MX68CW 4G external antenna

[Cn_Simone]

Hi Guys, 

Anyone here that has experiences with the MX68CW 4G modem? 

I am would like to understand how good is the build in  3/4G  antenna ( Assuming to have an optimal coverage from the supplier in the location), do you have experiences on use it within a rack / enclosure,  and if this specific model has the possibility to plug in an external LTE antenna in case I need to boost the signal.

thank you in advance for your help! 

[NolanHerring]

I personally have gone out of my way to use 'open racks' when using the C model. Any antenna with a metal box surrounding it is going to take a hit.

I've never looked at using any 3rd party antenna that would allow you to run it up to the ceiling, as Meraki does not sell anything for that. I'm sure it would help (to what extent not sure). However I would be cautious, using antenna cables to extend introduces loss, and who knows what else with the hardware not liking it. It uses RP-SMA connectors, so if you buy a cable to extend it, keep it as short as possible:

https://www.data-alliance.net/rp-sma-extension-cables/


From the official document:

https://documentation.meraki.com/MX/MX_Overviews_and_Specifications/MX67_and_MX68_Overview_and_Speci...

Can I change the antennas to improve my performance?

The MX68CW has fixed antennas for Wi-Fi and LTE that cannot be swapped. For the MX67C, only Meraki antennas are supported. Replacement antennas will be available for purchase.

[Cn_Simone]

Thanks Nolan,

I was more or less on the same impression, thanks for the links!

Cheers,

S.

[PhilipDAth]

I've also avoided them.  I have used 1m USB extension cables and USB 4G modems to get out of a cabinet instead.

[DougM]

Does the MX have RF ports for attaching an external LTE antenna, I'm not sure if the RP-SMA ports are just for the 802.11?

Thanks

[Haydn]

Might be worth checking out the new MG21 (or MG21e) to go with an MX68W instead of the MX68CW ?

https://meraki.cisco.com/products/cellular/mg21