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Vodafone GigaCube 5G (TCL 5G CPE) External Antenna Guide

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Looking to get the best possible data rates from your Vodafone GigaCube 5G? The TCL 5G CPE (HH500V) uses an integrated antenna array for 5G connectivity, but installing compatible external antennas can boost speeds. Let's get started!

You’ll want to purchase and connect external MIMO antennas to the device’s two TS9 ports.

In this guide, we'll:

  • Recommend the best external antennas to use.
  • Show where the TS9 ports are located.
  • Explain how to aim the antennas for best results.

NOTE: This guide is only applicable to the TCL 5G CPE (HH500V) Gigacube 5G model. Vodafone uses several different 5G model. Check your box to make sure you have the correct model!

Please note also that these antennas will only boost Vodafone 3G/4G coverage. All UK networks use Band 42 for 5G coverage which is not supported by these external 2x2 MIMO antennas.

The Best External Antennas For the Vodafone GigaCube 5G (TCL 5G CPE)

Using a MIMO antenna outside your building, pointed at the nearest tower, can help you get the fastest LTE data rates possible.

The TCL 5G CPE (HH500V) has two cellular TS9 ports on the back. These allow for a 2x2 MIMO antenna array to be connected to the device.

For most users the best external antenna choice for the Vodafone Gigacube 5G is our 2x2 MIMO panel antenna kit. This antenna doesn’t require line-of-sight to the tower.

Why External Antennas Are Critical for Improving Data Rates

Most people think that external antennas primarily help you increase your data rates by increasing the signal strength. But that's not the case.

An increase in signal strength is often less important than other ways that external antennas help.

Here are the two main ways that external antennas help you increase your data rates:

1.They Improve Signal Quality

In 4G LTE and 5G networks, signal quality is measured as SINR (Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio) or sometimes as RSRQ (Reference Signal Received Quality).

Improving signal quality has a huge impact on your data rates.

Higher data rates allow your hotspot to communicate using "higher order modulation schemes." That means they can use the same wireless spectrum to send more data per second.

However, there's one big caveat: In order to improve your signal quality, you need to both aim and shield your outdoor antenna properly. We talk more about this in the next section.

2.MIMO Isolation

MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) technology uses signals travelling along multiple paths simultaneously, increasing both bandwidth and reliability in wireless connections.

MIMO isolation is the antenna's ability to handle several data streams at once, cleanly and without interference, leading to quicker data speeds and steadier connections

Our external antennas are specifically designed for superior MIMO isolation, and dramatically outperform standard built-in antennas found in most home devices.

This means you'll see a more reliable connection with enhanced bandwidth, ensuring smoother streaming, gaming, and browsing with minimal interruptions.

Setting Up and Aiming Your 2x2 MIMO Antenna

Positioning and aiming MIMO antennas well is crucial to getting the best performance to your Vodafone GigaCube 5G (TCL 5G CPE), or indeed any other router.

We've actually compiled a detailed instruction manual to accompany our own MIMO Antenna Kits, where we go into depth on the best ways to aim the antennas.

The goal is to find the best location and direction for the antenna(s), to maximize data rates to the Vodafone GigaCube 5G. It can take a little patience, but can have a huge impact – it’s worth a bit of extra effort!

Before getting started, it's always a good idea to run a couple of speed tests indoors from a device connected to your Gigacube’s WiFi. The results will fluctuate a little, but this is the baseline you're trying to improve.

The TS9 antenna connectors are visible by removing the plastic cover on the back labelled "TS9 RST".

The 2x2 Panel Antenna has SMA connectors, so you’ll need to use TS-9 to SMA adapters to connect the external MIMO antenna to your Gigacube 5G via the two TS-9 ports.

Once you've got your external MIMO antennas, you're ready to go outside with your "test-rig".

With each location and direction you try, run a couple speed tests, and make a note of the results. Here are all the locations and directions where we recommend testing your MIMO antenna:

Pro tip: Don’t just go to the highest point of the roof! While signal is generally stronger the higher you go, there’s also often more interference. We’ve found it’s often better to mount the antenna(s) on the side of the building where the structure can shield the antennas from interference.

Once you've found the position which gets you the highest data rates to the Gigacube 5G, that's where you'll want to install the MIMO antenna. Go ahead and mount the antenna, run cables inside, connect everything up, and enjoy superior data rates!

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