Installing The Antenna - KVH Industries TracPhone FB250 Installation Manual

Chapter 2: Installing the system

2.4 Installing the antenna

2.4.1 Antenna grounding
You may ground the antenna using the mounting bolts.
If the antenna cannot or should not be electrically connected directly to the
mounting surface, you can use a separate grounding cable to make the
connection between the antenna and the common ground to which the
terminal is also connected. For example, you can connect a separate
grounding cable when vibration isolators are used at the mounting bolts.
To obtain a good ground connection, the metal underneath the head of at
least one bolt must be clean of insulating protective coating and a serrated
washer should be used. After tightening the bolts we recommend that you seal
the area suitably in order to avoid corrosion of the grounding point.
Use stainless steel bolts and washers.
For further grounding information read Appendix C Grounding and RF
protection on page 119.
2.4.2 Antenna cables
Guidelines
A coaxial cable for connection between the antenna and terminal is delivered
with the system. If you need a different cable, make sure that the cable meets
the requirements. Preferably choose one of the cable types in Recommended
antenna cables on page 23.
Select a suitable area for installation of the terminal, antenna and cradle.
Where the cables are exposed to mechanical wear - on deck, through
bulkheads, etc. - protect the cables with steel pipes. Otherwise, follow
standard procedures for cabling in ship installations.
The maximum allowed RF-loss in the antenna cable is 20 dB at 1660 MHz. This
is to ensure the performance of the system.
22 Installing the antenna