Installation
Selecting a Location for the VHF Antenna
1
4Installation Guide CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY Release 1.0
❍Select a location to install the reserve battery. Typically, the reserve battery
is installed on the top surface of the Communicator, within easy reach of
the one foot cable that connects the reserve battery to the Communicator.
If you choose a different location, ensure that the reserve battery cable is
within reach.
❍Select a location that provides a panel for mounting the message indicator
light, which must be installed within four feet of the Communicator.
Selecting a Location for the VHF Antenna
1Choose a location with a clear view of the sky, free of any obstructions.
2Position the SkyMate SentryMate VHF antenna at least four feet (preferably six
feet) from any other VHF band antenna and at least three feet from any metal
structure. Antennas closer than four feet, whether active or not, can cause
distortion of the antenna pattern and cause poor performance. The following
antennas are considered VHF antennas: VHF radio, Loran, differential GPS,
AIS, and 2-meter band.
3You must ensure that any other installed antennas are placed an appropriate
distance from your SkyMate SentryMate VHF antenna. We recommend the
following:
You must consider the following when installing the VHF antenna:
❍The same guidelines that apply to standard marine VHF antennas apply to
your SkyMate SentryMate VHF antenna.
❍The coaxial VHF antenna connects to the SkyMate SentryMate antenna
with a BNC VHF connector.
❍If a longer cable length is required, use an RG-58 (50 OHM) coaxial cable
or the equivalent, up to a maximum length of 50 feet.
VHF radio antenna 6-8 feet
Loran antenna 6-8 feet
Differential GPS antenna
6-8 feet
AIS antenna 6-8 feet
2-meter band antenna 6-8
feet
Structure (tower, mast) 4
feet
GPS antenna (L-band) 1
foot
Cellular antenna 3 feet
SSB or HF antenna 4 feet
GEO satellite radome 4
feet
