External Antenna For Three 5G Router. MC801AHW

[Kenny_63267]

I live in a 5G area according to Three Mobile coverage map. I have 5G signal in my attic using a Three router MC801AHW. However the signal is only two bars and not very fast or reliable. 

I have connected a Poynting 5G External antenna to the router. However the router still is only showing the same signal level as before the external antenna was connected. There is usually a way to enable the external antenna. I cant find any settings when I log into the router. Any help much appreciated. 

[Three_Stacey]

Hi @Kenny_63267 welcome to 3Community. I've checked in our Device Guides and it does go through how to connect an external router. Click here for more details 😊

[Kenny_63267]

Hi Stacey,

I saw those instructions. I don't need help in physically connecting the external antenna. 

I have connected a Poynting 5G External antenna to the router. However the router still is only showing the same signal level as before the external antenna was connected. 

I need help in telling the modem to use the external antenna rather than the internal antenna. I found a link on Three UK site, but it doesn't work for my modem.

 http://192.168.0.1/index.html#ant_switch

[Three_Stacey]

@Kenny_63267  in order to be able to log in to the device homepage, please have a look at the bottom of your router. The address along with the log in details will be on a sticker. If you have any difficulties with the password, reset the router and the password will default back to the original as per the sticker. 

Once you have logged in there then you will be able to access the router's settings. 

[Kenny_63267]

Sorry Stacey,

I didn't realise you were a bot. Please stop wasting my time and put me on to a human being. 

[Kenny_63267]

Sorry Stacey,

I didn't realise you were a bot. Please stop wasting my time and put me on to a human being. 

[Three_Stacey]

@Kenny_63267 Ooops, okay, looks like I need to work on putting more emotion into my words! My name's Stacey and I'm 100% human, I understand your frustration and I want to help. I've checked with a colleague in regards to the settings as he has access to a MC801AHW router it took some searching but we found it.

To connect to a 3rd party external antenna you will need to take the following steps in the settings:

• Log in to the router
• Switch off the wifi
• Click 'Change' top left
• Select Bridge
• Custom DNS
• 4G / 5G SA / 5G NSA Selection
• APN Add/Edit
• External antenna 

If you have any difficulties with this I would suggest that you contact the manufacturer as the external antenna is not a device that we provide we are unable to support it. 

[Kenny_63267]

Hi Stacey,

Thank you for your reply.

• Log in to the router (I can log into the router no problem there)
• Switch off the wifi (I can't see where to do this, perhaps do you mean switch off the mobile data? when I do the change tab is accessible)
• Click 'Change' top left
• Select Bridge (I check the box for Bridge, no problem there)

I don't see any of the following options:

• Custom DNS (what does this mean?)
• 4G / 5G SA / 5G NSA Selection (what does this mean?)
• APN Add/Edit (what does this mean?)
• External antenna (what does this mean?)

[Kenny_63267]

 See screenshot.  

[Three_Stacey]

@Kenny_63267 Thanks for sending the screenshot. As the setting sequence is not available for you I would recommend that you contact the manufacturer. They will be able to advise of the steps required to connect.