Quectel EP06-A AT commands for carrier aggregation bandlock?

[giant22000]

Anybody know the AT commands to bandlock certain bands for carrier aggregation? Thanks.

Trying to lock bands 2,4,12,29,30

[JimHelms]

You may find what you need from HERE to get you started.

I have little to no experience with the Quectel line of modems, although I will need to figure them out since we will be stocking them on the store.

[beausmith94]

You may find what you need from HERE to get you started.

I have little to no experience with the Quectel line of modems, although I will need to figure them out since we will be stocking them on the store.

Jim, a quectel tutorial like the one you have for the MC7455 would be great. I’m really interested in setting this up but I there aren’t any thorough guides like the ones you’ve done for Sierra cards. CAT 20 vs CAT 6 is a big leap I’d love to take!

[gscheb]

Hello,
Was looking thru the info on the link in this chat.
Showing the AT commands for the Quectel EP06-A AT commands for bandlock.
I have the Quectel EC25-AF.
Does anyone know if the AT commands are the same on it as the Quectel EP06-A?

[BillA]

Hello,
Was looking thru the info on the link in this chat.
Showing the AT commands for the Quectel EP06-A AT commands for bandlock.
I have the Quectel EC25-AF.
Does anyone know if the AT commands are the same on it as the Quectel EP06-A?

Enter the following AT commands, and write down your original band values before changing anything.

AT+QNWINFO < Current band in use
AT+QCFG=”Band” < Current bands config
AT+CSQ < Check signal strength


To configure single LTE bands or combinations, use the following AT Commands:

Band# - AT Command
2
AT+QCFG="band",0,2,1
4
AT+QCFG="band",0,8,1
5
AT+QCFG="band",0,10,1
2+4
AT+QCFG="band",0,a,1
2+4+5
AT+QCFG="band",0,1a,1
12
AT+QCFG="band",0,800,1
2+4+12
AT+QCFG="band",0,80a,1
2+4+5+12
AT+QCFG="band",0,81a,1
2+12
AT+QCFG="band",0,802,1
4+12
AT+QCFG="band",0,808,1
5+12
AT+QCFG="band",0,810,1

All bands:
AT+QCFG="band",0,42000000003300185a,1

All bands for the EP06-E specifically:
AT+QCFG="band",8d0,1a1880800d5,0

Or use the default value you have written down earlier for your particular modem.
On some modems you have to use this command format:
AT+QCFG="band",2e0,<band_value>,0

Band_value - Band#
1 - LTE BC1
2 - LTE BC2
4 - LTE BC3
8 - LTE BC4
10 - LTE BC5
20 - LTE BC6
40 - LTE BC7
80 - LTE BC8
100 - LTE BC9
200 - LTE BC10
400 - LTE BC11
800 - LTE BC12
1000 - LTE BC13
2000 - LTE BC14
10000 - LTE BC17
20000 - LTE BC18
40000 - LTE BC19
80000 - LTE BC20
100000 - LTE BC21
1000000 - LTE BC25
2000000 - LTE BC26
8000000 - LTE BC28
100000000 - LTE BC33
200000000 - LTE BC34
400000000 - LTE BC35
800000000 - LTE BC36
1000000000 - LTE BC37
2000000000 - LTE BC38
4000000000 - LTE BC39
8000000000 - LTE BC40
10000000000 - LTE BC41
20000000000 - LTE BC42
40000000000 - LTE BC43
20000000000000000 - LTE BC66
400000000000000000 - LTE BC71

For specific band combinations, simply add the hex values together using a hex calculator.
For example: Band 2 (2) + Band 12 (800), therefore the summ in (x) = 802
Or use a band calculator posted in the forum.
These changes take affect without requiring a reset or reboot.
You will have to wait about 5-10 seconds for the switch to occur.


Here are some more useful commands:

Modem Status
AT+qnetdevstatus
AT+QNETDEVSTATUS
AT+QCAINFO < CA Info


Change scan mode
AT+QCFG="nwscanmode",0,1 < Scan all modes
AT+QCFG="nwscanmode",1,1 < GSM only
AT+QCFG="nwscanmode",2,1 < WCDMA only
AT+QCFG="nwscanmode",3,1 < 4G-LTE only


Set Connection Modes
AT+QCFG="usbnet",0 - QMI/PPP/Default
AT+QCFG="usbnet",1 - ECM
AT+QCFG="usbnet",2 - MBIM


Factory reset
AT&F
AT&F1
AT+CFUN=1

AT+CFUN=0 - Turn off modem

[blee0518]

Hello,
Was looking thru the info on the link in this chat.
Showing the AT commands for the Quectel EP06-A AT commands for bandlock.
I have the Quectel EC25-AF.
Does anyone know if the AT commands are the same on it as the Quectel EP06-A?

