Survey
Preparation

After conducting all the preparation work necessary to perform a site survey, it is time to actually begin the survey. Prior to arriving on site, ensure that all of the equipment is operational, configured, and ready to survey. Figure illustrates the basic steps to perform in preparing for a site survey.

In-building Survey
Call ahead to find out if a scissor lift will be needed to reach the ceiling. If so, find out if the customer will provide the lift or not. If necessary, make sure that the proper equipment and a licensed operator have been obtained.

Site-to-site Survey
If the survey is for a site-to-site WLAN for a distance of several kilometers, or miles, roof access will probably be necessary. Also, make sure that a spectrum analyzer is available. Building-mounted antennas are much more costly than in-building installations. Building or roof mounts, power, hardware, lightening arrestors, coax cable, fittings, and lightening rod systems are expensive. Electrical and grounding installation should only be done by a licensed professional, which will add to the cost. In many areas, a building permit is also required to install the antenna. The legal protection and coverage provided by a reputable contractor is even more important than following building codes, regulations, and licensing requirements. Any attempts to reduce costs during this process may result in ultimately losing a lot of money and credibility in a lawsuit.

By testing the line-of-sight (LOS) path, both visually and with an RF spectrum analyzer, the costly mistake of having to relocate the antenna is initially avoided. Remember that WLANs use the unlicensed 2.4-GHz band and there are no guarantees that interference will not become a problem in the future. Be sure to explain and document this for legal protection as well as customer knowledge. The spectrum analysis should be documented for current conditions. If possible, perform this test over several days at different times during the day. If the customer depends on a reliable link during the middle of the night, then a survey should be performed at that time, if possible.

If more than a few kilometers, or miles, separate sites, then a tower may be necessary at one or both ends of the path. A crane equipped with a basket to simulate a tower may be necessary to check the LOS for obstacles and RF interference. This can become quite expensive and time consuming, even if the equipment is rented. Remember to rent a crane that reaches the desired height and always plan ahead to reserve the equipment. At this point, a team will probably be necessary so that team members several kilometers, or miles, away can work together to establish and test link quality. It is also important to have cell phones or communication devices available to coordinate efforts.

Few mistakes could be more costly than erecting a 45.7-m (150-ft) tower to later discover that RF interference has partially or completely destroyed the link quality. The tower could easily have been relocated several meters, or feet, to avoid the problem.

Charge all batteries and battery packs the night before the scheduled survey. This includes the scissor lift if it is battery operated. Plan ahead to ensure all survey equipment will be functional for the day of the survey.