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Section 2
Installation
7
Conducting the radio coverage site survey:
1.
Person #1 will take one portable radio and go to the location you would “most likely” install the antenna for the RIB-
600Analog receiver (see FIG-2). This person wil
l “simulate” the type of coverage you can expect, IF, the antenna for the
RIB-600Analog receiver was installed in this location. If necessary, position this person on a ladder to more accurately
mimic the height you intend to mount the antenna.
BE ADVISED
– you may have to try several heights and/or locations before settling on the best location.
2.
While person #1 remains stationary, person #2 will take the second radio and “walk the site”. While “walking the site”
person #2 must attempt to maintain radio contact periodically with person #1. This survey process will reveal whether or
not radio coverage is acceptable IF you install the antenna at the person #1 location. Generally speaking, coverage will be
slightly better when the RIB-600Analog receiver and antenna are permanently installed.
3. If coverage is inadequate, Person #1 will need to relocate to a new location and repeat the process until range and
coverage are optimized.
Hints:
Typically, the higher the antenna the better but, NOT always. Every site is different. Thick, reinforced concrete, steel
walls and vertical fire panels in ceilings can work to block the penetration of radio signals creating dead spots. You may
want to gradually lower the height of the antenna and/or its location and repeat your site survey to see if coverage
improves. It is best to change one variable at a time e.g. antenna height, location and then repeat the process.
4. For sites where coverage is desired in multiple buildings, such as an office complex, an external mounted antenna may be
required. Before considering an external installation of the antenna, a site survey should be attempted with person #1
positioned inside a centrally located building at the highest possible elevation (see FIG-
3). Person #2 will “walk the site”,
communicating with person #1 from inside all buildings and at all outside areas where radio coverage is desired.
FIG-2: Conducting a radio site survey
Person #2 “walks the site”, stopping
frequently to communicate with person
#1 at the fixed, central location.
2
2
2
2
2
2
Person #1 remains at the
location you will install the
RIB-600Analog
receiver,
possibly on a ladder to
simulate the location of an
external mounted
antenna.