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.98m Ka-Band Antenna Installation Guide Model: AN8-098R 1037752-0001 Revision A June 17, 2008...
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Hughes Network Systems, LLC has made every effort to ensure the correctness and completeness of the material in this document. Hughes Network Systems, LLC shall not be liable for errors contained herein. The information in this document is subject to change without notice. Hughes Network Systems, LLC makes no warranty of any kind with regard to this material, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.
Important safety information For your safety and protection, read this entire installation guide before attempting to install the AN8-098R Ka-band antenna. In particular, read this safety section carefully. Keep this safety information where you can refer to it if necessary.
Product warning labels The following safety alert labels are affixed to the antenna feed support arms, radio transmitter, and antenna reflector, respectively. Feed support arm Transmitter Reflector (back side) Safety alert labels on the antenna assembly These labels advise that the antenna emits radio frequency (RF) energy.
Observe the following precautions when installing the antenna. This manual also includes other safety alerts where appropriate safety concerning specific installation procedures. WARNING Only Hughes-certified installers may install or service Hughes antennas and their components. Installers must expressly acknowledge the Hughes requirements for Hughes installations. DANGER...
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WARNING • Do not work in high wind or rain; or if a storm, lightning, or other adverse weather conditions are either present or approaching. • Do not attempt to assemble, move, or mount the antenna on a windy day. Even a slight wind can unexpectedly create sudden strong forces on the antenna surface.
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CAUTION Observe these precautions to avoid exposure to RF radiation, a potential safety hazard: • The antenna must be installed in a location not readily accessible to children and in a manner that prevents human exposure to potentially harmful levels of radiation.
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CAUTION • All antennas of any type or size must carry an industry standard and government approved Radiation Hazard Caution label on the feed support arm. • A fenced or roof installation in a commercial, industrial, or institutional environment must carry a Radiation Hazard Caution sign on the access door, gate, or permanently mounted access ladder within plain sight of anyone approaching the antenna from the front or...
This chapter presents an overview of the AN8-098R antenna, a summary of the steps used to assemble and install the antenna, and supplemental information on tasks related to antenna installation.
Figure 1: The Hughes AN8-098R .98m Ka-band satellite antenna Antenna installation This section lists the basic steps and related tasks used to assemble and install the antenna. These procedures are listed in summary the order in which they are to be performed. For more detailed information on each task, refer to the chapters and documents listed.
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3. Install and apply power to the satellite modem, following the instructions in the installation guide for the specific satellite modem you are installing. Note: You must install the satellite modem before installing the antenna to determine the proper pointing values (azimuth, elevation, and tilt).
Tasks related to antenna This section explains where to find information on tasks related to antenna installation. installation Selecting the The first and most important consideration when choosing a prospective antenna site is whether the area can provide an installation site acceptable line of sight (LOS) to the satellite.
Approved cables For a list of approved cables for the IFL between the antenna and the satellite modem, see the Hughes FSB, IFL Cable, Approved List (with lengths) for SPACEWAY Domestic Installations (FSB 080111_01). The FSB lists the maximum cable length for each approved cable type for all relevant radio types.
Chapter 2 Antenna parts and required tools This chapter describes the components and parts provided with the AN8-098R Ka-band antenna kit. It contains the following sections: • Antenna kit components on page 7 • Small hardware parts list on page 14 •...
Figure 2: Antenna kit components Note: The radio assembly is shipped separately and may not arrive at the same time as the other two cartons. The main components of the antenna kit are: • Az/El mount assembly • Reflector bracket •...
Az/El mount assembly The Az/El mount assembly, shown in Figure 3, consists of the Az/El canister, the elevation scale, and the fine azimuth and fine elevation tools. The Az/El canister supports the antenna. The fine azimuth and elevation tools are used to finely adjust the azimuth and elevation of the reflector during antenna pointing.
Reflector bracket The reflector bracket supports the antenna reflector and allows the reflector to rotate so that it can be adjusted for proper tilt. The and tilt plate reflector bracket plate attaches to the Az/El mount assembly. Figure 4 shows the reflector bracket and tilt plate. Figure 4: Reflector bracket and tilt plate Antenna reflector The antenna reflector shown in Figure 5 focuses the transmitted...
CAUTION To avoid damage to the antenna reflector, handle it with care. After assembly, do not use the reflector to rotate the antenna. Feed support arms Figure 6 shows the two feed support arms and the tailpiece. The feed support arms attach to the antenna assembly at the reflector and tailpiece bracket.
Radio assembly The radio assembly shown in Figure 7 consists of the radio transmitter, low noise block converter (LNB), transmit/receive isolation assembly (TRIA), and polarizing waveguide. Figure 7: Radio assembly Feed horn and collar The feed horn, shown in Figure 8, attaches to the polarizer on the radio assembly by way of the two-piece collar.
