What antenna should I use and max cable length

General
1

Hello,

We are looking to install several Peplink units throughout our school district. Some of the installation locations may require an external antenna to achieve reliable cellular signal strength.

Could you please recommend the appropriate external antenna for these installations? I would also like to know the maximum recommended antenna cable length before signal loss becomes a concern.

Some of our installations may require the antenna to be mounted outside or on the roof, so I want to make sure we select the correct antenna and cable type to maintain the best possible signal. We are installing the Max BR1 Mini.

Thank you,
Larry

2

Hi, @Larry_Batts

Welcome to community. :sunglasses:

Please…
Which BR1 mini are you wrote about?
To keep simple…
Br1mini hw3/hw4 (LTE 4G) with WiFi
BR1mini5G (LTE 5G) NO WiFi
BR1mini5G (LTE 5G) WiFi.

3

We try not to install anything over 15ft. Peplink antenas, for example, use -200 grade cable which isn’t great over 15ft. This is true with most other manufacturers unless you request something with -240 or greater. After 15ft you start to lose the benefit of having an external antenna depending on your environment. Realistically, up to 30ft would be OK, but we just don’t do it.

The better solution is to use the Antenna MAX or MAX Duo to put the radio/router/device as close to the antenna as possible. You can power the device and bring data back to your comms room over a single category cable where you can increase your distance to 90m with no loss (100m if you’re feeling spicy).

4

Hello @Larry_Batts,
Welcome to the Peplink Community Forum.

I would highly recommend that you reach out to your local Certified Peplink Partner or via Peplink’s online enquiry form to request to be put in touch with a suitable partner.

There are lots of differenty ways to achecive the best connection possibly, and only some of them have been touched on here, several Peplink Partner have specalised extensive experience in RF communications, as one size does not fit all, though several sizes may be suitable for a basis to work from.

FYI, I am based in Australia and work with several of the partners in this region.

Let us know how you go. Have a good weekend,
Marcus :slight_smile: