MODULE 5

PLANNING GUIDE

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MODULE CONTENT
• This module contains various steps in planning a
design of microwave systems.

TRALEC1 2
APC - School of Engineering
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

At the end of this module student must be able

to:
1. Understand the steps in engineering L-O-S
communication link.

2. Apply the learned concept.

TRALEC1 3
APC - School of Engineering
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

• Lecture Notes Module 2 (refer to content library)

• Electronic Communications Systems, Fundamentals thro
ugh Advanced. 6th ed. Tomasi, Wayne (2014).
• Communication Electronics. 2nd ed. Frenzel, Louis (199
5).
• Electronic Communications Systems. 4th ed. Kennedy-D
avis, (1993)
• Electronic Communication Systems, 2nd ed. Blake (e-boo
k)

TRALEC1 4
APC - School of Engineering
ASSESSMENT/ DELIVERABLES

• Develop module summary.

• Answer drill exercises and/or illustrative problems at
the end of the module.
• Spot quiz and Major Exams
• Create problem set of the past and possible Board E
xam questions).

TRALEC1 5
APC - School of Engineering
 STEP 1
Determine the conditions for putting up a microwave link

Establish the purpose of the microwave link.

What kind of information should be transmitted and the

general transmission path.

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 EXAMPLE
Application:
A microwave link to connect the digital PABX system
located at the office buildings at site A and B.

Path Length: 25 KMS

Reliability Requirements: 99.99%
Traffic Capacity: 4 X E1 MAIN PLUS 4 X E1 SPARE (8XE1)

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 STEP 2
Obtain the product specification sheet of a microwave
radio which meets the given requirements.

Note:
‘The best practical source of searching for equipment
specifications is the internet.’

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1. DMC http://www.dmcwave.com
2. Harris http://www.microwave.harris.com/
microwave radios/microwave-radios.htm
3. MRC Broadcast http://www.mrcbroadcast.com/products
prd_indx.htm#digital_fixed
4. Westica http://www.westica.co.uk/prodone.html
5. Ericsson http://www.ericsson.com/transmission/
mini-link/bas/technical.shtml
6. Fastlinks http://www.microwave-radio-links.com
7. AT International http://www.at-communication.com/eng/
codan_microwave.html

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8. MDS International http://www.mds.fr/download.htm
9. GTT http://www.globatt.com/UK/Link_dep.html
10. Plessey http://www.plessyinc.com/digradio.htm
11. Giganet http://www.giganet-corp./prodfrm.htm
12. Viking Microwave http://www.viking-telecom.se/index2.html
13. Lucent http://www.lucent.com/wirelessnet/product
s/networks/fwns_mdl.html

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STEP 3

Obtain a topographical map which both sites

are contained.

Maps are available in different scales. For

long paths, a 1:250,000 scales can be used.
For short paths, 1:50,000

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STEP 4
Determine frequency Band Required.

Once the path length has been identified,

select a preliminary band which to select based
on available band allocated to Operational Fixed
or Common Carrier Users.

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STEP 4
From (km) To (km) Frequency (GHz)
0 2 38
2 3 26
3 5 23
5 10 18
10 15 15
15 35 13
35 45 10
45 60 8
60 75 5
75 85 2
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STEP 5
Determine Channel available.

The channel plans are based on the frequency

band and the bandwidth (multiplexed digital rate)
of the traffic being carried.

These can be taken from technical specifications

set by CCIR or sometimes, the equipment
specifications themselves.

