New cnReach bands in LINKPlanner version 4.6.3!

Products LINKPlanner
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LINKPlanner version 4.6.3 has cnReach support for three new bands: UHF 406-430, UHF 450-470, and 700 MHz.

These bands (and the 900 MHz band!) have several new antenna options, complete with antenna kits.

This post attempts to explain the relationship between antenna height and what LINKPlanner puts into the Bill of Materials (BoM).

Antennas

The "Antenna with Install Kit" includes an antenna, 25 ft of RG-213 cable (weatherproofed and connected to the antenna), grounding kit, weatherproofing kit, cable ties, surge suppressor, and a 2 foot N-type Male to TNC Male jumper from the surge suppressor to the radio.

The "Antenna Installation Kit" includes 50 ft of RG-213 cable with type N connectors at both ends, grounding kit, weatherproofing kit, cable ties, surge suppressor, and a 2 foot N-type Male to TNC Male jumper for the surge suppressor to the radio.

(Note that the "Antenna with Install Kit" includes an antenna, whereas the "Antenna Installation Kit" does NOT include an antenna.)

LINKPlanner tries to help you select the best option based on the antenna height.

LINKPlanner shows the loss for each of the kit configurations. (LINKPlanner uses a loss value for 25 or 50 feet of RG-213, a loss value for the 2 foot RG-213 jumper cable, and also adds ½ dB for connectors and surge suppressor insertion loss.)

If you enter an antenna height greater than 47 feet, LINKPlanner provides a cable calculator that allows you to add more loss to accommodate long cable runs.

Notice that if you enter an antenna height greater than 47 feet, you are responsible for providing the cable, grounding, weatherproofing, cable ties, surge suppressor and jumper!

Yagi antennas

  • Antenna height 23 feet or less

If the antenna height is less than 23 feet, LINKPlanner populates the BoM with the "Yagi Antenna with Install Kit" that includes 25 feet of cable.

  • 23-47 feet

If the antenna height is between 23 and 47 feet, LINKPlanner populates the BoM with the Yagi antenna and an "Antenna Installation Kit" that includes 50 feet of cable.

  • Greater than 47 feet

If the antenna height is greater than 47 feet, LINKPlanner populates the BoM with the Yagi antenna, and you need to provide the cabling, connectors, surge suppressor, etc..


Omni and other antennas

  • Antenna height 47 feet or less

If the antenna height is less than or equal to 47 feet, LINKPlanner populates the BoM with an antenna and an "Antenna Installation Kit" that includes 50 feet of cable.

  • Greater than 47 feet

If the antenna height is greater than 47 feet, LINKPlanner populates the BoM with an antenna, and you need to provide the cabling, connectors, surge suppressor, etc.


Whip antennas

Note that when you select a whip antenna, LINKPlanner assumes you’re mounting it directly to the radio or outdoor cabinet, with no additional cabling, connectors, or surge suppression.

Power Supplies

Notice that LINKPlanner provides the DIN RAIL MOUNT power supply in the BOM by default.

Hit “New Extra” and “Power” to see the other power supply options.

I hope this helps!

Plan on!

Dave

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