Mounting and Installation
Antenna mounting

Every AP will have an antenna attached to it. Most antennas are either shipped with a mounting bracket or a mounting bracket is available as an option . The challenge is that most antennas are designed for mounting in a certain way. For example, a 5.2 dBi mast mount antenna is designed to be mounted to a mast and is shipped with the necessary hardware. In order to mount the antenna to an I beam, some ingenuity may be necessary. Standoff brackets are available, but are not designed for mounting to an I beam. Some installers use zip ties, beam clamps, or bolts to attach the standoff brackets to I beams and then mount the antenna to the bracket. The antenna is intended for outdoor use and is designed for mounting with the metal sleeve on the bottom. For indoor use, invert the antenna. Be creative. Modified brackets can be used for a variety of antennas.

Just as with the APs, always make sure that the antenna has a secure, solid mount . Make sure that the antenna will hang properly when mounted to the base. If the survey was performed with the antenna in a vertical position and it is mounted to an insecure base, it may hang at a 45-degree angle, which would change the coverage pattern. Do not hang antennas by their cables. The cable is not designed for this and may eventually break or suffer internal damage. Hanging antennas by their cables would also change the coverage cell. The antennas may sway when the air conditioning comes on, which would create a moving coverage cell.

Sometimes antennas may be used or mounted in an unusual way . In some circumstances, a Yagi or Patch antenna mounted very high and pointed straight down at the floor is the best solution. If the antenna needs to be mounted in an unusual way, make a note of it in the report. Otherwise, the installer may not understand the intent and may mount the antenna per its specifications instead, which would change the coverage pattern.

When mounting an antenna that extends into a room, hallway, or work area, make sure it will not physically interfere with pedestrian or vehicle traffic.