Too Many Antennas at the Masthead ?

[Dockhead]

I've finally got a more or less clear idea about a comms system for our boat. A masthead Wifi antenna (like this: Marine or RV WiFi Omni Directional Antenna, 1"-14 Thread Mount, 12 dBi Gain - Air802 LLC)
feeding signal into a Ubiquiti Bullet, then a masthead GSM/3G antenna feeding signal into an Ericsson W25 or Option Globesurfer phone/data terminal connected to an Asus EEE-box 1501. The WiFi signal will go down the mast in buried-cable rated Ethernet cable likewise connected to the Asus EEE-box 1501. Data connection from both WiFi and cell towers can be distributed throughout the boat using the built-in router in the Ericsson W25.

Just one question -- I'm not sure I like the idea of all those extra antennae at the masthead. The WiFi one is more than a meter long! That seems like it could amount to some not trivial windage, weight aloft, plus another meter of air draft!

Have any of your guys struggled with this? Maybe we don't need this antennae all the way at the masthead?

[Paul Elliott]

I put my AIS antenna on the upper spreader and it works fine. I probably should have put the GPS antenna up there too, since my stern rail is getting way too crowded.

[W32PAMELA]

Mount the 12 dbi antenna on the stern and get it at least 12' off the water and you'll get good performance. Consider an 8dbi instead of 12.

A router with a WAN port for the Bullet such as the AZTECH HW550-3G will make simpler for you when you want to change AP's while using the Bullet.