Wireless link calculator updated

Thu Aug 03, 2017 11:06 am

Here is a first look of the new updated wireless calculator:
https://mikrotik.com/calculator

Report any bugs you can find and we will try to improve it.

Of course, this is a synthetic calculator (theoretic). Real life has things like interference, weather and other factors that will reduce possible distances.
A known bug, that in Chrome, the elevation graph doesn't support hover over specific hill. Currently does work in Firefox/Safari.

The calculator does take into consideration the elevation, the fresnel zone, the earth curvature. It currently does not tell you exactly how big your towers need to be, but it will tell you that you need a big tower, if there is difficult elevation, or earth curvature that disturbs the 60% fresnel zone.

How to use:

1. Choose the frequency band
2. Choose the minimum required data rate
3. Choose the products from the list
4. Move the map markers to the desired area.
5. Click "calculate link"
6. Observe the elevation graph. Move your mouse to the hills, so see which ones might cause issues. Drag over the elevation graph to select bigger areas, to identify them.
7. Adjust products or markers until the result is "Reliable" and doesn't mention that "Very high tower needed"

Please comment here if you find problems, mistakes or other issues.

kaspertik · Thu Aug 03, 2017 11:42 am

Very nice service

It will greatly increase usability for me, if i can add arguments to the URL, especially location/coordinates and the zoom level.

How Google has done it: https://www.google.dk/maps/@56.1491919,9.9064497,8z

Easier to read suggestion: https://mikrotik.com/calculator?longitu ... 497&zoom=8

Best regards, Kasper

Thu Aug 03, 2017 11:45 am

I think the standard notation is "18/57.12873/25.15892". We will add it.

irghost · Thu Aug 03, 2017 11:50 am

Problem solved

kaspertik · Thu Aug 03, 2017 11:53 am

Lovely, thank you very much Normis.

If you will let the calculator load the value for all the available input/drop-down etc. boxes from the URL, then i can also add direct links on all the individual product pages on my distributor site

Thu Aug 03, 2017 11:58 am

i could Not to choose Radio

follow the instruction. you haven't chosen the frequency and data-date.

psannz · Thu Aug 03, 2017 12:19 pm

Very nice. Could you add support for the new 6 GHz products as well, please?

ronniee · Thu Aug 03, 2017 12:31 pm

Look good, congrat

But if you can't put the exact gps coordinates for the Tx Rx points, and tower weight (isn't same if I have 2m or 5m tower) is only to play.
Another small think, doesn't fit the configuration panel and the "Reset" "Calculate link" button in the same screen, need to scroll.
Is my 1600x900 monitor resolution to small, I don' think all peaple use fullhd resolution. Maybe you can decrease a little that config panel window.

Sorry for remaks. It's an awaited tool, thanks for it.

Thu Aug 03, 2017 12:52 pm

OK, we will add those features. None of our monitors need to scroll that panel. Do you use some scaling in your OS?

Thu Aug 03, 2017 1:45 pm

Cannot access the map behind the calculator to set the locations in Mozilla on android phone. The speed slider should allow only possible values for the set pair of devices in selected band.

Thu Aug 03, 2017 2:20 pm

Cannot access the map behind the calculator to set the locations in Mozilla on android phone. The speed slider should allow only possible values for the set pair of devices in selected band.

Tap the "Eye" icon to hide the calculator.

AlainCasault · Thu Aug 03, 2017 3:30 pm

Hello Normis,

This is great!!

I especialy like the height indicator as you "scroll" along the height graphic.

It would be nice if we could click to position the markers rather than drag them. I also agree for a tower height field.

Great job guys!

AC

Thu Aug 03, 2017 3:55 pm

1) Manual height override for both points (or mast height)

2) on the sea don't allow to go into negative height

3) allow to place link on left-mouse click, so you don't have to search where did you left your link previously

jacobtoupe · Thu Aug 03, 2017 8:34 pm

Hi Normis

Congratulation to Mikrotik ! Very nice and useful tool.

