RFI CPL824-2500-10SMA User manual

OUTDOOR PANEL ANTENNA
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
Model: CPL824-2500-10SMA
INS-40877-17
rfi.com.au

INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing this RFI Outdoor Panel Antenna. The antenna offers high gain, multi-band performance
covering all cellular networks in Australia (7dBi at 824-960MHz & 10dBi at 1800/2100/2400MHz). It is designed to
provide extra signal strength to your wireless broadband service or mobile phone and can be mounted either inter-
nally or externally.
IMPORTANT: For maximum signal, we recommend external mounting to reduce signal losses caused
by building structures etc.
CONTENTS
Before assembling and installing your antenna, please check your kit including all the following components.
- Panel Antenna with 30cm lead terminated with female ‘N’ type connector.
- 10 metre low loss RG58 cable terminated with male ‘N’ type & male SMA connectors.
- Strip of weather proofing tape.
Pole mounting kit containing:
1 x ‘L’ bracket
3 x hexagonal nuts
3 x spring washers
1 x ‘U’ bolt
1 x Clamp
2 x hexagonal nuts
2 x spring washers
2 x flat washers
Wall mounting kit containing:
1 x wall plate
1 x antenna plate
1 x swivel bar
2 x Philips head bolts
2 x hexagonal nuts
2 x Philips head self tapping screws
2 x wall plugs
INSTALLING THE ANTENNA
Mounting Location
To get optimum performance from the antenna it should be pointed towards the strongest available network signal
(base station).
- Connect the antenna to your data card or modem. The antenna comes ready to connect to devices
using an SMA type connector. For devices using other connector types, a patch lead to connect the
antenna (SMA) to the device (phone or data card) will be required (not included). Please contact you
retail or network provider for availability.
IMPORTANT: Some data cards or modems will only detect the connection of an external antenna on power up.
We recommend you turn off your system and power up again after you have connected the antenna.
- Once you have connected to the network, check the signal strength* indicator on your
computer.

- Place the antenna in your selected location and rotate it in 15-20 degree increments. In each position,
check & record your signal strength. You may need to wait for up to a minute for the signal strength
indicator to update.
- When you find to best signal strength, mount the antenna facing in this direction.
Your network provider may provide you with details of your nearest base station.
*NOTE: Signal strength may be displayed either graphically with bars where more bars mean stronger sig-
nal strength or as a signal level value in dBm where the closer to 0 (zero), the better. For example, a signal
level of -75dBm is better than a signal level of -85dBm.
INSTALLING THE ANTENNA
The antenna is supplied with 2 mounting options. If there is a suitable wall on the side of the building where the best
signal level is found, the wall mount bracket may be used. If not, the included pole mount bracket allows for the an-
tenna to be mounted on a typical television antenna type hockey stick mount (or any other vertical pole) to allow for
full 360 degree rotation (note the antenna should be mounted on the side of the house closest to the base station
OR above the level of the roof so that it has a clear view of the closest base station.
MOUNTING THE ANTENNA
Pole Mounting
1. Antenna Bracket Mounting
First place and install the ‘L’ bracket on the back of the panel antenna using the 3 sets of nuts
and spring washers.
2. Pole Mounting
Place the clamp bracket to the pole (35mm diameter pole recommended) and insert the ‘U’
bolt into the ‘L’ bracket and fixing by the 2 spring washers, flat washers and nuts.
3. Angle Adjustment
Adjust the radiation angle by choosing the mounting holes on the ‘L’ bracket while assembling
the ‘U’ bolts and clamp bracket as shown in figure 5.
Wall Mounting
1. Antenna Bracket Mounting
- Place the swivel bar to the right position as shown below.
- Place the nut into the mounting hole, then put the screw
through the bracket/swivel bar and fix with nut.
- Mount to back of panel using the 4 nuts provided.
- Now mount the wall bracket to the swivel bar ensuring
that the slotted screw holes on the bracket face downwards.
- Place the nut into the mounting hole, then put the screw
through the bracket/swivel bar and fix with nut.

2. Wall Mounting
- Choose a suitable place (refer to Installation of Antenna) and fix the wall bracket using the
mount accessories.
- Hang the Panel antenna in the on the screws.
COMPLETING THE INSTALLATION
If you have not already done so, you can connect the cable to the antenna and your data devise.
IMPORTANT: For maximum signal, we recommend external mounting to reduce signal losses caused
by building structures etc.
You may now adjust both the direction and the angle of the Panel antenna to fine tune the alignment of the antenna
to receive maximum signal (see Mounting Section).
Please check the following on completion of the installation:
- Ensure all cable connections are tight.
- Ensure all screws / nuts are tight.
- Ensure the cable between the antenna and the device has been routed in a safe manner and is not a
future hazard around the home or workplace
- Ensure the exposed cable junction at the bottom of the antenna has been wrapped with the included
weatherproofing tape.