Hi!

We are about to deploy three ptp 5.8 Ghz links in rural areas; distances are 12Km, 5Km and 2Km. LOS (including Fresnel) is all the points can be reached with towers 5 to 9 m high. The towers will be beside little shacks that could house equipment, batteries and solar panels. We are planning to use RouterBoard RB433, radios Mikrotik R52Hn and we do not know what antennas to use.

We are wondering whether to mount the boards/radios on the shacks or on the towers. If we do it on the towers we will put good enclosures. If we mount on the shacks we will also use enclosures but we will need to use long RF cables, I imagine 7 to 11 meters high. We are also wondering on whether to mount the batteries/solar panels/regulators on the towers or on the shacks.

We want to use MIMO 2x2 and reach speeds higher than 60Mbps.

We would be appreciated if you could answer these questions:

1) Is it advisable to mount the board/radio set on the tower or on the shack?
2) Would mounting them on the shack decrease the probability of getting hit by lightning?
3) If mounted on the shack, would using cables from 7 to 11 meters bring/be a big issue?
4) And most importantly, what kind of (double polarization) antennas would we need to use for those distances of 12Km, 5Km and 2Km? would panel be enough for all? or maybe grill? we would like to avoid using dishes because the costs and the winds.

What about the battery/solar panel combination?

Thanks much for your input!

Mark