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Nighthawk M1 external antenna connectors
Hi folks
I am having problems with my M1 regarding external antenna signal strength - like no improvement! The tech lined the antenna up with the tower on the highest point on my roof but no result!
I have 2 bars signal strength operation in my living room using just the internal antenna but if I take the modem outside and stand inline with the tower location I get 4 bars.
I decided to have an external antenna professionally installed and when the tech connected it up the signal strength remained at 2 bars. I disconnected it and took it outside again to the same position I had 4 bars before and the signal strength jumped back up to 4 bars. The antenna is a Sierra Wireless Technologies Telstra Broadband WMM-8G-7-38-15-TS9.
Is there any way to tell if the antenna ports on the modem are functioning or do they have to be activated within the firmware. Any ideas?
Cheers
Chris
The problem isn't on that antenna but the antenna port on M1, these two ports only designed for low bands (such as B1/3/8/28..,etc.), unfortunately your environment seems preferred on B7 and that two TS-9 port does not help on B7. There are 4 antennas inside M1, designed for different bands.
9 Replies
Quickest way to validate if the external antenna works, take it with you to where you have 4 bars signal, without external antenna, and plug the antenna to see if signal dropped. Theory behind is when you plug external antenna into TS-9 port, the internal antenna will be disconnected.
You can also check on singal information from SETTINGS->Nighthawk M1 Status->Diagnostic, looking at RSRP, RS-SINR, Quality also Current Radio Band what is changing between with and without external antenna.
Many thanks for the reply! I tried as you suggested and signal strength inside was -110db, moved outside to the area I get 4 bars and read off -88db. Plugged the antenna leads in and signal strength did not change! It stayed at -88db ( with +/-2db variation).
I purchased this unit as a "near new refurbished" item - it appears all is not what it seems!
Can you check on what is the Current Radio Band? TS-9 port does not support high bands