Installation Manual

Tsunami MP.11a Antenna Installation Guide
Environments with large reflective surfaces include:
▪ Mirror-glass buildings
▪ Crowded parking lots
▪ Water or moist earth and moist vegetation
▪ Above ground power and telephone lines
Note: The use of reflective surfaces can be used to improve a link, especially if the direct line-of-sight is
impaired or absent.
Weather conditions such as rain or snow usually do not have much impact on the performance of your
Tsunami MP.11a product, provided you have sealed all cable connectors with weatherproofing tape.
Seasonal influence on signal propagation can occur in the following situations:
▪ A marginal communications quality in late fall (with no leaves on the trees in the signal path) might fail in
the summer.
▪ In winter, a wireless link may fail when the antenna is exposed to ice buildup, or when the antenna
elements are covered with snow.
Radio paths over water or extremely flat ground may require optimization of antenna height at one end. This
is due to in-phase or out-of-phase reflections. Adjustment of antenna height by 1 to 3 meters may move the
signal from a null to a peak.
Long distance links may be obstructed b earth curvature, so the antenna height requirements must not only
take the height of obstructions and Fresnel Zone into account, but also earth bulge. The earth bulge is
approximately 5 m (16.4 ft) at a link distance of 16 Km (10 mi).
In these cases consult your supplier to take appropriate steps to maintain or optimize wireless link
performance.
Antenna Mounting
There are two ways to erect an antenna mast: Tripod Mount and Wall (Side) Mount.
Tripod Mount
The tripod mount is primarily used on peaked and flat roofs. The antenna mast must be secured to the
roof using 3 or 4 guy wires equally spaced around the mast. When the height of the antenna mast is
more than 3 meters (10 ft), you are advised to use at least three guy wires for each 3 meters (10 ft)
section of the mast.
Wall (Side) Mount
A wall (side) mount allows for mounting an antenna (mast) on the side of a building or on the side of an
elevator penthouse. This will provide a convenient mounting location when the roof overhang is not
excessive or the location is high enough to provide a clear line-of-sight.
In most situations mounting an antenna directly to the wall will not let you align the antenna properly with
the corresponding antenna at the opposite end of your wireless link. As poor alignment typically results in
poor performance, Proxim recommends always mounting the antennas to a mast. An exception to this
rule is the wide-angle window antenna that can be mounted on a window or wall facing the nearest Base
Station with line of sight.
Chapter 1. Preparing for Installation 14
CPN 65756 Issue Date: 01 August 2003