Reddit reviews Wilson Electronics Wideband Directional Antenna 700-2700 MHz, 50 Ohm (314411)

There are many non-Verizon brand hotspots out there, I can't say that the one I use is the best as its the only one I've tried but the one I use has ports for antennas and 4 ethernet ports to hard wire in your computers which i needed for my work from home computer.

There is a workaround involved with getting this activated on Verizon prepaid which involves you owning a Verizon brand hotspot, registering that hotspot for the prepaid plan and then simply moving the sim into this device. i purchased a $30 Verizon Jetpack on ebay for this purpose.

MOFI4500-4GXeLTE-SIM4 4G/LTE Router AT&T T-Mobile Verizon Embedded SIM with Band 12

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EY11K40/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I also use the following products to get the best signal possible, currently:

(Quantity 2): Wilson Electronics Wideband Directional Antenna 700-2700 MHz, 50 Ohm (314411)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00J14YEHQ/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

(Quantity 2): Wilson Electronics 20-Foot WILSON400 Ultra Low Loss Coax Cable with N Male Connectors - White

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003NQ3P3M/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

(Quantity 2): MPD Digital UC-5FHC-9DB9 N Female to SMA Male Right Angle Pigtail LMR-200 Double Shielded Coaxial Cable, 6-Inch

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CJWQJ2U/ref=oh_aui_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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Signal Strength: -51 dBm (100 %)

Speedtest results (extremely dependent on location but these are my results for my location):

Ping: 28 ms Download: 82.55 Mb/s Upload: 15.97 Mb/s

https://www.speedtest.net/result/8022626633

​

Here are the videos I used to build my system (just a heads up there is nothing about Verizon Prepaid in these videos):

Fast Unlimited 4G Internet Router for RV or Van or Rural Off-grid: How to Setup the Mofi 4G Router

https://youtu.be/pKyf9BQsduU

RV Internet - Get The Fastest Mobile Internet & Wifi On The Road - "How We Do It!"

https://youtu.be/7m_I9i0eTnM

First, go to Antenna Search and locate the tower you want to pull from. Then find the contact person for that tower by clicking on it. Email that person explaining your problem, and then you'll have a local expert helping you out.

When I ran in to this issue I got 2 yagi antenna, the proper low loss cabling, the adapters to connect to the antenna and to my hotspot, a mounting pole, and put them at a 45 degree angle pointed right at my tower. Then I set the band priority on the hotspot based on what the tower tech told me was the optimal band coming from that tower.

When you get in to the world trying to optimize your LTE connection, you will probably want to join up with the LTE Hacks group on facebook.

Contact local city planner and ask if there are issues or when expansion is planned. They might be able to help you who to contact next. It's also possible you need to contact the FCC.

Since you're using a 4g hotspot you might also consider a cellular antenna similar to this.

I hope you find a solution.

That antenna only works on Band 13. You want something that can support all of Verizon's bands, like this: https://smile.amazon.com/weBoost-700-2700-Directional-Antenna-Connector/dp/B00J14YEHQ/

I've used this one with great results.

These have been recommended to me. I have not tried them yet.

Wilson Electronics Wideband Directional Antenna 700-2700 MHz, 50 Ohm (314411) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J14YEHQ/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_i_6PQQCbGMC2RMT

Wilson Electronics Wideband Directional Antenna 700-2700 MHz, 50 Ohm (314411) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J14YEHQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_TH6LDbGN1REV7

Just an example, they can be mounted on walls ceilings or any type of pole. The tripod would just make it stronger if the area is pron to storms.

Your mentioned a greens area, yes most likely wifi if it's near a college commons area.

Also some colleges will use antennas like these as a dedicated connection between buildings.

I got you. I have a similar setup. So here’s what you need.


Wilson Electronics Wideband Directional Antenna 700-2700 MHz, 50 Ohm (314411) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J14YEHQ/

Buy two of these. Place on a pole as high as you can get it. Mount them 45° and -45°. That’s how LTE is polarized.

Example: https://www.solwise.co.uk/images/images3g/4g-ren6702709-lpda-5.png


Heavy Duty Weather Proof Multi... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N4FSKZM

Put the M1 in this on the pole too.

Use this to send power up the Outdoor cat6 cable:


TP-LINK TL-PoE150S PoE Injector Adapter, IEEE 802.3af Compliant, up to 100 Meters (325 Feet) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001PS9E5I/

And this to pull the power out of the Cat6


ANVISION Gigabit PoE Splitter,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PW9FJNT

Then convert the mini to USB C:


ARKTEK USB-C Adapter, USB Type C (Male) to Micro USB (Female) Syncing Data Transfer and Charging Converter for Chromebook Galaxy S10 Note 9, Pixel 3 and More (Black/White, Pack of 4) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01I0ZAJXO/

Ok.

