Question

Hi,

I want to improve the gain and so the wifi network range of my great Teltonika RUT950, as I have wifi cameras at 120 meters of my router. Those wirefree wifi cameras received a very low signal and drain their battery very fast compared to the closest ones.

As you know, the Teltonika RUT 950 has in standard two wifi antenna (5 dBi). I was thinking to replace one of them to have a long range antenna for the outdoor and keep a short range antenna (the remaining standard antenna) for the indoor.

So, I bought one Alfa 2.4GHz Outdoor Omni Antenna 15dBi N-Female AOA-2415 with a Coaxial Cable N Male / RPSMA Male 5m CC-NM-RSM-5 (-2.5 dBi of attenuation).

When I replace one standard antenna with the Alfa antenna, I see a loss of gain in short range and no improve gain in long range. So wifi network is better without Alfa antenna. 

Moreover, without any antenna, I have a better signal than with the Alfa antenna and no antenna in the second antenna output.

Do you know why and if it’s normal?

Do you know if I need to buy another Alfa antenna, in order to replace the two standard antennas by two identical antennas to have an improvement of my wifi network?

If the Alfa antenna is not compatible, would you mind telling me what kind of antennas are compatible with the RUT950 to improve the wifi range, please?

You will find below products links and datasheets of Alfa antenna and coaxial cable.

Best regards,

-- 
Florent Steyaert

Answer 1

Hi,

What is the length of the cable that you are using for the outdoor antenna?  The length of the cable can make a difference on how much attenuation loss you have.  The cable may have an attenuation of -2.5 dBs at 5 meters but at 100 meters it would be closer to -54 dBs.  The quality of the cable and its connectors can also cause loss.  

When using a third party antenna that has high gain, it is normal to see loss at a shorter range.  Here is a link that should provide more information regarding picking a third party antennas and.

https://wiki.teltonika-networks.com/view/Third-party_Antennas

Comments

Hi Jeremy,

Thank you very much for your reply and support.

The cable is 5 meters long so attenuation should be 2.5 dbi.

The Alfa antenna meets the requirements indicated in the page https://wiki.teltonika-networks.com/view/Third-party_Antennas.
I only have one question about it:

• Minimum input power: 2W for 3G/LTE/5G and 1W for WiFi
   

What does it mean ? Do I need to have a powered antenna?
What's the output power of the RUT950 to powered wifi antennas, please?

On the paper, it should work. I tear myself the horses to understand what does not work! :D

What would be your advice concerning the position of those 2 long antennas (1.5 meter), please?
Obviously vertical. But which distance between them?

Best regards,
Florent.

---

Hi,

The minimum input power refers to the minimum power required to make the Wireless work.  This will be provided by the power supply of the router.

https://wiki.teltonika-networks.com/view/RUT950_Power_Consumption

The transmit power (TX Power) determines the distance a signal can be sent.  It might be that you need to lower the transmit power and or change the band that you are using.  You may try to download a Wi-Fi analyzer to your phone to check signal to make sure none of the channels are over lapping which can cause interference.  Here is a link that gives a good explanation of the transmit power and a link that provides the maximum transmit power the router provides.

https://wiki.teltonika-networks.com/view/RUT950_Safety_Information

https://www.digitalairwireless.com/articles/blog/wifi-transmit-power-calculations-made-simples

Here is a link to the Wireless page for the RUT950.  It can help guide you on where to find the configurations for the transmit power, channel settings and how to change them. The path to get to the wireless is WEBUI-NETWORK-WIRELESS.

https://wiki.teltonika-networks.com/view/RUT950_Wireless