The Installation Process

I have already discussed the issues of determining where to place base station and subscriber
nodes. Here I will briefly examine the actual process of mounting the equipment.
Mounting the antenna is the most critical part of the installation process. As you have
seen, antennas are best installed at considerable elevations, minimally 25 or 30 feet above
street level and preferably much higher, and the longer the distance the transmission must
reach, the higher the elevation generally. Antennas may be installed on utility poles, roofs, specially
constructed towers, and even hilltops. In all cases, the antenna should be kept well away
from reflective surfaces.
In many instances, a rooftop installation will require a steel supporting structure, and this
must be securely fastened to a stable surface so that the antenna assembly can withstand wind
loading and earthquakes. This same structure must also be properly grounded to endure lightning
strikes.
Most cities of any size boast antenna specialists with deep experience in installing base
station antennas, and such individuals should be utilized by the wireless operator either on a
contract basis or as regular employees. Haphazard installation of terminals will compromise
the reliability of the network considerably and may expose the network operator to heavy liabilities
if equipment comes loose or causes a fire.
If the radio itself is installed outside, it must have a case specifically designed to withstand
any conceivable adverse weather condition, one that will not permit condensation to form
within the case. National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) certification provides a
good indication of a piece of equipment’s ability to withstand the elements, and the network
operator should insist on it for equipment that is to be installed outdoors.
If the antenna and/or radio is to occupy a utility pole, the installation crew should work
closely with the utility in question and make certain that the installation is done in compliance
with local ordinances and the utility’s own internal procedures. Rules are not uniform in this
regard, so the network operator should not act upon assumptions.
Incidentally, poles carrying power lines are not good candidates for installation, both
because of the physical danger they themselves represent to the installer and because they
radiate very strong magnetic fields that can interfere with sensitive radio circuits.
Proper cabling procedures are equally as important as the physical positioning and securing
of the base station antenna and radio. Poor connections can impose unacceptable losses
on the signal and lead to complete disruption of the service. Fiber-optic connections, where
they are present, are even more critical because cut fiber strands must be very precisely aligned
to pass a signal at all. When fiber connections are required, they should be made by trained
installers with proper cable splicing equipment.