CTI 5632 Setting Up

Panel directional antennas

Hide thumbs

The CTI range of directional panel antennas can significantly improve performance in a SHoW

DMX wireless DMX/RDM system, providing they are set up correctly. This document will

provide you with a number of techniques for effectively setting up and using panel antennas.

In general, it is best to setup your system well in advance of the show, and to plan to do some

testing and adjustment in order to optimize system performance. Whenever possible plan

your setup/testing time for the same time of day when your show is scheduled.

Panel antennas are basically flat box shaped units, and radiate primarily from their front

"panel" surface. These antennas produce a relatively wide beam of radio waves that can be

aimed toward targets and away from things that

might cause problems. The CTI # 5632 8dBi

Panel Antenna (pictured) has a 60º beam

angle, meaning that most of the antenna's

energy is shaped into a 60º wide beam (see the

beam pattern near right), and much like a light

fixture with a 60º beam angle, this antenna can

be focused at a desired target or group of targets.

Cables: CTI panel antennas are provided with a short (12") tail with a standard RF "N" female

connector, so an adapter such as the CTI # 5638 N to RSMA adapter is required to connect

the antenna to a CTI SHoW DMX Transmitter or Receiver. Extension cables may also be

used to locate the antenna some distance from the Transmitter or Receiver. All cables,

whether short adapters or longer extension cables, must be properly constructed from

materials intended for RF applications. Cables that are made from improper components or

are poorly assembled can impair or completely block radio transmissions.

All cables will attenuate the signals to the antenna to some degree. For short runs the

attenuation/loss will be insignificant with any good RF rated cable, but if longer cables are

needed, a special low-loss cable should be used. Low loss RF cable materials are typically

thicker and less flexible than the standard cables.

RF cables must be carefully installed. Overly tight bends will increase attenuation, as will

excessive numbers of bends. Excessive compression of the cable will also add attenuation,

so cable ties should be used carefully.

Attenuation and bend specifications for CTI RF cables are given in the table below:

Cable Type

CTI 5638 N to

RSMA Adapter

LMR 195-DB

LMR-400-UF

Andrew FSJ-50

Minimum

Attenuation,

Radius, Single

dB per 100'

Bend

6.8

6.78

Setting Up Panel

Directional Antennas

Minimum

Radius,

Multiple Bends

.5"

Number of

Bends Max

n/r

Table of Contents

Need help?

Do you have a question about the 5632 and is the answer not in the manual?

Questions and answers

Summary of Contents for CTI 5632

Page 1 Cables: CTI panel antennas are provided with a short (12”) tail with a standard RF “N” female connector, so an adapter such as the CTI # 5638 N to RSMA adapter is required to connect the antenna to a CTI SHoW DMX Transmitter or Receiver. Extension cables may also be used to locate the antenna some distance from the Transmitter or Receiver.
Page 2 Setting Up Panel Directional Antennas, page 2 Installing and Optimizing a Panel Antenna System Panel antennas may be used together for both transmitters and receivers to create a highly directional system with extended range, good immunity to interference, and reduced interference creation.
Page 3 Another common obstacle is glass; some window glass will block radio waves. If you want to broadcast out a window, use a cable to put the antenna outside of the window. CTI panel antennas are rated for outdoor use.
Page 4 The antennas in the figure below are horizontally polarized: • Test different power levels. CTI panel antennas add gain (power) to the broadcast signal and also focus the radio energy directionally. Both effects tend to deliver more of the radio signal to the desired target, so you may not need to operate your transmitter at the highest setting.
Page 5 Setting Up Panel Directional Antennas, page 5 • Match antenna polarity. The figure below shows a vertically polarized panel and omni: • Test both vertical and horizontal polarity. As with panel-to–panel systems, horizontal polarization may improve performance in some systems, The figure below shows a horizontally polarized panel and omni: •...