That’ll get you where you want. Don’t get a booster or anything else. It’ll make your signal slower.

Put the whole thing on the pole because if you leave it inside you’ll get a lot of signal loss along those long cables.

———

Now the M1 is a 4x4 MIMO which claims it can get you gigabit speeds. But once you plug in the external antennas you’ll get 2x2 MIMO. the only way to solve this is a bit hacky.

You’ll need this:

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F183651187710

(This isn’t me but it’s the only guy I’ve seen selling these wires)

Then you’ll need two of these:

weBoost Outdoor Directional Yagi Antenna with N Female Connector 301111 for 700/800/900 MHz Band https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006H4FVM/

These will be you MAIN antennas. While the other covered ones will be your additional.

To explain. LTE towers send out 45° 800mhz, -45° 800mhz, 45° 2700 MHz, and -45° 2700 MHz You need an antenna for each. This will get you the fastest speed and best reliability. But this is hacky. I haven’t done this, YET. I’ve just planned it all out. I’m using a LB1211 with two covered yagis. I’ve gotten up to 70mbps with just that 2x2 setup (in a valley).

I plan on getting an M1 with 4 antennas soon, but right now my pole situation sucks. I need to figure out a better solution first. Then I’ll be comfortable spending that much more money. But just getting those two covered yagis and putting you M1 up until the pole, you’ll get a much better issue

I have installed (Weboost)Wilson Boosters for several clients and I myself have them at home work and Vehicle.

This is NOT what you want.

It will really do nothing for you.

You have to go with a Booster.

Wilson has renamed their setups to Weboost after FCC started to regulate them.

They have different levels of boost and pricing goes from about $400 to $899.

https://www.weboost.com/

You need to buy the 4G versions which is available at each level.

Second is DO NOT directly Connect these to your Modems antenna. They come complete with an inside repeater antenna. If you do the power will blow your modems receivers.

Wilson/Weboost used to make a M2M setup that you could connect directly to the Modem but they quit making them. M2M stands for Machine To Machine. Think Being able to connect your Vending Machines/Interactive Billboards located in the middle of nowhere and controlling them over the internet VIA 4G

Last is if you must give it a try the Omnidirectional will not suffice go with the YAGI Directional in 50 Ohms.

https://www.amazon.com/Electronics-Wideband-Directional-700-2700-314411/dp/B00J14YEHQ/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=weboost+yagi&qid=1556673233&s=wireless&sr=1-3

The Yagi has to be pointed directly at the tower you are receiving from. Not hard to setup just have to watch when you rotate it. Your signal bar on the modem will peak when pointed at the tower.

1 of Netgear 6000450 MIMO Antenna with 2 TS-9 Connectors

Also have 2 directional antenna setups using dual Wilson Electronics Wideband Directional Antenna 700-2700 MHz, 50 Ohm (314411)

I only got the netgear from amazon; but those should still be the same models.

>How exactly would I install or use something like the MOFI 4500?

Basically you get a compatible SIM, install it in the Mofi, configure it, and you're ready to go. Configuration is often as easy as logging into the Mofi and changing the default passwords with the rest being plug and play. If it doesn't fire right up things can get a little fiddly as Mofi documentation is not great.

>Is this what I want? MOFI4500? Is it just a router that picks up the signal from the tower and turns it into a regular router?

Yes that's it, it's basically like a normal cellular hotspot except is has ethernet ports and can use an external antenna. The external antenna is the key part for you, probably.

>Could I attach a stronger directional antenna to it such as This?

Yes you can. Make sure to get a compatible cable (example)

>Also, what would I do about the Verizon sim card? Isn't it possible to get an unlimited one somewhere?

If you don't care about unlimited you can just get one from Verizon. You could buy a hotspot plan and just take it out of their hotspot. Not sure if they would sell you a bare SIM with service, never tried. They will throttle you to 600Kb after 10GB of data.

If you want unlimited then you're into something like Unlimitedville or grey market eBay (example, this is not an endorsement). The grey market sellers are often happy to send you just the SIM versus a whole hotspot. Note the risk with those guys is there is no contract, so if they terminate service and disappear with your money you have no recourse. But, you pay month to month so generally your risk is limited to one month's fees.

