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FAQ

The following FAQs (frequently asked questions) are constantly updated by the RadioWaves Technical Services team. Please feel free to send use your suggestions for additional FAQs.

1: How do I change the frequency of operation of a RadioWaves parabolic antenna?

A: This can be achieved by changing out the feedhorn with one in the other frequency band. The smoothness of the parabolic reflector allows for most frequency upgrades. Always call RW for final specifics.

2: Can I convert a RadioWaves parabolic antenna from single polarization to dual polarization?

A: With feeds the have a type N connector input, this could be achieved by changing out the entire feedhorn with a dual polarized type. With feeds that have rectangular flange on an OMT, the entire feed does not need to change; only the OMT can be changed with a dual polarized type. Call RW for specifics.

3: How can I change the polarization of a RW antenna feed?
A1: For parabolic antennas with feeds that have a type N connector input, this could be achieved by removing the (4) mounting screws that hold the feed, rotate the feed by 90 degrees as desired and install the feed with the same mounting screws. With feeds that have rectangular flange on an OMT, only the OMT can be removed and rotated similarly.

A2: Exceptions arise with the direct mount antennas, where in most cases a specific process is required. Polarization rotators are sometimes utilized for direct mount antennas. Call RW for specifics.

A3: For Sector antennas the polarization is fixed and cannot be changed, but can be chosen at the time of the order.

4: What criteria determine my selection of parabolic antenna diameter?
A: Factors that affect the decision are distance between the two sites, frequency of operation, signal level necessary (if more gain desired, bigger dish needed). A larger dish will also reduce any interference significantly and improve desired signal.
Aesthetics influence the decision.

5: Does RadioWaves offer assistance to calculate my system parameters?
A: Radio Waves is a manufacturer of antenna products and stands by the specifications as published. RW will offer an opinion by observation of the calculations methods without specific recommendations or guarantees of system calculations.

6: How can I view the radiation patterns of the RadioWaves antennas?
A: The radiation patterns for the RW antennas are available for download. Visit Technical Data 

7: What are the advantages of a high performance parabolic antenna compared to a standard performance antenna?
A: HP antennas exhibit better sidelobe suppression, higher front-to-back ratio for better interference rejection. They also come with radomes, whereas standard antennas have them optional.

8: What is the color that the RadioWaves parabolic antennas are offered?
A: Standard color is white. Some OEM antennas by default come in the same color as the radio has as requested by the OEM.

9: What diameter mounting pipe size is needed to install the RadioWaves parabolic antennas?
A: Antennas up to 2 ft can be mounted on 2" pipe up to 4.5". Larger sizes are only recommended to go on 4.5" pipe size in order to keep the windloading requirements valid.

10: Do the RadioWaves parabolic antennas come with side struts?
A: High Performance series 6-ft and larger and Standard Performance 8-ft series and larger come with one side strut. Additional struts can be added, as optional to increase wind rating.

11: What is the wind speed specification of the RadioWaves parabolic antennas?
A: Survival wind speed varies from 125 mph to 155 mph.

12: Do the RadioWaves parabolic antennas come with radomes?
A: The HP antennas are shrouded and include radomes. For standard performance antennas RD series radomes are optional. Exception is 1 ft dishes, which always come with a radome. Deep Dish antennas use the same RD series, which are optional but recommended to use.

13: Can I specify different input type for my RadioWaves antenna?
A: The default input of an antenna feed is listed in the RW catalog. The RS type has a waveguide flange, while the NS type will have N-female connector. Input types can be requested with a different flange type at the time of ordering. Case by case we may create a model number or add order notes in our order.

14: What flanges mate properly with each other?
A: For specifics please contact RadioWaves technical support.

15: Does RadioWaves supply integrated antennas?
A: Most industry OEMs have antenna designs supported by Radio Waves. This is one of the strength areas of RW. Designs are completed aggressively fast. Once a project is accepted and all necessary drawings are supplied, lead-time can be within 8 weeks to completion. That is better than most other manufacturers' delivery times.

