Badger Meter GALAXY - Manual (Page 6)

GALAXY® Gateway Receiver 3.0 Fixed Network
HARDWARE INSTALLATION
For best performance, the antenna / receiver assembly should be mounted as high as practicable and away from any
obstructions to radio frequency (RF) signal paths, such as trees, adjacent buildings, metal objects, or other antennas . The
minimum recommended mounting height is 30 feet above ground . To avoid interference, the receiver should be mounted at
a minimum of 6 feet away from any metal object (excluding the mounting pole) .
IMPORTANT
Receiver installation, mounting and disposal shall be in accordance with all local, state and federal regulations. When installing
the receiver, customer is responsible for complying with local, state, and federal codes and guidelines as well as applicable industry
standards, such as ANSI/TIA/EIA 222 (structural standards for steel antenna towers and antenna supporting structures) and the
National Electrical Code (NEC). Proper grounding is necessary, and, in the case of a wooden pole, a dedicated copper ground wire
should be used for lightning protection.
Installation Considerations
To help maximize the performance of your GALAXY fixed network system, the following installation guidelines and
recommendations should be considered when selecting mounting locations for GALAXY network gateway receivers .
The utility is responsible for properly positioning the GALAXY network gateway receiver . For optimal reception and
transmission, locate the network gateway transceiver and antennas in line-of-sight view of the desired endpoints .
• Avoid installing the gateway next to or between objects such as tall buildings, towers, bridges, highway overpasses
or signs that obstruct line of sight with the endpoints .
• Avoid installing the gateway near RF transmitters or other sources of RF radiation including high-power in band and
near-power sources such as 450 – 470 MHz SCADA transmitters and communications transmitters . Other potential
sources of RF radiation include power line transformers, neon or fluorescent signs, and RADAR transmitters . If the
gateway is to be located near other RF radiators, a minimum distance of 100 feet horizontal separation and 10 feet
vertical separation must be maintained between the gateway and the source of RF radiation .
• Mount the gateway as high above average terrain as possible and maintain a 360° view of the horizon .
• Minimum standoff distance of 2 feet from any structure is required .
• The GALAXY network gateway receiver should be positioned no closer than 25 feet from the nearest endpoint .
• Avoid installing the gateway antennas inside metal enclosures or inside of a building as the antennas cannot
communicate if surrounded by metal .
Page 6 January 2013