Your LTE or 5G antenna is only as powerful as the connection to your router. The antenna cable is the decisive but often underestimated component of your wireless setup. Especially with the high frequencies of LTE and 5G, valuable signal is lost without the right cable. Here you can find out how to get the maximum out of your connection with the appropriate cable and accessories.
The right cable for your high-speed connection
Every cable has a certain signal loss (attenuation). This loss is particularly high at the frequencies of 5G and LTE. If you use a long or inferior cable, your signal deteriorates drastically even before it reaches your router. A high-quality, low-loss coaxial cable is therefore not an optional accessory, but the basis for a fast and stable internet connection.
Twin cables: Perfect for 2x2 MIMO
Most modern LTE and 5G devices use 2x2 MIMO technology (Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output) to increase speed and efficiency. This means that two separate antennas are used simultaneously for sending and receiving data streams. A twin cable is the ideal solution for this. It consists of two parallel, high-quality cables intended for the two antenna ports of your router. This not only keeps your installation tidy, but also ensures that both MIMO channels are optimally supplied.
Pigtails: Small adapters for great compatibility
The connectors of your antenna and your router do not always fit together perfectly. This is where pigtails come into play. These are short adapter cables that allow you to connect different plugs to each other. For example, if your antenna has an N-plug and your mobile router has a tiny TS9 connection, you can use a pigtail as a bridge to connect the two. This is an easy and effective way to solve compatibility problems without changing the main cable.
Window feedthroughs: Smart, without drilling
Would you like to install an outdoor antenna but do not want to drill holes in walls or window frames? This is where the window feedthrough comes in. This is an extremely thin, flat cable that you simply place between the window frame and the window. It is so flat that you can close the window without any problems and without damaging the cable. Window feedthroughs are often equipped with SMA connections so that they can be perfectly combined with your pigtails and other cables.
The optimal setup for your signal
To use the full power of your LTE/5G antenna, pay attention to these three points:
A high-quality, low-loss cable (or twin cable for MIMO applications).
The right connectors for your antenna and your router.
Pigtails and window feedthroughs as adapters and aids if the connectors do not match or if no structural changes are desired.
With the right choice of your cable setup, you ensure that the full power of your antenna also reaches your device.