How to modify the TS9 external antenna sockets on a ZTE MC801A 5G router so they don't snap off 

Visit Router-Mods geni.us/RouterModsWebsite Bluespot 4G/5G antenna Amazon geni.us/Bluespot4G5G Bluespot Mini 5G antenna Amazon geni.us/BluespotMini5G Bluespot 4G/5G Bluespot website bluespotnet.co.uk/products/bluespot Bluespot Mini 5G Bluepost website bluespotnet.co.uk/products/bluespot-mini Router-Mods playlist: ru-vid.com/group/PLleKChtNUwZTyTwZxrJRYPUXTSJUzi5kP How to modify the TS9 external antenna sockets on a ZTE MC801A 5G router so they don't snap off. In this video I'm showing a simple antenna modification to a 3 branded ZTE MC801A 5G router to help with strain relief when connecting external antennas to the router's TS9 external antenna sockets. This is a very simple antenna modification that just uses a couple of TS9 to SMA cable extenders that connect to the router's TS9 ports and are then taped to the body of the router to give the strain relief that these TS9 antenna sockets need. These SMA to TS9 cables are also known as SMA to TS9 pigtails or TS9 to SMA pigtails. In any event and regardless of what name they are referred to by, they are simply coaxial extension cables that have male TS9 on one end and female SMA on the other. Once done, the router essentially has SMA external sockets on it that are a better choice for connecting external antennas to. Plus, with the SMA to TS9 cables being taped to the body of the router, you will definitely get more strain relief when connecting antennas. As just the weight of an antenna coaxial cable is enough to snap off the TS9 ports. I can't over emphasise enough just how important this strain relief is for the external antenna sockets. Without such a modification, I can almost guarantee you that at some point you will snap off and break the TS9 connectors off the router's motherboard. These TS9 connectors on this router are simply surface mounted straight to the router's PCB motherboard. Effectively giving no strain relief at all. It's also worth bearing in mind that with this particular 3 ZTE 5G router, once either of the TS9 sockets are snapped off or broken. Your router will no longer operate properly with 5G. Even if your router indicates a 5G signal, you will have a very slow speed. Basically, the router becomes useless for 5G and doesn't even revert back to its internal 5G antennas. This simple antenna modification will also work many other 5G routers, 5G modems, also know as a 5G gateway or 4G gateway, or even 4G routers and 4G modems that use TS9 for their external antenna connections. Even a home Wi-Fi router or modem that has these TS9 sockets can benefit from such a simple antenna modification. It's also worth noting that such a simple modification will not void your warranty or guarantee as you are only connecting a cable to a socket that's designed to be used by the end user for attaching external antennas to. There is no opening up the router, so therefore no voiding of any warranty or guarantee. Amazon links to stuff used in this video: The 50cm SMA to TS9 cables I used: geni.us/50cmSMAtoTS9 Other SMA to TS9 cables: geni.us/SMAtoTS9cables ZTE MC801A 5G router: geni.us/ZTE-MC801A-5G-Router Other SIM free 5G routers: geni.us/5G-Routers Please give a thumbs up, sub, share my videos and click the bell for notifications. As a small independent self financed RU-vid technology channel that does not have major sponsors. It does take a lot of time and money to help keep my channel running and to fund it. Any support you could offer would be massively appreciated. Supporting my channel by using my Amazon links to buy anything from Amazon, not just the products I link to, gives me a small cut but doesn't cost you anything extra. You can also send me a coffee donation via my PayPal link, coffee keeps me going while editing :) Or a thumbs up, sub or share is a massive help for my channel. Support via PayPal www.paypal.me/DavidHarry My RU-vid equipment & recommendations. Amazon USA amzn.to/3g2Oi3i Amazon UK amzn.to/2ZR6IOV My Amazon Shop links. Amazon USA www.amazon.com/shop/davidharry Amazon UK www.amazon.co.uk/shop/davidharry Amazon USA: geni.us/Amazon-USA Amazon UK: geni.us/Amazon-UK Amazon Deutschland: geni.us/Amazon-Deutschland Amazon France: geni.us/Amazon-France Amazon España: geni.us/Amazon-Espana Amazon Italia: geni.us/Amazon-Italia Amazon Canada: geni.us/Amazon-Canada As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases when you use my Amazon Affiliate links. Contact me for product reviews. RU-vid@DavidHarry.com http//www.DavidHarry.com I’m David Harry. Thank you very much for watching this video, take care and goodbye now. Cheers, Dave. #DavidHarry#LiverpoolTV#Router-Mods

