Wireless: Can I remote out DX-210 base station antennas 120 feet (40m) out from the base?
Question: We are looking at a solution using two DX-210 systems, but is possible to extend the antenna location on one of these units approx. 40m away from the base station (into the auditorium).
I know Clear-Com do a 30’ extender kit, but can you confirm whether I can put together a custom kit to extend this further? And if so, what I’d need to spec? Any info or sources you can point me towards would be greatly appreciated.
Answer: Using LMR-400 and or LMR-600 coaxial cable for a 40m (120 feet) remote antenna run would be difficult to pull off given the loss of signal at 2.4GHz for this long a remote cable run. The RF loss for LMR-400 and LMR-600 is shown below:
LMR-400 ultraflex:
30 ft at 2.4GHz = 2.0 db loss (60% radiated power at the remote antenna run)
50 ft at 2.4GHz = 3.3 db loss (45% radiated power at the remote antenna run, about the maximum length run with this cable type)
120 ft at 2.4GHz = 8.0 db loss (16% radiated power at the remote antenna run, definitely not a usable scenario)
LMR-600:
30 ft at 2.4GHz = 1.3 db loss (75% radiated power at the remote antenna run)
50 ft at 2.4GHz = 2.1 db loss (60% radiated power at the remote antenna run)
120 ft at 2.4GHz = 5.1 db loss (30% radiated power at the remote antenna run, pretty much useless for remote antennas at this length)
Some other things to think about:
LMR-400 ultraflex coaxial cable is fairly flexible, but it can still be tough to work with especially if your remote antenna run is a temporary installation. The cable diameter is .405 inches and it uses a stranded center conductor which lends itself better to repeated bending and temporary installations.
LMR-600 low loss cable is going to be more difficult to work with. The cable diameter is approximately .590 with a solid center conductor so making this work with a temporary installation would be more difficult. This cable is really best suited for permanent installations. Also remember that the reverse TNC connectors at each end also add a minute amount of RF loss.
A good source for RF coaxial cable information is Show Me cables, they can make custom cable lengths for LMR-400. Link to their website: http://www.showmecables.com/
As with most wireless IC users contemplating the use of remote antennas via coaxial cable, it is far easier to run audio cable than it is to run RF coaxial cable, especially at 2.4GHz where the loss adds up very quickly. If possible consider relocating the DX-210 base station closer to the beltpack users work area to either reduce the length of the remote RF coaxial cable runs or eliminate the remote runs altogether.
I know Clear-Com do a 30’ extender kit, but can you confirm whether I can put together a custom kit to extend this further? And if so, what I’d need to spec? Any info or sources you can point me towards would be greatly appreciated.
Answer: Using LMR-400 and or LMR-600 coaxial cable for a 40m (120 feet) remote antenna run would be difficult to pull off given the loss of signal at 2.4GHz for this long a remote cable run. The RF loss for LMR-400 and LMR-600 is shown below:
LMR-400 ultraflex:
30 ft at 2.4GHz = 2.0 db loss (60% radiated power at the remote antenna run)
50 ft at 2.4GHz = 3.3 db loss (45% radiated power at the remote antenna run, about the maximum length run with this cable type)
120 ft at 2.4GHz = 8.0 db loss (16% radiated power at the remote antenna run, definitely not a usable scenario)
LMR-600:
30 ft at 2.4GHz = 1.3 db loss (75% radiated power at the remote antenna run)
50 ft at 2.4GHz = 2.1 db loss (60% radiated power at the remote antenna run)
120 ft at 2.4GHz = 5.1 db loss (30% radiated power at the remote antenna run, pretty much useless for remote antennas at this length)
Some other things to think about:
LMR-400 ultraflex coaxial cable is fairly flexible, but it can still be tough to work with especially if your remote antenna run is a temporary installation. The cable diameter is .405 inches and it uses a stranded center conductor which lends itself better to repeated bending and temporary installations.
LMR-600 low loss cable is going to be more difficult to work with. The cable diameter is approximately .590 with a solid center conductor so making this work with a temporary installation would be more difficult. This cable is really best suited for permanent installations. Also remember that the reverse TNC connectors at each end also add a minute amount of RF loss.
A good source for RF coaxial cable information is Show Me cables, they can make custom cable lengths for LMR-400. Link to their website: http://www.showmecables.com/
As with most wireless IC users contemplating the use of remote antennas via coaxial cable, it is far easier to run audio cable than it is to run RF coaxial cable, especially at 2.4GHz where the loss adds up very quickly. If possible consider relocating the DX-210 base station closer to the beltpack users work area to either reduce the length of the remote RF coaxial cable runs or eliminate the remote runs altogether.
CAN'T FIND YOUR ANSWER? CLICK HERE TO CONTACT SUPPORT
This solution was provided to you by Clear-Com via a question submitted to us by customers like you. If your question wasn’t answered, you need help or you have a recommended solution for our database, please send us an email at support@clearcom.com
The information on this page is owned by Clear-Com and constitutes Clear-Com’s confidential and proprietary information, may be used solely for purposes related to the furtherance of Clear-Com’ business and shall not be disclosed, distributed, copied or disseminated without Clear-Com’s prior written consent. Click Here for Clear-Com's privacy statement.