…… Cellular modem help, need to extend the antenna

[Macgyver]

So trying to help out a friend.

They got a cellular modem from verizon business.
Here is the link to the device.

Inseego Skyus 160

Inseego Skyus 160: 4FF Nano dual SIM slots, IoT gateway, Cat 6 LTE, 2 carrier aggregation, 12-hour backup battery, USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, and up to 15 devices.

inseego.com

Problem is the actual cell signal is terrible inside the building, only place I could get 3 bars was in the middle of a big window in the front of the place, so not a place I can actually install this thing. (outside should also put it at 4-5 bars)
I spent a while carrying it around and my phone looking for the best signal. And ironically using an app on my phone the tower were connecting to is technically the other direction towards the back of the building but the signal sucks there for some reason.

Thinking about going outside with coax and putting up some sort of antenna outside.

So connectors are SMA, looks like I can buy some pre-terminated cables off amazon.
Is there a max length I can run? getting outside to the inside is going to take some length. (did not have a tape measure but probably 50')
What can I use for an antenna?
The device has 2 antenna I'm assuming I only need to run one line and antenna outside.

 

[Quiet Man]

Hi Macgyver. Not sure if this is the type of thing you're interested in, but I signed-up for Verizon 5G Home Internet about a year ago. When I received their gateway I opened it up and found a series of U.FL connectors inside. After looking around I found 2X2 and 4X4 MIMO antennas, cables and U.FL/SMA pigtalis from these folks: https://www.waveform.com, and was able to get a roof antenna working (In my case I found these instructions for my particular gateway: https://www.waveform.com/a/b/guides/hotspots/verizon-arc-xci55ax)

As your gateway already has external SMA connectors the situation is simplified greatly, but you will still need guidance on how to connect the cables/antennas. The above folks might be able to help you. Good quality cables are important if your run will be long.

Be prepared to spend some time on the roof finding the best orientation.

 

[WFK]

I think you need something like this:

https://www.waveform.com/products/open-box-mimo-log-periodic-hotspot-external-antennas?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=googlepla&variant=39681229783143&gad=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-rTbspjEgQMVjJ5aBR0wOAI4EAQYBiABEgKyCPD_BwE

 

[Knighttemplar]

Better to extend the wifi antenna. Mount modem in box out side and run wifi cable inside to good antenna. Need to match impedance of antenna, cable and modem.

 

[Yogizorch]

Have Verizon business install it for you.

 

[Macgyver]

Better to extend the wifi antenna. Mount modem in box out side and run wifi cable inside to good antenna. Need to match impedance of antenna, cable and modem.

It's not an outdoor device whatsoever.
Edit to add.

She doesn't own the building. So anything with running electricity would have to use and electrician.

 

[Macgyver]

I think you need something like this:

https://www.waveform.com/products/open-box-mimo-log-periodic-hotspot-external-antennas?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=googlepla&variant=39681229783143&gad=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-rTbspjEgQMVjJ5aBR0wOAI4EAQYBiABEgKyCPD_BwE

I saw those and some others since posting this.
Leaning more towards Omni directional because there are multiple towers around.
Don't want her dead in the water if the antenna pointing at with a directional takes a dump.

 

[Macgyver]

Have Verizon business install it for you.

I'm going to try and call them Wednesday.
I planned on doing it today but apparently Verizon has no tech support on Sundays.

 

[Knoxville's Joker]

zboost is no more. They got bought out by weboost

Cell Phone Signal Boosters for Homes | weBoost

Can I boost my cell signal at home? A common question people are asking, and weBoost has the solution. Signal boosters improve cell signal in your home.

www.weboost.com

If you have poor signal a signal booster is what you want. Just remember it is only picking up a weak signal and rebroadcasting it. So you need to verify where the strongest signal is. If there is no area of strong signal then the customer will need to call the carrier and complain. Get on the roof and see if there is an area where there is strong signal.

The pro grade booster kits allow you to put an antenna on the roof and have the booster placed in the center of the building to rebroadcast. This is your best bet.

Worth noting is if you are tying the repeater to a specific carrier you have to notify them and notify the FCC that you have a repeater installed. Mainly this is for 911 and regulatory interference reporting requirements...

 

[Macgyver]

zboost is no more. They got bought out by weboost

Cell Phone Signal Boosters for Homes | weBoost

Can I boost my cell signal at home? A common question people are asking, and weBoost has the solution. Signal boosters improve cell signal in your home.

www.weboost.com

If you have poor signal a signal booster is what you want. Just remember it is only picking up a weak signal and rebroadcasting it. So you need to verify where the strongest signal is. If there is no area of strong signal then the customer will need to call the carrier and complain. Get on the roof and see if there is an area where there is strong signal.

The pro grade booster kits allow you to put an antenna on the roof and have the booster placed in the center of the building to rebroadcast. This is your best bet.

Worth noting is if you are tying the repeater to a specific carrier you have to notify them and notify the FCC that you have a repeater installed. Mainly this is for 911 and regulatory interference reporting requirements...

Booster would not really be necessary. Still the same issue of putting and antenna outside and inside.
Plus probably more expensive.

 

[Knoxville's Joker]

Booster would not really be necessary. Still the same issue of putting and antenna outside and inside.
Plus probably more expensive.

Any good booster setup will utilize an outside and inside antenna. This is why it is important to get up on the roof and see if there is a good sweet spot for signal.

L-com bought out hyperlinktech antennas a decade ago and they offer a suite:

https://www.l-com.com/wifi-wlan-cellular-amplifiers-4g-lte-in-building-cell-booster-amplifier

But any good booster is going to run y ou 300-1000 dollars, not including installation, cabling, and antennas in some cases.

There is no CHEAP way to boost a poor signal. Complaining to the carrier about coverage and having them readust their tower antennas is the only cheap way of doing things.

This is why LEO 5g cellular networks using satellites is becoming more popular as it does not rely upon expensive terrestrial antenna tower setups. Unfortunately last I checked satellite phone communications were sold by the minute in 50-100 minute blocks and were prohibitively expensive.

 

[Macgyver]

After thinking about this a bit more this could be the signal issue.
It's a very old building probably looks like this in the walls.

 

[Knoxville's Joker]

After thinking about this a bit more this could be the signal issue.
It's a very old building probably looks like this in the walls.

View attachment 436141

Ah the old block and old school plaster and lattice structures. They are very, very, very bad for blocking signal and functioning as primitive faraday cages...