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Forum Discussion
Nighthawk M6 Pro Hotspot
I have done more reading and research online for this over the past few weeks than I would have liked and I am more conflicted now than when I started. Unsure what MESH system would work or IF it wo...
Is this the Netgear Hotspot router:
https://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/MR6500/MR6500_DS_ATT.pdf
From the description, the primary purpose of this device is to be a mobile Hot Spot which connects to the AT&T 5G and 4G LTE networks and can support up to 32 WiFi devices. Another use of the device would be to provide internet access to devices in a building (see page 37 of the user manual):
https://www.downloads.netgear.com/files/GDC/MR6500/MR6500_MR6110_UM_EN.pdf
In this case, the M6 connects to the AT&T network, and also can be connected to a home network consisting of WiFi devices and a network connected to the 2.5G Ethernet port. This network could include a mix of switches and WiFi access points.
My guess is that the customer is supposed to deploy the M6 in one mode or the other (not switch constantly between modes). i.e. Either the M6 is your network connection as you travel around, or it provides networking to a building - but not both.
I am uncertain about two parts of the problem description:
- Barndominium - which implies (literally) a metal clad structure which severely degrades cellular and WiFi signals
as in "Needless to say I don't have either inside and have to walk outside to pick up a signal to even download a photo or send an email", and - " that particular location outside (~ 350 ft away) back into the home".
There are two ways to get the signal inside the metal clad building:
- Locate the M6 outside and pass an Ethernet cable through the metal wall to the inside.
- Locate the M6 inside and pass the T9 antenna cables through the wall so that the antennas can be mounted outside.
The product data sheet did not describe the environmental restrictions of the M6, but my assumption is that it is not designed to be exposed to the weather. Thus, the M6 should be mounted close to the wall which faces the AT&T towers and the two T9 antennas should be mounted just outside the wall (facing the towers).
At this point the customer can elect to use:
- The M6 WiFi capability, or
- Install any brand of WiFi system that will provide adequate coverage of the interior of the building.
p.s. Nothing in the product data sheet or user manual indicates that the M6 has anything to do with repeating phone signals - only WiFi. If the M6 is being used as a Hot Spot, then an AT&T phone will connect to whatever service the M6 will. Two connections to the same LTE services, one for voice and one for data.
Am I understanding it correctly that I could get an external long range antenna like the TP-link AC1200 Omada SDN or Wavlink outdoor weatherproof WiFi Range Extender Access point with Passive POE Dual band and run into the building to plug into my Nighthawk M6 Pro via Ethernet cable and it would work to improve the WiFi signal?
There are two issues:
- Metal building which blocks any time of radio signal (AT&T 5G LTE or WiFi), and
- Distance to the AT&T 5G network.
If the M6 is located outdoors, where the building does not block access to the AT&T 5G LTE network, then the WiFi network created by the M6 will struggle to provide a decent signal inside the building. If the M6 is located outdoors, its performance may be a affected by the strength of the AT&T 5G LTE network signal. That is why the M6 has two T9 antenna connectors. (To get a stronger link to AT&T.) In addition, the M6 is almost certainly not designed to be exposed to weather.
Mounting the M6 indoors allows the WiFi network created by the M6 to be exposed to the interior of the the building. Up to 32 devices (wired and WiFi) can be connected directly to the M6. Whether the M6 network will be sufficient depends on:
- How many devices there are (more than 32?)
- The dimensions and construction of the building. If it is under 2,000 sq. ft. there is a good chance that the M6 WiFi may cover the entire space. People install mesh WiFi networks when the space is not conducive to WiFi. (For example, my ISP feed is in a corner of the upstairs and a WiFi router placed there does not provide a good signal to the opposite side of the house downstairs. that is why I replaced my single WiFi router with the Orbi back in 2016.)
- However, when the M6 is placed indoors, the metal building may degrade the AT&T 5G signal so much that the M6 simply doesn't work.
Netgear addresses the problem of low 5G signal (because of distance or building structure) with an external antenna. Part number 6000451 https://www.netgear.com/home/mobile-wifi/hotspots/omnidirectional-mimo-antenna/
The product description does not indicate the length of the antenna cable, but it appears very short (to me). It might be a struggle to put the antenna outside and route the cable through the wall to the M6. Is there a window that faces the AT&T antenna?
Amazon shows lots of antennas designed for this situation, such as
The M6 has two antenna connectors, so a 2x2 antenna is the solution. (not a 4x4 antenna).