AN8-098R Ka-band antenna. As shown in Figure 10, the tri-mast can be positioned in a number of configurations to adapt it for mounting onto surfaces of various angles. For other suitable antenna mounting options, see the HughesNet Antenna Site Preparation and Mount Installation Guide (1035678-0001).
Small hardware Table 1 lists the small hardware parts included in the antenna kit. parts list Table 1: Small hardware parts Listed parts are Illustration showing Part Quantity used to attach . . . where parts are used 5/16-inch x 1-inch carriage bolts Reflector bracket and tilt plate Figure 11 on page 19 and to Az/El mount assembly...
Tools Table 2 lists the tools required to assemble and install the antenna. Table 2: Tools and additional materials required to assemble and install the antenna Tool or material Details Socket wrench, ½-inch For 5/16-inch bolts. 2 open-end wrenches, For 5/16-inch bolts. Some nuts and bolts ½-inch require a second wrench to prevent turning.
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Chapter 2 • Antenna parts and required tools 1037752-0001 Revision A...
Chapter 3 Installing the antenna and radio assembly This chapter explains how to assemble and install the antenna, radio assembly, and associated hardware. Topics in this chapter include: • Determining the pointing values on page 17 • General instructions for assembling the antenna on page 18 •...
General instructions for Before you assemble the antenna, read these important instructions: assembling the antenna • Mast – The mast must be installed before you can install the antenna. For information on installing the antenna mast, see the HughesNet Antenna Site Preparation and Mount Installation Guide (1035678-0001).
Installing the antenna Begin the antenna assembly by attaching the antenna reflector bracket to the Az/El mount: reflector bracket and tilt plate 1. Hold the reflector bracket in position over the Az/El mount so that the tilt scale on the outside of the reflector bracket faces the mount, as shown in Figure 11.
Figure 12: Aligning the Az/El mount 4. Secure the assembly by placing a flat washer, lock washer, and ½-inch nut on each carriage bolt, as shown in Figure 11 on page 19. Tighten each nut to 8 ft-lb using a torque wrench. Once connected, the reflector bracket should rotate freely between the Az/El mount and the tilt plate.
2. Fasten the feed support arms to the reflector bracket by inserting a 5/16-inch × ¾-inch self-tapping bolt with flat washer into each hole in the feed support arms, then tighten until secure. Figure 13: Attaching the feed support arms to the reflector bracket 3.
Figure 14: Attaching the tailpiece Installing the antenna To attach the antenna reflector to the reflector bracket: reflector 1. Insert a 5/16-inch x ¾-inch carriage bolt through the top hole of the reflector as shown in Figure 15, and place a 5/16-inch flange nut on the bolt from the back.
2. Hold the reflector against the reflector bracket and lower it onto the bracket, allowing the bolt to slide down into the alignment fork at the top of the antenna bracket, as shown in Figure 16. Figure 16: Attaching the antenna reflector (rear view) 3.
Installing the To mount the radio assembly to the tailpiece: radio assembly 1. Position the radio assembly above the tailpiece so that the waveguide end of the radio is nearest to the reflector, as shown in Figure 17. Figure 17: Positioning the radio 2.
Figure 18: Attaching the radio assembly to the tailpiece Adjusting transmit It may be necessary to reposition the polarizer waveguide on the radio assembly to set the proper polarization between the radio circular polarization transmitter and the antenna reflector. Before proceeding with the installation, check the installation reference sheet to determine whether the installation calls for left-hand circular polarization (LHCP) or right-hand circular polarization (RHCP).
Figure 19: Determining the polarization setting To reposition the polarizer: 1. Remove the two-piece polarizer collar by loosening and removing the two Allen screws. 2. Separate the polarizer from the TRIA and rotate it one quarter turn (clockwise for LHCP and counter-clockwise for RHCP), until the appropriate notch lines up with the key on the end of the TRIA.
Installing the feed horn To attach the feed horn to the radio assembly: 1. Remove and discard the protective seal from the polarizer on the radio assembly (shown in Figure 21). Figure 21: Remove the protective seal from the polarizer 2.
Figure 22: Attaching the feed horn 5. Insert and tighten two Allen screws into the collar to secure the feed horn in place. 6. At this point, fully tighten any hardware that is not tight— however, leave nuts that are used for pointing adjustments slightly loose or just snug.
Installing the Follow these steps to install the assembled antenna assembly onto the mast pipe: antenna assembly onto the mast pipe 1. Before you install the Az/El mount assembly onto the mast pipe, use a bubble level to verify that the mast is plumb. The mast must be plumb before you install the antenna assembly.
