Best LTE modem, external antennas, no dissassembly

Hardware Questions and Recommendations
1

Hi, I'm looking for a device with best LTE capabilities (bands 1,3,20) and external antenna connectors (preferably SMA). I don't care about WiFi and other features. I have main MikroTik router and want only 1 gigabit port. It will act only as a modem.

I would prefer OpenWrt installation without device dissassembly over web gui or already preinstalled. If there's widely tested good device with tutorials I will consider installation over serial port.

I have ZTE MF289F but it requires serial port access. If I won't find anything better I will try to do installation on it.

Thanks

2

Look for device with USB3 port and USB3 5G dongle.

4

ZTE MF287 series can be installed without serial (but the modem isn't the best). Requires an exploit on the OEM firmware for first install.

5

Possibly GL.iNet X3000 or XE3000 ?

6

Hi Zaoxen, I have the same router and installing via serial really wasn't that hard. The device can be taken apart with screws from top and bottom after you pry the top design cover off. I did a mistake swapping TX and RX lines, but it causes no harm. Just be sure not to swap power and ground and take care it is the right voltage.

If you succeed, you will have a good perfoming device! I'm really happy with it.
The stable firmware works ok, but you will have to manually reconnect if the provider has a 24h disconnect.
The snapshot version solves this, because it enables modemmanger version 1.22 (or higher) where this issue was fixed.

7

MF286D has LTE cat 12. MF289F has LTE cat 20. So I assume second is better.

The categories can be confusing, I only found this German site as good reference:

8

indeed, I double checked, and came to a site saying it CAT4 or 6, guess I/it was wrong.

post removed, thnx.

9

You also need to check how wide are licenced sub-bands of your provider, if it is 10-20Mhz the cat22 is a pipe dream.

10

I've managed to install openwrt on mf89f. What packages do I need to configure gsm network and execute AT commands from Luci UI?

11

Do you really need manual AT commands? I recommend to install modemmanger, then at the network section add an interface with protocol "modemmanger" and select your modem from the list. Also APN from the provider needs to be set. That's all

12

I need just change IMEI number

13

This is beyond my knowledge, I'm afraid.

14

Not the subject to discuss here.

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