ZTE U50 WiFi Router

[Pebble99]

I have a panel van conversion and was wondering whether anyone has experience of this ZTE router without using external antennas. I currently don't plan on fitting an external antenna so tossing up between the ZTE U50 or the cheaper 4G only ZTE MF986D. Which one is better when using without external antenna and within a metal PVC?

 

[fishplug]

Hi Pebble99

I have a bit of experience of LTE hotspots, but none specifically with the ZTE range.

The ZTE U50 isn't listed on the ZTE website, so it may be heading for End of Life / End of Support - might be worth checking.

However, from the Amazon listing it's showing as having a 4 x 4 MiMo antenna and supports the WiFi 6 standard whereas the ZTE MF986D is only WiFi 5 and 2 x 2

So, in theory at least, the U50 should give you better results.

If you don't want a permanent outdoor antenna then I would recommend trying different positions for the hotspot to see where you get the best signal.

In my old Sprinter I'd used PIR insulation and the foil lined reflextix style bubble wrap as my vapour barrier so it was a pretty good faraday cage and made getting signal pretty difficult. I found that putting the hotspot in the cab where it could get a bit of a signal through the windsceen worked best for me (until I put a permanent external antenna in, which was a huge improvement)

I currently use a Teltonika router which I've been really happy with and they come shipped with some antennas which connect to the router itself and are pretty good.

I have got a Poynting antenna which I will mount permanently on the roof (I've only just started a new van conversion) but even without it being outside I've managed to get speeds up to 200Mbps (although the average is about 30-40)

 

[Langtoftlad]

I use a cheap 5g phone to hotspot.
Lob it on the roof out of the skylight in a chinese takeaway container
They usually have a higher category [faster] modem than the purpose built mifi's.
Seems to work

 

[Manic]

Do you mean ZTE MU5001 mifi

 

[Pebble99]

Do you mean ZTE MU5001 mifi

No, the ZTE U50 is a different model.

 

[Soots]

Hi Gurus, has anyone run a puck antenna cable through a roof light? If so how, please?

 

[Manic]

I mounted my antenna where I’d removed the tv aerial and enlarged the hole and fixed the antenna there.

 

[Soots]

I mounted my antenna where I’d removed the tv aerial and enlarged the hole and fixed the antenna there.

I've got a solar panel on top of the hole, I may have to remove it to go in that way. Trying not to, though. Thanks anyway.

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[Toady]

I have a ZTE 5G CPE MC888, Unlocked 5G WiFi Home Router, Fast WiFi 6 which I use on the van through the inverter when required. Brilliant bit of tech.

That good in fact, I have the ZTE currently being used at home on an unlimited sim and I have binned my internet provider.

 

[BrochMike]

Recently bought a ZTE U50 from CeX for <£100

Pleasantly surprised by performance (with no external antennae). Way better than its Cat4 Huawei 5576 predecessor (as it should be)

And it's a bonus that it will work with the battery removed (although I will probably avoid as there's no evidence it's an approved use-case)!

 

[Manic]

it's a bonus that it will work with the battery removed

Strange, I tried mine and it wouldn’t work with the Battery out.

 

[ChrisL]

I can't speak about being inside a metal panel van but my MF286D regularly gets over 100mbs down without an additional antenna, with an EE fast as is available unlimited sim card, if that helps.
Edit: if you do get an MF286D you will need a regulated 12v power source if you want to run it off 12v in the motorhome, it won't work at typical auto battery voltages ie 12.8v.