Q building a WE1326 w/ EM7565 vs Mofi4500

[motoguy]

I'm looking to move from our WISP to LTE based internet at our home. The rabbit hole of internet searches led me to the combo of OTRmobile service, Mofi4500 modem/router, connected by LMR400 to a couple of antennas in the attic. Further rabbit hole exploration led me to this comment on Reddit:

"Edit: I would try to build your own MoFi like device with newer hardware. The Sierra EM7565 M.2 card is almost as advanced as the Nighthawk’s modem (3xCA vs 4xCA) and could give you a boost. I might give this a try myself.

Edit 4: for those wanting the absolute best, the Telit LM960 is 5xCA/4x4 MIMO/256QAM capable with 4 antenna ports for 1.2gbps downlink 150mbps Uplink capability. (Rough math improves my weak signal rural speeds from 75mbps max to 265mbps max assuming band 14 and 66 are added to my local cell)."

That led me to Wireless Joint, and the idea of building a WE-826 or WE1326, instead of the Mofi. I like the idea of the LM960, but I'm able to find very little on Wireless Joint about it, nor much on the web. It seems the SW modems are being used more commonly here. In addition, the LM960 seems to have support for fewer bands than the 7455/7465. As a first time builder, I think flexibility is probably a safer route than ultimate performance on specific bands.

So, I'm looking into building a WE1326 (when they are back in stock...thoughts on buying from https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/l11c3Viu
? ) with the EM7565 modem. This seems like a good way to get the most bang for the buck, vs a Mofi4500.

Any common pitfalls or warnings for a first time builder? Order the parts the adapter tray, pigtail connectors, and go?

[swwifty]

Sounds like you've made the right choice. I'd order the parts and go. Lots of good guides here to build that out, and folks that can help you if you run into issues.

[motoguy]

With the WE1326 being indefinitely out of stock, I'm thinking of just going the Raspberry Pi route w/ separate wifi routers (well, router and an ap/booster on the other side of the house). I'm interested in the 7565 vs the 7455 for the 3CA capabilities, vs the 2CA of the 7455. Possibly unneeded, but given my crappy ATT reception at home, I'll take every advantage. Showing my ignorance here, but the 3CA is performed using only the 2 antennas, correct? The 7565 has ports labeled MAIN, AUX, and GPS. I'm not sure if the 3CA is done using only the 2 MAIN and AUX ports, or if the GPS port is used for a 3rd antenna. I'll be using wideband antennas, either yagis or mesh parabolics.

Looking at photos in your setup swwifty, I see you powered both the Pi and the modem (USB case) via POE. I like that idea, particularly if I stick them both in the attic with the antenna (giving <5 ft antenna leads, and running (1x) CAT5e up to the attic, vs (2x) LMR400 down to the 1st floor). The antenna will be looking out the gabled end of the house, there should only be an insulation bat, sheathing, tyvek wrap, and vinyl siding between them and "open air". No nails or other metal.

My two concerns: 1) Will the environment of an attic in the mid Missouri summer kill the Pi and the modem? I'm assuming it gets 120-ish degrees up there in the summer. (I may have the ability to locate the Pi/modem in a small box at the top of a nearby closet, in the temp controlled living space). 2) if I run power to the units via POE, that means I'll be interfacing them via CAT5...which means the SIM card will still be in the USB housing. I understand it's bad juju to interface with a networked SW modem via Windows. However, I'll -actually- be connecting via the Pi, correct? So no worries?

If i need to have regular manual access to the components, it may be better off to just run the antenna cables down to the first floor (or possible closet mentioned above). Attic access is a PITA. I can deal with it long enough to get the antennas aimed, but would like to not climb up there after that.