Do you have a wireless surveillance system that you wish you could get a little more range out of? Do you need to power your equipment on a temporary basis without a wired power source? Having an issue choosing the right frequency for your camera? If your answer to any of these questions is yes, then read on as we will go through possible solutions to these dilemmas.
Wireless Range
Range is often a key hurdle that people must overcome with their wireless surveillance equipment. Whether there are obstacles to overcome or just wide areas of space that need to be covered; there never seems to be enough range.
To help solve this problem there is a quick and rather simple solution; upgrade the antenna! By upgrading your antenna you can help boost your wireless signal and get anywhere from 10 to 20 to 30 feet or more additional range, depending on the antenna size and strength.
When looking for a higher grade antenna there are a few things you will want to keep in mind. The first is to know what type of connection your antenna uses. Whether it be SMA or something else you will need to find an antenna with the same type of connection.
Next you will need to know the strength of your antenna as it is measured in “db”. This refers to your antennas gain, which simply put is the power and efficiency of your antenna. The higher this number then the more powerful your antenna is, and you’ll want to find a higher powered antenna when upgrading.
Lastly you’re going to NEED to know the wireless frequency that your surveillance system operates at. This is imperative because if you don’t use an antenna with the same frequency as your camera system; then you will not be able to get any kind of signal. Some of the most common signals are 2.4GHz, 900MHz, and 5.8Ghz amongst others. Make sure to match the new antennas frequency to that of your system.
In the end if you’re able to upgrade your antenna you will most assuredly get a better reception quality and farther distance capability out of your wireless surveillance system.
Wireless Power
Regardless of what the subtitle says their isn’t actually wireless power of any consequence at this time in history, but what we’re referring to is the need to power your wireless cameras. When a surveillance system claims to be wireless, it is simply stating that it does not need to have a video and/or audio cable connecting it to your receiver and recording equipment. This can be a rather beneficial asset in certain applications; however it still presents the issue of getting power to your camera.
For temporary surveillance a possible solution can be found by getting a 12VDC lithium-Ion battery pack for your camera(s). This can provide power to your equipment for a few hours or so (depending on the power consumption of your camera), but it will eventually need to be replaced or recharged for further use. For more elongated power use, a car battery or portable generator may be capable of providing the power you need, granted you have to have the electrical engineering capabilities to make it do so.
If you are installing your wireless surveillance system on a permanent basis however, then you’re going to need a more permanent solution such as a 110V socket standing by.
Choosing The Right Frequency
We won’t go over this much as it’s been covered in more detail in my previous articles, but the simple train of thought these days should be to choose a “DIGITAL” wireless system. Digital systems have secured signals, less interference, and they can accommodate a far greater number of cameras on the same system.
Hopefully these tips are helpful in solving your wireless surveillance system problems and making your facilities more secure.
Christian M Gillman has worked in the surveillance industry for over 7 years. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter, learn more about surveillance, and find great products at http://www.cu1.com
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