Antenna placement
Each FreeSpeak II Base has capacity for 25 beltpacks and up to 10 antennas (using two splitters). You need to place antennas to create a custom coverage zone to suit your requirements, taking into account the physical environment and beltpack user needs.
- Example set up.
Things to take into account include:
- Consider both capacity and coverage. How many beltpack users are there and what are their movements? Ensure that you have enough capacity where users congregate, as well as allowing for coverage area.
- What are the individual characteristics of your site? Radio waves can be reflected by metallic objects, and reduced by some objects, including the human body (for instance, a large audience can affect transmission).
- What conduit (cabling) is already available on site? Are there power points? Splitters must be powered locally, and Clear-Com recommends powering antennas locally.
- As a general rule, antennas should be placed 8 – 10 feet high (2.5 – 3 meters high).
- When co-locating antennas for extra beltpack capacity in one area, do not put the devices too close to each other. They should be placed between 3 and 20 feet (1 - 7 meters) apart .
- FS II antennas can be placed at any orientation.
- Show me antenna fixings. Click/touch image to enlarge/minimise.
- Antennas have an IP (International Protection) rating of 65. This means they can be mounted outside and will be weather-proof.
Click/touch heading below to expand.
Antenna capacity (how many beltpacks?)
Clear-com recommends a conservative approach to antenna capacity, to ensure coverage and allow for system losses.
1.9 GHz : 3 - 4 beltpacks per antenna
2.4 GHz: 2 - 3 beltpacks per antenna.
Antenna coverage (how far?)
Antennas provide circular (omnidirectional) coverage.
In ideal conditions, an antenna range can go up to 500 meters (1640 feet). However, an average range, taking into account objects and conditions that impede radio waves, is between 50 - 150 meters (164 - 490 feet).
Show me. Click/touch image to enlarge/minimize.
Possible distance from Base Station to antenna
The Base Station can power 1 antenna to a distance of 300 meters (984 feet). More than one antenna and/or greater distances will need direct power supplied to the antenna.
| The figures in this table are based on the use of 24AWG Cat5/6 cable | Capacity (distance and no. of devices) |
| Base to antenna. No PSU at antenna. |
1 antenna only. 300 meters (984 feet). |
| Base to antenna. PSU at antennas. |
2 antennas. 800 meters (2625 feet). |
| Base to splitter. Splitter must have PSU. | 800 meters (2625 feet). |
| Splitter to antenna. Antennas powered by splitter, no PSU at antenna. |
5 antennas. 300 meters (984 feet) |
| Splitter to antenna. PSU supplied to antennas. |
5 antennas. 800 meters (2625 feet). |
Note: Connecting devices over Fiber will increase potential distances from Base to antenna. See Install Fiber Module.
Show me antenna fixings. Click/touch image to enlarge/minimise. 
It is advisable to place antennas temporarily until coverage has been tested. Once antennas have been temporarily placed, test the coverage zone by putting a beltpack in Site Survey mode and walking through the area monitoring signal strength.
- Conduct a Site survey.
Related links
How to put a beltpack into Site Survey mode