Antenna Installation Information

Antenna Installation Best Practices

Note

Not all antennas described in this section can be used with every wireless access point. Refer to the Antenna Compatibility Matrix to determine if your access point supports the specified antenna.

Antennas transmit and receive radio signals which are susceptible to Radio Frequency (RF) obstructions and common sources of interference that can reduce the throughput and range of the device to which they are connected. Follow these guidelines to ensure the best possible antenna performance:

Install the antenna vertically and mount it with the cables pointing toward the ground.
Keep the antenna away from metal obstructions such as heating and air-conditioning ducts, large ceiling trusses, building superstructures, and major power cabling runs. If necessary, use a rigid conduit to lower the antenna away from these obstructions.
The building construction material density determines the number of walls the signal can pass through and still maintain adequate signal strength.
Consider the following before choosing the location for your antenna:
- Signals penetrate paper and vinyl walls with little change to signal strength.
- Signals penetrate only one or two solid and pre-cast concrete walls without degrading signal strength.
- Signals penetrate three or four concrete and wood block walls without degrading signal strength.
- Signals penetrate five or six drywall or wood wall without degrading signal strength.
- Signals will reflect off thick metal wall and will not penetrate it at all.
- Signals will reflect off a chain link fence or wire mesh spaced between 1 and 1.5 inches (2.5 and 3.8 cm).
  The fence acts as a harmonic reflector that blocks the signal.
Install the antenna away from microwave ovens and 2 GHz cordless phones.
These products can cause signal interference because they operate in the same frequency range as the device to which your antenna is connected.

WS-MB-WALLEXT01 extension bracket kit details

The WS-MB-WALLEXT01 (part number 30515) extension bracket is used to extend the antenna tilt up to 90 degrees, when mounted on a wall or a pole. The extension bracket supports the following antennas:

Note

The antennas ship with a standard mounting kit that allows for a 70 degree tilt. The wall extension bracket kit is an optional accessory that is used with the standard mounting kit to increase the antenna tilt, up to 90 degrees. The wall extension kit can only be used with the main mounting kit.