Q&A from April 2021 New Product Release Event

[Tom]

If you have missed the April 2021 Product Release Event or want to know what the Spanish language questions were about - here is a list of all questions asked with complete answers you might have wondered about yourself. 

Q1: Can we buy the new UBR mounts without having to replace current horns?
A1: As of now, we only sell UBR as a part of the package of the new asymmetrical horns - AH2030-TP, HG3-TP-A60-V2, HG3-TP-A90-V2, and UltraDish antennas. We might start selling them separately depending on the demand.

Q2: Is the new radome compatible with "old" UltraDish, ULD-TP-550? 
A2: No, the radome is compatible only with the new generation UltraDish 27 TP with product ID: UD-TP-27

Q3: What is the difference between UltraDish 27 (UD-TP-27) and StarterDish 27 UM?
A3: The differences between these dishes are:

1. UltraDish frequency range is 5180 - 6400 MHz, the StarterDish 27 UM has the range 5150 - 5950 MHz.
2. The Beam Efficiency (BE) of UltraDish is 61 %, StarterDish 42 %. BE is a measure of side lobes of an antenna - the higher it is, the better.
3. Radio interface - UltraDish has TwistPort, our proprietary waveguide port with near zero loss, impeccable user experience, and compatibility across all our TwistPort antennas. StarterDish has limited connectivity options, it is primarily meant for Mimosa and Ubiquiti waveguide radios, but it will connect to any radio with the optional STA-SMA adaptor with 2 RP-SMA connectors using coaxial cables which introduce additional loss.
4. Application scenarios - UltraDish is suitable for both, PTP and PTMP applications, due to its sturdy mount that withstands strong winds. StarterDish is suitable as a CPE only, since its mount is a basic V-bolt.
5. Mechanical design - UltraDish has sturdier construction and an excellent bracket called UBR that makes the installation very secure and robust. The StarterDish has a simple V-bolt bracket which is why it is suitable for CPE applications.

Q4: Will you release 30 or 34dB dishes?
A4: Higher gain dishes are in the works, once available, we will spread the news on our social media channels. 

Q5: How does the StarterHorn compare to a MimoTik horn?
A5: One major difference is that StarterHorn supports direct connection of UBNT waveguide radios, which the MimoTik horn does not. You can compare the specs in datasheets (StarterHorn, MimoTik), but so far we do not have a field report since StarterHorn is a new product.

Q6: Can we use all existing TwistPort adaptors with StarterDishes?
A6: No, StarterDishes and StarterHorn do NOT work with any TwistPort adaptor, since they are not part of the TwistPort ecosystem. Starter products are a completely separate product group with specific intended use.

Q7: Are the Starter antennas replacing the Carrier Class ones with two N-connectors?
A7: Not at all. Carrier Class antennas are a completely different product group not directly comparable to Starter antennas.

Q8: Will you make a new 2.4 GHz Array Sector? 
A8: Yes, we will, SOON™

Q9: Why not extend the lower frequency range of Starter products to start from 4.8 GHz?
A9: The frequency range of our antennas depends on the size of the waveguide. Changing its diameter, we could decrease the lowest frequency of operation, but at the same time, this would decrease the upper frequency limit. At the time of designing the antennas, we made a conscious choice of the waveguide dimension. While the design change is a real option, it would require major changes of the manufacturing process as well, so for now we keep the design fixed.

Q10: Are the Starter Antennas meant only for Mimosa and UBNT CPEs?
A10: No, StarterHorn connects to UBNT waveguide radios and any radio with coaxial output by default - everything is included in the package. 
StarterDish antennas connect to UBNT and Mimosa waveguide radios by default. Additionally, you can purchase the STA-SMA - an adapter with 2 RP-SMA connectors (the same that is part of the StarterHorn package) that lets you connect StarterDishes to any radio with coaxial output. 

Q11: How does the new UltraDish 27 (UD-TP-27) perform compared to the previous generation UltraDish 550 (ULD-TP-550) as far as gain and distance?
A11: The gain of both generations of dishes is identical so there is no difference in that sense.

Q12: When will the new products be available in Latin American countries?
A12: The new products will gradually reach our distributors in the Latin American region and the United States. Keep in touch with them about their availability. Here you have the list of distributors by country - https://rfelements.com/buy and you can also check our Stock Locator -. https://rfelements.com/stock-locator/
In Venezuela we still do not have an official presence. Please contact other distributors in the region.

Q13: Can you share the product availability slide again please? When will we have them available in Spain?
A13: You can check the recording at the time stamp 14:54 to see the slide.

Q14: What is the Beam efficiency of the starter dish compared to the ultra dish and in which scenarios can it be applied?
A14: The Beam Efficiency of the StarterDish is 28, 34, 42% for the 21, 24, 27 dBi models respectively. The StarterDish are perfect for CPE applications: due to their optimized radiation pattern the noise level is lower and therefore you can maximize the performance that the CPE radio can achieve.

Q15: Are there any improvements to environmental resistance of horns? Namely sea-side air and rust?
A15: We are working on an improvement in this aspect and we hope to have it available soon. Stay tuned to our social media channels!

Q16: Are these (Starter antennas) compatible with Altai super Wi-Fi radios?
A16: As long as they are on 5GHz, yes

Q17: Are the Carrier Class 2.4 GHz, 14 dBi Sector Antenna discontinued?
A17: No, there is a delay in production, but we will have them available soon and with news about improvements. Follow us on social media and YouTube to get the news as soon as they are released.

