WaveForm 2x2 MIMO - User Manual

by
Your 2x2 MIMO External Antenna Kit is designed, sold, and
supported by Waveform and our team of Signal Specialists.
We’ve helped over 20,000 customers improve their signal
since our company was founded in 2007. We’ve installed and
congured thousands of devices in buildings across the country,
and we’re here to help. If you have any issues at all, please don’t
hesitate to reach out.
+1 (800) 761-3041
www.waveform.com
help@waveform.com
About Waveform
2x2 MIMO
External Antennas
We know, reading manuals isn’t always fun. But we promise it’s worth it.
We’ve helped hundreds of customers improve signal to their cellular routers.
We’ve compiled everything we’ve learned in this manual.
Give it a read before you start: It’ll save you time and help you get the best
performance out of your 2x2 MIMO External Antenna.
PLEASE READ THIS FIRST:
3411 W. Lake Center Dr.,
Santa Ana, CA 92704

Summary

PLEASE READ THIS FIRST

Importance of Reading the Manual

Emphasizes the value of reading the manual for time savings and optimal performance.

Whats in the Box

Antennas Included

Details the types of antennas included: 2x2 MIMO Panel or Log Periodic.

Cables and Adapters

Lists optional cables and adapters included in a complete kit.

Install Manuals, Who Needs Em?

Introduction and Company Overview

Explains the manual's purpose and introduces the Waveform team.

Contact Information and Support

Provides contact details for support, questions, and feedback.

Before You Start

Signal Usability Requirement

Defines 'usable' signal and its importance for antenna performance.

Antenna Band Compatibility

Lists cellular bands supported by MIMO Panel and Log Periodic antennas.

How Much Improvement Should You Expect?

Expected Data Rate Increases

Discusses potential data rate improvements, ranging from 10% to 200%.

Required Tools and Guidance

Outlines necessary tools and recommends consulting contractors if unsure.

01 Install Process Overview

Step-by-Step Installation Guide

Provides a 5-step overview of the antenna installation process.

02 Assembling the Antenna(s)

Antenna Mounting Orientation

Details correct antenna mounting for drainage and performance.

Cross-Polarizing Log Periodic Antennas

Explains angling two Log Periodic antennas for optimal MIMO connection.

03 Positioning and Aiming the Antenna(s)

Goal and Test Mode Setup

Guides users to find the optimal location and direction and set up for testing.

Running Speed Tests

Instructs on using speed test apps to measure data rates for optimization.

Antenna Placement Strategy

Advises on testing multiple locations and directions for best signal.

04 Your Data Rate Measurements

Recording Measurement Data

Provides a table to log download and upload speed test results.

05 Assembling Your System

Provisional Install Setup

Guides temporary setup and cable routing before permanent installation.

Connecting Cables and Adapters

Details connecting coax cables and pigtail adapters to the router.

06 Test & Install Permanently

Temporary Testing Before Drilling

Recommends temporary cable runs for testing before permanent drilling.

Surge Protection and Grounding

Explains the importance and methods for surge protection and grounding.

Weatherproofing Outdoor Connections

Advises on using silicone tape for outdoor N-type connector weatherproofing.

07 Advanced Optimization

Technical Optimization Techniques

Details advanced methods like tower lookup and band locking for optimization.

Further Support Resources

Directs users to online guides and support for specific router models.

08 Need Help with your Pigtail Adapters?

Pigtail Adapter Installation Tips

Provides advice for connecting small U.FL and TS9 pigtail connectors.

09 Some Final Tips

Cable Management and Re-optimization

Recommends large cable loops and periodic re-aiming for performance.

10 Tell Us How It Works

Customer Feedback and Support

Encourages users to share feedback on installation and performance.

Overview

1. Function Description
2. Important Technical Specifications
3. Usage Features
4. Maintenance Features

The Waveform 2x2 MIMO External Antenna Kit is designed to improve cellular signal and data rates for cellular routers and hotspots. It offers a comprehensive solution for enhancing 3G, 4G LTE, and low/mid-band 5G service, particularly in areas with weak or inconsistent outdoor signal.

Function Description:

The core function of this kit is to capture and amplify cellular signals from nearby cell towers and transmit them to a cellular router or hotspot, thereby improving internet speeds and connection reliability. It utilizes Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output (MIMO) technology, which involves using multiple antennas for both transmitting and receiving data. This allows for increased data throughput and improved signal quality compared to single-antenna systems. The kit offers two main antenna types: a 2x2 MIMO Panel Antenna and two Log Periodic Antennas. The Log Periodic Antennas are recommended for situations with a clear line-of-sight to cell towers, while the Panel Antenna may perform better in environments with obstructions like trees, buildings, or hills. The system is designed for outdoor installation, with the antennas mounted externally to capture the strongest possible signal, and then connected via coaxial cables to the indoor cellular router.