Master, I would never be albe to perform anything remotely resembling this unique artisan "ceremony" which you have so generously shared with us. Namaste! OX

Just brought one & my current external antennas don't use ts9...and thankfully you've covered how to get the pigtails & added safety yanking lark'

Great video thanks, and very nice production values. Well done!

I did it with Zip/Cable Ties. It is solid and doesn't leave mess on the router.

I'd say a hose clamp would hold them so solid it would be incredible. Nice video - thanks!

Good idea securing the cables with gaffer tape. And i wouldn't a little mess for protection! Cheers!

This is a great vide, i am awaiting my third router from 3 over the course of 3 days, the first one of the ts9 was snapped from delivery, the 2nd just snapped as i moved my antenna slightly

Hi! Just bought the router! My question is, do I need external antenna for Wi-Fi 6 access? Just bought networkcard that supports Wi-Fi 6. But can’t make it to work or find it

taping is a good idea thank you

Nice video, that's the fastest way to add an antenna. Can you please let me know the way to enable in routers software how to enable the external antenna ?

What is the type of antenna for the MU5001

Hi I'm ABIT thick with this kinda thing I've got the same router and my speeds aren't great what are you attaching the female ends to

Do you know what frequencies these ts9 ports covering? Manual states anything from 700mhz up,but some forums says its only n77/n78.I am confused a bit because i am on band n3,connected external antenna and it improved my signal by 4db

I have an external antenna with two outputs V& H , if i conmect both terminals to the router via these ts9 ports . My question: is it MIMO 2x2 ?

thanks a lot .

Does anyone know if the upper ts9 socket is for download, and The lower is for upload? Cheers

Thanks for the video. Can these ports be helpful to improve the internet signal inside the house. The router signal varies from one room to another inside my house. Sometimes I get no signal in some rooms

sadly i already snapped those sockets i guess im gonna have to buy another router :( thanks for the informative video

May I know the TS9 external antenna is for better 5G/4G signal receive or for wifi signal extend? Thanks!

Thank you for the video! Do you think the internal antenna are better than these "Set of 2 LTE/4G/5G Antenna 8dbi Omni Directional 600-6000Mhz SMA Male" which is also available on Router Mods? I have this set but if using the external antenna will overrider the internal one then I might not use it. Cheers.

Is that a signal recieve?

Hi David, I have the same router and the blue spot mini. When you connect the blue spot mini do you get any information in the "network information" section of the advanced setting > other> network information section of the router UI about your 5g signal? With the external antenna connected I only seem to get information about the 4g signal I although on the home page of the UI it says I have a 5g connection . My speeds are lower with the blue spot mini connected. When I just use the router without the antenna I get info about the 5g cell tower I'm connected he to, band etc.. I also get faster speeds. Cant work what I am doing wrong as I expected I'd get some improvement because opening the window leads to muck better upload speeds.

Hi David, assist me in understanding this please, where do the two cables connect to(what type of antenna LTE/WiFi)?

The WiFi signal is really poor, anything that can be done from settings? Or external antenna

Please, Could I be right to say that the right external router antenna to buy is the one with SMA since the pigtail already has ts9. A quick reply would be appreciated. Thanks

Just wondering what antenna you are using and does it even help with your 5g speeds/coverage ?

will installing these TS9 antennas increase the strength of the speed I`m getting. ATM I`m getting up to 1.2 Gb. but it fluctuates so much that I`m having big ping spikes and speed drops all the way from 1.2Gb down to 120-200 Mbps.

