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 Subject :WRT54G Alternate Antennas.. 2011-04-12- 02:22:56 
KJ4KAF
Member
Joined: 2011-04-06- 07:41:03
Posts: 11
Location: Henderson, KY

Is anything lost, when switching from two antennas to only one?

 

What about the 9dbi verticals (14" - 15" long) that are made to connect directly to the rounter?

 

For antennas not directly connected, does 3' or 4' cable have much loss to speak of?

 

Thank You Forum!

Trent KJ4KAF

Henderson, KY

 
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 Subject :Re:WRT54G Alternate Antennas.. 2011-04-12- 11:49:59 
KD5MFW
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Joined: 2010-01-18- 23:02:11
Posts: 104
Location: 
The radio runs, by default, in “diversity” mode, where the radio rapidly switches between the two antennas looking for the currently strongest signal “now”. That antenna will be used for TX and RX, automatically. Due to a great deal of reflection and multi-path with microwave signals, the signal at a particular antenna can vary moment to moment. HSMM-MESH firmware, on the setup page, allows the user to set an antenna for diversity, TX or RX. For now, you should probably just leave the radio in diversity mode and it will automatically figure out which antenna to use. Short antenna adapter cables, sometimes called “pigtails” are commonly made using LMR-100 cable, so you can route the cable in a weatherproof box. I get my pigtails from . Keep the feed lines as short as possible. The “pros” often mount the radio on the back of the antenna. RF loss in coax at 2.4GHz is terrible, so try to keep the feed lines very short. If you mount the mesh node on a weatherproof box near the antenna, try keeping the external feed line to the antenna in the range of 3' for so. Andrews makes expensive feed line for microwave use, that will allow for longer runs, but it is very expensive, and even the pros try to avoid using it. -Glenn KD5MFW
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 Subject :Re:WRT54G Alternate Antennas.. 2011-04-12- 11:55:25 
KD5MFW
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Joined: 2010-01-18- 23:02:11
Posts: 104
Location: 
Check www.fab-corp.com and look for "pigtails" for adapter cables. Higher gain antennas are generally helpful. High gain directional antennas are common for microwave applications. Put your signal where you want it and avoid a lot of noise by looking only where the next node is located, for long hops. (miles) For a dense mesh, omni antennas are good. (1/2 mile or so between nodes). -Glenn KD5MFW
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 Subject :Re:WRT54G Alternate Antennas.. 2011-05-27- 13:33:31 
N5EVD
Member
Joined: 2011-05-25- 19:58:53
Posts: 2
Location: Sugar Land, Texas
 

I have two Cushcraft S2406BP36RTN 8dBi (6 dBd) Omnidirectional Mast Mount Antennas w/RP-TNC (S2406BP36RTN)  These antennas for the 2400 - 2500MHz frequency band and exhibit a 13 degree E-Plane beamwidth.  These were rescued from old Mesh project at the office so I will start with these and a cheap NEMA box...

I was looking at dmswireless.com, they seem to make some nice WLAN Yagis...

Happy Meshing!

Billy, N5EVD
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Billy, N5EVD @ N5EVD-1
 Subject :Re:WRT54G Alternate Antennas.. 2011-08-29- 18:38:06 
NG5V
Admin
Joined: 2010-01-18- 23:06:23
Posts: 43
Location: 

New write up about mounting the node itself in a Rootenna. See User Documentation or just click HERE It's a 5mb file so let it load.
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