Where you able to achieve carrier aggregation iwht teh EC25-AF?

[gscheb]

No the EC25-AF doesn't support carrier aggregation. It performed very well on one band in my opinion. It even worked with my Verizon Sim card from my phone. And it has never worked in anything but worked on this thing. If you want 2 band Carrier aggregation go with the EP06-A.

[JimHelms]

Set Connection Modes
AT+QCFG="usbnet",0 - QMI/PPP/Default
AT+QCFG="usbnet",1 - ECM
AT+QCFG="usbnet",2 - MBIM

Caution should always be exercised when changing the composition of a modem.

Note that people have reported losing their Modem WAN port for AT Commands on the EM12-G and EM20-G when using the command:

Code: Select all

AT+QCFG="usbnet",0

[jhend]

All bands for the EP06-E specifically:
AT+QCFG="band",8d0,7e00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000ff000001a0880800d5,0

That should read:

AT+QCFG="band",8d0,1a1880800d5,0

[JoshKelly]

Enter the following AT commands, and write down your original band values before changing anything.

AT+QNWINFO < Current band in use
AT+QCFG=”Band” < Current bands config
AT+CSQ < Check signal strength


To configure single LTE bands or combinations, use the following AT Commands:

Band# - AT Command
2
AT+QCFG="band",0,2,1
4
AT+QCFG="band",0,8,1
5
AT+QCFG="band",0,10,1
2+4
AT+QCFG="band",0,a,1
2+4+5
AT+QCFG="band",0,1a,1
12
AT+QCFG="band",0,800,1
2+4+12
AT+QCFG="band",0,80a,1
2+4+5+12
AT+QCFG="band",0,81a,1
2+12
AT+QCFG="band",0,802,1
4+12
AT+QCFG="band",0,808,1
5+12
AT+QCFG="band",0,810,1

All bands:
AT+QCFG="band",0,42000000003300185a,1

All bands for the EP06-E specifically:
AT+QCFG="band",8d0,1a1880800d5,0

Or use the default value you have written down earlier for your particular modem.
On some modems you have to use this command format:
AT+QCFG="band",2e0,<band_value>,0

Band_value - Band#
1 - LTE BC1
2 - LTE BC2
4 - LTE BC3
8 - LTE BC4
10 - LTE BC5
20 - LTE BC6
40 - LTE BC7
80 - LTE BC8
100 - LTE BC9
200 - LTE BC10
400 - LTE BC11
800 - LTE BC12
1000 - LTE BC13
2000 - LTE BC14
10000 - LTE BC17
20000 - LTE BC18
40000 - LTE BC19
80000 - LTE BC20
100000 - LTE BC21
1000000 - LTE BC25
2000000 - LTE BC26
8000000 - LTE BC28
100000000 - LTE BC33
200000000 - LTE BC34
400000000 - LTE BC35
800000000 - LTE BC36
1000000000 - LTE BC37
2000000000 - LTE BC38
4000000000 - LTE BC39
8000000000 - LTE BC40
10000000000 - LTE BC41
20000000000 - LTE BC42
40000000000 - LTE BC43
20000000000000000 - LTE BC66
400000000000000000 - LTE BC71

For specific band combinations, simply add the hex values together using a hex calculator.
For example: Band 2 (2) + Band 12 (800), therefore the summ in (x) = 802
Or use a band calculator posted in the forum.
These changes take affect without requiring a reset or reboot.
You will have to wait about 5-10 seconds for the switch to occur.


Here are some more useful commands:

Modem Status
AT+qnetdevstatus
AT+QNETDEVSTATUS
AT+QCAINFO < CA Info


Change scan mode
AT+QCFG="nwscanmode",0,1 < Scan all modes
AT+QCFG="nwscanmode",1,1 < GSM only
AT+QCFG="nwscanmode",2,1 < WCDMA only
AT+QCFG="nwscanmode",3,1 < 4G-LTE only


Set Connection Modes
AT+QCFG="usbnet",0 - QMI/PPP/Default
AT+QCFG="usbnet",1 - ECM
AT+QCFG="usbnet",2 - MBIM


Factory reset
AT&F
AT&F1
AT+CFUN=1

AT+CFUN=0 - Turn off modem

What would be the hex code for bands 14, 30, & 66 or for 4, 14, 30 & 66?

