R450 Data Collector Installation and Maintenance Guide
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Appendix A: RF Antenna Installation
RF Antenna Overview
There are a number of critical items you must consider when placing and installing
antennas. The following list contains items that can influence the antenna placement
and installation.
Mounting the Antennas
Consider the following when mounting the antennas.
1. Mount antennas as high as possible with an unobstructed view of the coverage area.
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The supporting structure, if the antenna is not mounted above it, can cause
specific areas of limited coverage.
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Water towers in particular can severely limit coverage where the signal must pass
directly through the tank. When mounting antennas on a water tower, it is
recommended that they be mounted on top as close to the center as possible.
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When mounting the antenna on a traditional three-leg or four-leg tower, the
standoff mount for the antenna must position the antenna at least five feet away
from the tower to minimize coverage area problems.
2. Avoid making the R450 Data Collector's (R450 DC) antenna the tallest point in the
surrounding area. This may be unavoidable but it increases the potential of the
antenna being damaged by lightning.
Site Recommendations
The following are recommendations for sites with multiple transmitters, receivers, and
antennas. These sites require extra care when determining a location to install the
antenna.
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Avoid mounting the R450 DC antenna so that it is at the same height as another
antenna on the site, regardless of the frequencies.
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For sites that have multiple antennas, if possible, mount the antennas one above the
other, separating each by at least 10 feet. This will minimize the interference
between the systems.
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The exception to the previous rule is for cellular antennas. As long as the R450 DC
antenna is either above, below, or in the middle of the ring of cell antennas, the two
systems can coexist without interference.
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Antenna sites that must share space with multiple transmitting systems may require
additional equipment to protect the systems from interfering with each other. These
sites may also require additional engineering to make them perform well.
Summary of Contents for R450
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