Dual-band patch antenna on MR76

[AndreasKvist]

Hi, 

I wonder if it would be enough to add one MA-ANT-25 to a MR76 AP to run both 2.4 and 5 band. The MA-ANT-25 has two connectors, one for the 2.4 and one for the 5 band.

What would the implication be if I choose to only use either the vertical or horizontal ports on the AP?

Thanks 

BR

Andreas

[Bruce · Accepted solution]

You should install two patch antennas on the MR76, one to the pair of 2.4GHz connectors and one to the pair of 5GHz connectors. Or if you are trying to achieve different coverage patterns for each band you could, for instance, do a pair of dipoles on the 2.4Ghz connectors and a sector antenna on the 5GHz connector - but that is really for specific scenarios. 

Installing a single antenna, with one connector to the 2.4GHz and one to the 5GHz, is not advised, will provide poor performance and won’t be supported. Most of the technologies in Wifi since 802.11n, and even more so in 802.11ac and Wifi6 (think MRC, MIMO, beam-forming), rely on multiple antennas to provide the level of performance they claim. With only one antenna connected you also risk damaging the transmitter to which no antenna is connected.

[AndreasKvist]

Thank you Bruce!