Can we use Downtilt Panel Omni Antenna for MR42E Outdoors.

[Bandav92]

Hi,

Can we use MR42e with  Downtilt Panel Omni Antenna outdoors. Are those antenna's waterproof. 

If not, Can i use Dual band Omni antenna(Outdoor antenna) for MR 42e?

I'm trying to use our spare MR42E AP outdoor. Can someone please help me out.

Thanks,

Banda

[NolanHerring]

So the MR42E is not outdoor rated, so you would have to have it protected some how with a NEMA enclouser of some kind. If you had it inside, and the antenna outside, in theory that would work. However the MR42E supported antenna options are also not technically 'outdoor' rated, the way the MR74 ones are.

So you might eventually run into water damage issues getting inside the housing etc.

However, here are some options for you that could get it 'weather proof'

http://www.ventevinfra.com/meraki-mr42/

http://shop.acceltex.com/index.php?cPath=30

Might require some customization (drilling holes, weather proofing yourself) etc.

[PhilipDAth]

The antenna does not have an IP rating, like IP67 - so I would put it into a suitable IP rated cabinet.

[Bandav92]

Sure.

Are outdoor antenna's compatible for MR 42E. 

[NolanHerring]

The Meraki outdoor antennas are N-STYLE connectors, but the MR42E is RP-TNC so they are not compatible.

[PhilipDAth]

This pages (at the bottom) lists all the compatible antennas:

https://meraki.cisco.com/products/wireless/mr42e#tech-specs

[NolanHerring]

If your unable to get the MR74, then your only option that I'm aware of is purchasing one of the NEMA enclosures and then retro-fitting it so that the antenna is mounted at the bottom, and you do as much weather proofing (custom) as you cant to ensure no water can get in etc.

Would end up looking sort of like this: