Rutc50 wifi antenna optimal placement - and external antenna question

NETWORKING SOLUTIONS
1

Hi,

just received my brand new RUTC50. I will serve as the network center on my 50ft yacht.
There are 4 cabled devices and mobile devices are used all over the yacht, both below where the RUTC will be installed and on the deck above. The boat is GRP (fiberglass hull and deck)

I need some advice on how to position the three included WIFI antennas in the best possible way.

Is it in a triangle using the biggest distance or just next to each other?
Can the be vertical or also horizontal ?

Already installed in my mast top (21 meters above) are two 4g multiband antennas connected to the SMA ports on my old modem. They are both marked with freq 790-960Mhz & 1710-2.690Mhhz.

Will they be of any use in my new setup with RUTC50 - can the be used in connection with the four delivered antennas - ie. replacing to of the short black with the SMA kablet going up yhe mast to the two ¤G multiband antennas?

I have the option to replace the two antennas on the mast with two similar with these specifications:

High quality antenna for professional use Compact and light weight design
5G - 700/800/900/1500/1800/2100/2600/3500 MHz
LTE - 700/800/1800/1900/2600 MHz
GSM - 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
UMTS - 700/800/900/2100 MHz
WiFi - 2.4 GHz

Will this be of any value?

Thanks in advance and greetings from Denmark
Lasse

2

Hello,

Thanks for reaching out and providing details about your setup. When it comes to optimal antenna placement, providing precise recommendations without on-site testing is quite challenging. Several factors influence WiFi and 4G/5G signal propagation, including obstacles (such as walls, furniture, and metallic surfaces), interference, reflections from the yacht’s structure, and the unique RF environment of your specific location.

By default, the three included Wi-Fi antennas in RUTC50 package are dual-band (2.4 GHz & 5 GHz) magnetic SMA antennas. Since linear polarization means the signal strength is highest in a specific plane, keeping the antennas vertically aligned is generally best for most Wi-Fi clients. However, if you notice signal dead spots, you might try tilting one antenna slightly or placing one at a different angle for better multi-path signal distribution.

Regarding spacing, a triangular or linear spaced configuration with around 15-30 cm (6-12 inches) between antennas should work well.

Since your yacht has a fiberglass (GRP) hull, Wi-Fi signals will likely pass through fairly well, but reflections from metal surfaces (rails, fixtures) can cause interference. You’ll want to test coverage below deck, as bulkheads and other structures could weaken the signal. If coverage is poor in some areas, repositioning the antennas slightly or using a Wi-Fi extender might help.

Your current mast-top antennas cover bands B3, B7, B8, B20, B28, B38, B40, and B41, which match many of the 4G bands supported by the RUTC50. If you’re unsure, you could compare performance by switching between your mast-top antennas and the included short antennas to see which provides a stronger and more stable connection.

Since every yacht and every location is different, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The best way to optimize your setup is to test different setups and measure performance:

  1. Start with the included antennas and test coverage around the yacht.

  2. Switch to your mast-top antennas, compare speed and signal strength, and check if there’s a noticeable improvement.

  3. Evaluate cable quality. If performance drops significantly with the mast antennas, cable loss could be the culprit.

  4. Connect 5G antennas, test again and compare results.

Also, you can take look at Teltonika Combo MIMO mobile roof antennas that might be the perfect selection:

COMBO MIMO MOBILE ROOF SMA ANTENNA

5G COMBO MIMO MOBILE ROOF SMA ANTENNA

Best Regards,