Wireless Antennas & Radios for Surveillance Networks

Plan Your Deployment

Select antenna gain and pattern for required coverage area and link distance
Confirm frequency band compatibility with your wireless radios
Plan pole mounting, grounding, and lightning protection

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Cradlepoint

SKU: 170900-011

Cradlepoint Inc 170900-011 5G Captive Modem Accessory

Outdoor 5G captive modem accessory for Cradlepoint wireless platforms
$3,747.00 $3,438.99 Save $308.01

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Cradlepoint

SKU: 170900-020

Cradlepoint Inc 170900-020 5G Modem Indoor Accessory

5G modem accessory for W1850-5GC enterprise branch connectivity
$1,349.00 $1,237.99 Save $111.01

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Cradlepoint

SKU: 170900-022

Cradlepoint Inc 170900-022 5G Captive Modem Accessory

5G captive modem accessory for Cradlepoint mobile & IoT networks
$1,050.00 $963.99 Save $86.01

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Cradlepoint

SKU: 170907-000

Cradlepoint Inc 170907-000 Cellular Antenna SMA

SMA cellular antenna for Cradlepoint W1855 router deployments
$90.00 $89.99 Save $0.01

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Cradlepoint

SKU: 170923-000

Cradlepoint Inc 170923-000 Cellular Antenna SMA Charcoal

Industrial SMA cellular antenna for Cradlepoint gateways and RF systems
$17.99

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Cradlepoint

SKU: TAA-170765-000

Cradlepoint Inc TAA-170765-000 Cellular Antenna White Mini

TAA-compliant mini cellular antenna for Cradlepoint routers
$15.99

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Cradlepoint

SKU: TAA-170801-000

Cradlepoint Inc TAA-170801-000 Cellular Antenna Charcoal

TAA-compliant cellular antenna with SMA connector for government deployments
$17.99

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Digi International

SKU: A08-HASM-560

Digi International A08-HASM-560 868 MHz Half-Wave Antenna

868 MHz half-wave antenna for Digi wireless modules and gateways
$14.99

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Digi International

SKU: A09-HASM-7

Digi International A09-HASM-7 900 MHz 6 Half-Wave Antenna

900 MHz 6 half-wave antenna for industrial IoT wireless modules
$23.99 $22.99 Save $1.00

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Digi International

SKU: A09-HSM-7

Digi International A09-HSM-7 900 MHz Antenna 2.1 DBI

900 MHz antenna with 2.1 dBi gain for industrial wireless systems
$23.99 $22.99 Save $1.00

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Digi International

SKU: A09-Y8NF

Digi International A09-Y8NF 900 MHz Yagi Antenna 8.1 dBi

900 MHz directional Yagi for point-to-point long-range coverage
$123.99 $117.99 Save $6.00

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i-PRO

SKU: IPS-ICV-ANT-900WM

i-PRO Antenna FOR 900 MHZ Wireless MIC Dock - IPS-ICV-ANT-900WM
- 900 MHz band resists congestion and penetrates vehicle structures better than 2.4 GHz.
- Omni-directional pattern delivers predictable RF coverage around the patrol vehicle.
- Standard SMA connector enables direct dock installation with no adapter hardware required.
$72.00 $69.99 Save $2.01

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i-PRO

SKU: IPS-ICV-ANT1W-BK

I-pro ICV Round Antenna 1 Wifi-sma Connector - IPS-ICV-ANT1W-BK
$115.00 $100.99 Save $14.01

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i-PRO

SKU: ARB-BWCBLANT-BLM

i-PRO LOW Profile Blade Type Antenna. - ARB-BWCBLANT-BLM
- Blade form factor minimizes visual profile on walls, poles, and masts.
- Low-profile design reduces wind loading versus traditional whip or dipole antennas.
- Engineered for i-PRO wireless camera systems requiring external antenna connectivity.
$85.00 $84.99 Save $0.01

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NETGEAR

SKU: 6000451-10000S

NETGEAR 6000451-10000S 3/4/5G Mobile MIMO Antenna
$85.33 $57.99 Save $27.34

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NETGEAR

SKU: ANT2511AC-10000S

NETGEAR ANT2511AC-10000S Dual Band 802.11AC Antenna
$24.99 $16.99 Save $8.00

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What to Look For When Buying

The decisions that matter most before you spec.

