User's Guide

Table Of Contents

Setting Up the Antenna

Skyway requires an RF antenna to receive and transmit signal effectively.

Selecting the Antenna

Solectek supplies one of several different antennas, including both sectoral and omni

models. Solectek’s systems engineers will assist you with antenna selection, taking into

account factors such as usage (point-to-point or multi-point), distance to substations,

and interference from nearby antennas.

Apart from the two omnidirectional antennas (7002301 6 dBi and 7002401 11 dBi), all

Solectek antennas are designed to be used as bridge antennas between two networks

or for point-to-point communications in the ISM band (2.4 GHz) only.

Before You Mount the Antenna

Follow these guidelines before and during installation of the SkyWay antennas:

1. Avoid reflective environments:

Avoid reflective environments: Avoid reflective environments:

Avoid reflective environments: Where possible, avoid mounting antennas in a

“reflective environment” (i.e., near objects that can reflect radio energy back to the

antenna). Signal reflections from nearby objects are seen as noise by radio trans-

ceivers, and can adversely affect the range or quality of your wireless link. Exam-

ples of such objects include the following:

• Trees or bushes

•Buildings

• Air conditioning units and ductwork

•Other radio antennas

• Building structures made of any material such as steel, brick, or wood

• Construction vehicles and equipment

2. Follow precise and safe handling procedures:

Follow precise and safe handling procedures:Follow precise and safe handling procedures:

Follow precise and safe handling procedures:

• Do not perform antenna installation by yourself. Some antennas are large and

hard to handle, especially when changing polarity or performing the final

mounting on the mast. You need a second person to align the antenna, so try

to schedule as much antenna work as possible when at least two workers are

available.

• Use a bubble level (carpenter’s level) to make sure all antennas are level with

the horizon. See Appendix K for details related to specific antennas. For anten-

nas mounted to the wall, you may need additional spacers or washers to

obtain a level installation.