Q18: Is the radome also compatible with the Starterdish?
A18: No, only with the new generation 27 dBi UltraDish (UD-TP-27).

Q19: Hi, what are the benefits of using the radome on the UltraDish UD-TP-27?
A19: Better resistance to wind and changing weather conditions.

Q20: Do you have antennas for 802.11ax radios?
A20: All of our antennas work with 802.11ax radios in the 5 GHz unlicensed band.

Q21: Do you have a software to calculate the coverage when choosing among your antennas to decide which beam width should I use?
A21: Yes, our Link Calculator PTMP version - https://rfelements.com/calc/

Q22: Will the amount of purchased Starter products per customer be limited?
A22: No, you can buy as many as you want. But be aware of the limitations on Starter products compared to the TwistPort antennas:
The first big difference is that Starter antennas do not have a TwistPort. They are equipped with existing antenna interfaces, which support RP-SMA connection and all third party waveguide interfaces currently on the WISP market - Mimosa and UBNT. If you are firmly determined on the radio platform you are using, the great thing about Starter products is that you don't need to spend extra money on additional adapters. However, at the same time, your antenna investment remains locked on that particular radio interface.

Second, Starter products have limited scalability. We only offer four products and we plan to add a few more in the future. Although the scalability of the Starter products may be better than that of our competitors, it is still nothing compared to the variety and possibilities of our TP antennas. TwistPort represents the broadest and most scalable antenna toolset on the market.

Q23: With the new Starter Antennas, do you recommend protecting them with a layer of paint for areas near the Sea?
A23: An extra layer of paint never hurts. In datasheets of StarterDish series, for example, you may find the following warning: a hostile environment (coastal areas, smokestack fumes, chemical factories, volcanoes) can cause premature oxidation of the StarterDish ™ antenna body. For deployments in harsh environments, we recommend the use of UltraDish ™ antennas.

Q24: Why do you continue to sell 100 degree patch array antennas for a very noisy 5Ghz market knowing that they have a blind zone near the tower?
A24: There are scenarios where these antennas still do a good job - like rural flat-land areas with low customer density. The antenna toolbox we provide lets you choose the right antenna for any scenario.

Q25: Do the Starter Antennas work with Slant 45 polarization?
A25: No, only H + V.

Q26: I understand that both, new UltraDishes and Asymmetrical Horns have the new, robust mounting system, new packaging, etc. On top of the price, what would be the difference compared to the Starter products?
A26: The differences between the dishes are listed in Q3. With Symmetrical TP Horn Antennas and Starter Horn, the differences are:
Starter Horn does not have TwistPort and is not compatible with the TwistPort adaptors. Starter Horn frequency range is 5.1 to 6 GHz, TwistPort Horns work between 5.1 and 6.4 GHz - their band width is wider.  Radio Interface: Symmetrical TP Horns have TwistPort, our proprietary near-zero loss waveguide port, a flawless user experience, and compatibility across all of our TwistPort antennas. StarterHorn has limited connectivity options, it is primarily designed for connectorized radios with SMA output and Ubiquiti waveguide radios. Mechanical Design:Symmetrical TP Horns have stronger construction and excellent UBR bracket which makes the installation very safe and robust. The StarterHorn has a simple V-bolt bracket.

Q27: Are your AP antennas compatible with radios for which you do not have a TwistPort adaptor?
A27: Yes, any type 5 GHz radio can be used with any of our antennas.

Q28: Does Twisport introduce any loss? How does it compare to coaxial cables (pigtails)?
A28: TwistPort waveguide is a near-zero loss transmission line - the loss it introduces is practically not measurable, meaning extremely low. Compared to pigtails (coaxial cables), TwistPort can save as much as 3 dB of signal power, which is half of the signal power!

Q29: Will you have an antenna with Slant 45 polarization to make a PTP link with UBNT Airfiber radio?
A29: No, it's not on our roadmap at the moment.

Q30: Where can I check datasheets of the new products?
A30: Everything is in our download section - https://rfelements.com/marketing/product-files

Q31: What is the difference between the Symmetrical Horns with TwistPort (TP) and the Starter Horn in terms of performance?
A31: The Symmetrical Horns with TP support a wider frequency range, have a superior mounting system, and there are seven models to choose from making them extremely versatile. Starter products, either StarterDish or StarterHorn, are an entry antenna series to RF elements technology. Starter antennas offer the best RF performance and all essential functionality at a very competitive price. They are easy to use with the radio platform you already have. The Starter antennas support the SMA coaxial interface and also third-party waveguide connectors. They also have limitations though:
Starter Antennas do not have TwistPort! They are equipped with existing antenna interfaces, which support RP-SMA connection and all third party waveguide interfaces currently on the WISP market. So, if you are firmly determined on the radio platform you are using, the great thing about Starter products is that you don't need to spend extra money on additional adapters. However, at the same time, your antenna investment remains locked on that particular radio interface.
Starter products have limited scalability. We only offer four products and we plan to add a few more in the future. Although the scalability of the Starter products may be better than that of our competitors, it is still nothing compared to the variety and possibilities of our TP antennas. Twistport represents the broadest and most scalable set of antenna tools on the market.

Q33: Do you plan to manufacture a radio for 5GHz band?
A33: It is possible we will, yes!