On data rate selection for some device like Disc, it allows to select up to the highest, which i doubt on the possibility.

macsrwe · Fri Aug 04, 2017 1:24 am

Maybe I'm using this wrong, but it appears to me that if I select a product the calculator fills in the maximum power of that product, and then doesn't let me edit that figure if the maximum power is more than I can use legally in my area.

Fri Aug 04, 2017 11:26 am

Maybe I'm using this wrong, but it appears to me that if I select a product the calculator fills in the maximum power of that product, and then doesn't let me edit that figure if the maximum power is more than I can use legally in my area.

Select the data rate first (top to bottom). It will then read the values from the selected data rate.

InoX · Fri Aug 04, 2017 4:05 pm

- no satellite view
- no antenna height
- no visual link on profile relief map
- no export/save as pdf

qwerty00 · Fri Aug 04, 2017 5:18 pm

Hello,

nice tool; is it possible to change the transmitted power?

pietroscherer · Sat Aug 05, 2017 1:07 am

Very nice!

Any plans to add an export button with the link info (like a report)?
What about add the information of coordinates of each side (azimuth)?

Thanks!

jolly · Sat Aug 05, 2017 11:04 pm

Nice tool. Will be good if one can simply enter coordinates of the TX and RX location as an option to just Moving the map markers to the desired area.
Also, the ability to export the report out in jpg/pdf or any other usable format will be fantastic.

However, this is a very good tool as it is.

nichky · Sat Aug 05, 2017 11:56 pm

nice

scampbell · Mon Aug 07, 2017 12:39 am

Nice work. Thank you

Thu Aug 10, 2017 3:00 am

Now what would be really cool would be to have would be a question/answer session and presto a parts list of everything needed.
Questions such as:
- Desired network throughput at the Ethernet ports (full duplex or half duplex UDP/TCP)
- PTP or Multi-Point to point
- Distance & elevation & GPS location (line-of-site-analysis)
- Full network redundancy desired (dual links) & desired network up-time percentage
- Fade margin (allow for not-so-perfect aiming and not-so-perfect weather)
- Ability to pre-load some non-Mikrotik antennas (and save non-Mikrotik antennas to database for future calculations)

Then auto-generate a Mikrotik parts/build list and network through-put summary and a map. (Possibly include some common/standard high-gain non-Mikrotik antennas. This may increase distance). Possibly print several build options.

These kinds of build/parts-list auto-generate calculators are already available in the fiber & cable world by several large vendors.

I think it would benefit any non-tech person to select Mikrotik products when building/designing a microwave network.

North Idaho Tom Jones

scampbell · Thu Aug 10, 2017 4:19 am

Currently the map appears to start in Riga (not sure why ?? hehe ) but it would be nice to have it default to the users default location ? Or allow passing start point via URL so we could add a link on our website and have it default to our own country ?

scampbell · Thu Aug 10, 2017 4:22 am

Currently the map appears to start in Riga (not sure why ?? hehe ) but it would be nice to have it default to the users default location ? Or allow passing start point via URL so we could add a link on our website and have it default to our own country ?

UPDATE: It actually does this now e.g:

https://mikrotik.com/calculator/#map:-4 ... 6474609375

Thu Aug 10, 2017 4:29 am

Start point - Well I guess I now live in Wellington - where ever that is or what country it is in.

scampbell · Thu Aug 10, 2017 4:30 am

Start point - Well I guess I now live in Wellington - where ever that is or what country it is in.

Out of missile range we hope

SmatchBR · Fri Aug 11, 2017 11:17 pm

Very good this, thank you.

elitebb · Sun Aug 13, 2017 1:39 pm

Link calculator is good . thanks .

BobNjoro · Mon Aug 14, 2017 11:43 am

using coordinates would be easier than moving map markers to positions

Mon Aug 14, 2017 11:45 am

using coordinates would be easier than moving map markers to positions

The elevation data is not so precise that a meter would matter. Don't you see that location in the satellite layer ?

shahbazian · Wed Aug 16, 2017 7:57 am

Currently the map appears to start in Riga (not sure why ?? hehe ) but it would be nice to have it default to the users default location ? Or allow passing start point via URL so we could add a link on our website and have it default to our own country ?

