EE 5G Router - External antenna

[Dex99]

Hi - I have just purchased a Poynting XPOL-1 V2 5G 3dBi Omni-Directional Cross Polarised LTE 2x2 MIMO Outdoor Antenna which has two coax cables.  On the back of the router there are 4 inputs but they are not labelled...

1. Will my 2x2 antenna work? if so, should the cables plug into the top two inputs? OR

2. Should I have purchased a 4x4 antenna?

Many thanks in advance

 

[infinitywaiter]

If you look at your EE 5G Router setup guide it will clearly tell you that on the back you have the four 'External antenna Connectors', along with the switch directly underneath it for 'Internal or External Antenna Selection'.

This has been talked about for many years on different forums and not just here on EE, with  a lot of people back then recommending Poynting XPOL-2-5G Antenna.

You most likely will need an adaptor, if you look on Amazon for Poynting XPOL-2-5G Antenna, you will find a little extension cable that is listed along with the old Poynting Antenna itself.

Please note however, that whatever you use is an addition to the EE device and therefore, if you have any issues with it, then it will potentially not be covered under your EE warranty which lasts for 24 months.

An additional extra would be found if you had done your own search of this forum...

https://community.ee.co.uk/t5/Mobile-Network-discussions/5gee-router-which-antenna/td-p/1124775

Read the post in this thread above ... 'For info, EE do an external antenna install service via 0800 079 0131.'

Others to look at:

https://community.ee.co.uk/t5/Small-Business/5GEE-Antenna-installation/td-p/1174128

https://community.ee.co.uk/t5/Mobile-Network-discussions/best-outdoor-antenna-for-my-5gee-router/td-...

https://community.ee.co.uk/t5/Mobile-Broadband/5GEE-Home-Router-External-Antenna-No-Improvements/td-...

[Dex99]

Thanks @infinitywaiter for taking the time to reply, I have the two adapters and I read many posts on this forum but none specifically confirmed that a 2x2 antenna would work despite there being 4 terminals on the reverse - can you help with this query? 

Doesn’t help that the manual makes no reference to them nor are they marked in any way! 

thanks 

[infinitywaiter]

The four external antenna connectors are TS9 type, you would also be best with a 4×4 MiMo antenna setup, with your antenna they do a 4×4 version - OMNI-214.

If you read the last few pages of the previously linked forum thread here:

https://community.ee.co.uk/t5/Mobile-Network-discussions/5gee-router-which-antenna/td-p/1124775/page...

Then you will see that they mostly using a 4×4 MiMo antenna setup, or in one a pair of 2x2 MiMo antennas, and it is mentioned that it needs four....

...The external antenna supplied by EE (TSG), according to the manufacturer, is not fit for purpose as the Smart 2 5GEE Hub requires 4 independent antenna inputs...

...Adding the antenna is a great step forward... Regarding the cable from the antenna - They should be labelled A-B-C-D
They are connected in pairs to the 5G Router top to bottom. A-B at the top and C-D at the bottom. They are paired for maximum reception depending on the polarization of the signal received - This optimises reception in varying conditions.
Putting it outside on a pole will make things so much better. Although the antenna is Omni-Directional pointing it at the local cell-site (if you know where it is – EE should be able to assist) will make a hell of a difference...

You can try setting it up with just the two attached cables, however I think that it won't work here for you as it will need four, so in theory here you would need a pair, rather than just the one.

Therefore, if possible, return your existing antenna and replace it with the 4×4 MiMo version of it if you can, or get another one of the same type.

Or go for the 4×4 MiMo antennas that are suggested already in the posts.

Although, please note that I have never needed to use a 5G router, so don't take my words as guaranteed, you would need better help here from those who actually have done it and tell you about their experiences..

[Dex99]

@infinitywaiter @ Thanks so much for your response that was most helpful and much appreciated.  I will return the 2x and order a 4x antenna.  All the very best