New Peplink MAX BR1 Pro 5G, New Puma 421 4-2-1 Antenna and 1"-14 Marine mount

dtfeld

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Jun 5, 2016
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Milton, GA
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2001
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For those considering, using or upgrading to Peplink Cellular modem/router, there is a significant upgrades device coming out. Its the MAX BR1 Pro 5G. This is a pretty big upgrade in hardware capabilities and also represents some future proofing, but at a pretty hefty price ($1499).

A couple of the high points:

- CAT 20 5G Cellular Modem - Capable of 4 Gbps Down/700Mbps up Including C band (coming in 2022)
- Wi-Fi 6
- Supports all LTE cellular Bands including B71

As always, the capability still comes down to the data plan you choose.

New Puma 421 7 in 1 Antenna - Larger 8" diameter vs 5" for current Puma antenna Has higher gain.


Marine 1"-14TPI to Puma Tread adapter - Part # ACW-651 from the 5gStore...$99.
 
Also, a marine antenna name Stingray...
 
I got that email today. Was regretting getting the MAX BR1 earlier this year until I saw the price tag. That’s a big increase is cost.
 
I got that email today. Was regretting getting the MAX BR1 earlier this year until I saw the price tag. That’s a big increase is cost.

From what I've seen so far, looks like it started off as a $899 device and prices are way up due to chip shortages...

I think I'll hold off for now.

The biggest issue is still getting a data plan that works and doesnt cost $$$$.
 
I am confused on the mount. I get the 1-14 thread at the bottom fitting onto a standard marine thread, that part is good. But the top part states 1 1/4" and the puma antenna states 1 11/16 mounting hole. Can't really match that up in my head. why would you need a 1 11/16" mounting hole for an 1 1/4" thread? Unless you also need the other adapter with it and now that's $198 for the adapters plus the antenna and device. Man that's expensive to be able to watch tv ...

https://5gstore.com/product/11121_pepwave_mount.html
https://5gstore.com/product/10305_pepwave_puma_221_white.html
https://5gstore.com/product/10997_pepwave_puma_421_sma_white.html
 
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Mounting hole vs thread is different. This is a weird pipe thread that doesn't create sealing faces in the threads.

Outside diameter of the threads is a little less than 42mm. Its an interesting part. It has this thread at both ends. but looks like it will fit. Marine 1"-14 is internal.

I'm thinking of mounting this on a pole to get it up and out of the way of the radar.



upload_2021-8-20_11-48-25.png









adapter3.PNG
 
This is a bit of an aside but thought I would put it in this newer thread rather than the older one.
I installed a Max Transit Cat 18 earlier this year. The antenna is the MobileMark 7-in-1 5G with ground plane. I had to use two 3-meter extension cables in addition to the 84" cable that comes with the MobileMark as there was no suitable location close to the hardtop. I recorded RSSI values when I tested the unit using paddle antennas prior to installation.

Result so far are that he cellular side works much better with the antenna. The wifi side not so much with much worse RSSI values using the MobileMark than the paddles. I had 2-ish bars off a wifi access point only a few feet from my boat. I attribute this to the length of the cable run. Good news is that wifi isn't all that important as I have great reception on the paddles in homeport and at marinas I have visited so far. I ordered a Poynting marine wifi antenna and a low-loss (thicker) 3-meter cable but testing so far is not promising.

At least in my experience, if one cannot locate the router close to the antenna, and long range wifi is vital, consider a different solution such as a Bullet for the wifi side.
 
Mounting hole vs thread is different. This is a weird pipe thread that doesn't create sealing faces in the threads. ...

I'll let you be the one to test that one first. :)
 
This is a bit of an aside but thought I would put it in this newer thread rather than the older one.
I installed a Max Transit Cat 18 earlier this year. The antenna is the MobileMark 7-in-1 5G with ground plane. I had to use two 3-meter extension cables in addition to the 84" cable that comes with the MobileMark as there was no suitable location close to the hardtop. I recorded RSSI values when I tested the unit using paddle antennas prior to installation.

Result so far are that he cellular side works much better with the antenna. The wifi side not so much with much worse RSSI values using the MobileMark than the paddles. I had 2-ish bars off a wifi access point only a few feet from my boat. I attribute this to the length of the cable run. Good news is that wifi isn't all that important as I have great reception on the paddles in homeport and at marinas I have visited so far. I ordered a Poynting marine wifi antenna and a low-loss (thicker) 3-meter cable but testing so far is not promising.

At least in my experience, if one cannot locate the router close to the antenna, and long range wifi is vital, consider a different solution such as a Bullet for the wifi side.

Very interesting that the cell signal is better and the wifi is worse. Would have thought they went hand in hand as far as better and worse goes. Looks like the MobilMark and the puma are very similar in style so should be close in comparison.

The bullet is why I ended up going down the Peplink road in the first place. Enough Marina's have switched over to 5Ghz that I couldn't use it or their IT has blacklisted the bullet on their network and could not connect. But perhaps I am going to keep my TP Link WiFi antenna and only use the 421 for cell service (still using non-branded antenna), will probably never use their GPS for anything.
 
Only took me a year to get the antenna installed in its new location. Installed where the original Glomex was installed. Time to retire that puppy!

ED6E5F76-A0F7-491F-B49C-EAA23DBCEB2F.jpeg
AAF08FF5-503A-4A3E-B887-82D20A1CA2CE.jpeg
56F32DFD-26B7-4CCF-9994-3630596EC77B.jpeg
 
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I just realized that this thread is from two years ago. Time sure flies! However, the information you shared about the Peplink MAX BR1 Pro 5G and the Puma 421 7-in-1 Antenna is still interesting and relevant. The Peplink MAX BR1 Pro 5G sounds like a significant hardware upgrade with its CAT 20 5G modem capable of impressive speeds and Wi-Fi 6 support. It's always exciting to see advancements in technology that can future-proof our devices. The larger size and higher gain of the Puma 421 antenna are great improvements, especially for boosting connectivity. By the way, if you're interested in measuring RF radiation levels, the Safe and Sound Pro II RF meter could be a helpful tool to consider.
 
Both still working very well. Set it and no further tweaking required. Price did come back down to $999. Its still a chunk, but for those who work reboatly, its about as good as it gets for cellular based data.
 

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