How to Increase the Signal Strength and Increase your Internet Speeds on your ATT Home Base MF279 without using a Cellular Booster.
So I’ve been getting a lot of questions from the ATT Forum Blog site regarding using the ATT Home Base the MF279 the one with the 2 SMA Ports on the box. So for you lucky ones that are closer to civilization and have more signal strength, but would like to increase your throughput, you can use 2 directional YAGI, really good LMR400 cable, in the shortest length possible for your needs, and an adapter to make the cable fit the sma port on the ATT Home Base.
NOTE: All documentation I have found Online and inside the ATT Home Base manuals state the ATT Home Base Box has TS9 PORTS on them THIS IS INCORRECT. THE CORRECT PORT IS AN SMA-FEMALE PORT.
AS YOU CAN SEE HERE, THE TS9 CORD WILL NOT FIT THE PORT ON THE ATT BOX.
YOU CAN CLEARLY SEE THE DIFFERENCE IN THESE TWO PICTURES.
So the ATT Box has SMA Female Ports, you need the SMA Male plug shown here to connect to the box.
Here’s how you’ll to set up your Dual YAGI setup for the ATT Home Base, with the use of a Cellular Booster.
First You’ll need a Directional Wideband 700mhz to 2700mhz – YAGI like the one I use, that will increase your signal. Chose the the SMALLEST length or distance wire and LARGEST Diameter shielded coax you can find. The best I could find that was reasonably priced is the LMR400 which is about 3/4″ thick which has the BEST signal retention. In my setup I run 100′ single cable to a Weboost 4G. In this example, we’re going to eliminate the Weboost 4G, and use the antenna ports for a direct connection to the external YAGI’s for better transmit and receive strength. Make sure the YAGI’s are facing the nearest tower, and you’ll want them at least 1-2 meters apart, or 4-6′ apart horizontally OR vertically.
Having good cable and a the highest gain YAGI you can get, the higher signal strength you’ll have, the better signal you’ll have.
Here is the product Links to in this setup:
You’ll need two of the YAGI’s: Wilson Electronics Wideband Directional Antenna 700-2700 MHz, 50 Ohm (314411). http://amzn.to/2BBWJ0L This has an N-Female Connector.
You’ll Need TWO ANTENNA Cables / from the antenna to the box: These have N-Male to N-Female
50′ of LMR400 is here: http://amzn.to/2EnorS0
25′ of LMR400 is here: http://amzn.to/2no3QEI
So the N-Female from the Antenna will connect to the N-Male of the Extension wire.
The other end antenna wire is an N-Female. You’ll need an N-Male to SMA Male adapter. http://amzn.to/2Gv4xFc
Since the LMR400 is thick and difficult / and heavy, just make sure when you connect it to the ATT Wireless Home Base box, that you secure the LMR400 wire so its not putting any pressure on the SMA port on the ATT Home Base Box.
Turn the ATT Home Base on. Log into it. Go to Settings / Network — and then check your new signal strength. Your Negative number should have gotten more negative (which means better signal).
Hope that helps you.
John / with Off Grid Homesteading