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.