6. Radio modem installation
6.1. General description
Racom radio modems feature robust, metallic casing. They are used in different applications in different
environments, ranging from air-conditioned offices to heavy-industry plants.
Information in this chapter describes the standard method of installation, used in common industry
applications. It is based on regulatory standards which apply to the equipment and on the long-term
experience of our engineers. If your network is large and your application complex, we recommend the
network design to be done by one of our partners or directly by Racom
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. Every network design should
begin by field measurements of the signal strength and quality and by careful evaluation of conditions
for propagation of radio waves in the area.
Every radio device has to meet conditions for operation in the given frequency range in the respective
country and the operator is responsible for the compliance.
A reliable operation of a radio modem requires a proper connection to the data-terminal equipment
serviced, the antenna has to be properly installed and connected to it and a proper and safe power
supply has to be used. The mounting and the optional housing has to correspond to the environment
and must not harm the radio modem performance.
The description of all interface connectors can be found in the Chapter 3,
Connectors
.
6.2. Antenna installation
Optimum installation of the antenna is influenced by a number of factors. The topography of the radio
network, the separation of radio points, the terrain profile between them, and conditions for signal
propagation all influence the type of antenna to be used and where it should be located. Sometimes
the appearance of the structure on which the antenna is to be located and the possibility of its damage
in publicly accessible places should also be taken into consideration. Generally it can be said that for
point-to-point type connections directional antennas are used, and for more remote points and points
with a poorer signal multilink directional antennas with greater gain are used. The height of the antenna
above ground level may improve the quality of the signal. The standard height of approx. 5 m can be
increased severalfold, but always in consideration of the length of the antenna lead, because each
coaxial cable used has its own defined attenuation. For longer leads coaxial cables with lower attenuation
are used and generally these have a larger cross-section, worse mechanical properties and are more
expensive. When using external antennas we recommend protecting the radio modem with overvoltage
protection on the coaxial cable.
We recommend to use vertical polarization for all radio modem networks.
Racom radio equipment in typical installations comply with applicable standards for human exposure
to RF electromagnetic fields, namely with standard EN 50385: 2002. The minimal safe distance is en-
sured by the antenna position on a mast. When special installation is required, the conditions of the
standard above have to be met. The distance between the persons and antenna minimal 5 m comply
with applicable standards for human exposure of general public to RF electromagnetic fields, namely
with standard EN 50385: 2002. It is valid for all power levels and all antenna types which firm Racom
provides.
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© RACOM s.r.o. – Narrowband radio modem ECONOMY RE400
Radio modem installation