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 STEP 5
BAND Frequency Low Band High Band
Range
38 GHz 37-40 GHz 37-38.6 GHz 38.30-40 GHz
26 GHz 24.5-26.5 GHz 24.5-25.6 GHz 25.4-26.5 GHz
23 GHz 21.2-23.6 GHz 21.2-22.45 GHz 22.35-23.6 GHz
18 GHz 17.7-19.7 GHz 17.7-18.9 GHz 18.35-19.7 GHz
15 GHz 14.2-15.37 GHz 14.2-14.93 GHz 14.37-15.37 GHz
13 GHz 12.75-13.25 GHz 12.75-12.98 GHz 13.01-13.25 GHz
10 GHz 10.7-11.7 GHz 10.7-11.2 GHz 11.2-11.7 GHz
7 GHz 7.1-13.25 GHz 7.1-7.9 GHz 7.7-8.5 GHz
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STEP 5
Example:
FREQUENCY BAND: 13GHZ
FREQUENCY RANGE: 12.75 GHZ TO 13.25 GHZ
LOW BAND RANGE: 12.75 GHZ TO 12.98 GHZ
HIGH BAND RANGE: 13.01 GHZ TO 13.25 GHZ
DUPLEX SPACING: 260 MHZ
CHANNEL BANDWIDTH FOR 8 X E1: 14 MHZ

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STEP 6

From the Channel Plans or specifications

available, select a frequency pair which
would be used for the actual computation of
the hop

Channel Plans are available from CCIR or

from the government regulatory agency.

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12.98Ghz  12.75Ghz
14Mhz

STEP 6
1. Should channel plans be unavailable, divide the
smaller bandwidth between the High Band and
the Low Band with channel bandwidth.

12.98GHz – 12.75 GHz

No. of DUPLEX Channels =
14 MHz

= 16.42 (16 channels)

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STEP 6

2. Then select any arbitrary channel number less

than the number of channels.

3. Multiply the channel bandwidth with the selected

channel number.

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 STEP 6
4. The high band transmit frequency is equal to the sum of the
lower limit of the high band bandwidth and the product of 3.
The low band transmit frequency is equal to the sum of the
lower limit of the low band bandwidth and the product of 3.

Solution: Selecting 5 channel spacing above the high band and low
band edge:

14Mhz x 5 = 70Mhz
Low band frequency:
12,750Mhz + 70Mhz = 12,820Mhz = 12.82Ghz
High band frequency:
13,010Mhz + 70Mhz = 13,080Mhz = 13.08Ghz
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STEP 7
Compute the minimum elevation at site A
and site B which would clear earth curvature.
Use the formula

d2
h= Earth Curvature
12.75 x K

where: h is in meters
d is in kilometers

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STEP 7
Compute the minimum elevation at site A
and site B which would clear earth curvature.
Use the formula

d2
h= Earth Curvature
1.5 x K

where: h is in feet
d is in miles

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 STEP 7
K factors Terrain type
5/3, ½, 2/3 Low ground humidity
Fog over cold water
Above normal low level ground temp.
2.75, infinity, -1 High ground humidity
Steam
Fog over warm water
Rapid drop to below normal ground temp
1.25, 4/3, 1.6 Dry
Mountains
Typical inland
Humid and coastal
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1 Uniform and homogeneous
STEP 7
Inspect the topographical map and select a lo
cation whose elevation is greater than the minim
um clearing height at Site A and Site B.

Example: Computing minimum site elevation

152
h=
1.5 x 4/3

h = 112.5meters
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 STEP 8
Create a table plotting points along the
path and identifying possible sources of
reflection and obstructions.
Distance Distance Path Earth Terrain
from A from B Elevation Curvature Type

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STEP 8
Methods of Table Plotting for Path elevations

1. Dividing distance A and B into equal parts

(usually 1 km) .

2. Taking points of intersection of the LOS path

and the contour curves of the map.

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 STEP 8

This is the point microwave planners conduct a site

survey. This is to determine, among other things, if
there where an existing building or tower which can
be used, or a new independent tower is needed. For
economic purposes, it would be preferable to install
on building rooftops as the expenses for the erection of
tower or monopole is reduced. There is also (for
locations which serve as network nodes) which a tower
already exists, meaning free location on this tower can
be selected. lasamaniegojr 27
STEP 8
Using the topographic map, identify possible
obstructions, type of terrain, ground elevations
and actual path distance.

