Hi,
I have recently bought MikroTik SXT LTE kit to improve LTE signal in a remote location. I have a 800 MHz BTS 2 km away and 1 800 MHz BTS 12 km away. However the device does not receive anything at LTE Band 20 (800 MHz) and is always tuning 1800 MHz BTS, but this connection is on the very edge of usability and there are dropouts. On a mobile phone I easily connect to 800 MHz LTE band having ca. 75 % quality of signal.
Any idea what is wrong at 800 MHz band? Integrated R11e-4G modem should support Band 20. I am running 6.45.2 both RouterOS and firmware, but it was the same even on factory shipped 6.44.3, and I have double checked the band 20 in RouterOS settings is enabled.
Moreover if I run Scan for LTE in RouterOS environment it doesn't show anything on any band.
Could the modem be defective?
Thanks!
Re: SXT LTE kit - nothing received on Band 20 (800 MHz)
have you tried to enable only Band20 and disable Band3 - does it connect that way?
Re: SXT LTE kit - nothing received on Band 20 (800 MHz)
Sure, also tried to turn on Band 20 only and still no change.
Meanwhile upgraded the modem card to the latest firmware version - no change.
Meanwhile upgraded the modem card to the latest firmware version - no change.
Re: SXT LTE kit - nothing received on Band 20 (800 MHz)
So, update! Managed to get replacement of the device from the vendor, device marked as faulted, I got a new one. And... Yes, still not working on band 20! Connected on band 3, but not on band 20. Carrier is 02 CZ, but tested also T-Mobile CZ and Vodafone CZ and all the same - working on 1800 MHz, but not on 800 MHz.
Under Band 20 log looks like this:
And plenty of Not camped on cell messages follow.
Everything latest SW versions - RouterOS, firmware, modem card firmware...
Quite a pity, looks like a bigger problem of this modem card, there are many posts around similar to mine complaining abot non-functionality on Band 20. I am going to return even this device to the vendor and ask for money back.
Continuing to search for another LTE Band 20 standalone modem that would enable BTS locking and full control of other connnection parameters...
Under Band 20 log looks like this:
Code: Select all
10:14:55 system,info device changed by admin
10:14:57 lte,async lte1: sent ATE0
10:14:57 lte,async lte1: rcvd OK
10:14:57 lte,debug band change
10:14:57 lte,async lte1: sent AT+CFUN=0,1
10:14:58 lte,async lte1: rcvd OK
10:15:19 lte,async lte1: sent ATE0
10:15:21 lte,async lte1: sent ATE0
10:15:21 lte,async lte1: rcvd OK
10:15:21 lte,async lte1: sent AT+CFUN?
10:15:21 lte,async lte1: rcvd +CFUN: 0
10:15:21 lte,async lte1: sent AT+CMEE=2
10:15:21 lte,async,event %CMEEU: 2
10:15:21 lte,async lte1: rcvd OK
10:15:21 lte,async lte1: sent AT+CREG=2
10:15:21 lte,async lte1: rcvd OK
10:15:21 lte,async lte1: sent AT+CGREG=2
10:15:21 lte,async lte1: rcvd +CME ERROR: operation not supported
10:15:21 lte,async lte1: sent AT+CEREG=2
10:15:21 lte,async lte1: rcvd OK
10:15:21 lte,async lte1: sent AT+CGEREP=2,0
10:15:21 lte,async lte1: rcvd OK
10:15:21 lte,async lte1: sent AT+CMGF=0
10:15:21 lte,async lte1: rcvd OK
10:15:21 lte,async lte1: sent AT+CNMI=1,1,0,1,0
10:15:21 lte,async lte1: rcvd OK
10:15:21 lte,async lte1: sent AT+CPIN?
10:15:21 lte,async lte1: rcvd +CPIN: READY
10:15:21 lte,async lte1: sent AT+CFUN=1
10:15:21 lte,async,raw +CEREG: 2
10:15:21 lte,async lte1: rcvd OK
10:15:25 lte,async lte1: sent AT+CPMS="SM","SM","SM"
10:15:25 lte,async lte1: rcvd +CPMS: 0,10,0,10,0,10
10:15:25 lte,async lte1: sent AT+CFUN?
10:15:25 lte,async lte1: rcvd +CFUN: 1
10:15:25 lte,async lte1: sent AT+CNUM
10:15:25 lte,async lte1: rcvd
10:15:25 lte,async lte1: sent AT+CIMI
10:15:25 lte,async lte1: rcvd 230020201238478
10:15:25 lte,async lte1: sent AT+CPIN?
10:15:25 lte,async lte1: rcvd +CPIN: READY
10:15:25 lte,async lte1: sent AT%PDNSET=1,"internet","IP","NONE","",""
10:15:25 lte,async lte1: rcvd OK
10:15:26 lte,async lte1: sent at%cmatt=1
10:15:26 lte,async lte1: rcvd OK
10:15:26 lte,debug lte1: config ok
10:15:26 lte,async,raw lte1: sent AT+CFUN?
