This is used extensively by tower service companies working for the big-4 cellular carriers, or subcontractors thereof... It's not cheap:
http://www.midwestunlimited.com/products/3Z-RF-Aligner-%252d-GPS-Antenna-Alignment-Tool.html As best I understand it doesn't use a magnetic compass, which is pretty useless on a steel tower, but several high accuracy GPS units, one on the end of an arm that sticks off the front, and one on the rear. On Tue, Mar 15, 2016 at 4:07 PM, Jay Weekley <[email protected]> wrote: > I wish sectors came with some kind of center line. Preferably slightly > raised. > > Edward Brooks wrote: > >> Thanks everyone! This was enlightening. I have been using the "Cellular >> Industry" mindset due to tower construction and I have been trying to stay >> very accurate as far as azimuths to keep our coverage maps as accurate as >> possible and to keep from self-interfering with our other towers. >> >> -Ed >> >> On 3/15/2016 3:57 PM, Jeremy wrote: >> >>> We also eyeball it using Google Earth and landmarks. I can never get a >>> compass to work reliably enough in the vicinity of the tower. >>> >>> On Tue, Mar 15, 2016 at 3:44 PM, Josh Reynolds <[email protected] >>> <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >>> >>> What, you don't just assume the tower is level and use the >>> notched degree hash marks on the antenna vertical adjustment bolt? :P >>> >>> On Tue, Mar 15, 2016 at 4:41 PM, Eric Kuhnke >>> <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>> for sector antenna elevation, one of these... >>> >>> >>> http://www.amazon.com/iGaging-AngleCube-Digital-Level-Bevel/dp/B002LL0BIC >>> >>> If you've planned out coverage with an unusual uptilt or >>> downtilt due to terrain (or built in electrical downtilt) and >>> are giving the sector to a 3rd party installer to hang. >>> >>> On Tue, Mar 15, 2016 at 2:33 PM, Chuck McCown >>> <[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: >>> >>> I was working on an electronic version of my accu-aim >>> scope a few years ago. I discovered that no matter how >>> far I extended the flux gate sensor, any tower of decent >>> size threw it off. Best to use a hand held GPS at the >>> base of the the tower and start walking. After a few >>> tries you will find the correct heading. Note some kind >>> of landmark and aim for that. >>> Elevation be derived dead on with a cheap digital level. >>> If you have the elevation nailed and the heading/bearing >>> close, you should be able to find it with a bit of sweeping. >>> *From:* Edward Brooks <mailto:[email protected]> >>> *Sent:* Tuesday, March 15, 2016 2:46 PM >>> *To:* [email protected] >>> *Subject:* Re: [AFMUG] AP Sector Alignment >>> Anyone!!?? I watch posts about the strangest things go on >>> in here and not even one reply to a valid question?! >>> >>> On 3/10/2016 11:36 AM, Edward Brooks wrote: >>> >>>> Over the last year our "low-cost" digital compass has >>>> degraded to the point of being unreliable and now >>>> useless. We have been looking at a few of the obviously >>>> expensive options, Sunsight AAT-30, 3Z Antena Aligner, >>>> Multiwave SmartAlign to rent. That being said we are >>>> also looking for a less expensive, but more accurate >>>> than standing in a field looking back at the antenna, >>>> option to purchase. What are some of you using to >>>> accurately align your AP sectors and do initial BH >>>> deployment? >>>> >>>> Thanks, >>>> -Ed >>>> -- Edward Brooks >>>> /Network Operations Project Manager >>>> Montana Internet Corporation/ >>>> 406-443-3347 <tel:406-443-3347> >>>> >>> >>> >> >> >> ------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> Avast logo <https://www.avast.com/antivirus> >> >> This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. >> www.avast.com <https://www.avast.com/antivirus> >> >> >> >
