Badger Meter ORION AMR/AMI Hardware Solutions for Gas Utilities - Manual (Page 8)

ORION® Fixed Network (SE) II Network Gateway Transceiver
MOUNTING THE GTTEWTY
MPORTTNT I
Professional installation of the ORION Fixed Network II network gateway transceiver per Badger Meter installation
instructions is required. Installation, mounting and disposal shall be in accordance with all local, state and federal
regulations. When installing the network gateway transceiver, the customer is responsible for complying with local, state
and federal codes and guidelines as well as applicable industry standards, such as ANSI/TIA/EIA 222 (structural standards
for steel antenna towers and antenna supporting structures) and the National Electrical Code (NEC). Proper grounding is
necessary, and in the case of a wooden pole, a dedicated copper ground wire should be used for lightning protection.
NOTE: N The ORION Fixed Network II Gateway Installation Form in this manual must be completed for each installation and
returned to Badger Meter . The three-page form starts on page 43 .
Direct and Remote Tntenna Mounting
The ORION Fixed Network II network gateway transceiver (“gateway”) is designed to allow direct and remote mounting of the
TX/RX and backhaul antennas . The gateway ships in a direct mount configuration but the antennas can be separated from
the enclosure assembly and remotely mounted using the antenna mounting bracket and antenna cables and connectors as
defined in the Badger Meter specifications . See "Remote Antenna Installation" on page 34 for complete information .
Gateway Location
The utility is responsible for properly positioning the gateway . For optimal reception and transmission, locate the gateway
and antennas in line-of-sight view of the desired endpoints .
To help maximize the performance of your ORION fixed network system, the following installation guidelines and
recommendations should be considered when selecting mounting locations for the gateway .
• Avoid installing the gateway next to or between objects such as tall buildings, towers, bridges, highway overpasses
or signs that obstruct the line of sight with the endpoints .
• Avoid installing the gateway near RF transmitters or other sources of RF radiation including high-power in band and
near-power sources such as pagers, cellular 900 MHz transmitters and communications transmitters . Other potential
sources of RF radiation include power line transformers, neon or fluorescent signs, RADAR transmitters and SCADA
systems . If the gateway is to be located near other RF radiators, a minimum distance of 100 feet horizontal separation
and 10 feet vertical separation must be maintained between the gateway and the source of RF radiation .
• Avoid installing the gateway antennas inside metal enclosures or inside of a building as the antennas cannot
communicate if surrounded by metal .
• Mount the gateway as high as possible above aver age terrain, within the limits of the 300-foot power cable, a nd
maintain a 3 0 degree view of the horizon .
• Minimum standoff distance of 2 feet from any structure is required .
• Position the gateway no closer than 25 feet from the nearest endpoint .
Page 8 March 2014