So Cal Free Net.org

It wouldn't be a site survey if we couldn't get on a rooftop. Here is SoCalFreeNet member Matt, checking us out from the rooftop. To the left of him is the test antenna.

This park and playgroundis only a few hundred feet from the edge of the apartment complex. You can just (barely barely) see the test antenna right in the center of the image, above the treeline, just a smidge to the left of the center light pole (half way up). Coverage in the park is excellent!

For this site survey we had a radio available that we were about to install elsewhere. It was nice to be able to use the real gear for a survey for a change - same radio, cable and downtilt omni antenna.

It looks worse than it is. A 24 foot ladder provides an easy climb to a rooftop.

On Saturday, we did a site survey at a new location, the Hourglass Park Apartments at 9505 Gold Coast Drive, San Diego 92126.

The highlights of the survey are:

• Great signal propagation through the buildings. We were able to receive signals clear through the otherside of a complete building of units. This dramatically lowers the cost of deployment.
• Good roof access. The rooftops are flat and safe to work on. The only thing needed is a 24 ft ladder.
• Easy access to power. Existing open 'drainpipe' conduits are available to run Cat-5 cable from power in the utility closet on each building.

This map shows the proposed AP placements for the Hourglass Park Apartments at 9505 Gold Coast Drive, 92126.