Congratulations on your decision to subscribe to Fox Valley Internet’s Wireless Broadband Network! We’ve created this helpful guide to assist you throughout your Self-Install.

Terminology and Abbreviations

SMSubscriber Module(Antenna at your location)

APAccess Point (Antenna up on FVI’s Tower)

SSOutdoor Ethernet Surge Suppresser

PIPower Injector (Indoor Power Supply for SM)

NICNetwork Interface Card (Your network card)

LOSLine Of Sight (Clear, Unobstructed View)

Tools/Supplies You May Need

Standard and Philips screwdrivers, Nut Driver (7/16”), Drill (if necessary, or desirable, to make opening in building for wiring to pass through), Copper Grounding Wire (AWG 10 - for grounding the SS), sometimes 2” ‘Hose Clamps’ are used for mounting the SM

These components should be included in the kit:

1 Motorola Canopy Subscriber Module 900MHz

1 External Antenna (EA connected to SM))

1 Motorola Canopy Surge Suppresser (SS)

1 Motorola Canopy Power Injector (PI)

2 CAT5 Ethernet Network Cables of any combination

of 25’, 50’, or 75’ lengths.

The Equipment

Subscriber Module (SM)

The Canopy Subscriber Module is the ‘brains’ for the External Antenna. This is what sends and receives data to and from Fox Valley Internet’s Access Point (Transmission Tower).

Power Injector (PI)

The Power Injector is the power supply with an RJ45 plug / socket at the end of the cord. This will be plugged in near your computer or router. The Power Injector will send power up to the SM.

Surge Suppressor (SS)


Helps to protect the Motorola Canopy Subscriber Module from harmful electrical surges from inside and outside your home

CAT5 Ethernet Network Cables

There are 2 cables in the kit. One cable connects the Subscriber Module to the Surge Suppressor, and the other cable will connect the Surge Suppressor to the Power Injector.

Fox Valley Internet strongly advises against creating any new holes in your building. If you have determined it to be absolutely necessary, and only after you’ve verified that acceptable signal is achievable in your selected mounting location, take appropriate steps to seal openings.

Subscriber Module(SM) notes:

The SM should be mounted outside of your building. The external antenna (EA) must be mounted facing Fox Valley Internet’s AP(tower). The 900MHz SM does not need clear LOS to the AP. Ordinarily, trees, foliage, or nearby buildings (non-metal), will not affect the ability of the SM to communicate with the AP. The EA must be mounted upright ensuring ‘Horizontal Polarization’. A marking on the back of the EA is provided to help orient it correctly.

Surge Suppressor (SM) notes:


The SSmust be mounted outside the building, near a grounding rod. The grounding rod is sometimes near the box where the telephone or power wires enter your building.

Getting Ready for Install

Begin at your Computer

  1. Plug the Power Injector (PI) into at 120VAC-power plug near your computer or router.
  2. Plug the Male plug at the end of the PI cord in to your Network Interface Card (NIC) on your computer. If you are using a network router or switch, plug the Power Injector’s male plug into the Internet (WAN) or up-link port on your device. Plug one end of the supplied CAT5 cable in to the female end of the Power Injector plug.
  3. The bottom cover of the Canopy Subscriber Module is easily removed by depressing the release lever on the back of the cover. Carefully remove the bottom cover of the SM. See illustration on below.
  4. Plug the other end of the cable into the RJ45 Connector on the SM. Image to the right.
  5. The LED’s on the SM should initially light up steady, letting you know the SM has power and is starting up.
  6. After the cable is plugged in to your NIC and the SM for more than 30 seconds, the ‘Link’ light on your NIC should be on. Your NIC / Router and the SM are now able to communicate with each other. If your NIC or Router is not communicating, you need to verify that your configuration settings are correct. Check your network settings and make sure that TCP/IP is enabled and that ‘obtain IP address automatically’ is enabled (LAN Settings).
  7. For now, disconnect the CAT5 cable.

Outside Work

  1. Mount the Surge Suppressor near the grounding rod, normally located where your phone or electrical utilities enter your building. Use 10 AWG copper wire to connect from the grounding rod, to the grounding post (3) on the Surge Suppressor. Connect ground wire by wrapping it around the ground post (3) and tightening the locking nut. Consult National Electrical Code (NEC) and local electrical codes for exact specifications.
  2. Mount the SS upright (holes for cables on bottom). Be sure the cover is screwed on securely, to ensure no water enters the SS.
  3. Run a CAT5 cable from the SM to the SS (2) and another cable from the SS (2) to the Power Injector.
  4. Be sure the Power Injector is plugged in to your computer or router.
  5. Ensure that the Power Injector is plugged in to a 120VAC-power source.
  6. Take the SM outside and face the external antenna towards Fox Valley Internet's AP (tower).
  7. Temporarily install the SM and proceed to the next section where we will be taking you through the tuning of the SM.

Tuning

Hint: You may want to perform the tuning using either a laptop or using 2 people. Being able to move the SM while viewing the connection statistics speeds up the tuning process. Ensure your computer is setup for DHCP (obtain an IP address automatically).

  1. Open a web browser (IE, Firefox, Safari, etc.) and enter or in address field.
  2. Click ‘GO’ or press Enter and the Canopy Status Screen should be displayed.

  1. The numbers that are important now are the dBm and Jitter.
  • dBm (Decibel in Milliwatts)
  • You should have a dBm of –80 or higher

(-70 would be good, -60 better, -50 even better)

  • -81 dBm or lower may cause poor performance

(-85 dBm is ordinarily when the SM will lose registration with the AP. –90 dBm is too weak to register to the AP)

  • Jitter (Signal ‘Interference’)
  • Acceptable Jitter is between 0 – 4 consistently.
  • A Jitter of 4 that sometimes jumps to 5 is good.
  • Jitter readings of 5 or more may cause packet loss.
  • The ‘Canopy Status Screen’ web page will automatically refresh every 3 seconds.

  • (Press F5 repeatedly to refresh the page more often.)


  1. Watch the dBm while the external antenna is adjusted. Observe which way the dBm goes. If it goes lower (-80, -85), continue going that way till it starts to rise up (-70, -60, -50). At this point find the spot where the dBm is the best (between –80 and –35). After this check RSSI and Jitter to make sure they are under the acceptable limits. If you have a cellular or cordless phone, you may feel free to call Fox Valley Internet at (847) 742-4623 from your rooftop. We can visit the SM’s web page while you tweak the antenna, and we can work with you until the signal RSSI and Jitter are within acceptable limits.

Final Installation


Now that your signal is within acceptable limits, you can complete your permanent installation process.

  1. Ensure that the mast or mounting arm is vertical and that it is securely affixed so it can not sway or rotate in strong winds.
  2. Ensure that the CAT5 cable can not be blown around. When outdoor temperatures become very cold, the cables could become brittle, and be damaged as a result of wind blowing them around.
  3. Open your web browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, etc). The Welcome Screen should greet you. The Welcome Page will walk you through the final steps of your installation.
  4. If you need assistance call Fox Valley Internet Support at (847) 742-4623 – press 2 to reach Technical Support Directly.

Wireless Equipment

Self-Install Manual

(900MHz)

2585 Millennium Dr  Suite G

Elgin, Illinois 60124

t. 847-742-4623

f. 847-742-4212