+1 for change default location to user current location

.

dandrzejewski · Wed Aug 16, 2017 6:32 pm

I'd like to see an option to specify height above ground for the TX and the RX.

mmv · Wed Aug 16, 2017 10:01 pm

Cool!
But look like Earth buldge is not taken into account. Like the Earth is flat.
It surprising important for links (10 km and more)

scampbell · Thu Aug 17, 2017 5:12 am

Currently the map appears to start in Riga (not sure why ?? hehe ) but it would be nice to have it default to the users default location ? Or allow passing start point via URL so we could add a link on our website and have it default to our own country ?
+1 for change default location to user current location

.

https://developers.google.com/maps/docu ... eolocation

Thu Aug 17, 2017 8:54 am

Cool!
But look like Earth buldge is not taken into account. Like the Earth is flat.
It surprising important for links (10 km and more)

It is!

Thu Aug 17, 2017 8:55 am

Currently the map appears to start in Riga (not sure why ?? hehe ) but it would be nice to have it default to the users default location ? Or allow passing start point via URL so we could add a link on our website and have it default to our own country ?
+1 for change default location to user current location

.
https://developers.google.com/maps/docu ... eolocation

This only finds your current position (point). There are two markers though. We have to place them in random positions then? Isn't it easier just to place markers where you want them with right-click?

scampbell · Fri Aug 18, 2017 12:04 am

Currently the map appears to start in Riga (not sure why ?? hehe ) but it would be nice to have it default to the users default location ? Or allow passing start point via URL so we could add a link on our website and have it default to our own country ?
+1 for change default location to user current location

.
https://developers.google.com/maps/docu ... eolocation
This only finds your current position (point). There are two markers though. We have to place them in random positions then? Isn't it easier just to place markers where you want them with right-click?

Hi Normis,

Agree the second point would be random in that case. I worked out how to put a link on my website with two points local to our geography which was great. (see earlier post)

If you could perhaps have a button to set the map to your current location then you place the points would be good ? Or perhaps type in a start point name or co-ordinates ? Zooming out and scrolling to your country and then back in to find your location works, but is slower.

Tower height would be very useful - someone else suggested this I think.

These are all 1st World problems of course - the new calculator is great - just trying to make it a bit easier for our users

Fri Aug 18, 2017 8:59 am

Another issue is that location asks user permission every time. If not annoying, we can do that.

el berto · Thu Aug 31, 2017 10:33 am

Great job, just some doubts:
1) is there available old version somewhere? (better to manually set cable and antenna parameters and other calculations...)
2) on device selection there are available 4 models of Netmetal5: are them all equal?
3) Tx/Rx gain (I suppose is gain of antenna)... so "Output power" is power of card or irradiated power? I suppose it would be power card; in my country maximum EIRP is 30dBm, so I should use 0dB power for wireless card, why can't I set output power to 0?

thanks,

popeyedcookie · Thu Aug 31, 2017 7:26 pm

Normis
This is awesome!! But we need a way to manually enter in the height of the location for predicated tower links! any way we can get this feature?

hellbringer · Sat Sep 16, 2017 2:03 pm

Maybe a explanation when "Link status: Link impossible"

Because I can't figure out how in an open field, 2 LHG HP5's would not be able to setup a connection over a distance of: 0.7 Km (0.43 miles)
https://mikrotik.com/calculator/#map:52 ... 1011199952

What am I doing wrong?

A copy link button in the "Specifications and results" windows, the button on the map gave me a link, but only after the 4th try(?)
Clear the field TX/RX Sensitivity move the existing numbers over when you type a - (it does that when you type a number but not when you type a -)

Browser: Chrome 62.0.3202.18

bamarcant · Wed Sep 20, 2017 9:17 am

Be aware it give reliable links through mountains...

Wed Sep 20, 2017 9:21 am

Be aware it give reliable links through mountains...

Should not be possible, did you look at the elevation image in top-right corner?

