The Mounting Process
Note: The mounting process might differ slightly depending on the model of MIMO-3 antenna you’ve chosen. See the user guides and navigate to:
Download Resources > Product Documentation > quick-guide > mimo-series
Choose Your Mounting Surface
The first thing to do is to choose your mounting surface. Since it’s recommended to mount the antenna as high up as possible, with clear line of sight to the sky, you’ll be mounting the antenna on the roof of your vehicle.
However, the position on the roof is important. You don’t want to position the antenna too near to any heat sources and, since you’ll be drilling through the roof panel, you don’t want to choose a point where the panel is too deep, or where cables or wiring run through.
Datasheets specify mounting on a surface no more than 50-60mm thick. This is because the threaded spigots you’ll be passing through need to be clamped from the inside with the supplied plastic nut.
Before getting to work, decide which of the supplied methods you’ll use to secure your antenna to the roof of your vehicle. You can use the six magnets if the roof of your vehicle is magnetic, the six adhesive foam pads, or the six screws.
Get Drilling
If you decide on screwing the antenna down, you’ll need to drill six holes in the roof of your vehicle in addition to the centre hole the antenna cable will pass through.
Use the printable drill template and place some masking tape down on the points you’ll be drilling to give your drill bit some grip. Drill a pilot hole first, then a full-sized hole.
If you’re using the magnets, you’ll need to screw these into the base of the antenna first.
No matter which method you’ve chosen, thoroughly clean the mounting surface where you’ll be placing the antenna to maximise the efficacy of the adhesive seal.
Mount the Antenna
With holes drilled and surface prepared, attach the correct-sized spigot for the depth of the mounting surface to the underside of the antenna. Each model is supplied with a couple of different sizes, but the maximum surface depth is 60mm, so be aware of this before you start drilling into anything deeper.
Inside the Vehicle
From the inside of the vehicle, feed the cables through the hole and the plastic nut and screw this nut onto the spigot.
If screwing the antenna to the roof, use the additional six screws now to secure the antenna from the inside.
Finally, direct the cables to your mobile router and tidy them.
Quick Reference
- Mount on roof, as high as possible, with clear line of sight to sky.
- Surface no thicker than 50-60mm.
- Attach masking tape to the area for your drill bit to grip.
- Check drill hole diameters in model user guide
- Use the printable drill template to map out and drill the holes.
- If using magnets, screw these in, or attach the adhesive foam pads.
- Thoroughly clean the surface before placing the antenna to ensure a good seal.
- Feed the cables and the spigot through the hole and press down to activate the adhesive seal.
FAQs/Concerns About Mounting Your Antenna
I’ve drilled holes in the roof of my motorhome. Will it leak?
Poynting’s MIMO-3 antennas are covered with EPDM foam across their mounting surface.
EPDM foam is extremely weather-resistant and its structure gives it airtight and watertight properties. This makes it an excellent sealant.
Coupled with the strong adhesive, Poynting MIMO-3 antennas will create an airtight and watertight seal with the roof of your vehicle.
The antenna itself is IP68 rated, meaning it is proofed against water ingress for a minimum of 30 minutes while submerged at a depth of 1.5 metres.
For these reasons, so long as you prepare the mounting surface properly by cleaning and drying it well before mounting, the sealant should take perfectly well. Of course, if mounting on an uneven surface, this will disrupt the seal.
Poynting antennas are robust products favoured in the industry for mining, marine and commercial automotive applications. These antennas are built to last and have been rigorously tested!
I’m not convinced the antenna will attach securely enough.
Multiple methods of mounting the antenna are supplied in the box, including magnets, adhesive pads and screws. While the adhesive pads should be enough in the majority of cases, the magnets and screws will be more secure.
The antenna will be subject to extreme weather. Is this ok?
Poynting’s MIMO-3 antennas are IP68 rated.
IP codes are a standard aimed at giving consumers a fair appraisal at the level of relative waterproofing and dust protection.
An IP68 rating means the MIMO-3s are dust resistant and can be immersed in water up to 1.5 metres for at least 30 minutes.
This means you can trust the antennas to be capable of withstanding heavy rain and snow. What’s more, the antennas are capable of withstanding up to 220km/h winds and have an IK10 impact rating, making them incredibly robust and capable of surviving strong gales.
Won’t I void my vehicle warranty?
Yes, you will void the warranty of your vehicle if you drill holes in its roof.
So long as you prepare well before installing the antenna and follow the user guide for your model, though, the installation process is simple and doesn’t require any special training to perform.
A proper installation should also increase the value for the right buyer if you seek to sell the vehicle in the future.
Why Mount an Antenna To Your Motorhome?
Installing an antenna like the MIMO-3-15 V2 to the roof of your motorhome or campervan will give you a strong, stable mobile broadband connection almost anywhere.
Depending on the model you choose, your antenna will also strengthen and stabilise the WiFi signal broadcasting across a campsite when you stop off overnight. With the -15 and -17 models, GPS/GLONASS is included too for satellite positioning if you lose all other means of identifying your location.
Buy your Poynting antenna or mobile router from NetXL today and get started with upgrading your mobile broadband experience.
