Ubiquiti Hardware Advise

[JawaMan]

I'm in the process of planning my network setup. I already own a bullet M2, love it, so really want to stick with the Ubiquiti hardware.

I want to use 5Ghz product this time and I'm sure I'll use a Rocket M5 for the main AP. Before I ask my questions I'll explain my needs.

I will have 1 main AP with 3 clients. The 3 clients all range from 1.8km to 2.8km, all located within a 40 degree field. Line of site is no problem, where I'm located local building height restrictions are about 16 meters, so a not too tall antenna pole on the roof will do the trick.

For the main AP using a Rocket M5 what antenna would be best for this situation? Would a 90 degree AirMax sector be good? Or is it better to be safe and use a 120 degree one? Would I need the high gain or the mid gain and what dBi is best for the distance?

For the clients what hardware do you think would be good? Should I get 3 NanoStation M5?

Any advise would be helpful. Thank you.

On another possible future project, I have a 13km link, I guess I'd use 2 Rocket M5 with the Dish antenna. The line of site goes straight over the international airport here. Will this cause any problems with signals?

Thanks again :)

[Dave-D]

At first blush, I don't see why you would
use a Rocket for this application, unless
you have a huge traffic need. The Rocket M5
has double the RAM, but otherwise the
same processor/radio as the NanoStation M5.

This is a very short link, and the NanoStation
M5 can easily handle it, assuming a clear line-
of-sight. And its 40deg built-in antenna seems
ideal for this; you'll save a ton of money!

I would use the same radio for your clients.

For the 13Km link, Rocket M5 with dish seems
just fine. Airports commonly use 5Ghz for both
radar and control links, so you should do a very
careful survey for rf. Because radar uses kilo-
watts of EIRP, you don't have to be on the same
frequency or pointed at the site to have serious
issues. And your worst nightmare would be to
affect (even slightly) terminal or approach radar. Dave

[WHT]

JawaMan...

What speed is do you give your clients? You might being using expensive over kill.

In one spot, I have five Loco 5 CPE radios within 40º of a single Loco 5 AP out to 4 KM.

[JawaMan]

Thanks for the advise. From reading other forum posts I did think the Rocket M5 may be slight overkill, though I was still leaning towards it's choice as I'm a little worried that in the near future other clients may be added or moved putting them outside of the 40 degree area and I'd rather spend a little extra on overkill now than having to deal with it at a later date.

That's why I was thinking the Rocket M5 and a 90 or 120 degree Airmax sector antenna. I want it to be future proof.

:icon_razz:

[Dave-D]

Nothing wrong with that thinking.

But the sector antenna costs more
than another NanoStation. You might
consider simply adding a second AP if
your system grows; even gives you
some client segmentation. Dave

[JawaMan]

On another possible future project, I have a 13km link, the line of site goes straight over the international airport here. Will this cause any problems with signals?



Back to one of my original questions... I will start this project shortly, as mentioned the link is 13km and passes directly through the international airport. Line of site is no problem as one of the links is high up on a hill, about a 150 meter elevation. The house is 4 stories so adding an antenna on the roof with a pole of a few meters should be good.

Now, I have found the frequencies of the airport are 120.6 MHZ, 123.9 MHZ and 128.3 MHZ. OK, I understand that Ubiquiti WiFi products are 2.4 Ghz and 5 Ghz. I plan to choose a 5 Ghz product. Not knowing anything about radio signals and interferences, can someone advise me whether or not the airport radios would interfere with the WiFi signals?

Thank you...

[Dave-D]

Those frequencies are VHF AM voice
channels for tower and approach/departure.
There won't be any interference between
a WiFi radio and those signals.

It's the terminal radar that is likely on 5Ghz
that you need to be concerned about. And
there may be other unpublished radio devices--
including even WiFi devices--used on the
airport that you may interfere with.

It's a good idea to do a very careful spectrum
scan. You might even want to tell the airport
administration about your plans. Dave

[WHT]

I have a 5.8 GHz channel 65 shot going right past an antenna farm of aircraft 120 MHz AM radios and no problems. After a year, if there was a problem, it would have shown up by now.

[JawaMan]

OK thanks... Now I better understand. Will try to make enquiries with the airport administration...

[WHT]

Will try to make enquiries with the airport administration...Hmmm...I can see where that project is going.