Can you recommend any relatively cheap antennas. I have link 500m from my house, mut Id rather put antenna outside

5G home broadband is already equipped with an AAS, or advanced antenna system, that includes MIMO, multiple inputs,multiple outputs, etc. You can use those TS9 antenna extenders in a place where you barely get a good frequency signal, but you need an SMA high-gain antenna to support them.

Hi, thank you for the very helpful video. In your experience, do you think placing the antennas in-door would make any differency? I am renting a place and don't want to be drilling through walls.

Each connector and Leigh of cable and connector you add to your antenna reduce your gain (DB) even if made of pure gold.

Any clue of ts-9 connector? SMA it's much better, and not require and modification like ducktape.

Hello. If external antennas are connected to the router, they will provide a better signal for 4g LTE

where is antenna info which antenna u are using?

Are two external antennas necessary? Thinking of buying one very powerful antenna.

Many are saying this exterior antennas extenders are not working from factory! Did they work for you and if yes which exterior antenna are you using?!

Are you saying that damage to the TS9 affects the internal antenna reception. I know on the new Zyxel 5103e router that Three is using, there's an internal / external antenna switch in the back. I assume the switch disables the external antenna and vice versa. Maybe for the reasons you explained and the weak nature of the TS9 connection , they put it there as a fail safe?

Bodge Job Barry

Hi Dave, I've watched the video and read everything in the comments but I'm still unsure if an external antenna will help my parents when they visit their caravan. They have the same router in your video on the Three network, coverage in the area says "great news, you've got very good 4G for calls, texts, and mobile internet" which is a massive lie :-) and there is currently no 5G coverage in the area. Am I misunderstanding when you say external antennas are only for 5G so in this case it won't help? I was going to buy them the Bluespot 4G/5G Antenna but I'm now not sure this do anything. Thanks.

Hi David, I have the same Three branded ZTE Do you know if there is any way to check if the router is actually using the *external* *antenna* I connected to it? ( I have the browser script that shows extra tabs in ZTE but the Antenna tab doesn't appear to do anything)

I just experienced the exact same problem. TS9 sockets snap off at minimum pressure. A straightforward design error. However, my router can still receive a 5G signal with speeds of 61-100 Mbps indoors - behind a heavy glass door - exactly same as my top-notch Ipad.

Can you put me please a link in the comment,to buy an antenna for this router? thanks

Greetings! My questions are: do i need to use both of the connectors to apply an external antenna or i may use only one to do so? Why it has two of them? If a must to use both, will i need two external antennas or can i use an 'Y' extender/splicer? Thank you!

Does anyone know if the ports shown on the ZTE router are for getting better mobile network coverage or for extending WiFi range?

Consider using pcb glue, epoxie, silicone for securing connectors on board before use.

Why not just use a few cable ties?

So you find that some of the TS9 are tight to go on? Mine are crazy tight and don’t want to break anything.

Can these device's be band locked, I can't seem to find a way?

useless because antenna switch hidden option also does not work. only internal antenna works

so a 10 minute video on how to gaffer tape it! 🤣

I can never get a TS9 connector to seat properly, they are a terrible design. They dont click in, or fasten etc, they just loosely sit there. I have no idea why they still use TS9.

I defo wouldn’t want duct tape wrapped around my router

I don't get it - why do manufacturers put TS9 on these hub router! Stupid! Never liked TS9

What you have actually done is convert your router from TS9 to SMA. All very well if your external antenna has SMA connectors, but then it would be a different video altogether. However, if your antenna has TS9 connectors they will no longer fit. To keep them as TS9 then you will need two TS9 female to TS9 male extenders. What a stupid video.