RECN Indoor Modem Installation Guide

Your Indoor Modem Kit will have two boxes containing the following items:

Box 1: marked 'Antenna' (See Figure 1):

  • Antenna with attached 3-metre antenna cable (with 'gold' colored connector)
  • Flush-mountable antenna bracket
  • Two antenna-mount suction cups, two screws and two drywall plugs

Figure 1: Antenna Box Contents

Box 2: Modem Kit (See Figure 2)

  • Modem
  • Crossover Ethernet Cable
  • AC/DC Adapter (Power Supply) with 2-metre DC power cable
  • 2-metre AC power cord

Figure 2: Modem Box Contents

Installation Guide:

Step 1: Choosing a Location:

The location of the Antenna and Modem directly affects the performance of your Modem system. Before you connect all the components, follow the guidelines in this section to choose the best position for the Modem and Antenna.

To Choose the Best Location for the Modem:

  • Ensure the Modem is upright, on a stable, flat surface and in a position where its air vents are unobstructed. (Note: avoid placing the Modem in direct sunlight or near sources of heat).

To Choose the Best Location for the Antenna:

Ensure the Antenna is:

  • Indoors
  • Near an outside entrance or window that faces the direction of the nearest tower
  • As high off the floor as possible A minimum of 8 inches or 20 cm from 'persons'.

Step 2: Connecting the Components:

Figure 3: Intallation Chart

1. Finger-tighten the antenna cable (the 'gold' colored connector) onto the corresponding 'gold colored' connector at the back of the Modem (see Figure 3 Step 1).

DO NOT over tighten or use wrenches or pliers to tighten.

WARNING: You must connect the antenna to the modem FIRST, before operating the system. Failure to do so may result in permanent equipment damage.
2. Connect the DC power cable (from the Power Supply) to the Modem (See Figure 3 Step 2).

3. Connect the AC-power cord between the AC/DC adapter (Power Supply) and the other end plugs into the AC outlet (power bar versus a wall plug) (See Figure 3 Step 3). Your Modem will power-up. There is no ON/OFF switch on the modem.

Note: To avoid potential damage to the Modem components in the event of a power surge, use a 'power bar' with surge protection (instead of connecting the AC-power cord directly into a wall plug (AC outlet).

Step 3: Testing the Modem and Antenna positioning:

Once you connect the power, check the Light (LED) indicators on the front of the Modem to ensure that your Modem is functioning properly and receiving an adequate signal (See Figure 4).

There are three lights including:

  1. Power Light (LED)
  2. Signal Strength Light (LED)
  3. User Connectivity Light (LED)

The middle light (Signal Strength LED) will start to flash on the Modem. An optimum signal is a 'FAST' flashing light indicating a good signal strength. To test this, move the Antenna (not the Modem) around the room or window (with the 'curved side' pointed towards the nearest tower location), until the middle green light on the Modem is blinking rapidly. Once found, this is where you should mount the Antenna.

Figure 4: Modem Lights (LEDs)

Step 4: Mounting the Antenna:

1. Thread the pre-attached Antenna Cable through the guides in the back of the antenna bracket if required. Note: Bending the Antenna Cable too sharply can degrade the Modem performance. Never allow less than a 0.5 inch bend radius. If a quarter (25 cent piece) fits into the curve, the bend is acceptable.

Antenna Mount Guidlines:

Suction Cups Use on a flat, smooth surface such as glass, plastic, laminates or metal. Remove all grease, oil and dirt before securing Antenna Bracket with suction cups.
Drywall Plugs Use on all commercial drywall and other plaster surfaces
Screws Use on hardwood surfaces

2. Insert the suction cups or screws into the base of the antenna bracket then mount the bracket onto the desired surface. Note: If you mount your antenna bracket on a vertical surface, orient the bracket so the 'Spring Clip' is closest to the ceiling (See Figure 5).

Figure 5: Antenna Bracket Components

Surface Mounting Options:

Side Mount Mount the antenna on a wall, window, window frame or solid furniture with spring clip side closest to the ceiling.
Top Mount Hang the antenna from a ceiling or the shelf of a bookcase
Bottom Mount Mount the antenna on a solid furniture (i.e. desk or shelf) or on a window sill.
WARNING: The antennas for the Modem must be fix-mounted indoors to provide a separation distance of 20 cm or more from all persons to satisfy FR exposure requirements. The distance is measured from the front of the antenna to the human body. It is recommended that the antenna be installed in a location with minimal pathway disruption by nearby persons.

 

3. Position the antenna in the bracket according to one of the configurations shown above.

Note: The 'silver sticker' marked 'BACK' on the top side of the Antenna indicates the top position of the Antenna and MUST be mounted accordingly (not towards the floor or sideways).

 

 

 

4. Click and lock the antenna in place (on the bracket). For maximum signal reception, ensure that the 'concave' surface of the antenna points toward the nearest Tower and the 'trough' of the inset wave points towards the floor and again, the sticker is towards the top.

Note: The location, position and orientation of the antenna affects the strength and stability of your Internet connection. Pointing the antenna at buildings or other obstacles often impedes communications but some surfaces may provide desirable 'signal bounce'. For optimal signal strength, try various positions before fix-mounting your antenna.

Step 5: Completing the installation:

1. Attach your 'Crossover Ethernet Cable' to the Ethernet Port on your Modem (See Figure 3 Step 4) then attach the other end to your Ethernet Port on your computer.

Note: If you do not have an Ethernet Port on your computer, you may need to purchase an Ethernet card, available at any local computer store.

2. Once the modem is installed ensure that the settings for your computer have been changed:

Incoming Mail Server (POP 3) mail.recn.ca
Outgoing Mail Server (SMTP Authenticated) mail.recn.ca
Domain Name recn.ca
Email Address yourloginID@recn.ca
Primary, Secondary DNS and IP Address DHCP assigned*
* DHCP assigned means it is automatically assigned when you turn on your computer, after your wireless modem has been installed and your account set-up. No manual setting is required.

If you have any questions, please contact 1-866-679-3813 or email: support@recn.ca for assistance.

Step 6: Troubleshooting:

Q: I cannot receive a signal no matter where I place the antenna. What do I do?

A. Move the antenna outside and check the signal strength Light (middle light of the three lights) on the Modem.

  • If you are receiving a strong signal, then your modem and antenna are both functioning properly. To improve your reception indoors, choose a better antenna location (see sections on choosing and testing Antenna)
  • If no signal is detected, even after you point the Antenna towards the nearest Tower, then your Modem is either not functioning properly or you may require an outdoor antenna to receive an adequate signal at your location. Contact the office for more information at 956-2220 or Technical Support at 1-866-679-3813

Q: I've found a great location for the antenna but it's far away from my computer. As a result, I can't connect the antenna, Modem and my computer with the cables included in the kit. What can I do to solve this problem?

A. To connect the antenna cable, place the Modem closer to the antenna. Then use a longer 'crossover' Ethernet Cable to connect the Modem to your Computer.

(Note: The use of a longer crossover Ethernet Cable has no effect on network performance if you use a good quality cable and the cable is less than 100 metres.

Q: My Modem keeps shutting off automatically. How can I prevent this?

A. Your unit may be overheating due to inadequate ventilation. Lightly touch the casing of the modem. If the casing is hot, find a new location where the Modem can stand upright and away from other objects that may block airflow through the vents. If these measures have no effect, discontinue using the Modem and contact Technical Support at 1-866-679-3813.

Ragged Edge Community Network (RECN)
Box 458, #8 - 311 Hemlock Street
Port McNeill, British Columbia
V0N 2R0