16: What is Split configuration?
A: This configuration utilizes an integrated antenna where the radio mounts at the back of the antenna with a specially designed mount. The connection to the Indoor unit is completed with standard coax cable, or high quality LMR cable for optimum performance.

17: What is All Indoor configuration?
A: In this configuration all radio equipment is in the cabinet room, usually at the bottom of the tower. The antenna is connected to the equipment via elliptical waveguide and all appropriate hardware. Pressurization equipment is necessary to keep moisture out of the system. Higher initial cost and maintenance.

18: What packaging is used when shipping RadioWaves parabolic antennas?
A: Up to 2 ft antennas are shipped in cardboard boxes. From 3 ft diameter and higher are shipped in wood crates. Sector antennas are boxed. All boxed products can be and usually are placed on wood pallets unless otherwise specified.

19: What sector beamwidths antennas does RadioWaves offer?
A: Sectors are commonly available in 60, 90, 120 and 180 degrees. Some 40 degree are available.

20: How can I test an antenna in the field to determine if it is operating properly?
A: The most common test that can be done in the field is the VSWR sweep of an antenna. This can be done by means of a network analyzer operating up the antenna's freq. band. Verifying gain and pattern is usually more complex and would require a test range setup.

21: If I cannot get the proper RSL during antenna alignment, what steps should I consider taking?
A: Make sure you are not aligned on a sidelobe by moving the antenna alignment mechanism by wider angles in order to find additional beam peaks. Check that polarization is the same for both antennas, double check system calculations of overall losses and gains with proper accounting for space loss and fade margins. Double check obstacle clearance rules.

22: Can I add downtilt to a RadioWaves sector antenna?
A: Yes by means of an optional downtilt mounting kit STD-15-1 for 25.5" sectors or the STD-15-2 for 41.5" sectors. The sector antennas have 2-3 degrees tilt capability by default.

23: What is the Xcelerator™?
A: Renowned RW flat panel antenna design for sizes 0.5 ft, 1 ft. and 2 ft sizes. Aesthetically pleasing with excellent front-to-back ratio and VSWR of 1.4:1 from 5.15-5.85 GHz. The ultimate 5 GHz flat panel for unlicensed networks.

24: What is the Discriminator?
A: Renowned RW 1 ft parabolic antenna design for 23 GHz to 38 GHz. First sidelobe is minimum 20 dB down making alignment easier, with the 38 GHz version the sidelobe is 23 dB down.

25: How do I change the antenna mount to offset the RadioWaves parabolic antenna towards the left side of the tower.
A: Commonly the RadioWaves antennas are supplied by default with right offset mounting configuration. For various reasons, such as to avoid interference with other closely mounted antennas on the tower, left offset mounting may be desired. For antennas up to 4-ft diameter, this can be achieved by inverting the antenna upside down, removing the drain hole plugs from the bottom now and covering the holes at the top. The mounting brackets can be easily re-configured for the inverted option. Special case exists for the HPCPE series Discriminator antennas, see the next topic for details. For antennas 6-ft diameter and larger this can be achieved by only configuring the mount hardware to the opposite side during set up. No inverting of the antenna is necessary for these sizes. Refer to the installation manuals where this is detailed.

26: How do I change the HPCPE antenna mount to have left offset mounting style.
A: Commonly the HPCPE antennas are supplied by default with right offset mounting. To change to the left side, reverse the antenna pole mount on the mounting pipe following the mounting instructions. The drain hole is now at the top and it must be plugged, use common industrial RTV sealant that can be easily obtained. Then drill a new drain hole at the bottom of the radome, 3/8" diameter, 1/2" up from the edge of the radome making sure not to drill deeper than 1/4" to avoid hitting the reflector inside.

27: What does VSWR stand for?
A. VSWR stands for Voltage Standing Wave Ratio. It is the amount of reflected power expressed as a ratio (1.25:1).

28: What does OMT stand for?
A. An orthomode transducer (OMT) is a waveguide component. It is commonly referred to as a polarisation duplexer. Orthomode transducers serve either to combine or to separate two orthogonally polarized microwave signal path

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