Terrain Type Allowances

TREE GROWTH ALLOWANCE = 10 meters

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STEP 8

BUILDING ALLOWANCE = 20 meters

RURAL AREA ALLOWANCE = 10 meters

RICE FIELD ALLOWANCE = 0 meters

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STEP 8
Earth Bulge

k = r/r0

Where r = r0 / [ 1 – 0.04665 e -0.005577Ns]

Ns = N0 e -0.1057 hs
hs – altitude above mean sea level (Km)
N0 = MSL refractivity

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STEP 8
K factors Terrain type
5/3, ½, 2/3 Low ground humidity
Fog over cold water
Above normal low level ground temp.
2.75, infinity, -1 High ground humidity
Steam
Fog over warm water
Rapid drop to below normal ground temp
1.25, 4/3, 1.6 Dry
Mountains
Typical inland
Humid and coastal
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1 Uniform and homogeneous
Subrefraction – Bending of rays towards the
earth

- for k = -1, ∞ , 4/3 , -1/2

Superrefraction - Bending of rays away from the

earth (Sky)

- for k = ½, 2/3

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Distance Distance Path Earth Ground Terrain

from A from B Elevation Curvature Elevation Type

0.00 30.00 250 0.00 250.00 Timberland

1.00 29.00 225 19.34 244.34 Timberland

2.00 28.00 200 37.35 237.35 Timberland

3.00 27.00 175 54.03 229.03 Timberland

4.00 26.00 150 69.37 219.37 Timberland

5.00 25.00 150 83.38 233.38 Timberland

6.00 24.00 150 96.05 246.05 Timberland

7.00 23.00 75 107.39 182.39 Rice fields

8.00 22.00 50 117.39 167.39 Rice fields

9.00 21.00 25 126.06 151.06 River

10.00 20.00 25 133.40 158.40 River

11.00 19.00 50 139.40 189.40 Rice fields

12.00 18.00 75 144.07 219.07 Rice fields

13.00 17.00 100 147.41 247.41 Timberland

14.00 16.00 95 149.41 244.41 Timberland

15.00 15.00 85 150.08 235.08 Timberland

16.00 14.00 70 149.41 219.41 Timberland

17.00 13.00 55 147.41 202.41 Rice fields

18.00 12.00 35 144.07 179.07 Rice fields

19.00 11.00 25 139.40 164.40 Rice fields

20.00 10.00 25 133.40 158.40 Rice fields

21.00 9.00 25 126.06 151.06 Rice fields

22.00 8.00 75 117.39 192.39 Rice fields

23.00 7.00 125 107.39 232.39 Urban

24.00 6.00 125 96.05 221.05 Urban

25.00 5.00 150 83.38 233.38 Urban

26.00 4.00 175 69.37 244.37 Urban

27.00 3.00 200 54.03 254.03 Timberland

28.00 2.00
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210 37.35 247.35 Timberland
33
29.00 1.00 220 19.34 239.34 Timberland
 STEP 9

From the table, construct the figure which

shows the path profile including the earth
curvature and elevation along the path.

Ground Elevation = Path Elevation +Earth Curvature

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STEP 9
Path Profile

300.00
250.00
Elevation in Feet

200.00
Earth Curvature
150.00
Path elevation
100.00
50.00
0.00
1 4 7 10 13 16 19 22 25 28 31
Path Distance in Miles

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 STEP 10
Determine tower height.

Condition 1: Maximum Tower height is defined

Condition 2: No maximum tower height is defined

Condition 3: With or without maximum tower height

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STEP 10(a)
Condition 1: Maximum Tower height is defined

Construct a new figure which shows the

path profile with the earth curvature, elevation
along the path and line of site. Note the places
where the terrain of path is closest to the line of
propagation.

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STEP 10(a)

Considering Condition 1, assume site A has a

4 storey building and site B has a 5 storey buildin
g. Assume also that each storey is 5 meters
high, then site A already has 20 m and site B has
25 m.

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STEP 10(a)
Obstruction height = Ground elevation +
trees/buildings (terrain)
n d1d2
Fresnel = 72.1 fD

where d1, d2, and D are in mi

f is in GHz

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STEP 10(a)
Obstruction height = Ground elevation +
trees/buildings (terrain)
n d1d2
Fresnel = 17.3 fD

where d1, d2, and D are in Km

f is in GHz

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STEP 10(a)

Path Profile

300.00
250.00
Elevation in Feet

200.00
Earth Curvature
150.00
Path elevation
100.00
50.00
0.00
1 4 7 10 13 16 19 22 25 28 31
Path Distance in Miles

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STEP 10(b)
Compute for the minimum reliable tower
height. To compute for the antenna height, certain
criteria have to be met.