Figure 24: Installing the antenna assembly onto the mast Note: For vertical mounts, fill all holes with weather-grade silicon sealer before inserting bolts or screws. For horizontal mounts, fill all holes with the appropriate asphalt-based, synthetic-rubber, or acrylic co-polymer roof sealant. This completes the assembly phase of the antenna installation process.
Figure 25: Assembled antenna To proceed with the installation, you must route the IFL Tx and Rx cables between the antenna and the satellite modem. See Chapter 4 – Cabling and connections. Chapter 3 • Installing the antenna and radio assembly 1037752-0001 Revision A...
Cabling requirements For a list of approved cables for the intra-facility link (IFL) between the antenna and the satellite modem, see the Hughes FSB, IFL Cable, Approved List (with lengths) for SPACEWAY Domestic Installations, (FSB 080202_01). The FSB lists the maximum cable length for each approved cable type, for all relevant radio types.
Routing the cables at Route the coaxial Tx and Rx cables at the antenna as follows: the antenna 1. Route the Tx cable (marked with blue electrical tape) over the Az/El mount assembly, down behind the reflector, and along the feed support arms to the rear of the transmitter, in a configuration similar to that shown in Figure 26.
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3. Coil the extra cable, leave a drip loop, and secure the Tx cable with cable ties. 4. Route the Rx cable (marked with red electrical tape) over the Az/El mount assembly, down behind the reflector, and along the feed support arms to the LNB, in a configuration similar to that shown in Figure 26 above.
Connecting the transmit This section explains how to connect the Tx and Rx cables to the radio assembly at the antenna. and receive cables Note: You should secure all cable connections with dielectric grease and weatherproofing tape as shown in Figure 27.
Figure 28: Transmit connector Receive cable Connect the Rx cable to the LNB as follows: 1. Ensure that power has been removed from the satellite modem. 2. Connect the Rx cable (marked with red electrical tape) to the receive connector on the LNB, shown in Figure 29. CAUTION Coaxial cables and connectors can corrode if exposed to moisture.
4. If necessary, secure the cable with cable ties. 5. After both the Tx and Rx cables are connected to the radio and the satellite modem, reapply power to the satellite modem in accordance with the instructions in the satellite modem installation guide.
It does not discuss the pointing process itself. For information on pointing the AN8-098R and all HughesNet Ka-Band antennas, see the HughesNet Ka-Band Antenna Pointing Guide (1037663-0001). This chapter contains the following sections: •...
Adjusting the elevation 1. To begin, unlock the elevation by loosening the two 5/16-inch elevation lockdown nuts on either side of the Az/El mount. Figure 31 shows the location of the nuts (only one nut is shown). Figure 31: Elevation adjustment components 2.
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Figure 32: Adjusting the elevation 3. Turn the handle to adjust the elevation. As shown in Figure 33, the pointer on the lockdown nut indicates the value in the elevation scale. For example, the antenna shown in the figure is adjusted to 42°. Figure 33: Elevation marker 4.
Adjusting the azimuth 1. Be sure that the three 5/16-inch azimuth lockdown nuts at the bottom of the Az/El canister (shown in Figure 34) are loose enough that the canister rotates freely on the mast. Figure 34: Loosen the Az/El canister 2.
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Figure 35: Adjusting the azimuth 5. Turn the 5/16-inch fine azimuth adjustment bolt at the right side of the azimuth base to achieve the desired azimuth angle. Note: Azimuth measurements are calibrated relative to true north, not magnetic north. 6. Verify the azimuth with a compass and lock down the four 5/16-inch carriage bolts on the bottom of the azimuth base to 177 in-lb using a 1/2-inch socket torque wrench, tightening opposing corners uniformly.
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Chapter 5 • Adjusting the antenna azimuth and elevation 1037752-0001 Revision A...
Acronyms and abbreviations RHCP – Right-hand circular polarization Rx – Receive Az – Azimuth TRIA – Transmit/receive isolation assembly El – Elevation Tx – Transmit FSB – Field service bulletin ft – Foot/feet ft-lb – Foot-pounds GPS – Global positioning system hr –...
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• Acronyms and abbreviations 1037752-0001 Revision A...
Index Antenna Hardware parts list kit components 2, 4, 13 mount installation reflector 5, 33 Az/el mount assembly Installation site, determining description Installation, summary of steps 19–20 installing Installing 30–31 mounting to mast 4–5, 13 antenna mount pole mount installation requirements 19–20 az/el mount 28–29...
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22–23 installing Reflector bracket description 19–20 installing Satellite modem, installing Site survey, conducting Summary of installation steps Tailpiece description 20–22 installing 2, 4 Tasks related to installation Tilt plate description 19–20 installing 19, 20 Tilt scale Tool list Torque Transmit cable connecting routing Transmitter...
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