Site Surveys SECTION 5 - Radio Site Survey

What is a RF Site Survey Develop Testing Plan SECTION 5 - Radio Site Survey Develop Testing Plan Customer’s RF Communication Desires Gather Maps, Site Layout, etc. On-site Radio Measurements Confirm RF Design Results RF Signals & Noise Determine Radio Paths Gather Site Information Physical Site Inspection Installation Information This is a typical site survey that is done by a field engineer. The topo map is usually obtained from the customer, and is very useful in the determining of the lay out of the ground and if repeaters may be needed

Procedure Layout The Site Pre-Test Preparation Site Testing Review Topographic Maps Site Walk-down Pre-Test Preparation Lay out equipment Reference Site Site Testing Test Results Site Survey Report

Site Layout Review Map Site Walk-down Area Topography SECTION 5 - Radio Site Survey Review Map Area Topography Repeaters - Antenna types Site Walk-down Look for LOS blockages Type of antenna mounting structure and height Routing of feedlines Environmental considerations The first thing that the engineer will do is review the topo map to determine where the best place for repeaters will be. Then the engineer will do a site walk down, during the site walk down the engineer will look for LOS blockages, determine the type of antenna and the mounting. Then the engineer will determine feedline routing and environmental considerations.

Reference Site Install Antenna Conduct Spectrum Analysis SECTION 5 - Radio Site Survey Install Antenna Antenna placement SWR measurement Conduct Spectrum Analysis Choose Frequency for Testing Isolated frequency Check for license availability Quick Connect Test The engineer will install the test antenna and do a SWR measurement, and conduct a spectrum analysis to determine what frequencies will be tested. By doing a quick connect here you eliminate the chance of getting out to the remote and not having any communication to the master site and having to go back to the master site to find out what is wrong.

Remote Sites Proceed To Most Questionable Remote First SECTION 5 - Radio Site Survey Proceed To Most Questionable Remote First Furthest or least likely to communicate direct Install and Test Antenna Quick connect Status light or connect command If no connection, determine repeater site Signal Strength Data Transmission Testing Polling Test or Pings At the furthest site the engineer will install the antenna and modem and attempt a quick connect. At this point if the connection is made then the engineer will then do a signal strength test and the a polling test. If there is no connection made then the engineer will have to troubleshoot the reason for no connection.

Received Signal Strength (Licensed) SECTION 5 - Radio Site Survey Remote Program Radio ON Spectrum Analyzer 20 uV signal strength for 20dB fade margin Receive Signal Strength Meter RXS ON 0,3,10,20,35,50,75,100,200,400uV Levels Esteem receiver Squelch Set Squelch = 0 (Noise Squelch Off) Asquelch Setting 1 2uv (-101dBm) Asquelch Setting 2 5uv (-93dBm) Asquelch Setting 3 10uv (-87dBm) Asquelch Setting 4 70uv (-70dBm) You have to do a remote program and turn on the remote ESTeem by typing rad on. This will allow the remote ESTeem to transmit for 10 seconds and off for 3. By doing the rad on this allows you to measure the signal strength and determine what type of antenna, or if you need to utilize a repeater. We recommend having a 20 microvolt signal for the fade margin.

Received Signal Strength (Unlicensed) SECTION 5 - Radio Site Survey Status Menu in Model 195 Series Repeater Peer List RF Data Rates Spectrum Analyzer View Noise and Signal Other Transmitters in Area 10dB above minimum signal strength for fade margin You have to do a remote program and turn on the remote ESTeem by typing rad on. This will allow the remote ESTeem to transmit for 10 seconds and off for 3. By doing the rad on this allows you to measure the signal strength and determine what type of antenna, or if you need to utilize a repeater. We recommend having a 20 microvolt signal for the fade margin.

Data Transmission Testing SECTION 5 - Radio Site Survey Conduct Test to All Communication Paths Remote to master Remote to repeater Repeater to master Long Term Testing Overnight Polling Test Repeater By conducting a polling test you can determine the feasibility of the system and see how many retries and if there is any down time. If at all possible we recommend doing an overnight test to see if there is any interference during the night hours. Master Remote Remote

Testing Results All Signal Strengths Above Fade Margin SECTION 5 - Radio Site Survey All Signal Strengths Above Fade Margin 20dB for Licensed Frequency 10dB above Minimum for Spread Spectrum Antenna Heights and Locations Operating Frequency Background Noise Data Transmission Tests From every site Overnight to farthest site Once the testing results are done then the engineer will save them for implementation in the site survey report. The data collected for the report is all signal strengths, antenna heights, operating frequencies, background noise, and polling test data.

Site Survey Report Test Results RF System Layout Accurate Bill of Material Installation Instructions Safety Concerns Modem Program Commands Reliable Operating Frequency and License Information.