Category: Technology

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Technology

DIY Wall Mount for Ubiquiti APs

This project started out with a need to relocate two wireless access points at the church.  While there are some right-angle brackets from Oberon and others that will fit a UAP-AC-LITE, most of them cost nearly as much as the AP itself.

After looking at some templates for 3D printing, I decided instead to cut one out of a piece of 1 x 4 pine that I had on hand.  It turned out the top hole was unnecessary since it ended up getting covered by the mounting plate.  The second, wider hole is where the network cable will pass through to attach to the AP.

I used a simple metal bracket from the hardware store to be able to attach it to the wall.

The mounting plate was attached with screws.  I used some small washers to give extra space between the plate and the wood which will make it easier to attach the AP when installing it.

Though not as nice looking as a professional (or 3D printed) mount, it does the job.  When it’s mounted about 8-feet up on the wall, it will blend into the background nicely.

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Mounting a Ubiquiti Wireless Access Point

A Ubiquiti wireless access point (WAP) comes with good instructions on how to install in a drop-ceiling tile or on a wall, but most home installations are going to be on drywall.  My guess is most installers figure it out pretty quickly, but for those who are like me and would like an example before trying it themselves, here are my steps.

I selected a location in the hallway and marked about center between the walls.  I used the mounting plate to make the location of the anchors and then drilled out the four holes.  I used 1-inch (25 mm) long #6 screws and #6 plastic drywall anchors.

The hole for the network cable is 1 inch (25 mm) away from one of the mounting holes like the instructions specify.  I started with a 1/2-inch (12 mm) hole for the Cat 6 cable, but ended up widening one side with a knife so the WAP would lay flat against the ceiling as I latched it to the mounting plate.

I have experimented with other mounting methods, including using the provided bolts and plate that is intended for mounting on ceiling tile.  I don’t recommend it, you will end up crawling up in the attic and digging through insulation to attach the tiny nuts to those bolts… completely unnecessary since none of the WAP’s from Ubiquiti exceed the weight limits of these small drywall anchors.

Ubiquiti UAP-AC-LR
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Technology

Homemade Cat 5 Jig

Last week I was redoing some networking for the new church building and was going to need to punch down a number of jacks. So that Saturday I built a jig out of scraps. My goal was to make it easier to hold the jack and cable in place and to have something solid to punch against. I succeeded fairly well, even if it’s not much to look at.