Wed Sep 20, 2017 9:22 am

Maybe a explanation when "Link status: Link impossible"

Because I can't figure out how in an open field, 2 LHG HP5's would not be able to setup a connection over a distance of: 0.7 Km (0.43 miles)
https://mikrotik.com/calculator/#map:52 ... 1011199952

What am I doing wrong?

A copy link button in the "Specifications and results" windows, the button on the map gave me a link, but only after the 4th try(?)
Clear the field TX/RX Sensitivity move the existing numbers over when you type a - (it does that when you type a number but not when you type a -)

Browser: Chrome 62.0.3202.18

What kind of speed did you choose? I have it working like this:

vijaykrishna12 · Fri Sep 22, 2017 8:23 pm

hi normis,

I have dought regarding this when I'm using this wireless calculator they is no problem for

please clear my dought....

popeyedcookie · Wed Sep 27, 2017 12:44 am

"Link is possible but high antenna tower is required" Please add AP and CPE height option! Would love to use but I find AirLink is way better since I can edit the height of both sides!

mducharme · Thu Oct 19, 2017 8:11 am

"Link is possible but high antenna tower is required" Please add AP and CPE height option! Would love to use but I find AirLink is way better since I can edit the height of both sides!

+1, height is necessary for this to be useful, have no idea what your definition of "high antenna tower" is

timking · Fri Oct 20, 2017 8:37 pm

Nice tool - but I don't understand why the power goes up as the required speed goes down. Take 2 SXT sa 3km apart, and at 6Mbps power is 31dbm and for 150Mbp it's 27dbm. Is this the power setting needed at the radio? Not very helpful when we most of us are limited by country EIRP rules. Could we have a max EIRP box to see if the link is possible and legal?

paams · Sun Oct 22, 2017 9:30 am

Hello there! Could you please let me know how to get the specific location anywhere globally to use Mikrotik link calculator. I mean how to search for a specific city location within a country as i didn't get any location search option in Wireless link calculator just like Google Earth to hit the entered location to get that mentioned site. Thanks.

Sat Nov 11, 2017 11:31 am

This is how wireless works. You can see the TX power tables in the product pages:

https://mikrotik.com/product/RBSXTsq5nD

As you can see, the chip is unable to transmit at same power when a high speed has to be sustained.

Screen Shot 2017-11-11 at 11.30.33.png

saintofinternet · Tue Nov 14, 2017 4:48 am

i will still stick to Radio Mobile.... it's highly accurate!

Tue Nov 14, 2017 8:16 am

i will still stick to Radio Mobile.... it's highly accurate!

Sure, if you know how to use it, it is very good. This tool is more for quickly selecting a suitable product. Simple.

saintofinternet · Wed Nov 15, 2017 3:31 am

hi normis...

yes the tool by Mikrotik is good but i found the maps a bit unconvincing. also could not enter the Lat and Lon directly.

any chance of using Google Maps?

feri · Wed Nov 15, 2017 6:45 am

when i login hotspot mikrotik and off my laptop and the return back isee another accont login in my laptop that is login and i can use the internet
Like that another person uses my laptop

why?

saintofinternet · Wed Nov 15, 2017 7:22 am

when i login hotspot mikrotik and off my laptop and the return back isee another accont login in my laptop that is login and i can use the internet
Like that another person uses my laptop why?

you have posted this in the wrong thread... please post this in the Wireless section.

Wed Nov 15, 2017 7:47 am

hi normis...

yes the tool by Mikrotik is good but i found the maps a bit unconvincing. also could not enter the Lat and Lon directly.

any chance of using Google Maps?

Satellite is always better than street map, since you can see the building or the terrain. Did you enable the satellite view?

saintofinternet · Wed Nov 15, 2017 8:07 am

Yes... I enabled Satellite View.

but putting in direct Lat / Lon does help in being more precise.

as i said the Openstreet maps do not have much of details for my area as Google Maps.

Google Maps is showing everything in great detail.

Wed Nov 15, 2017 8:11 am

Yes... I enabled Satellite View.
but putting in direct Lat / Lon does help in being more precise.
as i said the Openstreet maps do not have much of details for my area as Google Maps.
Google Maps is showing everything in great detail.

