Bullet on 50 km?

[macosoft]

I have waited for some rocket dish and they don't show, so I want to try this link (50 km) with 2xBullet M5 and 2x30 dbi grid antennas.
Does anyone tried this distance and what speed should I expect of this link?

[Dave-D]

Macosoft, this is a very long link.
You really need to do a complete
path analysis.

Antenna heights, objects in path,
cable lengths, power levels, noise
levels and weather are all factors.

You haven't specified any of this.
Nobody can estimate an answer
to your question until you do.

Note the Rocket M5 has 2dB more
rf output than the Bullet M5. That
is probably not a critical factor.

Have you considered using the
Rocket with two properly isolated
grids on each end? Dave

[macosoft]

Hello Dave. The link it's between a tower (aprox. 60 m tall) and a mountain. There is no objects in path. The bullets will be setted direct into antenna, without any cable. I suppose that I'll use 25 dbi on Bullets (maximum that can get). Noise about -96 dbi. The weather will be a problem, sice here started to snow. In the mountain will be very cold: -25/-30 degrees in middle of the winter - at night. I want to set this link till I get my hands on 2 dishes but first of all I want to see if the link works.

[Dave-D]

Thanks for your update, macosoft.

This looks very promising. Are you
unable to do a path analysis?

Check the data sheet on any WiFi
product. You'll discover that using
maximum power will lower your
maximum data rate, as will lower
signal levels. In general, it's good
practice to use a little less than
full power.

Considering that winter is closing in
and the tower is a serious climb,
why not consider mounting two grids
with opposite polarity? For under
L600 more, you'll get 2X2 MIMO.

You can change them for dishes
(definitely with radomes) when
you can get them. Dave

[droobie]

We're using 3 foot dishes with XR5 radios for a 43.2km link. I'm not sure if the Bullet M5 is better/worse/same, but our signal is -60.

As others have pointed out, there are a lot of variables, but dishes with Radomes are the way to go in northern New England and I suspect they will be the way to go for your situation as well.

I should try the Bullets some day because I bet they're easier to line up than the Antcor based units I'm using. I've heard some concerns/rumors about the Bullets having bad weatherproofing though. Not sure the truth to it, but I do get a little concerned.

Regardless of the rumors, I would suggest weatherproofing the heck out of anything you put up if it isn't easy to get to. Some of our sites require hiking in deep snow in the winters... NOT a pleasurable idea carrying full climbing gear.

[drwho17]

If you are in the US message me, I've got some extra rockets/rocketdishes I'd sell you for my cost.

[droobie]

Thanks for the offer but already have some on order.. Going to use the MTI dual pol 1 foot panels because they're more visually pleasing for 23dBi. Until a Radome comes out for the Rocketdish, the ice would destroy the feedhorn here.

[macosoft]

The bad news is that I did not see any radomes in stores here. They all sell just antennas. So, after I'll get the dishes, I'll have to wait till I get the radomes too? :(

Dave: You have a point there with 2 grids on each side but they will not be hard to allign?

droobie: Do you think that the ice will destroy the feedhord of grids also? What's the best way to protect the feedhorn of a grid antenna?

drwho17: How much it will cost shipping from US to Romania? If you have some radomes too, I'll gladley go for your solution :)

[droobie]

Unfortunately from what I saw, radomes aren't available yet for Rocketdish but will be in the future.

We have concern for ice here for two reasons. One is that the ice can fall off antennas above ours and break the dish. At least the radome provides some protection since a cracked radome won't stop operation.

The other reason is because the radome provides a smooth surface. If ice builds up on the dish, the solar radiation will usually cause it to melt off. Ice and snow buildup can degrade your signal ultimately.

Cell carriers usually use an ice breaker shield (metal) above the dish to prevent impact damage from above. Last time I priced these out, it was prohibitive.

[skyhook]

We're using 3 foot dishes with XR5 radios for a 43.2km link. I'm not sure if the Bullet M5 is better/worse/same, but our signal is -60.

As others have pointed out, there are a lot of variables, but dishes with Radomes are the way to go in northern New England and I suspect they will be the way to go for your situation as well.

I should try the Bullets some day because I bet they're easier to line up than the Antcor based units I'm using. I've heard some concerns/rumors about the Bullets having bad weatherproofing though. Not sure the truth to it, but I do get a little concerned.

Regardless of the rumors, I would suggest weatherproofing the heck out of anything you put up if it isn't easy to get to. Some of our sites require hiking in deep snow in the winters... NOT a pleasurable idea carrying full climbing gear.

That antenna gain and that TX power?

[droobie]

That antenna gain and that TX power?

30 and 23 I believe using 3 foot dishes using an ADI board (I think) and XR5.

I have some huge problems with Antcor IkarusOS though (what runs on the computer board). It's possible the numbers it's reporting for signal are downright wrong. The link works though. Antcor seems to have basically vanished.

[skyhook]

30 and 23 I believe using 3 foot dishes using an ADI board (I think) and XR5.

I have some huge problems with Antcor IkarusOS though (what runs on the computer board). It's possible the numbers it's reporting for signal are downright wrong. The link works though. Antcor seems to have basically vanished.

30 dB antenna gain and 23 dB TX Power?

tnx ;)

[Dave-D]

Yes, macosoft, it would be more tedious
to align four grids than two dishes. But
you simply do two alignments. To isolate
the grids properly is another issue. You
need to space them well apart, and
at the proper distance.

Remember: this is a stop-gap solution
if you can't get the antennas you want.
You're not going to like the price of
shipping these big, heavy dishes to
Romania. It will be more than the
price of the antennas themselves.

If you can get some Rocket dishes, you
can use Pacific Wireless radomes on
them, as Ubiquiti has confirmed. Those
should be in stock. Dave

[droobie]

30 dB antenna gain and 23 dB TX Power?

tnx ;)

You are Correct.