Vehicle Antenna Installation
The ideal position for any vehicle-mounted
application is to capitalise on the greatest ground
plane from the surface of the vehicle.
Marine Antenna Installation
The antenna must be installed without obstruction of
other instruments or structures.
The antenna must not be positioned within range of
radar equipment or other RF interference.
Fixed Site Installation
The antenna must be installed without obstruction of
other buildings, chimneys or other structures.
Consideration should also be given to the
surrounding environments such as large trees,
mountains or other buildings.
Preferred Antenna Location
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Installation Guidelines
To ensure maximum performance of the antenna system and to maximise
availability and reliability of service the antenna must;
• have a clear line of site to the sky
• be clear and free of obstructions
• be clear of metal objects
• be located away from other transmitting devices
• be securely affixed in location
• not be located indoors
• be installed in conjunction with a certified cable
Installing Antenna Cables
When installing antenna cables, follow these guidelines:
• Route and restrain cables to prevent them from vibrating or moving under normal conditions,
which could result in damage to the antenna or the coaxial cable connections.
• Wherever the cables contact structures, protect the cables from chafing or abrasion. If a cable needs
to be bent, avoid kinking it, and ensure that each bend radius follows the cable supplier limits.
• Use coaxial sealant, shrink-wrap tubing, electrical tape, or another suitable product to seal all cable
connections appropriately to prevent moisture and corrosion damage from weather exposure.
• Mount all antennas vertically and clear of nearby metal obstructions
• Minimize horizontal obstructions as much as possible because
they can create areas of poor system coverage.
• To minimize the loss of radio signal from the antenna to the terminal, the specific coaxial cable system
between the antenna and the other component should be less than 3db including connector loss.
Installation Options
The antenna system is suitable for marine, vehicle and fixed applications and is designed to meet Iridium
System performance requirements when installed according to the instructions in this guide.
The following figure shows typical Installations:
Antenna installation is critical for optimum performance of your Iridium service.
Full Visibillity
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For more information on Iridium Antenna Guidelines visit our website at www.beamcommunications.com/antennainstallationguide
