Antenna selection

[Agus]

Hi,

I still confusing how to antenna selection for meraki  access point. We will plan install access point at our compound with lot of trees (open area) and also building. I have read some article on meraki sites and interest will using MR76 (majority) and MR46 for indoor (some office). Confusing on anttena selection for MR76, the question is it correct if i choose 1 set using antenna MA-ANT-25 (purpose for focusing signal on open area) and 1 set using omni MA-ANT-20 (pupose for focusing signal near access point i installed, because limited signal coverage for omni antenna). for MA-ANT-20 and MA-ANT-25  it can install to MR76 on any port or it should installed on spesific port.

Thank you for your time to reply this and appreaciate.

Regards

[Ryan_Miles]

The MR76 has 4 antenna ports. Two are connected to the 2.4GHz radio and the other two are connected to the 5GHz radio. Link for details https://documentation.meraki.com/MR/MR_Installation_Guides/MR76_Installation_Guide#Attaching_the_ant....

So, you could connect a sector or patch antenna on one of the radios (antenna ports) and use omnis on the other radio (antenna ports). This of course would mean the directional coverage from the patch/sector would only be on whichever radio band you connected it to. And then the omnis would also be bound to just the radio band it's connected to.

So it's going to really depend on your specific requirements to determine if this set up is best for your deployment.

[GIdenJoe · Accepted solution]

It's quite easy actually.

The MR76 has two sets of ports.  The two on the top are for 2.4 GHz and the two on the bottom are for 5 GHz.

The Meraki antennas themselves are the following (you also have single band antennas but we will focus on the dual band ones since you can use them on any antenna port.

MA-ANT-20: This partnumber contains 2 stick antennas that screw directly on the N-type connectors on the AP and provide the typical 360 degree donut horizontal coverage if you wall or pole mount the AP.  This antenna has the least range but provides the full circle.

MA-ANT-25: This partnumber contains 1 patch antenna with 2 short coax leads that connect to or both 2.4 GHz connectors or both 5 GHz connectors.  Do not connect one antenna to one 2.4 GHz connector and one 5 GHz connector!! This antenna provides 180 degree coverage with moderate distance.  If the intention is to provide both bands you should order 2x this partnumber and connect one antenna to both 2.4 ports and the other to the 5 ports.  Aim them in the same direction.

MA-ANT-27: this is roughly the same as the previous as far as cables and connections go.  However this antenna has a 120 degree coverage and significantly higher range than the previous one.

In normal use cases where each outdoor AP is wired to the network you usually chose 2x the same antenna partnumber per AP and install them like this.  If you only want to serve one band you can omit one of the parts but you will need to buy weatherproof N-type caps to prevent moisture ingress.

In a specialized use case for example the AP will not be wired directly to the network but will be used as a mesh AP then you could have one MA-ANT-27 aimed at the root AP on one band and provide client coverage on the other band using MA-ANT-20 instead.

[Agus]

Hi,

Thanks for all insight and link that provide, little clear about my curious about antenna.

Regards,