Introduction: Meet the Ruijie RG-ANT13-360
Ruijie RG-ANT13-360is a purpose-built outdoor omnidirectional base-station antenna for 5 GHz point-to-multipoint (PTMP) wireless deployments. With a focused set of attributes — 13 dBi gain, 360° azimuth coverage and a narrow ~7° vertical beam — it is designed to work seamlessly with Ruijie RG-AirMetro radios and similar outdoor base-station equipment. The RG-ANT13-360 is a passive 2×2 MIMO omni antenna in an IP55-rated enclosure and ships with the mounting hardware and RF pigtails required for common outdoor installations.
Key features at a glance
- 13 dBi gainoptimised for long-range 5 GHz PTMP use.
- 360° horizontal coverageproviding uniform azimuth reach from a single mast location.
- Narrow ~7° vertical beamto focus energy horizontally and extend effective range.
- Passive 2×2 MIMOdesign for improved throughput and compatibility with MIMO-capable radios.
- IP55 weatherproofhousing suitable for most outdoor environments.
- Included pole clamps, mounting bracket and RF pigtails for faster field deployment.
Detailed specifications and benefits
Understanding the RG-ANT13-360 begins with a close look at its technical characteristics and what those characteristics mean in the field. Key specifications influence coverage, reliability and ease of deployment:
- Gain:13 dBi — a sweet spot for PTMP work at 5 GHz that balances range and beam control. Higher gain extends link distance without making the vertical beam so narrow that alignment becomes prohibitive.
- Polarisation:Dual-polarised (2×2 MIMO) — supports spatial diversity and improves throughput and reliability in multi-user environments.
- Radiation pattern:Omnidirectional horizontally (360°) with a narrow vertical beam (~7°) — ideal when you need to serve many customer premise equipment (CPE) units from a single elevated site.
- Frequency coverage:Targets the common 5 GHz bands used by 802.11a/n/ac: 5.150–5.350 GHz; 5.470–5.725 GHz; 5.725–5.850 GHz.
- Dimensions:769 × 120 × 81.6 mm — a form factor sized to mount easily on masts and blend into many tower and rooftop installations.
- Ingress protection:IP55 — rated to handle dust ingress and water spray typical of outdoor deployments in urban, suburban and many rural environments.
- Package contents:Antenna, pole clamps, mounting bracket, RF pigtails and documentation — minimises extra sourcing and reduces time on-site.
- Compatibility:Designed to complement Ruijie RG-AirMetro base-stations and similar radios — ensures straightforward mechanical and RF integration.
- Designed for economical PTMP base-stations: the balance of gain and beamwidth provides efficient coverage for multiple CPEs without the need for many discrete sectors.
- Simpler site logistics: included hardware and pigtails mean fewer accessories to procure and fewer compatibility headaches during installation.
- Improved link stability: 2×2 MIMO and dual polarisation help with multipath and client diversity, especially in cluttered or semi-urban environments.
- Regulatory-friendly performance: the 13 dBi rating helps network designers stay within EIRP limits in many jurisdictions while still obtaining meaningful range improvements.
Use cases and scenarios where the RG-ANT13-360 excels
This antenna is targeted at system designers, ISPs and network integrators who build PTMP networks, but its characteristics make it suitable across a range of outdoor wireless scenarios.
When a single elevated site must provide coverage to dozens of subscriber CPEs scattered over a wide azimuth, the RG-ANT13-360 performs well. The omnidirectional horizontal pattern lets you serve customers in every direction without mechanically rotating the antenna or deploying multiple sector panels. Typical practical reach, when paired with AirMetro radios, is around 2 km under favourable conditions — enough for many last-mile access solutions.
For municipal networks needing even azimuth coverage around a pole or rooftop (for hotspots, sensors and public access), the RG-ANT13-360 offers a robust option. The narrow vertical beam reduces interference between tiers of antennas on the same mast and helps focus energy where client devices are located.
Campuses and industrial parks that require multiple point-to-multipoint sectors from a single mast benefit from the 360° coverage while maintaining a controlled elevation footprint. The MIMO capability supports higher aggregate throughput to meet multiple concurrent connections.
Comparisons with similar products
When choosing an antenna for PTMP base-stations you’ll typically consider omnidirectional base-station antennas, sector antennas and high-gain narrow-beam omni alternatives. Here’s how the RG-ANT13-360 stacks up:
- Vs. sector antennas (e.g., 60° or 90° sectors):Sector panels give higher gain per sector and can provide better client isolation, but they require multiple antennas and more complex mounting to achieve full 360° coverage. The RG-ANT13-360 simplifies installation by delivering full-azimuth coverage from one device, trading some per-direction gain for logistic and cost advantages.
- Vs. higher-gain omni antennas (15–18 dBi):Higher-gain omnis can reach farther but often have very narrow vertical beams that make installation more alignment-sensitive and increase the risk of creating nulls for nearby clients. The RG-ANT13-360’s 13 dBi and ~7° vertical beam offers a practical compromise between reach and ease of deployment.
- Vs. integrated radio+antenna units:Integrated units reduce cabling but limit flexibility. Using a dedicated high-quality antenna like the RG-ANT13-360 with modular radios (e.g., AirMetro) offers easier replacement, upgrade paths and the ability to fine-tune RF feedlines and lightning protection independently.
Customer feedback and installer notes
Official aggregated reviews for the RG-ANT13-360 vary by deployment, but common themes from installers and network teams deploying similar Ruijie antenna hardware include:
- Positive:"Fast to mount and integrate — the included pigtails and clamps saved time on-site."
- Positive:"Great compromise between range and manageability — we could serve many CPEs from a single mast without complex sectoring."
- Constructive:"IP55 is solid for many locations, but in extremely harsh coastal or industrial conditions we recommend additional sealing and robust grounding/surge protection."
If you are evaluating this antenna, consult locally relevant case studies or ask vendors for references from previous deployments to verify performance in environments similar to your own.
Installation, safety and regulatory considerations
Safe and reliable installations depend as much on good practice as on the antenna itself. Key points:
- Mount to a suitably rated mast or pole using the included clamps and bracket.
- Follow grounding and lightning protection best practices; use appropriate surge protection devices on radio feeds.
- Observe local frequency/channel and EIRP regulations — the antenna is designed for standard 5 GHz bands but transmit power settings must comply with jurisdictional limits.
- Consult the official datasheet and installation guide for mechanical load, wind considerations and exact RF connector/pigtail details.
Conclusion: Why the RG-ANT13-360 is a strong choice
The Ruijie RG-ANT13-360 is a well-balanced 5 GHz omnidirectional base-station antenna tailored to PTMP deployments. Its 13 dBi gain, full 360° azimuth coverage and narrow vertical beam make it particularly effective for ISPs, municipal networks and campus deployments that require broad horizontal coverage with controlled elevation radiation. The passive 2×2 MIMO design supports modern multi-user radios and the included mounting hardware and pigtails reduce time to operational readiness.
In short, if your deployment needs a dependable outdoor omni that reduces the need for multiple sectors, simplifies mast layouts and pairs cleanly with Ruijie AirMetro radios, the RG-ANT13-360 is a compelling, cost-effective option. As always, verify site-specific link budgets, regulatory constraints and environmental demands before finalising hardware choices.
