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Best antenna to use for LTE and how to connect it?

Posted: Tue Dec 17, 2019 4:51 pm
by ltedependent
From reading here, I gather than https://thewirelesshaven.com/shop/antennas/700-27 ... l-antenna/ is the best antenna to use? Should I get a pair of these, or does the AUX antenna not matter as much?

I'm using this enclosure: https://thewirelesshaven.com/shop/pcie-m-2/m-2-ng ... card-slot/

It has "SMA Male" connectors, but the antennas have "N Female" connectors... I don't know anything about connectors, so I'm kind of lost on what I need to connect them.

And what would be a good way to mount the antennas? Do I need extra hardware for that? Should I put them on the roof? Chimneys? (Is it safe to still use the fireplace?)

Re: Best antenna to use for LTE and how to connect it?

Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2019 5:56 am
by JimHelms
Since they are directional, you will want to mount the antennas where they are facing the direction of the tower--preferably on the side of the house where the cellular signals are not having to travel across the roof top to get to the antennas.

To take full advantage of MIMO, you will want two antennas.

The antennas and router installation needs to be a close to one another as possible. This will limit the length of 50ohm low loss cable that must be purchased and used. The longer the coax, the less their efficiency.

On connectors, you will need N Male connectors on the antenna end of the cable, and SMA (or SMA Right Angle) on the Enclosure end.

You can mount them on the chimney or roof. A long (i.e., 36-40 in) satellite J-Mask (pole) works well for mounting which are available on eBay.


J Mast .jpg


One example of installation using this type of J Mask:


15dBi with Enclosure on J-Pole mask.jpg

Re: Best antenna to use for LTE and how to connect it?

Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2019 9:51 am
by ltedependent
So I want something like this, right? https://thewirelesshaven.com/shop/cables/antenna- ... feet-305cm

Or is there a better option to use?

Re: Best antenna to use for LTE and how to connect it?

Posted: Wed Dec 18, 2019 10:43 am
by JimHelms
ltedependent wrote: Wed Dec 18, 2019 9:51 am So I want something like this, right? https://thewirelesshaven.com/shop/cables/antenna- ... feet-305cm

Or is there a better option to use?
Yes, those will work for applications less than 20 feet between the router and antennas. Thereafter, you will need to use LMR400 low loss cables.