I am have a hard time finding the value for band 30

right now I am returning:
+QCFG: "band",0x260,0x2000000003300185a,0x0

Currently it default connects to band 2 and 15

If it ever connect to 30 or 66 my speeds go from 10down to 60down

Thank you,
Josh

[JimHelms]

What would be the hex code for bands 14, 30, & 66 or for 4, 14, 30 & 66?

I am have a hard time finding the value for band 30

right now I am returning:
+QCFG: "band",0x260,0x2000000003300185a,0x0

Currently it default connects to band 2 and 15

If it ever connect to 30 or 66 my speeds go from 10down to 60down

Thank you,
Josh

Why not just use THIS

[JoshKelly]

Why not just use THIS

Thank you so much, I kept reading mention of a calculator but was having a hard time finding it. This is great!

Josh

[jhend]

What would be the hex code for bands 14, 30, & 66 or for 4, 14, 30 & 66?

I am have a hard time finding the value for band 30

right now I am returning:
+QCFG: "band",0x260,0x2000000003300185a,0x0

Currently it default connects to band 2 and 15

If it ever connect to 30 or 66 my speeds go from 10down to 60down

Thank you,
Josh

The Quectel LTE bandmask for B14 + B30 + B66 is: 20000000020002000

And for B4 + B14 + B30 + B66: 20000000020002008

So AT+QCFG="band",0,20000000020002000

And AT+QCFG="band",0,20000000020002008

respectively.

[jhend]

For Linux users, I wrote a little shell script to display LTE band values.

Code: Select all

#!/bin/sh
#
printf "%s%20s\n" "Band  L-bandmask-1" "L-bandmask-2"
LBAND=1
BBAND=1
while [ $LBAND -le 48 ]
do
	printf "%-6s%016X\n" "B$LBAND" "$BBAND"
	LBAND=$(( $LBAND + 1 ))
	BBAND=$(( $BBAND * 2 ))
done
LBAND=65
BBAND=1
while [ $LBAND -le 85 ]
do
	printf "%-6s%016X    %016X\n" "B$LBAND" "0" "$BBAND"
	LBAND=$(( $LBAND + 1 ))
	BBAND=$(( $BBAND * 2 ))
done

Quectel modems put L-bandmask-2 in front of L-bandmask-1. Sierra Wireless modems do it differently.

[JimHelms]

Thank you so much, I kept reading mention of a calculator but was having a hard time finding it. This is great!

Josh

The spreadsheet has been updated for the corrections that jhend pointed out.

[JoshKelly]

Hello everyone I am back with another question on CA.

We have recently purchased a new house and moved, I am having some troubles with the CA at the new house.

Basically the best band for me to connect to is 30, it results in 20-23mb down at a 58% signal connection.

When it CA's with band 12 I get 25-30mb.

The problem is it wants to connect to band 12 as the primary band, resulting in 5-8mb down. When it is connected to band 12 it has a 74% signal.

If I turn band 2 and 4 things get a little better. It will connect to band 4 and CA with band 12 resulting in 10-13 mb down.

I guess my question is there a way to force band lock 30 as the primary band with 12 as the CA?

Currently I am band locked on 30 and get a constant 20-23mb down.

Hopefully this all makes sense.

I am looking into trying to get a pair of these as suggested in another post: https://thewirelesshaven.com/shop/antennas/4g-lte ... l-antenna/

But that will be fair down the road I suspect.

Would something like these potentially help in the meantime, I currently only have the stock antennas that came with my WE826-T2?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YW ... 1d6b1bfbee

I'd much rather purchase from The Wireless Haven but it says the store is closed and not accepting orders: https://thewirelesshaven.com/shop/antennas/4g-lte ... ennas-sma/

An additional thought, would I benefit from one of the newer CAT20 modems? https://thewirelesshaven.com/shop/modems/quectel- ... 2-modem-2/

[gscheb]

Hello,
Those flat panel antennas are very good for sure if you want those down the road.

To band lock to band 30 and 12 this is the command below.
AT+QCFG="band",0,20000800
Now remember this will not make 30 your primary just will make the those two the only two available to it.

