ProSoft Technology RLX2-IFH9E - Manual (Page 41)

RLX2-IFHxE ♦ Industrial Wireless Installing the Radios
Industrial Frequency Hopping Ethernet Radios User Manual
ProSoft Technology, Inc. Page 41 of 81
May 28, 2014
2.1.2 Connecting antennas
Each radio must have an antenna connected to the Main antenna port on the
radio; without an antenna for each radio, the network will not function.
All antennas for radios that communicate directly with each other should be
mounted so they have the same antenna polarity. Small antennas with a reverse-
polarity SMA connector can be mounted directly on the radio. Screw the antenna
onto the antenna port connector until it is snug.
Larger antennas and antennas that do not have a reverse-polarity SMA
connector must be mounted separately and connected to the radio using a
coaxial antenna cable. Because the antenna cable attenuates the RF signal, use
the shortest required antenna cable to ensure optimum performance.
Important: If the radio is to be used in a hazardous location, the radio must be mounted in an
enclosure approved for hazardous locations. The radio requires a separate cable connection to the
SMA connector that leads to an internal antenna.
Improving Signal Quality
If you need to improve a radio’s signal quality, try the following steps:
 Adjust the direction of the high-gain antennas.

Increase the height of the antenna’s placement.
 Use higher-gain antennas or external preamplifiers.
 Select a new location for the radio and/or its antenna.
 Decrease the length of the antenna cable.
 Determine and resolve sources of interfering electrical noise.
 Add a repeater between radios that are not communicating.
2.2 Cable Connections
The application ports on the RLX2-IFHxE module support Ethernet, RS-232, RS-
422, and RS-485 interfaces.
The application ports are located on the bottom of the radio.
 The Ethernet port uses a standard RJ45 connector
 The RS-232 port uses a standard DB9 connector.
 The RS-485/RS-422 port uses a custom connector, supplied with the radio.