How to Begin
There are a lot of articles written about how to do a wireless site survey, but from what I’ve seen they don’t give the real story as far as how to organize, and conceptualize the survey. I will take a modular approach to teaching this discipline which is a heterogeneous mix of physics, experience, and creativity.
Before you begin site survey you will need a survey kit. These kits vary in complexity and price but the most basic kit will have the following items:
Maps: Map of area to be surveyed.
* A large blueprint is useful for fine details
* You will need several 8’x10’ clipboard maps for notes related to finding at specific locales (a single map can be photocopied—copies can be handed out to people who work in the airspace that have specific problems or concerns).
* Softcopy is necessary for most survey software packages, reports
Laptop PC with Survey Software
* You will need a survey console. There are many survey tools out there these days at this writing the defacto standard is AirMagnet.
* Several wireless NIC cards that operate in the radio bands that you are surveying (each card views elements such as signal-to-noise, roaming, signal strength a bit differently. Many survey products load proprietary firmware drivers for each specific card so that it has more precise control of the card.
Digital Camera, notebook, 100’ tape measure.
* You will need to take accurate notes for future reference.
This is the very least you will need to conduct a wireless site survey.
There are several commercial survey kits on the market that have components such as Access Points, and different types of Antennas (to play ‘what ifs’), and other tools to help aid the surveyor. If you have the budget for one of these kits (that often come in travel ready flight-cases), they are recommended; they will give you additional options, views, and abilities for conducting a survey.
Don't think however that you need to spend tens of thousands in surveying equipment in order to to an accurate and meaningful wireless survey. The most vital piece of equipment is your intellect.
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