Telenetics OM-AMPS-100 manual General Guidelines, High Voltage Areas, RF Signal, Gain

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Section 5

External Antenna Guidelines

Introduction

5 This section provides guidelines about using an external antenna with OMEGA. If you will not be using an external antenna, you can skip this section

General Guidelines

The following guidelines provide general topics about using an external antenna with your OMEGA.

High Voltage Areas

To avoid any damage, serious injury, or possible death, never install an antenna near high-voltage power lines. Telenetics recommends that you provide lightning protection for all external antennas.

RF Signal

Antennas cannot amplify an radio-frequency signal. Rather, they are designed to concentrate the radiated signal in a specific pattern or focus it in a particular direction. The range of an antenna can be increased by concentrating or focussing the signal.

Gain

An antenna’s gain is one of its identifying characteristics. Terms such as unity gain, 3dB gain, and 9dB gain are common. The amount of gain of an antenna is based on that of a true omni- directional antenna. This type of antenna radiates the transmitted signal in all directions. If the radiated power were visible, it would resemble a sphere encompassing the antenna.

An omni-directional antenna is described as having unity gain. A 3dB gain antenna has a greater range. This type of antenna is also referred to as omni-directional because the signal is transmitted in all directions. However, the signal is concentrated in a horizontal plane, so instead of a spherical “image”, its radiated power image resembles a disk. With this type of RF signal concentration, a 3- watt 3dB gain antenna has the equivalent range of a 6-watt unity gain antenna and is said to have 6 watts of Effective Radiated Power (E.R.P.).

OMEGA Installation, Operation, and Maintenance Manual

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Contents OMEGA Page Table of Contents Using the Configuration Program Specifying a Default Port Anti-streaming Command Summary Table of Contents Product Overview PrefaceFigure P-1. Omega Application Ancillary Documentation Preface Installation Contents Introduction Hardware FeaturesFinding a Suitable Location Selecting a location for installing OmegaUnpacking Installing OmegaAvoiding Hazards Mounting Omega Required Materials and ToolsMounting an Antenna Mounting OmegaConnecting the Input Voltage Source Connecting an Input Voltage Source Connecting the Endpoint Device LED Powering Up OmegaActivating Your Cellular Transceiver Call Origination TestingOperating Omega Verifying the Cellular Transceiver UnitCall Answer Testing Contents Troubleshooting Contents Checking the Main Power Supply TroubleshootingReinitializing Omega Checking the Battery VoltageChecking the Antenna Specifications Specifications Modem Interface OperationCellular Transceiver Interface Battery OperationPower Supply Switches and LED IndicatorsEnvironmental Specifications Mechanical SpecificationsConnectors EMI/RFI Agency ComplianceSection Specifications Section Using Configuration Program Section Using the Configuration Program Prerequisites Getting Started COM Port Prompt Reading the Cellular Telephone SignalProgramming a Telephone Number Example of Signal BarEntering the Cellular Telephone’s SID Changing the Login PasswordExiting the Configuration Program Section External Antenna Guidelines Section External Antenna Guidelines Gain RF SignalGeneral Guidelines High Voltage AreasDegrees of Down-tilt on the Cell Site Antenna Array Antenna PlacementExternal Antenna Selection Criteria Distance from the Antenna to the Closest Cell SiteHeight Above Ground Level of the Antenna Cable for Connecting the Antenna to OmegaElectrical Interference Distance from the Antenna to OmegaElevated Feed 3dB Gain Antenna Types of External AntennasDirectional Antenna Contact Information Determining the Best External Antenna LocationSection External Antenna Guidelines Appendix a Port Expansion Module Option Appendix a Port Expansion Module Option Field Installation Package ContentsFirgure A-1. Sliding the Module into the Card Guides Figure A-2. Connecting the RJ-11 Jacks Time Delay Method Automatic Connection Testing the Module PortsConnecting Endpoint Devices Second Dial Tone Method Manual Connection Example Atdt 19495552468,,,4 EnterSpecifying a Default Port Anti-streaming To… Do the Following… Command SummaryAppendix B Warranty Compliances Appendix B Warranty & Compliances BWarranty and RMA Statement Limitations FCC Part 15 Statement FCC StatementFCC Interference Statement Comments About This Manual Index Index