Compact public address access point apparatuses

A method of making a public address from a wireless access point (AP), the method comprising:

• wirelessly transmitting a public address signal from a handheld device, wherein the public address signal is indicated for audio broadcast;
• receiving the public address signal at a compact public address AP apparatus;
• and
• emitting the public address signal as an audible signal from a speaker of the compact public address AP, wherein the speaker is mounted behind a housing of the AP, the housing enclosing an antenna and radio, so that the audible signal is projected from a front of the speaker and reflected from a conical acoustic reflector positioned between the front of the speaker and the housing of the AP so that the audible signal is directed out of an annular region surrounding the conical acoustic reflector and housing of the AP, wherein the annular region comprises a concave inner wall facing the conical acoustic reflector;
• wherein the compact public address AP apparatus concurrently connects a plurality of wireless devices to a network to which the radio of the compact public address AP is connected.

A method of installing a compact public address access point (AP), wherein the compact public address access point includes a speaker surrounded by a frame and an access point housing covering the speaker, further wherein the access point housing encloses a wireless radio and antenna configured to connect a plurality of wireless devices to a network, the method comprising:

• cutting a hole into a ceiling surface;
• releasing the access point housing from a speaker assembly of the compact public address access point to expose a conical acoustic reflector positioned between a front of the speaker and the housing of the AP and an annular region comprising a concave inner wall facing the conical acoustic reflector;
• connecting an Ethernet cable from the ceiling into a main port of the compact public address access point for connection to the network;
• adjusting a plurality of clamp brackets so that the compact public address AP is held within the hole when the clamp brackets hold the ceiling surface between the clamp bracket and the compact public address AP;
• and applying data and power through the Ethernet connection to the wireless radio and antenna of the AP.

A method of installing a compact public address access point (AP), wherein the compact public address access point includes a speaker surrounded by a frame and an access point housing covering the speaker, further wherein the access point housing encloses a wireless radio and antenna configured to connect a plurality of wireless devices to a network, the method comprising:

• placing a mounting template against a ceiling surface;
• cutting a hole into a ceiling surface;
• releasing the access point housing from a speaker assembly of the compact public address access point to expose a conical acoustic reflector positioned between a front of the speaker and the housing of the AP and an annular region comprising a concave inner wall facing the conical acoustic reflector;
• connecting an Ethernet cable from the ceiling into a main port of the compact public address access point for connection to the network;
• adjusting a plurality of clamp brackets so that the compact public access AP is held within the hole when the clamp brackets hold the ceiling surface between the clamp bracket and the compact public address access point;
• connecting a second Ethernet cable between the AP housing and the speaker assembly;
• connecting a USB connector between the access point housing and the speaker assembly;
• re-attaching the access point housing to the speaker assembly;
• and
• applying data and power through the Ethernet connection to the wireless radio and antenna of the AP.