If you decide you don't like that and want to go to all bands use this command.
AT+QCFG="band",0,42000000003300185a,1

Got this from the spreadsheet which can be found here https://wirelessjoint.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=943

Don't have allot of input on those other antennas or the modems no experience with them.
Maybe someone else can chime in on that one.

[JoshKelly]

Hello,
Those flat panel antennas are very good for sure if you want those down the road.

To band lock to band 30 and 12 this is the command below.
AT+QCFG="band",0,20000800
Now remember this will not make 30 your primary just will make the those two the only two available to it.

If you decide you don't like that and want to go to all bands use this command.
AT+QCFG="band",0,42000000003300185a,1

Got this from the spreadsheet which can be found here https://wirelessjoint.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=943

Don't have allot of input on those other antennas or the modems no experience with them.
Maybe someone else can chime in on that one.

Is there any way to band lock 30 as primary? If open band 12 and 30 it always connects to 12 as primary and won't CA 30. Yes that sheet is awesome, have been using it ever since @JimHelms pointed it out to me in a previous post

Thank you so much for your help!

[gscheb]

Is there any way to band lock 30 as primary? If open band 12 and 30 it always connects to 12 as primary and won't CA 30. Yes that sheet is awesome, have been using it ever since @JimHelms pointed it out to me in a previous post
Thank you so much for your help!

The short answer to this question is no not with commands.
There is possibility to do with with antennas maybe.
Look at this post here.
https://wirelessjoint.com/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=588#p3516

As a side note it is not ideal but you can set up those directional antennas indoors. In an attic or room towards the tower even.

[JoshKelly]

Ah I see now. Those flat panels are definitely going to have to come down the road, I am going to need about 100' (x2 50') of that LMR400 cable. So that setup is going to end up costing me $250+.

Maybe I can get a set of those paddle antennas for now and just lock band 30 for a little improvement. I just don't know which ones to get and where to get them.

[gscheb]

Ah I see now. Those flat panels are definitely going to have to come down the road, I am going to need about 100' (x2 50') of that LMR400 cable. So that setup is going to end up costing me $250+.

Maybe I can get a set of those paddle antennas for now and just lock band 30 for a little improvement. I just don't know which ones to get and where to get them.

Don't know if you want to do 50 foot runs if you can avoid it. I have a set of 50 foot lmr 400 stored in my furnace room because the long length was not idea for good signal.
Here can look at loss calculator for data loss thru cables. https://www.timesmicrowave.com/Calculator

If you want paddle antennas and can't buy from The Wireless Haven the proxicast brand is a trusted one I believe.
Have several of those laying around in back up.

[Didneywhorl]

Hello everyone I am back with another question on CA.
.....

I am looking into trying to get a pair of these as suggested in another post: https://thewirelesshaven.com/shop/antennas/4g-lte ... l-antenna/

But that will be fair down the road I suspect.

Would something like these potentially help in the meantime, I currently only have the stock antennas that came with my WE826-T2?
....

I'd much rather purchase from The Wireless Haven but it says the store is closed and not accepting orders: https://thewirelesshaven.com/shop/antennas/4g-lte ... ennas-sma/

An additional thought, would I benefit from one of the newer CAT20 modems? https://thewirelesshaven.com/shop/modems/quectel- ... 2-modem-2/

On the cat20 modem, with a we826 youd b putting a ferrari engine in a volkswagon beetle. Better to get a wg3526 if you want the em20

The antenna you want is available from The Wireless Haven via https://facebook.com/netsolution.shop/shop/

[Didneywhorl]

Ah I see now. Those flat panels are definitely going to have to come down the road, I am going to need about 100' (x2 50') of that LMR400 cable. So that setup is going to end up costing me $250+.

Maybe I can get a set of those paddle antennas for now and just lock band 30 for a little improvement. I just don't know which ones to get and where to get them.

You can always put your router in an enclosure and power it via PoE, then mount it near your antenna. LAN cables can run like 300' without problems. And youll lose none of your antenna gain. You can use like 5' LMR200 cables in that case, from the router enclosure to the antennas.

[LoveMeSomeCALTE]

^ This would be preferred.

I also wanted to clarify, it's up to the tower to allow CA over a band mix and band-locking might disable that compatibility.
If band-locking is being done because other bands don't provide the expected throughput, it's unlikely the tower will allow CA to occur unless a premium plan is being used because you're essentially requested multiple streams to be allocated to you.

