I could see it for APs, especially if you are going to these narrow beam horns.
For backhaul links, especially licensed links, I would just use a multimeter on the BNC connector if the radio has one, or the alignment tool in the GUI otherwise. Maybe it would make sense to prealign the dishes before final tweaking for best signal, but Chuck’s rifle scope method is probably better for that. That’s the only one I would trust enough not to tweak the alignment once the radios are linked up. But back to sectors, I will admit I probably have some that are supposed to be spaced every 60 or 90 degrees but in actuality are off by 2-5 degrees. Not really a huge deal, but probably suboptimum. From: AF <af-boun...@af.afmug.com> On Behalf Of ch...@wbmfg.com Sent: Wednesday, February 19, 2020 10:58 AM To: AnimalFarm Microwave Users Group <af@af.afmug.com> Subject: Re: [AFMUG] Advice on spending I had a project, still have a project to build one. Not trivial because the baseline between the two GPS receivers is very short. Maybe I will finish it someday. If you buy one, let me “borrow it for a few days”... Elevation is very simple. You can buy a cheap electronic level from any hardware store to nail the elevation. Then all you gotta do is sweep and peak. I have not talked to anyone that has used one of these things. If you can find a landmark along the path and use a scope for azimuth you will be dead on for a lot less money. From: Steve Jones Sent: Wednesday, February 19, 2020 9:50 AM To: AnimalFarm Microwave Users Group Subject: [AFMUG] Advice on spending I got approval from the boss to order a smart aligner. Ive been looking at this for a while, particularly with the need for accuracy in CBRS. Not looking to use it at customer sites, just backhauls and access points. We have historically never been verifiably accurate on azimuths, probably rolled out pretty bad too. We have had issues with contractors not installing sites to spec, and having to go back up to turn radios/adjust tilt, etc. This will be handy for this year, we are dropping in at least 40 new access points and 3 or 5 new licensed links in the next few months. but then the tool will sit Boss said the worst thing to me, "get it if you think its necessary". If it were a $1k tool it wouldnt be a question bet we are looking at almost 7k on the kit. It meets my accuracy needs, but I almost wonder if the convenience outweighs the necessary. ant his is over half the cost of a licensed link. Knowing my numbers are right in propagation tools holds a lot of value. saving maybe an hour getting a tight link aligned here and there offsets some cost. You old timers, is this a justifiable expenditure based on your experience? _____ -- AF mailing list AF@af.afmug.com <mailto:AF@af.afmug.com> http://af.afmug.com/mailman/listinfo/af_af.afmug.com
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