I regularly follow this forum and have been working with the RUTX50 weekly. I am satisfied, but I do have some doubts about the antenna that the supplier sold me a few months ago along with the RUTX50.
It is a Poynting XPOL-2 5G/4G/3G/2G with 2 connectors. I am now wondering what to do with the remaining 2 connectors.
The choice of a directional antenna came from the need to better aim at places where the reception was very poor. I use the RUTX50 in many different locations, and I aim the antenna at places where there is reception when I am in an area with poor reception.
I use a Teltonika PR1KC640 5G combo MiMo (7 connectors) but also use similar 5G flat panel directional XPOL-2 (rebranded made by Poynting) which works ok. 5G reception use the outside connections, 4G the first 2 ports from the left and stick the standard as delivered Mobile antennas on the other 2 ports
Your Poynting XPOL-2 5G is a Uni-Directional 2x2 MIMO antenna, hence only 2 connectors.
The RUTX50 has 4x4 MIMO capability, hence the 4 antenna connectors on the back. If you want to fully exploit the RUTX50, then you need to opt for a 4x4 MIMO antenna that is 5G capable, and supports the frequency bands in your region. There may be a sizeable increase in the cost of a 4x4 MIMO antenna.
The following Uni-Directional antenna may suit, but you’ll have to confirm that it supports the frequency bands for your region, and has the Gain and connector types you require.
Poynting XPOL-24
QuWireless AP5G4-GN
The above are only examples - there are other models / manufacturers.
To fully exploit a Uni-Directional antenna, you need to know which tower OR towers the RUTX50 is connecting to. This often isn’t necessarily the nearest one and if located in mountainous areas, sometimes the Uni-Directional antenna is not pointing at any mast but is relying on a signal reflected off a mountain or building.
I can’t confirm whether it’s true but I’ve heard that if you use a 2x2 MIMO antenna, then the empty antenna connectors on the RUTX50, should have a 50 ohm load attached. In my earlier years, I used to design broadcasting transmitters for the UK and I can see why, in principle, you might need 50 ohm loads - they stop ‘reflections’ from the empty connectors returning back to the device. To what extent the absence of them effects the RUTX50 performance, I know not.
If you decide to stay with the 2x2 MIMO antenna, then there are posts in this forum that recommend which of the RUTX50 connectors you should use.
I use Iskra P-60 MIMO (two antennas), 3 km distance from the base station, excellent signal and crazy speeds on only 4G. Distance is also important with these antennas.
