I know the Netmetal ax has 2 RP-SMA connectors on the top for attaching external antennas.

Does it have internal antennas if I don't want to connect external ones?

Otherwise, the top of the Netmetal is exposed.

No internal antennas.

You can use antennas with wires as there is a hole in the case for that.
Not sure how much the IP-Rating drops without the top case part. As you can buy RP-SMA Antennas with seals (See UAP-AC-M for example. But that one doesnt have an IP Rating at all)

No internal antennas.

You can use antennas with wires as there is a hole in the case for that.
Not sure how much the IP-Rating drops without the top case part. As you can buy RP-SMA Antennas with seals (See UAP-AC-M for example. But that one doesnt have an IP Rating at all)

So can I run it with antennas screwed directly on the RP-SMA connectors? That is, without the top on exposed to the weather.

Looking at the pictures, it should work.
Not sure if you can also expect IP66.

Also not sure if the HGO-Antenna-OUT (MTs go to small omni antennas for this usecase) has a seal. I guess it also works without but I'd feel better with one

Looking at the pictures, it should work.
Not sure if you can also expect IP66.

Also not sure if the HGO-Antenna-OUT (MTs go to small omni antennas for this usecase) has a seal. I guess it also works without but I'd feel better with one

I just today had a Netmetal ax and HGO antennas delivered.

I'm not sure what kind of seal you are referring to, but if it's a simple o-ring type I don't see one on either the Netmetal or the antenna.

But, I think the bigger problem is that using the Netmetal with HGO antennas requires leaving the top off and I have no idea how weather resistant the unit then becomes.

Another thought is that the side holes for coax are plenty big for insects to enter. They are not like the self-sealing holes at the bottom for power/data/usb/etc.

I think that for outdoor use it's recommended to use antennas with (short) jumper cables, which should be pretty flexible ... and use netmetal's cap again. Like this:



(the blue wires on picture are supposed to be antenna jumper cables).

I have seen that pic with the short coax cables. Unfortunately, that set up will not work for me.

My decision to buy this was based more on slicks like this:

https://cdn.mikrotik.com/web-assets/pro ... 40504.pdf

No mention of the shown configuration compromising the protection from the environment.

That case is solid thick metal. Any internal antennas would simply not work due to this.

That case is solid thick metal. Any internal antennas would simply not work due to this.

That makes sense.

But is the Netmetal okay using HGO antennas screwed to the SMA connectors at the top with the device located outdoors?

But is the Netmetal okay using HGO antennas screwed to the SMA connectors at the top with the device located outdoors?

Even if connectors on netmetal itself won't leak water into the case, I'd be wary of connector corrosion as well. And water ingress into connectors themselves. For long-term optimal functioning of the AP as a whole, I'd still go with short jumper antenna cables ... and properly water-tight connectors on the antenna side.

Professional antenna connectors (e.g. 7/16) can have rubber gaskets built in and then installers add rubber/latex sealing on top of it. Because if water gets into connector (and coaxial cable), it's game over.

Yes, water is the enemy of electronics and electrical connections.

But plenty of other manufacturers do a good job of it (Ubiquiti's outdoor APs hold up quite well) with SMA connectors with screw-on antennas on top.

Mikrotik's advertising does not make it clear that the Netmetal should not be used outdoor with directly connected onmi antennas.

This is from the HGO-Antenna's web page:

"Dual-band 2.4GHz / 5 GHz screw-on outdoor antenna with RP-SMA male connectors. Provides 3.3 dBi gain for the 2.4 GHz band and 5.5-7.1 dBi gain for the 5 GHz band. Just add two of HGO-antenna-OUT to NetMetal ac² to have powerful Dual-Band Outdoor AP!"

Well, just in case:
https://i.imgflip.com/68y3a1.jpg

If you still insist on doing that, you should IMHO:
1) use some good auto-bonding tape around the connectors
2) put a thin layer of vaseline grease (yes really) on the tape
3) cover the whole stuff with a grommet/gasket like these:
https://barbierirubber.it/prodotto/soffietti-conici/

Well, just in case:
https://i.imgflip.com/68y3a1.jpg

If you still insist on doing that, you should IMHO:
1) use some good auto-bonding tape around the connectors
2) put a thin layer of vaseline grease (yes really) on the tape
3) cover the whole stuff with a grommet/gasket like these:
https://barbierirubber.it/prodotto/soffietti-conici/

Insist on using the Netmetal with the HGO antennas outdoors?

The tape is a good idea except that a tiny failure allows water in but not out.

Vaseline on where exactly? Not on the sticky part of the tape, I assume.

Not sure of the English term: Use vulcanized tape or self amalgamating tape
Typically 19mm wide, 10m roll.
Just tape, no vaseline or gasket.
Start at the bottom of SMA-connection and circle upwards with proper overlap, make sure it is tight where you stop.

Yes, self-sealing tape, designed specifically for weatherproofing and often used for RF connectors. That is exactly correct.

I am still hoping that someone from Mikrotik will chime in here and state that none of that is necessary and that the Netmetal is indeed designed to be weatherproof with the HGO antennas attached to the top.

Ubiquiti's outdoor APs hold up quite well

Except the ones with SMA don't even have an IP Rating

EDIT: nvm seems like after almost 8 years ig they shilled the money to get an IPX4 Rating for the UAP-AC-M.
Last time i checked that wasnt there

EDIT: EDIT: U7-Outdoor got X6

You put the grommet on the antenna and you fold It upside down (or in/out).
You put a thin layer of vaseline grease on the exterior (thread) of the connector.
You screw in the antenna over the connector.
You apply normally the self-sealing tape around the connection, wrapping It from the base upwards.
Then you put a thin layer of vaseline grease over the tape.
Then you reverse the grommet, thus covering the connector and tape.
If the grommet Is tight enough on the stem on the antenna that'it, though putting a nylon tie around the collar on the top won't do any harm.

You put the grommet on the antenna and you fold It upside down (or in/out).
You put a thin layer of vaseline grease on the exterior (thread) of the connector.
You screw in the antenna over the connector.
You apply normally the self-sealing tape around the connection, wrapping It from the base upwards.
Then you put a thin layer of vaseline grease over the tape.
Then you reverse the grommet, thus covering the connector and tape.
If the grommet Is tight enough on the stem on the antenna that'it, though putting a nylon tie around the collar on the top won't do any harm.

Is this what you mean by grommet?

Yep.

I am still hoping that someone from Mikrotik will chime in here and state that none of that is necessary and that the Netmetal is indeed designed to be weatherproof with the HGO antennas attached to the top.

Even if they do it ... there are number of reports about problems with water ingress in another outdoor product of MT. And at the end of the day, it'll be your device which will break after some time (possibly after warranty expires).
Even if the combo is IP-rated (which AFAIK is not), you want to see at least IPx6 rating when combo is mounted outdoors anywhere else than in a desert. E.g. IPx5 rating says "Protection against low-pressure jets (6.3mm) of directed water from any angle (limited ingress permitted with no harmful effects)" ... and those "no harmful effects" is about short-term effects (i.e. shorts on PCB or something like that), it's not about long-term effects (e.g. corrosion which eventually eats-up metal off the circuit board). And "low-pressure jets" are often less powerful than a decent rain shower.

It's similar to wrist watch depth rating. Nobody in their right mind dives deeper than one tenth of the rating while wearing wrist watch.