Is buysing external antenna required for AIR-AP1230A & B?

[sheidelbach]

I just went through the configuration checker for a Cisco Aironet AP1230A-A-K9 and then for a AP1230B-A-K9. Both checked out the config as OK, but had a warning about Wireless product antennas. I'm hoping this means that an antenna is optional, but if I buy an antenna, the only officially supported ones are the ones listed here:

http://www.cisco.com/warp/customer/779/smbiz/wireless/approvals.html

Is that correct, or is buying an external antenna for both of these mandatory for them to be operational?

Thanks!

[#2]

Are you asking "Can the radios be damaged if they are operated without the antennas attached?"

If yes then some radio equipment manufacturers specifically warn against doing this because it will damage the transmitter. Most pieces of amateur or commercial radio equipment carry this warning because they operate at a much higher transmitter power. The reflected wave standing wave ratio (SWR) caused by a lack of a proper antenna or load can damage the final amplifier stage known as the power amplifier (PA).

[josrankin · Accepted solution]

Take a look at this link: http://www.cisco.com/warp/public/cc/pd/witc/ao1200ap/prodlit/2356_pp.htm

"The 2.4 GHz radios for 802.11b and 802.11g support a flexible set of Cisco Aironet omnidirectional and directional antennas that can be mounted on walls,

ceilings or on masts. The 2.4 GHz radio does not come with antennas; the antennas must be ordered separately. Note that the Cisco Aironet 1200 Series

access point is certified for operation only with Cisco Aironet antennas. To ensure regulatory compliance, select Cisco Aironet antennas for use with the 1200 Series access point.

The 5 GHz radio for the 802.11a is designed with an integrated diversity antenna system. Auxiliary 5 GHz antennas are not required and are not available."