Important Technical Specifications:

• Antenna Types:
  • 2x2 MIMO Panel Antenna: Supports all 4G LTE and 5G bands between 600 MHz and 2.7 GHz.
    • AT&T: B2/n2, B4, B5/n5, B12, B17, B29, B30, B66/n66
    • Verizon: B2/n2, B4, B5/n5, B13, n40, B66/n66
    • T-Mobile: B2, B4, B5, B12, B25, B26, B41/n41, B66, B71/n71
  • Log Periodic Antennas (two for 2x2 MIMO): Supports all 4G LTE and 5G bands between 600 MHz and 6 GHz.
    • AT&T: B2/n2, B4, B5/n5, B12, B17, B29, B30, B46, B66/n66, n77
    • Verizon: B2/n2, B4, B5/n5, B13, n40, B46, B48/n48, B66/n66, n77
    • T-Mobile: B2, B4, B5, B12, B25, B26, B41/n41, B46, B66, B71/n71
    • CBRS, B48/n48
• MIMO Configuration: 2x2 MIMO, meaning two antennas are used for both transmitting and receiving, enhancing data rates and signal stability.
• Cross-Polarization (for Log Periodic Antennas): Each Log Periodic Antenna should be angled 45 degrees in opposite directions to achieve cross-polarization, which is crucial for a successful 2x2 MIMO connection.
• Cables: Twin-RS240 N-Male to SMA-Male Cables (length varies by kit).
• Adapters: 2x N-Male to SMA-Male Adapters, and optional Pigtail Adapters (2x U.FL & 2x TS9) for routers with specific port types.
• Mounting Hardware: J-Mount Bracket and Hardware, J-Mount Antenna Mount.
• Optional Components: 2x Lightning Protector Kits (recommended for grounding).
• Connector Type: N-Type connectors for outdoor connections, SMA-Male for router connections (or TS9/U.FL via pigtail adapters).

Usage Features:

• Installation Process: The manual outlines a five-step installation process:
  1. Read the manual: Emphasizes understanding the entire process.
  2. Assemble antenna(s) to mount: Attaching the chosen antenna(s) to the J-Mount. For Log Periodic Antennas, cross-polarization is critical.
  3. Find best location and direction: This is highlighted as the most important and time-consuming step, requiring patience and testing different outdoor locations and directions to maximize data rates. A "Test Mode" setup is suggested where the router and antennas are taken outdoors (or cables are run temporarily) to perform speed tests. The manual advises against simply choosing the highest point, as interference can be an issue; mounting on the side of a building for shielding is often better. A table is provided for recording download and upload speeds at various positions and directions.
  4. Verify performance and hard-wire: After finding the optimal setup, temporarily run cables indoors for final speed tests before drilling holes for permanent installation.
  5. Provide feedback: Waveform encourages users to share their system's performance.
• Speed Testing: Recommends using speed test apps like "Speedtest by Ookla" (for phones) or speedtest.net (for laptops) to measure data rates.
• Router Compatibility: The kit supports a wide range of cellular routers. Users are advised to connect to the router's cellular ports, not Wi-Fi ports. If the router has four cellular ports, testing different combinations is suggested. Device-specific guides are available on waveform.com/hotspot-guides.
• Pigtail Adapters: Instructions are provided for connecting U.FL pigtails (using tweezers and a pencil eraser) and adjusting TS9 pigtails (gently squeezing for a better grip) if they feel loose.
• Advanced Optimization (Optional): For users seeking further technical optimization, the manual suggests:
  • Using cellmapper.net to identify nearby towers and their eNB-IDs (if available from the router's admin interface).
  • Aiming antennas at each nearby tower and running speed tests to find the fastest bands.
  • Utilizing bandlocking (if supported by the router) to test individual bands.
  • Experimenting with carrier aggregation (if supported) to combine multiple bands for potentially faster speeds, though it notes this doesn't always yield better results than a single band.

Maintenance Features:

• Cable Management: Advises against coiling extra cable tightly, suggesting large loops (4 ft or wider) to minimize negative side-effects.
• Re-optimization: If data rates decrease over time, re-optimizing the system (re-aiming antennas) is recommended, as carriers may change tower configurations.
• Surge Protection & Grounding:
  • Highly recommends purchasing and installing Lightning Surge Protector Kits (available from waveform.com/surge-protector) just before the coaxial cable enters the building.
  • Emphasizes that both the surge protectors AND the antenna mount itself should be grounded.
  • Recommends using at least 10 AWG grounding cable (6 AWG and 8 AWG are also acceptable, but 12 AWG and 14 AWG are too thin).
  • Suggests grounding to an existing satellite dish mast or HDTV antenna, or directly to a grounding rod.
  • Provides a link for more detailed grounding instructions: waveform.com/grounding.
• Weatherproofing: Strongly recommends wrapping all outdoor N-Type connections with stretch-and-seal self-fusing silicone rubber tape to prevent water ingress, despite N-Type connectors being outdoor-rated.
• Lifetime Technical Support: Waveform offers lifetime technical support for every system sold, encouraging users to contact them via phone, email, or by booking a meeting for troubleshooting and fine-tuning.

WaveForm 2x2 MIMO Specifications

General

Brand	WaveForm
Model	2x2 MIMO
Category	Antenna
Language	English