​

I have not. All I needed to get set up was a proper router+antenna(e)+modem. I grabbed a Sierra Wireless MC7455, threw it in a WE826 from ltefix.com (since they preinstall the U.FL antennae bulkhead adapters for you), attached one Wilson Directional LTE antenna, and I was flying. The nearest TMO tower gets 22mbps when there aren't a bunch of tourists sucking up the bandwidth and making that deprioritization line crazy long. Most rural locations don't have tourists by the hundred eating up their bandwidth, making cell towers even more appealing.

I did find this:
https://www.alternativewireless.com/machine-to-machine/home-phone-connects/netgear-nighthawk-hotspot-antennas-boosters.html

Which would be paired with two of these:
https://www.amazon.com/Electronics-Wideband-Directional-700-2700-314411/dp/B00J14YEHQ

That's $300-$400 for a maximum of +10.6 dBi gain

Where as a Mikrotik LHG LTE kit-US is $160 for +17 dBi gain

Most of the mobile hotspots have TS9 RF ports. At that point it is all about finding what fits and your specific use case.

This is a good place to start https://www.amazon.com/Netgear-6000450-MIMO-Antenna-Connectors/dp/B00DN3J03O and if you are a little more serious, a tripod, along with a TS9 male to N male adapter, and this antenna https://www.amazon.com/Electronics-Wideband-Directional-700-2700-314411/dp/B00J14YEHQ/ can pull in signals that normally are unusable.

I just went through the process of setting up an M1 with external antennas and can give you my experience. For background, I'm located in a pretty rural area where satellite is the only option for internet, so I was probably willing to put in a little more time and money than the average person.

Initially, with no antenna, I was getting around 3-4Mbps most of the time. Occasionally, I had issues connecting at all.

Added the following equipment (x2 of everything for MIMO):

• Antenna https://www.amazon.com/Electronics-Wideband-Directional-700-2700-314411/dp/B00J14YEHQ/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=wilson+antenna&qid=1573746790&sr=8-4
  
• Cable (LMR-400 low loss) https://www.amazon.com/Wilson-Electronics-Black-WILSON-400-N-Male/dp/B0018PVVBS/ref=pd_bxgy_107_3/139-1718440-5788748?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0018PVVBS&pd_rd_r=8d6f1840-34a4-4572-8713-4822574eecf0&pd_rd_w=VYOji&pd_rd_wg=nasqR&pf_rd_p=09627863-9889-4290-b90a-5e9f86682449&pf_rd_r=99B6JM5BAAC48ZBM3Z3B&psc=1&refRID=99B6JM5BAAC48ZBM3Z3B
  
• Pigtail connector https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07LBRK94Q/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
  
  With these antenna at a high point (~25ft above ground level) in my attic at +45/-45 degrees, I'm getting consistent 25Mbps minimum and frequently 60+Mbps, no issues with connectivity or slow speeds since moving it. Before getting the antenna up high, I could only ever connect to band 12, but moving to the attic allowed me to pick up bands 2 and 14 which I assume is where I picked up the massive speed increase.
  
  This wasn't a cheap setup, unfortunately, but I am very pleased with it overall.

So the main problem again I think I would encounter is being able to pick up Verizon's signal as I believe Verizon has the closest cell tower to me (3 blocks away according to open signal app). How exactly would I install or use something like the MOFI 4500? Is this what I want? MOFI4500? Is it just a router that picks up the signal from the tower and turns it into a regular router? Could I attach a stronger directional antenna to it such as This? My apologies if that's a cell booster or if any of this is ignorant or dumb, I really don't understand a ton about it. Also, what would I do about the Verizon sim card? Isn't it possible to get an unlimited one somewhere?

I ordered him the Wilson Wideband Directional Antenna found here:
https://www.amazon.com/Electronics-Wideband-Directional-700-2700-314411/dp/B00J14YEHQ/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=wilson+yagi&qid=1569347723&s=gateway&sr=8-2

I'm waiting on an adapter to connect the antenna cabling to the LB1120 modem, so I can't give any insight on speeds yet. (I recommended he get two for a MIMO setup, but he would like to try one first before doubling up)

All together, here is what we purchased:
AT&T Prepaid Sim ($10)
Nighhawk AC1750 Router ($80)
Wilson Wideband Directional Antenna (700-2700 MHz, 50 ohm) ($50)
LB1120 4G Modem ($100)
32 ft of N Male to RP SMA Male cabling ($15)
Connectors to convert to a TS9 plug ($6, part I'm waiting on)

All this for under $275, not too shabby. If he decides to go with the second antenna, add $70-ish. I'll report back once the connector is in on Thursday.