similar to the cell company one you have. Some look like satellite dish point flat.

 

[cathairez]

Ah well 🙁

I'm glad you clarified what I had. I wasn't really sure, not too familiar with the equipment. I figured I was basically out of luck. We just have satellite and hotspots. Hotspots are $10 per gb, satellite just sucks... I hated it so much. I tether my cell with "unlimited data" and do ok, but it's about 3mb down, 200-300kb up.

Really wish there was a good affordable rural option. Thanks for the reply

 

[buckw1]

I have ATT fixed wireless. My only options are expensive satellite which I had and hated, hotspots at $10 per gb, or fixed wireless. I'm at the edge of the coverage area, they couldn't find the tower they were supposed to connect me to, so they used a "leg" that at was one number different on cell ID. The tech walked around my yard, the best signal he could get was RSRP -114. Their no install cutoff is -120, my signal fluctuates between -112 and -119.

Despite that I get almost the max 25 mbps advertised, but only about 300kbps up instead of the 1mbps.

The antenna is mounted on a metal pole, about 5 foot off the ground. It could not be roof mounted due to our metal roof he said. I asked about a taller pole, he said company policy was 5 foot max on a pole.

I took an old tv antenna pole, 20 foot tall, and mounted it on that. It didn't help the signal. I hooked a coupler to the cable and walked around the yard only getting a -112 at best despite where I went. Is there anything I can do to improve signal or at the very least boost upload? The only option they give me is cancel or live with it. This really is the best / most affordable option for my area. Is there an antenna / booster that would work, if so how would I use it with the wireless antenna that is installed. It has an rj45 port that runs to an antenna box, with another rj45 that runs to the modem/router. That same router has a coaxial port on it. The antenna model is an OWAR0-35 (nrb-5104).

I'm sorry if I seem foolish or stupid for asking. I really didn't know where to go.

Dont think it will be of any use but I found the technical details and user manual for the antenae ( actually a qualcom celluar modem) https://fccid.io/XIA-NRB51B/Users-Manual/User-Manual-3108538