Actually no, it will be less precise, because the calculator uses the data from the map, to calculate the link. If your coordinates may be more accurate to the real life location, but in this case, it is more important to match the point with the map, not with the real life. This is because terrain data will be taken from the map.

Sattelite layers that we use are very good, they are from ESRI and have nothing to do with openstreetmap

aesflordeliza · Tue Nov 21, 2017 9:04 am

VERY COOL update

very useful as it fully integrated on earth's Terrain.
pole height could be verified and Router models and antenna gain is a good feature.
cant wait for the dude update

mehrzadmo · Sat Jan 06, 2018 11:44 am

Normis

It will be nice and useful , if you add two filed for height of towers and draw fresnel zone . some thing like this :

ptaabodi · Tue Jan 09, 2018 1:42 am

Normis

It will be nice and useful , if you add two filed for height of towers and draw fresnel zone . some thing like this :

+1

popeyedcookie · Tue Jan 09, 2018 7:09 pm

Normis

It will be nice and useful , if you add two filed for height of towers and draw fresnel zone . some thing like this :

+1

jebz · Sat Jan 20, 2018 2:19 am

Normis

It will be nice and useful , if you add two filed for height of towers and draw fresnel zone . some thing like this :

+1+1+1

It would be very good to be able to put structure, antenna heights at each end.

shahbazian · Wed Mar 14, 2018 2:05 am

Normis

It will be nice and useful , if you add two filed for height of towers and draw fresnel zone . some thing like this :

+10000000000000

angriukas · Sat Oct 05, 2019 3:53 pm

Hi,
cannot get working elevation graph.
Specs and results - all values entered properly.
"Link status" = Reliable, but elevation graph always shows 1m x 1km.
Used FireFox, Chrome, other browsers - no matter.
Could you please advice - how to get elevation?

comet48 · Thu Oct 31, 2019 7:30 pm

Same problem here. Works fine except North America. Got it working yesterday for awhile, but tried it this morning and no go. The elevation display fails to update, both height and distance. Stuck at 1km right now. If I go back to Europe, stock there too. Did a reset in Europe, started working OK, then moved back to North America, no go. Elevation map carried across from Europe. Reset did not work.
Useful tool if it works

comet48 · Thu Oct 31, 2019 8:10 pm

The problem is that it is calculating the longitude incorrectly. Like 238 for san francisco, instead of -122

CZFan · Thu Oct 31, 2019 8:53 pm

also experiencing same problem re elevation for here in RSA

comet48 · Fri Dec 13, 2019 9:15 pm

I solved the problem with longitude in USA by proceeding west from Europe to the USA. It then calculates longitude correctly.

Love the calculator. Gave me some idea of how some of the wireless products worked with each other.

I presume it doesn't take into account trees or buildings. Plus one on adding tower height as an option.

Thanks

djnewbie · Thu Jun 24, 2021 6:01 am

Please add simulator likes air link UBNT, ty

mani21 · Sat Oct 08, 2022 8:35 pm

Are you guys offering API to access this https://mikrotik.com/calculator for integrations?

Here is a first look of the new updated wireless calculator:
https://mikrotik.com/calculator

Report any bugs you can find and we will try to improve it.

Of course, this is a synthetic calculator (theoretic). Real life has things like interference, weather and other factors that will reduce possible distances.
A known bug, that in Chrome, the elevation graph doesn't support hover over specific hill. Currently does work in Firefox/Safari.

The calculator does take into consideration the elevation, the fresnel zone, the earth curvature. It currently does not tell you exactly how big your towers need to be, but it will tell you that you need a big tower, if there is difficult elevation, or earth curvature that disturbs the 60% fresnel zone.

How to use:

1. Choose the frequency band
2. Choose the minimum required data rate
3. Choose the products from the list
4. Move the map markers to the desired area.
5. Click "calculate link"
6. Observe the elevation graph. Move your mouse to the hills, so see which ones might cause issues. Drag over the elevation graph to select bigger areas, to identify them.
7. Adjust products or markers until the result is "Reliable" and doesn't mention that "Very high tower needed"

Please comment here if you find problems, mistakes or other issues.

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