Outdoor Stations
Although deploying outdoor stations can be advantageous in some cases (e.g. better radio signals), it carries much higher risks and is NOT recommended for most people.
Extra care needs to be taken even for those competent and experienced in deploying equipment outdoors, there are many risks:
- Regulation e.g. most countries forbid outdoor wifi at certain frequencies.
- Wind e.g. equipment coming loose in strong wind is very dangerous.
- Rain e.g. water can short both low and high voltage circuits.
- Height e.g. a wrong step on the roof or ladder could result in death.
- Human e.g. equipment can be stolen or damaged easily.
- Sun e.g. equipment and associated cabling etc. can degrade after prolonged exposure.
Mesh Station's standard deployment is indoors (e.g. on window sill), think twice before attempting an outdoor deployment.
Tips for deploying outdoors:
- ensure a line of sight free from obstructions
- install as high up as possible
- install at least 1 metre below the highest point of the structure to reduce the risk of a lightning strike
- if possible mount the antenna "sticking out" around the perimeter of the building with nothing below, above or on the sides. A location where it can see no reflections in the near field e.g. no structure around its view forward e.g. no roof below or no wall on the side.
- if metallic surface (e.g. corrugated roof) cannot be avoided, ensure that the radio is not located more than 3 metres from the metallic surface to reduce reflection.