Wireless Backhaul Capacity vs. Camera Bitrate

Antenna gain and radio throughput must exceed your total camera bitrate by 30–50% to avoid packet loss during motion events. Network core collapse often stems from undersized wireless links; calculate your peak concurrent bitrate across all cameras before selecting radio frequency and antenna gain.

Frequency Band & Regulatory Compliance

2.4 GHz and 5 GHz unlicensed bands are common but congested; 900 MHz and licensed cellular (LTE/4G) offer better isolation. Verify FCC, ISED (Canada), and local spectrum rules for your deployment region and antenna type.

Line-of-Sight & Fresnel Zone Clearance

Directional antennas demand clear sight lines; even partial obstructions degrade signal. Use Fresnel zone calculators to ensure 60%+ clearance between transmit and receive antenna. Multi-site deployments often fail when Fresnel zones are blocked by terrain or structures.

Antenna Gain, Beamwidth & Coverage Pattern

Higher gain (dBi) increases range but narrows beamwidth, requiring precise alignment. Omnidirectional antennas sacrifice range for ease of deployment in mobile or mesh topologies. Mismatch between antenna type and network topology wastes installation labor and RF budget.

Environmental Ratings & Cable Loss

Outdoor antennas must meet IP67 ratings and withstand wind load (MPH). Long cable runs (>50 ft) introduce significant loss at high frequencies; use low-loss LMR-400 or equivalent, and mount amplifiers near the antenna when possible. Power delivery to remote radio sites requires careful PoE or DC planning.

Integration with Existing Radio & Gateway Hardware

Antennas must match the connector type and frequency band of your radio (N-type for high-power, SMA for compact modules). Cross-reference routers and gateways specifications to confirm compatible antenna ports and performance curves.

Technology Stack

The specs and acronyms that actually affect antennas & radios performance.

Gain (dBi)

Decibels relative to an isotropic radiator; higher gain extends range but narrows beamwidth. Typical directional antennas range 12–24 dBi; omnidirectional 5–10 dBi. Doubling gain (~3 dB) roughly doubles effective range, but increases alignment sensitivity.

Beamwidth (degrees)

The angular width of the antenna's main lobe; narrower beamwidth (10–30°) concentrates RF energy but requires precise aim. Wide beamwidth (90–360°) covers larger areas with less precision but lower effective range and susceptibility to interference.

Frequency Band & Channel Width

2.4 GHz and 5 GHz (WiFi), 900 MHz (license-free long-range), and licensed cellular (LTE/4G/5G). Wider channels (20, 40, 80 MHz) support higher data rates but are more susceptible to interference; confirm local regulatory approval and existing RF congestion.

Polarization (V, H, Dual)

Vertical or horizontal antenna orientation; cross-polarization rejection improves interference immunity. Dual-polarity antennas increase capacity in point-to-multipoint networks but require compatible transceivers at both ends.

Return Loss & VSWR

Measures how well the antenna is impedance-matched to the radio (coax). VSWR <2:1 is acceptable; >3:1 indicates poor match and signal loss. Bad connectors or weather-damaged coax degrade VSWR and reduce effective range and bitrate.

Wind Load & Mounting Torque

Rated in mph or kg; excessive wind load on an antenna can topple a pole or bend a bracket. Verify mounting hardware torque specs and confirm pole diameter and material match antenna load rating, especially in coastal or high-elevation sites.

Typical Deployment Scenarios

Multi-Site Campus Backhaul (3 buildings, 200–500 m apart)

Deploy three directional antennas (18–24 dBi) on roof-mounted poles with N-type connectors and LMR-400 coax to Ubiquiti point-to-point radio modules. Use RF amplifiers if cable runs exceed 75 ft. Pair with power supplies for PoE injection to remote sites; include weatherproof surge protection and grounding per incident resilience standards.

