Cisco Aironet AIR-ANT2506 User Manual

Cisco Aironet Omnidirectional Mast Mount
Antenna (AIR-ANT2506)

This document outlines the specifications, describes the omnidirectional mast mount antenna, and
provides instructions for mounting it. Designed for WLAN applications in the 2.4- to 2.5-GHz frequency
range, the antenna has a nominal gain of 5.2 dBi and is typically mounted indoors or outdoors on a mast.
The antenna is compatible with Cisco Aironet radio products utilizing a reverse polarity TNC (RP-TNC)
connector.

The following information is provided in this document.

• Technical Specifications, page 2

• System Requirements, page 2

• Installation Notes, page 3

• Safety Precautions, page 7

• Obtaining Documentation and Submitting a Service Request, page 8

Americas Headquarters:
Cisco Systems, Inc., 170 West Tasman Drive, San Jose, CA 95134-1706 USA

Technical Specifications

Technical Specifications

Antenna type Dipole

Operating frequency range 2.4- to 2.84-GHz

Environment Indoor/outdoor

VSWR Less than 2:1, 1.5:1

Gain 5.2 dBi

Polarization Linear, vertical

E-Plane (3dB bandwidth) 36 degrees

H-Plane (3dB bandwidth) Omnidirectional

Cable length and type 3 ft. (0.91 m)

Dimensions (H x W) 11.5 in x 1.125 in.

Mounting Mast, 2 in (5.08 cm)

nominal

RG-58

(29.2 cm x 2.8 cm)

maximum

81017

E-Plane Pattern H-Plane Pattern

System Requirements

This antenna is compatible with any 2.4-GHz Cisco Aironet radio device with an RP-TNC connector.

Cisco Aironet Omnidirectional Mast Mount Antenna (AIR-ANT2506)

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Installation Notes

General Installation Instructions for Mast Mounted Antennas

Caution For outside installations, make sure you do not mount the antenna upside down or block the bottom of

the antenna at the cable exit. The correct mounting position is with the cable pointing down (towards the
ground) so that any moisture will drain through the antenna drain holes. The antenna ships with a yellow
mounting instruction label temporarily attached to the antenna radome.

The following instructions are common to most mast mounted installations.

1. Assemble your new antenna on the ground at the installation site.

2. Attach the antenna to the mast and connect its coaxial cable while you are on the ground.

3. Make sure the mast doesn’t fall the “wrong way” should you lose control as you raise or take down

the mast. Use a durable non-conductive rope secured at each two foot level as the mast is raised.
Have an assistant tend the rope, ready to pull the mast clear of any hazards (such as power lines)
should it begin to fall.

4. Use the mounting bracket provided with the antenna.

5. If the installation will use guy wires:

Installation Notes

a. Install guy anchor bolts.

b. Estimate the length of guy wire and cut it before raising the mast.

c. Attach guy wires to a mast using guy rings.

6. Carefully connect the antenna and mast assembly to its mounting bracket and tighten the clamp

bolts.

a. In the case of a a guyed installation, you must have at least one assistant to hold the mast upright

while the guy wires are attached and tightened to the anchor bolts.

7. Attach the provided self-adhering “DANGER” label at eye level on the mast.

8. Install ground rods to remove any static electricity buildup and connect a ground wire to the mast

and ground rod. Use ground rods designed for that purpose, not a spare piece of pipe.

Grounding the Antenna

Follow these guidelines to ground the antenna in accordance with national electrical code instructions.

1. Use No. 10 AWG copper or No. 8 or larger copper-clad steel or bronze wire as ground wires for both

mast and lead-in. Securely clamp the wire to the bottom of the mast.

2. Secure the lead-in wire to a lightning arrestor and mast ground wire to the building with stand-off

insulators spaced from 4 feet (1.2 meters) to 8 feet (1.8 meters) apart.

3. Mount the lightning arrestor as close as possible to where the lead-in wire enters the building.

4. Drill a hole in the building’s wall as close as possible to the equipment to which you will connect

the lead-in cable.

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