Choosing a Location to Mount the Integrated Sensor Suite
Page 17
Range of Wireless Transmission
The range of wireless transmission depends on many factors. For the best
reception, position your ISS and console/receiver as close together as possible.
Range is up to 800' (250 m) in the line of sight, under optimal conditions. Typi-
cal range under most conditions is 150' to 500' (45 to 150 m), but this may be
reduced by walls, ceilings, trees, or foliage. Radio-frequency interference (RF)
can also reduce transmission distance. Cordless phones and ham radios are
common examples of RF interference.
A metal roof or other large metal structure can interfere with the signal (alumi-
num siding, a furnace with metal ducts, and your refrigerator are examples).
Sometimes transmission between wireless units is obscured by something you
cannot identify, or by some obstacle that you can’t work around. If necessary,
consider using Wireless Repeater #7624 or #7625 to strengthen the signal or
increase the distance between your ISS and the console/receiver.
Testing Wireless Transmission at Proposed ISS Location
Now that you’ve found a suitable place for your wireless ISS, it is very impor-
tant
to test reception from that location before permanently mounting it there.
Place both sides of your ISS at the intended mounting site, or have someone
hold them there, so you can walk around with the console/receiver for a few
minutes. (If you plan to mount the two sides of the ISS apart from each other,
test transmission from the proposed location of the rain collector side, since it
contains the transmitter.)
For the sake of example, let’s say you are installing your Wireless Vantage Pro
at your house, with the ISS mounted on a fence at the back of the property.
With the ISS up on the fence temporarily, walk through your house with the
console, testing reception in various rooms. There is an ‘X’ on the lower right
hand corner of the screen that comes on when a transmission is received and
goes off again when the next one is received. Rotating the antenna on the con-
sole may help to improve reception. (See also the discussion in the Console
Manual
on the use of the GAIN feature.)
Test wireless reception anywhere you might want to use or mount your con-
sole/receiver now or in the future. Take your time. If you aren’t picking up a
strong signal where you intend to place your console, better to move the ISS
now than after it has been mounted. Experiment.
If you have irregular terrain in the area, it may interfere with the signal. For
example, if the ISS is mounted downhill from the console/receiver, the ground
may block a wide angle of the transmitted signal.
When mounting the ISS on your roof
Be aware the signal may be weak directly underneath the rain collector side.
Please be sure to test reception anywhere you might want to view or mount
your console/receiver.