Helium - Outdoor Small Cell Install Guide - Part 2

Step 1 – Preparation
Step 2 – Initial Connectivity Setup
Step 3 – Verify Connectivity Status
Step 4 – Outdoor Small Cell Installation
Step 5 – Small Cell Registration

STEP 4.3 - Mounting Bracket Assembly

Assemble the mounting bracket pivot bolt to connect the pipe clamp bracket to the main small cell mounting bracket.

Do not install the bracket on the small cell at this time

STEP 4.5 - Install Bracket on Mounting Pole

Attach the assembled MosoLabs mounting bracket to the mounting pole. Make sure the locator holes are positioned at the bottom of the bracket and you have tightened the pipe clamp sufficiently, then locked it in place with the second set of nuts.

STEP 4.6 - Install Small Cell to the Mounting Bracket

Attach your MosoLabs small cell to the mounting bracket.  Use the locator holes at the bottom of the bracket to help align and hold the small cell while you install the screws. Adjust the tilt to point your small cell toward your desired target.

STEP 4.7 - Connect the Grounding Cable

Now that your small cell is mounted on the bracket, you are ready to attach the cables.  First, attach the provided grounding cable to the nearest ground source. If an appropriate ground is not available within the length of the supplied cable, you may need to make a longer cable. 

STEP 4.8 - Connect the PoE+ Ethernet Cable

Lead your outdoor rated Ethernet cable from your PoE+ power supply (which needs to be mounted indoors) to your small cell and connect it to the PoE+ port on your small cell.  Once connected, secure the waterproof connector over the Ethernet cable and secure all of your cable runs.

(Note, you do not need to connect any other ports at this time.)

It is recommended that you install a lightning protector inline with your Ethernet cable between the small cell and your PoE power supply. 

STEP 5.1 - Record the Height  

You will be required to submit the height of the installation and a photo to verify it. 

Here are some ideas on how to get the height:

- Ask a contractor or building manager about the height of your roof.
- Get the height of the home/building by looking at it in Google Earth Pro. Please follow the steps here.
- Use a tape measure and measure the height directly from the top of your roof

Take a photo that shows the small cell and the ground.

Here are some sample Verification photos:

STEP 5.2 - Record the Azimuth Angle

Azimuth is a fancy name for the compass direction in which the center of the antenna is pointing. NOAA has a free website that uses any phone accelerometer + compass to find azimuth. You can also use the built in Apple iPhone Compass app for this as well. (featured in the picture)

Steps to collect this photo:

- Navigate to the NOAA website linked above to open the NOAA Mobile Magnetic Declination Calculator
- Choose the “Compass” option in the lower-left corner
- Place the phone on top of the small cell, so the TOP of the phone (the part that goes to your ear on a phone call) is pointing in the same direction as the antenna.
- Take a picture of the compass direction.

The sample picture is showing azimuth angle of 193 degrees.

STEP 5.3 - Record the Elevation Angle

The elevation angle is a fancy name for “is it pointing up or down from level.” The reference point is the middle of the antenna. You can again use a free app on your phone to find this value:

- iOS: use the built-in “Measure” app, choose the “level” function at the bottom
- Android: use a free “Clinometer” app from the Play store
Steps to collect this photo:
- Open one of the two apps named above
- Place the phone on top of the small cell. All certified outdoor cells all have a flat portion of the top surface that is perpendicular to the front of the antenna and will hold a phone.
- Take a picture of the elevation angle.

The sample image is showing degrees of down-tilt elevation angle using iOS App Measure.

STEP 5.4 - Register Small Cell

Now that you have the small cell information and photos, you will need to submit them for CPI approval.  Access
the Radio Dashboard by pointing your web browser to http://freedomfi-gateway.local from a device on the same network as the FreedomFi Gateway. NOTE: The outdoor small cell MUST be powered on and connected to the FreedomFi Gateway to appear on the Radio Dashboard. 

- Click on Radio Dashboard
==> If you have more than one small cell connected, make sure the serial number matches the small cell you are trying to register.
- Click Register Radio in the bottom left corner
- Follow the wizard to fill out the form and add photos
- Submit the information
- Wait for Approval

 You will receive an email confirming your submission and then be notified by email with the status of your registration within 72 hours.

STEP 5.5 - Verify Small Cell is Online
Once you get the CPI approval notification, your small cell should be ready to go.

To check, navigate to the Radio Dashboard and verify that the registration status is approved, and the statuses are all Green.

If the statuses are not green, here is what they mean. Please contact us if you are are seeing any of these non-green statuses after 24 hours of submitting the Registration form via the Gateway.

GPS STATUS
Trying = looking for satellites
Locked = synced

CORE STATUS
Trying = not connected due to GPS or SAS not yet green
Connected = connected

SPECTRUM ACCESS STATUS
Trying = waiting for GPS to lock
Success = GPS Locked, SAS is Reachable and registered
Authorized = Authorized to transmit
None = Issue

ON AIR STATUS
OFF = Radio is not transmitting
ON = Radio is transmitting

Troubleshooting Small Cell Status
To access the local dashboard, point your web browser to http://freedomfi-gateway.local for FreedomFi Gateway or bobber-gateway.local for Bobcat Bobber 500 from a device on the same network as the gateway. Click on Radio Dashboard.