User Manual

In-service commissioning | 166
Visually aligning antennas
1. Stand behind the antenna, and move it from side to side until it is pointing directly at the antenna
at the remote site. The remote antenna may be made more visible by using a mirror, strobe light,
or flag.
If the remote end of the link is not visible (due to smoke, haze, or local clutter, etc), align the
antenna by using a magnetic compass. Calculate the bearing using a scale map of the link path.
When setting the antenna on the desired bearing ensure that you use the appropriate true-north to
magnetic-north offset. Also ensure that the compass reading is not affected by standing too close
to metallic objects.
2. Once the antenna is pointing at the remote antenna, tighten the nuts on the U-bolt or antenna
clamp just enough to hold it in position. Leave the nuts loose enough so that small adjustments
can still be made. Check that the antenna is still pointing in the correct direction.
3. Move the antenna up or down until it is pointing directly at the remote site.
4. Tighten the elevation and azimuth adjustment clamps.
5. Mark the position of the antenna clamps so that the antenna can be returned to this rough aim
point easily when accurately aligning the antennas.
6. Repeat steps 1-5 at the opposite site.
Note: Low gain antennas need less adjustment in elevation as they are simply aimed at the horizon.
They should always be panned horizontally to find the peak signal.