RUTX50 with two different WIFI antennas

NETWORKING SOLUTIONS
1

Hey all,

So I recently bought a RUTX50 for a camper van installation, and so far I’m very happy with it. Things escalated quickly however, and I also bought the external 5G Combo MIMO antenna (this one: 5G COMBO MIMO MOBILE/GNSS/WI-FI ROOF SMA ANTENNA) for better signal. 5G works great now, but I’m left wondering about the WIFI-antennas. My worry is, that by connecting the two WIFI antennas of the 5G Combo MIMO, my antennas are then on the roof and the signal strength inside takes a hit.

So I tried to get clever, and connected one WIFI antenna from the 5G Combo MIMO to the RUTX50, and I used one of the original smaller indoor WIFI antennas for the other WIFI port. So now I have two different WIFI antennas connected. Conventional wisdom would suggest that this is bad idea, but it certainly seemed to boost the signal inside the van to pretty much the maximum strength, while keeping the outside connection maxed out as well. In other words, I already tested this, and it seems to work. I have since defaulted to using just the external antenna, because I’m not quite sure if this is a good idea.

My question is, what am I missing here? Is there a potential harmful long term side effect to using different WIFI-antennas on the same device? Should I play it safe and just stick with two antennas that are exactly the same? Or should I just accept the idea that if it’s silly but works, then it’s not silly? :slightly_smiling_face:

2

I’m not knowledgeable enough to give a definitive answer, but i can certainly see your dilemma.

I hope it is safe for the device to use both, one in and one out. It will be frustrating to have to move closer to the camper, even have to get in it to get an answer to a question or problem raised whilst attending to those marsh mellows on the camp fire at the same time!!!

So frustrating when trying to work out that last clue to solving a crossword sat at a fire after having had half a bottle of red, and you’d have to stand up and wobble over to the camper to get a signal!!!

4

Hello,

To address your question: yes, it’s completely fine to use two different Wi-Fi antennas, especially in a use case like yours. It’s a common and practical approach when you want to balance indoor coverage with long-range outdoor reception. Having one antenna inside the van for a stronger local signal and another higher-gain antenna on the roof for broader external reach is perfectly reasonable and won’t cause harm to the device.

Also, several similar discussions have been brought up on the forum here. You may find some helpful insights and comparisons there as well: |

Best regards.

1 Like
5

Excellent Martynas, thank you!

Now I have some connections to do :slightly_smiling_face:

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