Extend antenna connection on MX67C

[rpidcock1]

Is it possible to extend the antenna connection on an MX67C device.  I have the device installed inside of a kiosk building and would like to have the antennas mounted externally for better signal reception.  Is this an option?  Is there an extension kit that can be purchased?

[alemabrahao]

Nope. It's not possible.

[Ryan_Miles]

We don't offer nor test/certify any antennas besides the ones the MX67C come with. That said they are removable and are RP-SMA connectors. So, with a compatible connector and as short of a cable as possible it might work. You would have to test it yourself.

[PhilipDAth · Accepted solution]

The best method to resolve this is to buy a separate cellular gateway, and plug that into the WAN port on the MX67.

https://meraki.cisco.com/products/wireless-wan/models/ 

A baby MG21 is IP67-rated.  The whole unit can go outside.

https://meraki.cisco.com/product/cellular/integrated-antenna/mg21/ 

[rpidcock1]

Thanks, I know this is some time after my original post.  I met with my Cisco rep today and he's going to get an MG21 for me to trial.  I think that will help my situation, at least I hope.

[jbright]

It is definitely possible. But the loss caused by the length of the coax cables needed to reach outside may prevent the cellular radio from receiving an adequate signal. This is the main reason why the MG product line was created. You would want to use at least LMR240 coax cable to cut down on the signal loss and LMR400 would be better.

Here's a link to a handy signal loss calculator: 

https://www.qsl.net/co8tw/Coax_Calculator.htm

An antenna like this would probably work pretty well: 

https://ventevinfra.com/product/617-960-1710-3800mhz-3-5dbi-cbrs-lte-omni-antenna-with-2-n-female-co...

You would also need a couple of RPSMA to N Connectors: 

https://ventevinfra.com/product/rpsma-plug-to-n-style-jack-adapter/

Here's a 30 foot LMR400 cable with N-connectors: 

https://www.tessco.com/product/30-wireless-wifi-antenna-cable-400-n-m-tnc-m-397428

I have used a similar setup for a large chain of convenience stores across the US and connected it to the LTE module in Cisco ISR routers and the cable length was a little over 100 feet and it worked well.