Waveform The Grid Parabolic Antenna Instruction Manual
- June 12, 2024
- WAVEFORM
Table of Contents
Waveform The Grid Parabolic Antenna
Product Information
The Grid Parabolic Antenna, also known as Griddy, is a high-gain directional antenna designed to improve signal strength and quality for cellular communication. It is ideal for use with hotspots orboosters to enhance network connectivity.
Griddy features an adjustable feedhorn that allows users to optimize performance for specific frequencies. With four different positions available, users can select the desired position to achieve a few extra dB of gain at a particular frequency.
It is possible to use multiple Griddys for MIMO (Multiple-Input Multiple- Output) setups. By cross-polarizing the antennas and spacing them accordingly, users can benefit from improved data transfer rates and overall network performance.
Product Usage Instructions
- Assembling Griddy:
- Bring the two halves of Griddy together with the tabs overlapping.
- Check tab alignment. Excess pressure indicates incorrect alignment.
- Secure the two halves with bolts in the four outer holes. The heads of the bolts should face inward.
- Slide the feedhorn’s pigtail through the center hole of the grid and insert four bolts through the feedhorn and grid.
- Place the rotational L-bracket over the bolts and pigtail. Tighten the feedhorn, grid, and bracket together with four nuts.
- Loosely attach the U-bolt and toothed bracket to the L-bracket as shown.
- Slide the assembled antenna, bracket, and U-bolt over your mast and tighten the U-bolts firmly.
- If cross-polarization is required, loosen the screw on the rotational mount and tighten it again afterwards.
- Aiming Griddy at Cell Towers:
- Start by using a lower gain directional antenna to scan for the general direction with the best signal strength and quality.
- Once the approximate direction is found, fine-tune with Griddy by adjusting a couple of degrees at a time.
- Ensure Griddy is accurately aimed at the signal source for optimal performance.
- Using two or four Griddys for MIMO:
- If using two Griddys for 2×2 MIMO, loosen the screw on the rotational bracket and pivot the antennas 45 degrees from vertical in opposite directions to cross-polarize them.
- Space the antennas horizontally or vertically with a few inches between the grids.
- If creating a 4×4 MIMO setup with four Griddys, space two pairs of cross-polarized Griddys a few feet apart.
Contact Information
If you have any questions or need further assistance, please reach out to our support team:
- Phone: 800-761-3041
- Email: help@waveform.com
- Website: waveform.com
In the Box
- 2x halves of the Grid Reflector
- 1x Feedhorn
- 1x Reinforced Rotational L-Bracket
- Assorted bolts, washers, and clamps
- Optional parts included with kit only:
- 1x 30 ft RS400 coaxial cable
- 1x TS9, 1x SMA & 1x U.FL pigtail adapter
Assembling Griddy
Assembling Griddy should only take a couple minutes. All you need is a 10mm
wrench or pliers. Follow the step by step guide below, and reach out to us if
you’re unsure about anything.
- Bring the two halves together with the tabs overlapping.
- Check tab alignment. Excess pressure indicates they are incorrectly aligned.
- With the tabs aligned, secure the two halves with bolts in the four outer holes. The heads of the bolts should face inward.
- Slide the feedhorn’s pigtail through the center hole of the grid, and insert 4 bolts through the feedhorn and grid
- Place the rotational L-bracket over the bolts and pigtail. Tighten the feedhorn, grid and bracket together with 4 nuts.
- Loosely attach the U-bolt & toothed bracket to the L-bracket as shown.
- Slide the assembled antenna, bracket and U-bolt over your mast, and tighten the U-bolts firmly.
- If you need to cross-polarize the antenna, loosen the screw on the rotational mount. Tighten again afterwards
Well done! Your Griddy should now be assembled! See the other side of this page for directions on aiming.
Pro Tips
- Make sure the feedhorn is aligned vertically, with the indicator arrow pointing upwards.
- While testing different antenna positions, try marking Griddy’s mounting pole with a marker or tape to act as a reference.
- Make sure to ground your antenna and the mast it’s mounted to in case of lightning storm. Learn more at waveform.com/grounding
- Line of sight to the signal source is crucial. If there is a tree line, try to get above it where possible. Use cellmapper.net to find your nearest tower for reference.
- If you need help or aren’t getting the results you expect, please reach out to us. We love solving tricky signal situations!
Griddy’s Feedhorn Depth Selection
Need a few extra dB of gain at a specific frequency? Griddy’s adjustable
feedhorn allows you to select from one of four positions to optimize
performance for a specific frequency. Just slide the inner tube out until the
relevant hole (labeled 1 – 4 below) aligns with the pin hole on the outer tube
.
- Use a flat tool to remove the pins on both sides.
- Slide the feedhorn’s pinhole to the position required and reinsert the pins.
Aiming Griddy at Cell Towers
Griddy has a very narrow beamwidth. That means it works best when it’s aimed exactly in the direction of the signal source. Being off by just a few degrees can have a dramatic impact on your signal.
- Start by using a lower gain directional antenna (like our Log Periodic Antenna) to scan for the general direction with the best signal strength (RSRP) and quality (SINR) as measured by your hotspot or booster.
- Once you’ve found the approximate direction, fine-tune with Griddy by adjusting a couple degrees at a time. Even a 1°- 2° difference in direction can make a huge difference to signal strength and quality, so aim accurately!
Aiming Griddy accurately can take patience, but it’s worth the effort to get it right. Reach out to us if you need help!
Using two or four Griddys for MIMO
- If you’re using two Griddys for 2×2 MIMO, loosen the screw on the rotational bracket and pivot the antennas 45 degrees from vertical in opposite directions to “cross-polarize” them, like in the diagram on the right.
- You can space the antennas horizontally or vertically with a few inches between the grids – whichever is easiest for your installation.
- If you’re creating a 4×4 MIMO setup with four Griddys, space two pairs of cross-polarized Griddys a few feet apart.
Aiming Griddy
Aiming Griddy for Point-to-Point WiFi
Griddy works great as a WiFi point-to-point antenna! Again, we only recommend
using Griddy if you have clear line of-sight between the two points. If you
can see the target antenna, then allign them first by eye, before moving on to
fi ne-tuning. Even a 1°- 2° variance can make a huge difference, so aim
accurately.
Questions? Need help? Call 1-800-761-3041, or email help@waveform.com
Griddy is designed, sold, and supported by Waveform and our team of Signal
Specialists. We’ve installed hundreds of these antennasourselves, and can help
fine-tune your installation for the best results.
We love helping solve tricky install problems, so please reach out!
Need Help? Call us at 800-761-3041, email us at help@waveform.com, or book a meeting with our support team at waveform.com/meet. We’re available from 9am-5pm PT, Monday to Friday!
References
- Cellular Tower and Signal Map
- Waveform - The Cell Signal Specialists
- How to Ground a Rooftop Signal Booster or DAS Antenna