Accessories: Selecting the right range-extending antenna
If you are experiencing low or no signal strength with one or more of your wireless or wire-free cameras, a good option is to use a range-extending accessory antenna.
ATTENTION: Prior to purchasing and installing an accessory antenna, read the product specifications of your receiver to determine if your receiver has a weatherproof housing. Installing your weatherproof receiver outdoors provides a better line-of-sight between the receiver and the camera, increasing the strength of the wireless signal. See your product specifications to determine the weatherproof rating of your receiver.
The Directional Wireless Panel Antenna and the Omni-Directional Antenna are used to extend the range of one or multiple wireless or wire-free cameras.
Directional Wireless Panel Antenna (ACCANTD9)
Omni-Directional Antenna (ACCANTO8)
Use the 2.4GHz Directional Wireless Panel Antenna (ACCANTD9) to focus a wireless signal onto one specific wireless device (camera or receiver) to increase the range of transmission. A clear line-of-sight between the antenna and the wireless device needing range extension is required.
Use the 2.4GHz Omni-Directional Antenna (ACCANTO8) to enhance the signal of one or multiple cameras that are paired to a single or dual antenna receiver. You may also use two Omni-Directional Antennas to extend the range of all cameras paired to a dual antenna receiver.
REQUIREMENT: To connect the antenna directly to the camera or receiver, the device must have a removable SMA type antenna. Visit www.lorextechnology.com/compatibility to ensure the antenna is compatible with your camera or receiver model.
Recommended Antenna Installation Methods
Your antenna needs will vary depending on the setup of your camera system, the number of cameras that require range extension, and the number of channels on your wireless receiver. Review the scenarios below to ensure you have the correct antenna and installation method to meet your needs.
Click a setup scenario to see the recommended installation method:
- Scenario 1: Extend the range of one camera paired to a single antenna receiver
- Scenario 2: Extend the range of one camera paired a dual antenna receiver
- Scenario 3: Extend the range of select cameras paired to a dual antenna receiver
- Scenario 4: Extend the range of all cameras paired to a dual antenna receiver
Combining Accessory Antennas
If you have installed your accessory antenna according to the recommended installation methods and would like to enhance wireless signal strength even further, you may add an additional Directional Wireless Panel Antenna (ACCANTD9) directly to a camera. The additional Directional Wireless Panel Antenna can be used with a Directional Wireless Panel Antenna or with an Omni-Directional Antenna attached to the receiver.
Click an antenna combination to see recommended installation methods:
- Combination 1: Combine two Directional Wireless Panel Antennas
- Combination 2: Combine a Directional Wireless Panel Antenna with an Omni-Directional Antenna
Scenario 1: Extend the range of one camera paired to a single antenna receiver
To extend the range of one camera connected to a single channel receiver, use the Directional Wireless Panel Antenna (ACCANTD9).
The Directional Wireless Panel Antenna can be connected in two configurations.
Configuration 1. Connect the antenna directly to the camera
Configuration 2. Connect the antenna directly to the wireless receiver
REQUIREMENT: The antenna connects using an SMA cable and replaces the existing antenna on either the camera or wireless receiver. Check www.lorextechnology.com/compatibility to determine if your product is compatible with the antennas.
Scenario 2: Extend the range of one camera paired to a dual antenna receiver
To extend the range of one camera connected to a multi-channel receiver, use the Directional Wireless Panel Antenna (ACCANTD9). Connect the Directional Wireless Panel Antenna directly to the camera.
Scenario 3: Extend the range of select cameras paired to a dual antenna receiver
To extend the range of select cameras on a multi-channel receiver, use the Omni-Directional Antenna (ACCANTO8).
Connect the Omni-Directional Antenna to one of the antenna ports on the wireless receiver.
REMINDER: Each antenna port on a dual antenna receiver is associated with specific camera channels. One antenna communicates with odd numbered channels (1, 3, and 5), while the other antenna communicates with even numbered channels (2, 4, and 6). See the table below for dual antenna channel configurations.
| Receiver Model##### | 4-Channel Receiver###### | 6-Channel Receiver |
|---|---|---|
| Antenna 1 | Channels 1 and 3 | Channels 1, 3 and 5 |
| Antenna 2 | Channels 2 and 4 | Channels 2, 4, and 6 |
If you connect the Omni-Directional Antenna to an antenna port and your wireless signal does not improve, try switching the Omni-Directional Antenna to the other antenna port or pairing your camera to a different camera channel.
Scenario 4: Extend the range of all cameras paired to a dual antenna receiver
To extend the range of all cameras on a dual antenna receiver, connect an Omni-Directional Antenna (ACCANTO8) to each antenna port on the receiver.
IMPORTANT: Two Omni-Directional Antennas are required to accommodate this setup.
Combination 1: Combine two Directional Wireless Panel Antennas
If you are using a Directional Wireless Panel Antenna (ACCANTD9) to enhance the signal of a single camera with a single channel receiver, you can use an additional Directional Wireless Panel Antenna to further enhance the wireless signal.
Connect one Directional Wireless Panel Antenna directly to the camera and one Directional Wireless Panel Antenna directly to the wireless receiver. To maximize signal strength, it is recommended to aim the two antennas directly at each other with a clear line-of-sight.
Combination 2: Combine a Directional Wireless Panel Antenna with an Omni-Directional Antenna
If you are using an Omni-Directional Antenna (ACCANTO8) to enhance the signal of multiple cameras, you can further enhance the signal of a specific camera by connecting a Directional Wireless Panel Antenna (ACCANTD9) directly to the camera.
A clear line-of-sight between the Directional Wireless Panel Antenna and the Omni-Directional Antenna is recommended to maximize signal strength.