Cellular Gateway with Backup LTE Antenna

Install omnidirectional 5–7 dBi cellular antenna on a Cradlepoint or Digi International gateway (SMA connector, dual-pol if available). Mount on building exterior or vehicle roof; pair with adhesive mounting pad or magnet base. Include low-loss coax (RG-195 or better) and clip-down hardware for wind resistance. Use gateway failover logic to switch to cellular when primary backhaul fails.

Mesh Network for Mobile Command Post (5–8 nodes)

Deploy omnidirectional antennas across five vehicle-mounted radios operating at 5 GHz. Each node requires SMA connectors, 5–8 dBi gain, and dual-polarization support for mesh stability. Integrate with managed switches and UPS at each node to ensure mesh cohesion under power interruption or vehicle movement.

Long-Distance Point-to-Point Camera Feed (1–3 km)

Pair two high-gain directional antennas (20–24 dBi, 10–15° beamwidth) with professional-grade Ubiquiti or microwave radio transceivers. Use N-type connectors and low-loss hardline or LMR-600 coax. Calculate Fresnel zone clearance and confirm line-of-sight with GPS surveying. Add RF amplifiers if terrain dictates losses >40 dB; include surge arrestors and grounding rods at both ends per grounding best practices.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between directional and omnidirectional antennas for surveillance?

Directional antennas focus RF energy in one direction (12–24 dBi gain), extending range but requiring precise alignment—ideal for point-to-point backhaul between buildings. Omnidirectional antennas radiate equally in all horizontal directions (5–10 dBi), simplifying deployment in mesh or mobile topologies but sacrificing range. Choose directional for fixed, long-distance links; omnidirectional for flexibility and multi-direction coverage.

How do I calculate if my antenna is strong enough for my wireless backhaul?

Use the Friis transmission equation or a free online RF path loss calculator (input frequency, distance, antenna gains, and cable loss). Ensure your link margin is +10 dB or higher to account for weather, interference, and aging components. As a rule, every 6 dB of gain roughly doubles your effective range. If your bitrate + overhead exceeds the radio's throughput, no antenna will fix it; upgrade the radio or add repeaters.

What connector types should I use, and are they interchangeable?

SMA is common for compact modules and low-power applications (<20 W); N-type handles higher power (>20 W) and weather better. BNC is legacy but still used in some industrial radios. Adapters exist but introduce loss and reflections; match connector types directly when possible. Always verify your radio's connector spec before purchasing an antenna.

Do I need a license to operate wireless antennas on my property?

Unlicensed ISM bands (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 900 MHz) don't require an FCC license but must follow power limits and equipment certification. Licensed cellular (LTE/4G) and other spectrum require carrier contracts or specific licenses. Verify FCC Part 15 (unlicensed) or Part 90 (licensed) compliance for your antenna and radio combination. Contact your local regulatory body or a spectrum consultant for multi-state deployments.

How much signal loss does antenna cable introduce, and when should I use amplifiers?

Loss increases with frequency and cable length: RG-58 loses ~1 dB per 100 ft at 2.4 GHz; LMR-400 loses ~0.6 dB per 100 ft; LMR-600 (hardline) ~0.3 dB per 100 ft. Use low-loss cable (LMR-400 or better) for runs >50 ft. If your path loss calculation exceeds your radio's maximum allowed, consider a low-noise amplifier near the antenna or relocate the radio closer to the antenna feedpoint.

What environmental factors damage antennas and how do I protect them?

UV exposure, salt spray, moisture ingress, and wind load degrade performance over 3–5 years. Use IP67-rated antennas with sealed connectors; apply UV-resistant coatings if needed. Inspect connectors annually for corrosion; apply dielectric grease before reconnecting. Ensure mounting hardware torque matches load ratings—loose bolts cause RF reflections and mechanical failure. Surge arrestors and grounding rods protect equipment from lightning; bond all antenna masts to facility ground and use low-impedance earth rods.

Antennas & Radios

Plan Your Deployment

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What to Look For When Buying

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