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Outdoor Antenna Installation Best Practices
When installing an antenna outdoors is it important to use the minimum cable length required between the antenna
and the access point or enclosure connection point. Also make sure the cable enters the enclosure or device from the
bottom and leave enough cable to make a drip loop so rain and moisture will not enter the enclosure or equipment
connections. Additionally we recommend that you wrap all outdoor cable connection points with moldable or self
healing weatherproof tape. Also do not wrap the cable around a mast or pole. The cable should run straight down the
mast from the antenna to the enclosure or WiFi amplifier.
If you are using a wireless amplifier or radio it is best to position it as close to the antenna as possible (without putting
too much stress on the connecting cables). Make sure the amplifier connectors are face down and leave enough room
for drip loops.
Antenna Orientation (Indoor Installations)
When dealing with the installation and expansion of indoor wireless networks several factors must be considered. Most
manufacturers of wireless access points and routers indicate a typical range that their equipment can provide. Usually
these range estimates require line of sight which means you will need a clear unobstructed view of the antenna from the
remote point in the link. In most cases there will be obstacles present in an indoor installation that could affect
performance. Signals will be attenuated when they penetrate walls. Factors to consider include metal studs, concrete,
fiberboard, aluminum siding, foil-backed insulation, pipes and electrical wiring, furniture and sources of interference.
Sources of interference include other wireless equipment, cordless phones, microwave ovens and radio transmitters. In
wireless transmissions, reflections (when wireless signals "bounce" off objects) and multipath (when wireless signals
travel multiple paths to arrive at the receiver at different times) are as important as signal strength in determining the
success of an installation. A signal will exhibit peaks and nulls in its amplitude and alteration of its polarization when
propagating through walls, ceilings and reflecting off objects. In the case of indoor 802.11n/MIMO systems, multipath is
actually required for the system to operate at the highest data rates. This is the rare case where a negative has become
a positive.
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