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220-1201 Practice Question: A technician is deploying a point-to-point…
A technician is deploying a point-to-point wireless bridge between two buildings 500 meters apart. The link must support at least 1 Gbps throughput. Both buildings have clear line of sight. Which antenna type and frequency combination is most appropriate?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common trap in CompTIA A+ is assuming that 2.4 GHz is always better for long distances due to lower attenuation, but for high-throughput point-to-point links, 5 GHz with high-gain directional antennas (like parabolic dishes) is required to achieve gigabit speeds. 2.4 GHz lacks sufficient channel bandwidth and is more prone to interference.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Parabolic dish antennas on 5 GHz
A point-to-point bridge over 500 meters requiring 1 Gbps throughput needs high-gain, directional antennas and a frequency band with sufficient bandwidth. Parabolic dish antennas on 5 GHz provide the necessary high gain (typically 20-30 dBi) and utilize the wider 5 GHz channel bandwidth (up to 80 or 160 MHz) to achieve gigabit speeds, while maintaining a narrow beamwidth to focus the signal between the two buildings.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Omnidirectional antennas on 2.4 GHz
Why it's wrong here
Omnidirectional antennas radiate signal equally in all directions, which is highly inefficient for a point-to-point link as most of the energy is wasted. This broad radiation pattern significantly reduces the effective signal strength and range, making it impossible to establish a reliable 500-meter link capable of 1 Gbps. Furthermore, the 2.4 GHz band is highly congested and offers limited bandwidth, inherently restricting maximum achievable data rates.
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Yagi antennas on 2.4 GHz
Why it's wrong here
While Yagi antennas are directional and suitable for point-to-point applications, their use on the 2.4 GHz frequency band presents significant limitations. The 2.4 GHz spectrum is highly susceptible to interference from other devices like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and microwaves, and offers fewer non-overlapping channels. This congestion and the inherent lower bandwidth capacity of 2.4 GHz make achieving a sustained 1 Gbps data rate over 500 meters practically unfeasible.
- ✓
Parabolic dish antennas on 5 GHz
Why this is correct
Parabolic dish antennas are the optimal choice for long-distance, high-throughput point-to-point wireless bridges due to their extremely high gain and narrow beamwidth. This focused energy transmission ensures maximum signal strength and minimal interference over a 500-meter distance, crucial for maintaining a stable link. Coupled with the 5 GHz frequency band, which offers significantly more available bandwidth and less congestion than 2.4 GHz, achieving a 1 Gbps data rate becomes highly feasible.
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Patch antennas on 5 GHz
Why it's wrong here
Patch antennas are directional and operate on the less congested 5 GHz band, which is beneficial for higher data rates. However, for a demanding 500-meter link requiring 1 Gbps throughput, patch antennas typically offer insufficient gain and a broader beamwidth compared to parabolic dishes. This lower gain would likely result in a weaker signal-to-noise ratio, making it challenging to sustain the required high data rate reliably over the specified distance.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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