A directional panel antenna delivers much faster 5G speeds than built-in or omnidirectional alternatives—but only when it is aimed precisely at the signal source.
In this guide, we install and test the Maswell 4x4 MIMO Panel Antenna with the Zyxel NR5103 5G CPE, showing you how to go from the initial setup to fine-tuning the orientation for maximum performance.
 
Step 1: Establish a Baseline with Built-in Antennas
Before adding any external hardware, measure what the router achieves on its own.
Insert the SIM card, power on the Zyxel NR5103, and ensure the antenna switch on the rear is set to "INT" for internal antennas. Complete the setup wizard, connect via Ethernet, and run a speed test to record your baseline.

In our test with a TIM SIM card, the built-in antennas delivered approximately 84 Mbps download, 45 Mbps upload, and 52 ms latency, with only two out of five 5G signal bars. Use this as your benchmark for measuring the panel antenna's performance.
 
Step 2: Prepare the Panel Antenna and Cables
Before connecting the antenna, make sure all necessary accessories are ready,including the 4×4 MIMO panel antenna, adapter cables, and the 5G router/CPE with external antenna ports.
A 4×4 MIMO antenna usually comes with four antenna connectors, which correspond to four different signal channels. These four connections work together to improve data transmission efficiency and provide a more stable 5G connection.

When installing the antenna, you can choose to use extension cables if a longer distance between the antenna and router is required. However, keep in mind that longer cables may introduce additional signal loss. For the best performance, the router should be placed as close as possible to the antenna, ideally near a window or an area with fewer obstacles.
 
Step 3: Connect the Antenna to the Router

Power down the router completely and disconnect all cables. Remove the four adapters from the previous omnidirectional setup if you have them, then screw the TS9-to-SMA adapters onto the panel's four SMA connectors. The adapters in this kit are universal and interchangeable with those from other Maswell antennas.

Insert each adapter into the router's TS9 ports. The four cables can be connected in any order. Once they're all snug, move the rear antenna switch from "INT" to "EXT" to activate the external antennas. Reconnect the Ethernet cable and power supply, then power on the router. The panel is now physically connected, but its performance depends on how well you aim it.
 
Step 4: Point the Antenna Toward the Cellular Tower

The direction of a panel antenna plays a critical role in performance. Unlike omnidirectional antennas, directional panel antennas are designed to focus signal reception toward a specific direction.

For the best results, identify the location of the nearest cellular tower and adjust the front side of the antenna toward that direction. Even small changes in antenna angle can affect signal quality, download speed, and latency.

 
Step 5: Test and Optimize the Connection
After installation, use a connection test tool and check the router’s signal to see how it's performing. Parameters such as signal strength and network stability can help determine whether further adjustment is needed.

It is also recommended to test different antenna angles. A directional antenna facing the wrong direction may significantly reduce performance, even if the hardware and network conditions remain unchanged.

The test shows that antenna orientation has a major impact on 5G performance. When the panel antenna was turned away from the tower, the connection speed dropped noticeably compared with the properly aligned position.
 
Connecting a 4×4 MIMO antenna to your 5G router is easy, but how you install and position it makes all the difference. By using a shorter cable connection, securing all four antenna ports, and accurately aligning the antenna toward the cellular tower, users can significantly improve signal quality, speed, and connection stability.
 
The Maswell 4X4 MIMO panel antenna AN.4MIMO.600.8000.UB3 is built to keep your 5G and 4G LTE connections rock-solid. With ultra-wideband support from 600 to 8000 MHz and 4×4 MIMO technology, it provides enhanced signal reception and stable multi-stream communication for home, office, and fixed wireless internet solutions.


Detailed Video Demonstration of Directional 4x4 MIMO antenna installations (Courtesy of Saverio Cirillo) :
English:https://youtu.be/QexNXvoWg7s?si=jyyD2NzczkFK8978
Italian: https://youtu.be/Y9BPZuli3a4?si=sOCM4Lth2DGyHF18
Germany：https://youtu.be/iOwktiN0GkE
French：https://youtu.be/DIA6UX_cXkw
Spanish：https://youtu.be/5ut4ApO6L08