10:15:26 lte,async,raw lte1: rcvd +CFUN: 1
10:15:26 lte,async,raw lte1: sent AT%MEAS="7"
10:15:26 lte,async,raw lte1: rcvd CQI: N/A
10:15:26 lte,async,raw lte1: sent AT%MEAS="8"
10:15:26 lte,async,raw lte1: rcvd Signal Quality: RSRP = N/A, RSRQ = N/A, SINR = N/A, RSSI = N/A
10:15:26 lte,async,raw lte1: sent AT%PCONI
10:15:26 lte,async,raw lte1: rcvd +CME ERROR: Not camped on cell
10:15:27 lte,async,raw +CEREG: 0
10:15:29 lte,async,raw lte1: sent AT%MEAS="7"
10:15:29 lte,async,raw lte1: rcvd CQI: N/A
10:15:29 lte,async,raw lte1: sent AT%MEAS="8"
10:15:29 lte,async,raw lte1: rcvd Signal Quality: RSRP = N/A, RSRQ = N/A, SINR = N/A, RSSI = N/A
10:15:29 lte,async,raw lte1: sent AT%PCONI
10:15:29 lte,async,raw lte1: rcvd +CME ERROR: Not camped on cell
10:15:30 lte,async,raw +CEREG: 2
10:15:32 lte,async,raw lte1: sent AT%MEAS="7"
10:15:32 lte,async,raw lte1: rcvd CQI: N/A
10:15:32 lte,async,raw lte1: sent AT%MEAS="8"
10:15:32 lte,async,raw lte1: rcvd Signal Quality: RSRP = N/A, RSRQ = N/A, SINR = N/A, RSSI = N/A
10:15:32 lte,async,raw lte1: sent AT%PCONI
10:15:32 lte,async,raw lte1: rcvd +CME ERROR: Not camped on cellEverything latest SW versions - RouterOS, firmware, modem card firmware...
Quite a pity, looks like a bigger problem of this modem card, there are many posts around similar to mine complaining abot non-functionality on Band 20. I am going to return even this device to the vendor and ask for money back.
Continuing to search for another LTE Band 20 standalone modem that would enable BTS locking and full control of other connnection parameters...
Re: SXT LTE kit - nothing received on Band 20 (800 MHz)
Have you tried creating a specific APN? Was asked about one the other day operating similar and the solution was a specific APN needed adding in.
Re: SXT LTE kit - nothing received on Band 20 (800 MHz)
Specific APN - also tested, created a new one next to the default one. Didn't help either.
Anyhow, conclusion and solution.
The problem is in the integrated antenna hidden in the "drum" body. It sort of works in higher frequencies 2600 MHz, 2100 MHz and 1800 MHz where it is able to tune something. Where a plain mobile phone has a full signal, this specialized device with high gain has one or two stripes. In 800 MHz and 900 MHz bands nothing received at all on SXT whereas on a mobile phone there is again a full strength signal. That was strange to me, so I removed the cover and had a look at the board, antenna and a modem card. I have fetched two 15 cm U.FL to SMA-f cable as I wanted to connect the modem card to a good proven external LTE antenna - in my case it was Poynting XPOL-A0002 8 dB. Once I did that, LTE started to work on 800 MHz (Band 20) and reception at all higher frequencies was ca. 2 stripes better.
Now it was quite straightforward. I have drilled two holes in the edge of the drum, put both SMA connectors there, and used the Mikrotik device as a DIY kit for LTE modem with external antenna input. Equipped with external antenna it works perfectly and finally the device works exactly as I was expecting.
If I ever need to get LTE modem in the future, I buy Mikrotik board with modem card slot, modem card and a plastic case and just build the modem myself as described above and connect it to extenal antenna. It has yet another positive, that all electronic devices are inside the house protected from weather, external antenna is only a plastic case with metal parts inside, nothing to get damaged by weather extremes.
Anyhow, conclusion and solution.
The problem is in the integrated antenna hidden in the "drum" body. It sort of works in higher frequencies 2600 MHz, 2100 MHz and 1800 MHz where it is able to tune something. Where a plain mobile phone has a full signal, this specialized device with high gain has one or two stripes. In 800 MHz and 900 MHz bands nothing received at all on SXT whereas on a mobile phone there is again a full strength signal. That was strange to me, so I removed the cover and had a look at the board, antenna and a modem card. I have fetched two 15 cm U.FL to SMA-f cable as I wanted to connect the modem card to a good proven external LTE antenna - in my case it was Poynting XPOL-A0002 8 dB. Once I did that, LTE started to work on 800 MHz (Band 20) and reception at all higher frequencies was ca. 2 stripes better.
Now it was quite straightforward. I have drilled two holes in the edge of the drum, put both SMA connectors there, and used the Mikrotik device as a DIY kit for LTE modem with external antenna input. Equipped with external antenna it works perfectly and finally the device works exactly as I was expecting.
If I ever need to get LTE modem in the future, I buy Mikrotik board with modem card slot, modem card and a plastic case and just build the modem myself as described above and connect it to extenal antenna. It has yet another positive, that all electronic devices are inside the house protected from weather, external antenna is only a plastic case with metal parts inside, nothing to get damaged by weather extremes.
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