The specs of the New PowerBridgeM5 had been publisized, but not yet available at distributors. For those like me that are impatience, we came up with the next best thing. The Home Brew Power Bridge!
We found that the ArcWireless Gen2 enclosure matched with a Rocket makes a great PTP link, similar to the New PowerBridgeM5. The ArCWireless 24db Dual pol panel w/ RSMA is available for about $135, and has excellent specs, boasting almost 40db of isolation between pol connectors. The Gen2 back enclosure is required in order to connect a mount to the antenna, which adds about another $35, but its a really nice swivel mount, and the enclosure adds some extra F/B isolation for the Rocket radio itself (made of plastic). The Rocket MIMO is good to use, not only because the $90 price tag, but because the Ubiquiti N radios lead the industry with up to 27db of TX power in 5.x. Even in highest modulation, a full 22db is possible. If we do the math, this will allow a 15" panel antenna to be used to acheive the same TX power that alternative radio brnads may require a 2ft dish to acheive. (Thus conserving space on poles, and improving cosmetic appeal). We learned a Dremel w/ appropriate bit can cut the Gen2 case easilly. We trace the Rocket shape along the bottom, and cut out a hole to match that lets the Rocket slide right through snug. BUT, the Rocket's pole mount clips are PERFECTLY SPACED, so that when it slides in the hole, the brackets keep the rocket from sliding to far through. It allows the rocket to slide just far enough so that the RSSI LEDs can be seen outside the Gen2 enclosure, and Just enough so the ETH access panel can be removed for maintenance and connection. All the RF connectors are safe and sound inside the enclosure out of weather harm's way. The new V5.2 firmware really hums along nicely. I am quite impressed with the quality and speed of this configuration. Click this link to see the pictures. http://www.rapiddsl.net/arc-rocket-inside.jpg http://www.rapiddsl.net/arc-rocket-outside.jpg Unfortuntately, I'm scare to death to use it for anything to critical, because if noise is unexpectedly experienced on one of the two polarities, I've been told that there is no way to disable one of the polarities, if one develops interference. It can be tough finding 5.8 channels that are free on both Pols. But uniquely, Ubiquiti does support MIMO on as low as 5Mhz channel widths, and allows setting offset center frequencies, to have more options to try to find channels that is interference free on both pols. In this case, I'm using the Rocket as the primary link to increase capacity. Then I have a backup Trango Radio link. So if the PRimary has interference that cant be resolved, I can switch to the backup, until I have time to make the truck roll to the cell site to physically disconnect or swap one of the Internal cables/ polarities. (I dont trust the automatic self disable) But for me, it was a good way to get some temp speed, until I can afford the upgrade to licensed. Its a 15mile link. Quick note, we also had done some more MIkrotik MIMO testing. We like the newer MIkrotik N card, that is HP. Its the one with MMCX connectors. It also has a nice metal Shield around the RF circuitry. It adds a lot more TX power. Its still about 3db less power than the Ubiquiti N radios, but its a step up from the original MIktoik card that was 5 db or so less. I'm mentioning this because whe nwe retested with the newer model HP mikrotikcard, we did infact get cleaner radio links. Not tons better, but we did pickup about 3mbps of capacity, comparatively to the older MT card. We also picked up a tad bit better TCP throughput through the radio link laptop to laptop. I think it was because the RF had less packet loss/self noise, because the better made shielded card. We have not been able to get the MT to pass as much capacity as the Ubiquiti yet, but we are still working on it. Tom DeReggi RapidDSL & Wireless, Inc 301-515-7774 IntAirNet - Fixed Wireless Broadband -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WISPA Wants You! Join today! http://signup.wispa.org/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WISPA Wireless List: wireless@wispa.org Subscribe/Unsubscribe: http://lists.wispa.org/mailman/listinfo/wireless Archives: http://lists.wispa.org/pipermail/wireless/