A. Earth Radius Factor, k

B. Percentage of 1st Fresnel Zone Radius
C. Arbitrary fixed height.

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STEP 10(b)

For these criteria, the k factor and percentage of

1st Fresnel zone radius are fixed. The arbitrary
fixed height, usually the highest point along the
path until a highest value of antenna height is met.
This becomes the lowest antenna height which
passes the clearance criteria.

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STEP 10(b)
L = LK + LF + LFH

LK = d1(D-d1)/ 12.75 k

LF = 17.3 F%  d1 (D-d1)/flower D

Where: L = Clearance Criteria in meter

LK = Curvature factors in meter
L F = Fresnel Factor in meter
LFH = Arbitrary fixed height in meter
F% = Fresnel Zone Percentage Factor
flower = Lower Band Transmit Frequency in GHz
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d1 D-d1 LFH LF LK L

0 30 250.00 0.00 0.00 250.00

1 29 250.00 2.85 1.71 254.56

2 28 250.00 3.96 3.29 257.25

3 27 250.00 4.76 4.76 259.52

4 26 250.00 5.40 6.12 261.52

5 25 250.00 5.92 7.35 263.27

6 24 250.00 6.35 8.47 264.82

7 23 250.00 6.72 9.47 266.19

8 22 250.00 7.02 10.35 267.37

9 21 250.00 7.28 11.12 268.40

10 20 250.00 7.49 11.76 269.25

11 19 250.00 7.65 12.29 269.94

12 18 250.00 7.75 12.71 270.46

13 17 250.00 7.87 13.00 270.87

14 16 250.00 7.92 13.18 271.10

15 15 250.00 7.94 13.24 271.18

16 14 250.00 7.92 13.18 271.10

17 13 250.00 7.87 13.00 270.87

18 12 250.00 7.78 12.71 270.49

19 11 250.00 7.65 12.29 269.94

20 10 250.00 7.49 11.76 269.25

21 9 250.00 7.28 11.12 268.40

22 8 250.00 7.02 10.35 267.37

23 7 250.00 6.72 9.47 266.19

24 6 250.00 6.35 8.47 264.82

25 5 250.00 5.92 7.35 263.27

26 4 250.00 5.40 6.12 261.52

27 3 250.00 4.76 4.76 259.52

28 2 250.00 3.96 3.29 257.25

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29 1 250.00 2.85 1.17 254.02

30 0 250.00 0.00 0.00 250.00

Solution
After computing for the clearance criteria f
or all points along the path with a fixed height
of 250 meters (note that there is no elevation
between the path that is over 250 meters),
` The minimum antenna height at each end of
the link should be around 271 m or a 21 m
tower on a 250m elevation above mean sea
level.

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 STEP 11(a)
Using the figure and table of reference,
determine the ff:

• Point along the path terrain that are closets to the LOS pr
opagation
• Possible reflection points

Should the current antenna elevation prove to be obstructed or

possibly a point where reflection may occur, either or both sites would have
to increase their height to compensate

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 STEP 11(b) Table
Using the figure and table of reference,
determine the ff:

• Point along the path terrain that are closest to the LOS
propagation
• Possible reflection points

Should the current antenna elevation prove to be

obstructed or possibly a point where reflection may occur,
either or both sites would have to increase their height
to compensate
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 STEP 11(b)
Path Profile

300.00
250.00
Elevation in Feet

200.00
Earth Curvature
150.00
Path elevation
100.00
50.00
0.00
1 4 7 10 13 16 19 22 25 28 31
Path Distance in Miles
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 STEP 12(a)
Using data on the table, determine the clearance of each site
with regards to obstructions.
Distance Distance fro Path Earth Terrai Groun Tower Tree Obs. LOS Larger Clear. Clear.
From A mB Elev. Curv. n d /bldg Ht. 1st F 1st F .6F
type Elev.