Nothing beats actual data though, so I would appreciate your results.

[gscheb]

You can always put your router in an enclosure and power it via PoE, then mount it near your antenna. LAN cables can run like 300' without problems. And youll lose none of your antenna gain. You can use like 5' LMR200 cables in that case, from the router enclosure to the antennas.

Hello Didneywhorl,
As of now doing this to my attic with 15 foot of lmr 400. Which is causing heating issues now which we have talked about.
Question is would there be any benefit of using 5 foot of lmr200 instead? Inside of an enclosure?

[Didneywhorl]

I think so. Outside where natural aspiration in a sealed all white plastic housing could stay relatively cooler than your oven, I mean ATTIC.

I forget we've been through this

[Didneywhorl]

Case removed. Heat sinks applied, mounted to pc board standoffs.

[gscheb]

Sorry was asking about any performance benefits really?

[Didneywhorl]

Allows max use of your antennas, limited antenna gain losses

[JoshKelly]

^ This would be preferred.

I also wanted to clarify, it's up to the tower to allow CA over a band mix and band-locking might disable that compatibility.
If band-locking is being done because other bands don't provide the expected throughput, it's unlikely the tower will allow CA to occur unless a premium plan is being used because you're essentially requested multiple streams to be allocated to you.

Nothing beats actual data though, so I would appreciate your results.

From my testing in my new area it seems if I step out of the trees (not a realistic or even possible permanent home), I get 35-40mbps on band 30 and 20-25mbps on band 12. If Band 30 CAs with Band 12 I see speeds between 55-65mbps. Whether or not Band 30 is primary for it to CA with 12 all depends on where I have my modem sitting it seems. I have thought about buying one of these cheap antennas off on aliexpress, but I feel like that is a gamble as I have no idea what to look for or the quality of these things: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3282601 ... -Ee2JQzjUz

On the cat20 modem, with a we826 youd b putting a ferrari engine in a volkswagon beetle. Better to get a wg3526 if you want the em20

The antenna you want is available from The Wireless Haven via https://facebook.com/netsolution.shop/shop/

On this is it that the WE826 can't handle/isn't compatible with the EM20? I'm just curious if the EM20 modem will preform better than my EP06-A. I ordered those antennas this morning, thank you!

You can always put your router in an enclosure and power it via PoE, then mount it near your antenna. LAN cables can run like 300' without problems. And youll lose none of your antenna gain. You can use like 5' LMR200 cables in that case, from the router enclosure to the antennas.

I ended up moving my modem, looks like I will only need ~10' x2 in cabling. Although I am curious about powering that modem through POE. I am getting ready to install a POE camera system with 5 cameras, wonder if this switch has enough power for the cameras and the modem? I'll be using some Reolink RLC-511's https://www.amazon.com/BV-Tech-Switch-G ... ast_sto_dp

[Didneywhorl]

The router will need roughly 60W-70W of available power for itself on poe. 72W POe injectors are what I use, the The Wireless Haven store on facebook has them.

The cat20 modem will FOR SURE work better, it will just be overkill for your router. A cat 6 modem is great, a cat 12, like the Quectel EM12G is plenty honestly.

[JoshKelly]

The router will need roughly 60W-70W of available power for itself on poe. 72W POe injectors are what I use, the The Wireless Haven store on facebook has them.

The cat20 modem will FOR SURE work better, it will just be overkill for your router. A cat 6 modem is great, a cat 12, like the Quectel EM12G is plenty honestly.

Okay great! Thank you so much for all the information! I'll order the EM12G and then start collection stuff to get the outside antenna and POE setup

[bstock]

First, Thank you all for the great information.

I will be traveling this weekend and I am trying to figure out how to scan all sources in the area so I do not have to lock each band and see what the quality is. I have tried all the AT commands I can find and I must be doing something wrong. I have an EM12 in an The Wireless Haven router with a sprint sim. Is there a way to scan all available sources in the area with an AT command?

Thanks,
Ben

[jhend]

AT+QENG="neighbourcell"

It needs to be run several times, and over a period of time. the contents can change dramatically, even in a fixed location (depending on whether the modem is thinking of switching bands).

You'll need practice interpreting the result.

Bands don't show directly in the result. But they can be looked up from the EARFCN (downlink channel).

Eg here: https://www.sqimway.com/lte_band.php

Signal info is included. And in some cases the priority assigned by the carrier is in the result.

The info reported is for the SIM's home network.