Positioning External Antenna 2544 (AIR-ANT2544V4M-R=) with 2802E Access Point

[dot1x]

Hi Champs!

A quick question:

What's the best practice to install an external antenna AIR-ANT2544V4M-R= ?

Vertically up or down?

[Leo Laohoo]

Ceiling mounted.  The "dome" pointing down to the floor.  

[dot1x]

What if mounting on a pillar or mast 8 meters from the ground?

Total ceiling height approx. 12 meters.

[Leo Laohoo]

What if mounting on a pillar or mast 8 meters from the ground?

Is the dome pointing to the ground or up in the air?  Or will the dome be pointing on a right-angle to the pillar?

[dot1x]

that what my question is..if mounting on a pillar or mast, what's the best practice?

Also, if ceiling is 12m high and we want to install somewhere at 6 to 8 meters, what's the best practice? dome pointing to ground, up or right angle to the pillar?

[Leo Laohoo]

if ceiling is 12m high and we want to install somewhere at 6 to 8 meters

For that high, this specific antenna model is close to useless. 

Anything that high would require a directional patch antenna and, potentially, tilted downwards.

[dot1x]

Thanks Leo.

What's the maximum height AIR-ANT2544V4M-R= could support?

[Leo Laohoo]

Height's got nothing to do with the AP.  Look at the signal propagation (blue lines).  Now unless you've got someone regularly in a cherry-picker and requires access to a wireless device then the 2544V4M is not the suitable at that height.  

A lot of the patch antennas have the capability to be down-tilted so the signal gets pushed down into an area.  

[dot1x]

Height's got nothing to do with the AP.

What about external antenna?

My understanding is that the signal attenuates as it propagates. So, if the antenna is installed too high, the client (on ground level) wouldn't get proper signals. Correct me if I'm wrong here?

If that's the case, how high could we install external antenna 2544V4M to get proper coverage?

[Leo Laohoo]

Get someone to do a wireless site survey.  This is the only way to determine what antenna to use and how high the antenna needs to be. 

[dot1x]

Thanks Leo, I'd go ahead with wireless survey.