PE EC TT GE T TB OH LOS LF1 CF1 .6F

Note:
• Tree growth allowance: 10 m
• Building allowance: 20m
• For Fresnel calculation use the low band transmit as it
gives the larger Fresnel Radius
• GE = PE +EC
• OH = GE + TB lasamaniegojr 50
Fresnel Zone

Fresnel zone. d is the distance between the transmitter

and the receiver, b is the radius of the Fresnel zone.
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STEP 12 (a)
• Angle of elevation between two sites
• tan  = height y / distance of the link

• Angle of elevation between two sites

• tan  = (antenna ht higher-antenna ht lower) /
distance of the link

• Height /Km = tan  (distance from the site)

• LOS = Height of lower antenna +1000(height/Km)

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STEP 12(a)
LOS =

Larger 1st Fresnel =

Clearance 1st Fresnel CF1

CF1 = LOS – LF1 – OH

For site …. CF1 = LOS - OH - Tower

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STEP 12(a)
Clearance 60% 1st Fresnel = 60 CF1

60 CF1 = LOS – OH - 60% LF1

For site… 60 CF1 = LOS – OH – 60%LF1 -Tower

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Table
Refer to excel

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STEP 12(b)

Using data on the table, determine the

clearance of each site with regards to
obstructions.

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 STEP 13(a)
Determine the clearance of each site with regards
to reflection
Conditions:
• Reflective surfaces are bodies of water, marshland,
rice fields and the peaks of obstructions.
• Do not compute reflective surfaces, which are
already obscured by obstruction along the path.
• Urban areas and timberlands may create reflection
points. However, it is assumed that they have a
tendency to diffuse any multipath propagations.

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Condition 3
Compute the Fresnel Zone Clearance (Midpath)

F1(mid) = 72.1 n d1d2

fD

where d1, d2, and D are in mi

f is in GHz

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Condition 3

F1(mid) = 17.3 n d1d2

fD

where d1, d2, and D are in Km

f is in GHz

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Condition 3
For other obstacles points, compute the percentage
of total path length.

% of total path length = d1/D*100 %

% of midpath clearance

100
80
60
40
20
0
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
% of total path length
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Condition 3

0.6 F1 = 0.6 x Midpath Clearance % x F1(mid)

Total Extended Height =

Earth Curvature + 0.6 F1 +Vegetation

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 Condition 3
Set up a table on the profile chart as follows:
Obstacle d1 d2 0.6 F1 EC Vegetation Total Height
Extend
A 7.5 28.5 43 152 50 245

B 19.4 16.6 53 233 50 336

C 27.0 9.0 46 173 50 272

D 30.0 6.0 39 130 50 219

F = 6GHZ, K= 0.92, D=36 mi, vegetation/tree = 40 +10 = 50ft

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Condition 3
Plot the height above sea level of each obstacle
point.

Minimum tower height may now be determined by

drawing a straight line from site to site through the
highest obstacle points.

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TOWERS

1. Self-Supporting Towers
2. Guyed Towers
3. Monopoles
4. Roofmounts
5. Wall Mount
6. Indoor Mount

All tower pictures are lasamaniegojr

courtesy of GORD Telecoms 64
Self Supporting Tower
Self supporting towers are
usually chosen under 2 major
considerations.

1. The tower will host several

installations.
1. The height of the tower is
considerably high.

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Guyed Towers
Guyed towers are
more practical for 2 or 3
installations with lower
tower height.

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Monopoles
• Made of structural pipes
& plates and are easily in
stalled due to the
precisely fitted
connections. The
connections allow each
pole to be modified
according to height and
antenna configurations.

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Roofmounts
• Non penetrating roofmounts are
suitable for flat surfaces

• Great for limited spaces

• Assembly and Installation is

quick with minimum bolted
sections

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Others Towers
Wall Mount – If the antenna and RF assembly is sm
all and light enough (usually for 23 GHZ up), they
can be installed on a wall mounted bracket.

Indoor Mount – The same frequencies used on a

wall mount can also be installed on a tripod and
faced outside a window.

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