1. Site Surveys
SECTION 5 - Radio Site Survey

2. What is a RF Site Survey Develop Testing Plan
SECTION 5 - Radio Site Survey
Develop Testing Plan
Customer’s RF Communication Desires
Gather Maps, Site Layout, etc.
On-site Radio Measurements
Confirm RF Design Results
RF Signals & Noise
Determine Radio Paths
Gather Site Information
Physical Site Inspection
Installation Information
This is a typical site survey that is done by a field engineer. The topo map is usually obtained from the customer, and is very useful in the determining of the lay out of the ground and if repeaters may be needed

3. Procedure Layout The Site Pre-Test Preparation Site Testing
Review Topographic Maps
Site Walk-down
Pre-Test Preparation
Lay out equipment
Reference Site
Site Testing
Test Results
Site Survey Report

4. Site Layout Review Map Site Walk-down Area Topography
SECTION 5 - Radio Site Survey
Review Map
Area Topography
Repeaters - Antenna types
Site Walk-down
Look for LOS blockages
Type of antenna mounting structure and height
Routing of feedlines
Environmental considerations
The first thing that the engineer will do is review the topo map to determine where the best place for repeaters will be. Then the engineer will do a site walk down, during the site walk down the engineer will look for LOS blockages, determine the type of antenna and the mounting. Then the engineer will determine feedline routing and environmental considerations.

5. Reference Site Install Antenna Conduct Spectrum Analysis
SECTION 5 - Radio Site Survey
Install Antenna
Antenna placement
SWR measurement
Conduct Spectrum Analysis
Choose Frequency for Testing
Isolated frequency
Check for license availability
Quick Connect Test
The engineer will install the test antenna and do a SWR measurement, and conduct a spectrum analysis to determine what frequencies will be tested. By doing a quick connect here you eliminate the chance of getting out to the remote and not having any communication to the master site and having to go back to the master site to find out what is wrong.

6. Remote Sites Proceed To Most Questionable Remote First
SECTION 5 - Radio Site Survey
Proceed To Most Questionable Remote First
Furthest or least likely to communicate direct
Install and Test Antenna
Quick connect
Status light or connect command
If no connection, determine repeater site
Signal Strength
Data Transmission Testing
Polling Test or Pings
At the furthest site the engineer will install the antenna and modem and attempt a quick connect. At this point if the connection is made then the engineer will then do a signal strength test and the a polling test. If there is no connection made then the engineer will have to troubleshoot the reason for no connection.

7. Received Signal Strength (Licensed)
SECTION 5 - Radio Site Survey
Remote Program Radio ON
Spectrum Analyzer
20 uV signal strength for 20dB fade margin
Receive Signal Strength Meter
RXS ON
0,3,10,20,35,50,75,100,200,400uV Levels
Esteem receiver Squelch
Set Squelch = 0 (Noise Squelch Off)
Asquelch Setting uv (-101dBm)
Asquelch Setting uv (-93dBm)
Asquelch Setting uv (-87dBm)
Asquelch Setting uv (-70dBm)
You have to do a remote program and turn on the remote ESTeem by typing rad on. This will allow the remote ESTeem to transmit for 10 seconds and off for 3. By doing the rad on this allows you to measure the signal strength and determine what type of antenna, or if you need to utilize a repeater. We recommend having a 20 microvolt signal for the fade margin.

8. Received Signal Strength (Unlicensed)
SECTION 5 - Radio Site Survey
Status Menu in Model 195 Series
Repeater Peer List
RF Data Rates
Spectrum Analyzer
View Noise and Signal
Other Transmitters in Area
10dB above minimum signal strength for fade margin
You have to do a remote program and turn on the remote ESTeem by typing rad on. This will allow the remote ESTeem to transmit for 10 seconds and off for 3. By doing the rad on this allows you to measure the signal strength and determine what type of antenna, or if you need to utilize a repeater. We recommend having a 20 microvolt signal for the fade margin.

9. Data Transmission Testing
SECTION 5 - Radio Site Survey
Conduct Test to All Communication Paths
Remote to master
Remote to repeater
Repeater to master
Long Term Testing
Overnight Polling Test
Repeater
By conducting a polling test you can determine the feasibility of the system and see how many retries and if there is any down time. If at all possible we recommend doing an overnight test to see if there is any interference during the night hours.
Master
Remote
Remote

10. Testing Results All Signal Strengths Above Fade Margin
SECTION 5 - Radio Site Survey
All Signal Strengths Above Fade Margin
20dB for Licensed Frequency
10dB above Minimum for Spread Spectrum
Antenna Heights and Locations
Operating Frequency
Background Noise
Data Transmission Tests
From every site
Overnight to farthest site
Once the testing results are done then the engineer will save them for implementation in the site survey report. The data collected for the report is all signal strengths, antenna heights, operating frequencies, background noise, and polling test data.

11. Site Survey Report Test Results RF System Layout
Accurate Bill of Material
Installation Instructions
Safety Concerns
Modem Program Commands
Reliable Operating Frequency and License Information.