Clear-Com’s Cell-Com is a configurable, wireless communications platform based on DECT technology, with the ability to seamlessly roam between coverage areas.  With many systems installed world wide there are some basic antenna installation techniques that should be followed that will result in optimum system performance:
Count beltpacks, not antennas:
When considering the number of antennas required, consider the number of beltpack users and their movements during production. Each antenna can support a maximum of five beltpacks, so ensure that you have enough capacity in areas where users congregate (green rooms, etc).  For smoother antenna handoffs on larger systems using overlapping zones of coverage plan on 3 - 4 beltpacks per antenna.
Aim for specific areas, not blanket coverage:
Antennas can work up to 800 feet from beltpacks, and it is tempting to place an antenna on a lighting fixture or catwalk in a central location high in the auditorium. However, this is likely to degrade performance, as it will disrupt the switching algorithm which constantly seeks a stronger antenna signal.
Maximize the antenna’s performance by paying attention to orientation:
Cell-Com transceivers are equipped with omni-directional antennas which have an associated RF pattern – a doughnut shape. Placing an antenna above a hallway (flat against the ceiling) will have limited range, and mounting the antenna so that the stalks are at right angles to the ceiling will increase coverage.
Place antennas at the correct height:
The best results for passageways, back-stage and other areas of traffic are achieved by placing an antenna around ten feet high, mounted flat against a wall with the black antenna stalks pointing down.  In areas where a lower mounted position is easier, point the stalks upward, towards the beltpack.  If a highly localized coverage zone is optimal (for instance in a Front Of House position to boost capacity, but where a large range would interfere with seamless handovers elsewhere in the facility, the range may be decreased by laying the CEL-TA flat on the floor, or mounted flush underneath a desk.
Ensure that every antenna is active:
Problems will occur in areas which are covered by a specific CEL-TA transceiver but for some reason the unit is not functioning.  A properly wired CEL-TA transceiver will show two status LEDS, a green lit LED indicates the unit is properly powered, a yellow lit LED shows data communication between the transceiver and its associated CellCom base station or Eclipse frame E-QUE card. 
Antennas can appear to be active but still exhibit issues: the data connection is only part of the communication between the base and antenna. It is useful  to verify each antenna is working effectively, and there are two ways to do this:

• Turn a known-good beltpack off and power on while close to the antenna.  The beltpack’s roaming algorithm is very conservative and may not pick the nearest, strongest antenna if it has a solid signal (every jump to another antenna is an opportunity for drop-out) so repowering is the only way to attach to the nearest CEL-TA. If the antenna is working well, the beltpack will immediately connect, and
  the relative signal strength will be very close to the maximum which is approximately 50.

• Using the Antennas / Roles diagnostic screen of ECS (when using an Eclipse) or the Antenna Status menu option (when on a Cell-com base station) watch the antenna in question, see how often a beltpack will associate with it and how long it stays active on each CEL-TA. An antenna which doesn’t support beltpacks (or worse, has beltpacks associated with it for only mere seconds) is at best in a sub-optimal location, but is more likely malfunctioning.  

Be aware of the power requirements with long cable runs:The Cell-Com base unit or Cell-Com splitter modules will provide power over the CAT-5 cabling to the antenna. This is convenient, but has some limitations. The power drop over a thousand feet (provided 24 gauge CAT-5 is used) is not usually enough to prevent an antenna from functioning but may affect its operating range. Each antenna is supplied with a wall-wart 24VDC adapter but AC power outlets are not usually conveniently placed, so it is recommended that a splitter is used as close to the antenna as can easily be achieved.
Cell-Com CAT-5 isn’t networking CAT-5, so cable accordingly:CAT-5 cabling from antenna to base carries data, analog audio and power (similar to PoE but using non-standard pins). Clear-Com has opted for a system which allows for the highest quality audio transmission alongside a responsive handover mechanism, and doesn’t use networking standards as the use of TCP/IP would introduce far too much latency into the product. 

For these reasons, the use of Shielded Twisted Pair cabling (STP) is recommended by the engineering team. Very few US facilities use shielded cabling and encounter no issues, but the avoidance of flat CAT-5 cabling, or multiple passive patch panels is strongly advised. 

Know the differences between Splitter and Antenna modes:When installed in an Eclipse frame, the Eclipse Configuration System software will present two options for running an E-Que card: Antenna or Splitter modes.  In antenna mode, each of the lower ports is available for connection to an individual antenna (which must be powered locally) for a total of eight antennas per card.  In splitter mode, one or two splitters will be used, the first splitter will be wired to E-QUE card port 1 and the second to card port 5.