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Satellite/WiFi Antenna Installations
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Satellite Phone Antennas in general
all have one important thing in common...
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The need to be able to view the sky
without nearby metal or other objects blocking the view!
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These signals are very weak compared to
those of Cellphone and VHF as the distance can be anywhere from 400 miles to
33,400 miles depending on the service your using.
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Your job is to give weak satellite
signals every possible opportunity to get to your satphone and reduce
dropped connections!
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Mounting behind or under fiberglass is discouraged
due to the amount of carbon contained in most paints which attenuate
satellite microwave signals!!! Special order non-conductive paints are
available however are very expensive.
Globalstar Marine Kits For the GS-1600 handheld Satphone
This adaptation of their mobile Car Kit where the antenna comes with a
strong magnet in the base. Described below is what is necessary to modify the
antenna for Globalstar Radome Enclosure allowing it to mount on a standard marine antenna
extensions and ratchet assembly. Other options are "L" brackets and
custom made offset mounts.
Click Here
for pictures of a typical MarineNet installation as it progressed. This same configuration can be adapted for RV or Truck installations.
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Globalstar Satellite systems use
two 14 foot coaxial cables to their antennas... One for Receive and One for
Transmit so keep that in mind when drilling holes... 0.5 inch is enough to
feed them one at a time through the hole.
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Longer cable lengths are
available by request during purchase as it is critical to know exactly how
many feet are required. Simple trick is to use a string and measure out the
exact length dressing out the string just like it was the coaxial cable set
then, add a foot! NOTE: If you require longer cables... the coax cable
diameter increases to minimize signal loss of signals. Keep coaxial cables
as short as possible!
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The routing for the 2 coaxial cables that
are permanently fixed to the docking station should be run up through the center of
the antenna support mast. Yes it can go through the bottom and is the only way I will do them.
Remember that these are microwave signals and they are highly critical of water
intrusion so make sure they are sealed...One water drop and goodbye satellite
signal...
Globalstar Marine Version GS-2900 Satphone Comes
in two flavors One Piece or two. See our Globalstar
Page on this website for details. Fixed units can hide behind something or
in a closet and have a standard telephone (RJ-11 connector) attached and a
serial cable for Internet access.
- For the "Remote Kit" two piece version,
same rule applies regarding coaxial cable length's!
- One piece has the antenna attached to the housing for
external mounting of box. Sold with data/control cable to run inside where
you connect the telephone and Internet cables.
Iridium 9500/9505 Handheld Satphone Although a
docking station arrangement was available, most simply use an adaptor cable
plugged into the back of the portable phone connected to a single coaxial cable
out to the external antenna.
- 3 foot adaptor cable connects to the larger low loss
coaxial cable running to the external antenna.
- Use very high grade coaxial cable for long runs!
LMR-400 or 600 depending on length.
- Several antenna options/mounts available.
- If you attempt to use the small (Heresy's Kiss)
shaped magnetic antenna, put a 3 or 5 inch coffee can lid under it to act as
a groundplane! Works MUCH better that way.
Fleet Satellite Satphone Packages These are a bit
complicated and require professional installation to work properly. However they
too need a clear view of the sky unrestricted so consider this when choosing a location
for the antenna. Contact use
for information at service@marinenet.net
Accessing WiFi Internet Services WiFi Antennas Come in all
shapes and sizes depending on usage. For greatest flexibility, make sure you
purchase WiFi equipment with detachable antennas so you have the option later on
of attaching long range higher gain antenna. Many of the cheaper Wifi cards and
Client Bridges etc. have no way to attach external antennas and should be
avoided. One very important aspect of WiFi that should be remembered... The
better your signal to/from the access point, equals the highest possible
Internet data speed. For example, you may notice manufacturers showing
"X" amount of speed vs. Distance from the Access Point and so on...
Remember, WiFi operates on microwave frequencies at very low power so right off
there is little signal to work with... When using external antennas measure the
coaxial cable length carefully... Use a string to measure out the exact length
of the run! If not familuar with installing type "N" connectors,
MarineNet Wireless can provide the cable with connectors pre-installed.
- WiFi Card in a laptop, are typically short ranged and used for
sitting in WiFi hotspots or on your home wireless network. In marine
applications where you may be in a marina or at anchor, an external
"Gain" antenna may be just the ticket! You will need to buy a WiFi
card that allows removal of the built-in antenna to attach an external one.
For the external antenna coaxial cable "Pigtail", make sure you
write down the "Connector Type" of your card as there are about
half a dozen different styles!
- WiFi Client Bridges are standalone boxes attached to your computer
via an Ethernet cable, offering ease of use and tends to be longer range
than a WiFi cards in laptop. Typical antenna connector style on most are
"TNC" however check the manufacturers spec's. If using the small
whip supplied with the client bridge, mount it on the shelf up as high as
possible for consistent service
- Marina Applications where WiFi is offered for high speed wireless
Internet, does not typically require a great deal of antenna gain depending
on how far your are away from the marina's WiFi "Access Point".
Make sure you have a good indoor type antenna. If the internal WiFi card
antenna is not connecting well to the service or signal fluctuates, you may
need to switch to a small indoor "gain" desktop style antenna
sitting on a shelf for best results.
- At Anchor/Coastal Cruising Two choices are available, high gain
(10dbi) marine WiFi antenna (Fits in a standard VHF mount) located on the
cabin roof or stern rail or, Mast top mount. Both types require use of very
low loss coaxial cable that is quite thick and is adapted down to the
smaller "pigtail" jumper that plugs into the WiFi unit. One option
allows you to mount the WiFi Access Point directly to the mast top with a
short jumper to the 10dbi antenna also mounted there. This configuration
offers the ultimate in range (1 to 6 miles depending in the Access Point
Location) and has an ethernet cable going down the mast to feed Internet
connection and power. (1amp 12 volts).
When others have ranges of 1 mile with smaller indoor antennas, you can
expect upwards of 2 to 5 miles on average with outdoor high gain antenna
mounted 10 to 15 feet high. See our WiFi offering by Clicking
Here
If you have questions or comments on satellite/WiFi antenna installations
e-mail service@marinenet.net
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