Initial Connectivity Setup
To start, we will be placing the Outdoor small cell inside near a window and next to your network gear to confirm a set of preliminary checks. This validates that things are working before the outdoor small cell is deployed to its permanent location where it may be difficult to access.
STEP 1: Connect POE+ Injector
Connect the included POE+ Injector to a wall socket or a UPS. The POE+ injector should be installed indoors as it is not weatherproof. Extension cords (especially daisy-chained) are not recommended.
STEP 2: Connect Ethernet cable to POE+ Injector
Connect the Ethernet cable to the port labeled LAN on the POE+ injector.
STEP 3: Connect the Ethernet cable to the Gateway
Connect the other end of the Ethernet cable to the port labeled eNB1 the FreedomFi Gateway. Two additional CBRS small cells are supported on the eNB2 and eNB3 ports.
STEP 4: Connect POE+ Ethernet Cable to the POE+ Injector
Connect an outdoor-rated Ethernet cable to the port labeled “POE” on the POE+ injector. The length of this cable should be long enough to reach the permanent location where you want to deploy the small cell. This will be the only cable that you need to route outside.
Note: Ethernet cables must be 330ft/100m or less in total length.
Here is an example: Outdoor Rated Cable
Warning: Ensure that you are installing your POE in a watertight enclosure/environment and that water is unable to travel down the CAT cable and into your POE. This can cause permanent damage which is not covered under warranty.
STEP 5: Connect POE+ Ethernet cable to the Outdoor Small Cell
Assemble the weather seal around the end of your Ethernet cable.
Connect the other end of the outdoor rated Ethernet cable to the Outdoor small cell POE+ labeled port.
For now, don’t worry about the location of the outdoor small cell. We will be moving the outdoor small cell to a permanent location at a later point, but it is best to connect the cables while inside to make sure things are working.
STEP 6: Verify Connectivity status
Visit your small cell dashboard by utilizing the Official Helium Dashboard and logging in with your Helium Wallet.
Outdoor Small Cell Install & Registration
To start, make sure you select a good place for the Outdoor small cell. Obstructions will decrease coverage. CBRS signals have less range than LoRa. Similar to Wi-Fi they can be weakened or blocked by obstacles like walls, trees, and buildings. To capture the most data you can, you want your small cell to point towards a populated area, a place with a lot of people and phones e.g. a park, a playground, an outdoor cafe/coffee shop.
For the purpose of improved coverage area, it is recommended to mount your outdoor small cell as high up as reasonably possible. This often means on a roof, or near the roof line of a building. Roof mounting examples for a home or small business:
Flat Roof: Non- penetrating roof mount filled with cinder blocks
Angled Roof: J-Bar mounted to the facia
Requirements: The outdoor small cell will require installation CPI approval before it can go on air and allow users to connect.
The CPI process requires the following:
Installation parameters must be shared with FreedomFi to get CPI approval
Height with 2 to 4 photos to document accuracy
Azimuth angle with 1 photo to document accuracy
Elevation angle with 1 photo to document accuracy
Note: How to get and submit this information along with sample photos will be covered in the small cell registration section below.
Step 7: Recording your Radio 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 radio and the ground. Sample Verification photo:
STEP 8: Recording 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 below)
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 152 degrees.
Warning: The example photo is being taken indoors, official installation measurements must be taken outside on an already mounted radio.
STEP 9: Recording 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. To ensure consistency across all applications, we ask that you please utilize the following free app to measure & record your elevation accurately.
Bubble Level
Steps to collect this photo:
Open the recommended app above on your device.
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 1.8 degrees of down-tilt angle using the Bubble Level app.
Warning: The example photo is being taken indoors, official installation measurements must be taken outside on an already mounted radio.
Step 10: Register your Radio
Now that you have the small cell information and photos, you will need to submit them for CPI approval. Access your small cell dashboard by heading to the Helium Dashboard:
Login to your Helium Dashboard
Scroll down to “Attached Radios”
If you have more than one radio connected, make sure the serial number matches the radio 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
Step 11: Verify your Radio is online
Once you get the CPI approval notification, your small cell should be ready to go. To check, navigate to the small cell Dashboard and verify that the registration status is approved, and the statuses are all Green.