ProSoft Technology RLX2-IFH9E - Manual (Page 57)

RLX2-IFHxE ♦ Industrial Wireless Antenna Reference
Industrial Frequency Hopping Ethernet Radios User Manual
ProSoft Technology, Inc. Page 57 of 81
May 28, 2014
4 Antenna Reference
In This Chapter
 Antennas ............................................................................................... 57
4.1 Antennas
This section covers the important considerations for selecting, locating, and using
antennas with radio modules.
You must also consider three important electrical characteristics when selecting
antennas:
 Antenna location, spacing, and mounting (page 57)
 Antenna Pattern (page 58)
 Antenna Gain (page 58)
 Antenna Polarity (page 59)
When you are ready to connect an antennas to the radio, see Connecting
antennas (page 41).
4.1.1 Antenna location, spacing, and mounting
Consider the following points regarding antenna location, spacing, and mounting:
 When placing antennas, ensure a clear line of sight between the master
radio's antenna and all of the other radio antennas.
 If the site contains obstructing terrain or structures, mount the antenna on a
tower or rooftop to provide a line-of-sight path between radios. The line-of-
sight consideration becomes more important as the transmission path
becomes longer.
 Mount the antennas as high off the ground as is practical. The higher an
antenna is above the ground, the greater its range.
 Mount the antennas away from massive structures. Radio signals bounce off
metal walls, for example, which can compromise a clear signal.
 Mount antennas to minimize the amount of nearby metal structures in the
antenna pattern.
 Mount the antennas and install the radios away from sources of RF
interference.
 Use the shortest possible antenna cable length. Signals lose power traveling
through cables.
 Choose antennas that are appropriate for the network's intended function.