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RFM Series Installation General Installation Guidelines

This manual covers basic installation and wiring for the RFM Series Antennas. Before

installing, check with the vehicle manufacture for recommended hardware and attachment

procedures for securing the antenna to the roof.

!!! Important !!! This Antenna System should only be installed by a certified or trained

technician(s). The technician should be familiar with installation of mobile

satellite antennas and procedures for installation on similar vehicles.

Installation of a RFM Antenna requires 2 technicians and should be performed

in a facility where a Hoist, Crane or Fork Lift is available!

RFM Series Antenna Installation Guidelines 16 JUN 2017

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➢ Unpacking

Remove 14 wood screws with flat washers around the base of the cardboard box that is

attached to the wood pallet. The cardboard box will lift up and off of the Pallet.

Inside the RFM Mount Box is the Mount Assembly (1.2M or 98CM), the Mounting Pan

(secured to the Pallet), the Feed Glide Plate, 30’ Antenna Control Cable (attached to

connector box), Antenna Controller Box (includes antenna controller and power supply).

Also included is the Antenna mounting hardware usually wrapped against one of the dish

mounting arms.

The Antenna Mount Assembly weighs about 150 Lbs. (68Kgs). Depending on equipment

available, keep the Mount Assembly attached to the Pallet until it is ready to attach to the

Roof or other surface. Moving the Pallet/Mount Assembly to the roof is recommended.

The system usually ships with 2 boxes. The second box contains the Antenna Reflector.

To protect the Antenna leave it inside the box until it is ready to be attached to the

Mount Assembly that is securely attached to the roof.

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➢ Handling the Mount Assembly This Mount Assembly has multiple PINCH and CUT points that during

installation and operation can result in severe injuries. There are hinging and

moving parts that move during installation that can fall due to gravity.

Become familiar with the antenna before installation and insure that everyone

working around this antenna is aware and alert of the dangers associated

during installation and operation!

When working around the RFM Antenna it is important to know the position of the Feed

Arm Assembly. Use Bungee Cords to secure the Feed Arm to the Dish or Dish Arms while

working on the Dish Mount.

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➢ Attaching to Roof (Dish Mount installation) It is not necessary to raise the Dish Arms when securing the Dish Mount to the Vehicle or

Trailer. The Mounting Plate comes with pre-drilled holes and slots for convenience. It is

OK to drill other holes in the mounting plate for installation.

The Dish Mount includes a Feed Stow Plate that can be placed in an ideal position to allow

for the Feed Assembly to touch and slide on the roof surface. This can be secured after

the stow is tested and the Feed slides completely on the plate.

The Mounting Plate is designed so the Connector Box can be placed on either side to

simplify wiring.

When installed on a vehicle the

dish will have a rotational radius

of about 52” from the center of

the Mount Base when the system

is searching for a Satellite that

has an elevation of about 10

degrees of the horizon.

In extreme northern or southern

parts of the world the clearance

required may be even less.

The Mounting Pan is 48” x 23”

(7.7 Sq. Ft Area).

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The Dish Mount with a 1.2M Antenna and Feed Assembly weigh approximately 180 Lbs.

Attached to the Mounting Pan the dispersed weight is about 24 Lbs. per Sq. Ft when

installed on the vehicle. As part of the total Dish weight a Deployed Antenna wind loading

must be included.

Deployed Survival rating on a 1.2M Antenna in 60 MPH wind is about 180 lbs. plus the

system weight of 180 lbs. = 360 Lbs. / 7.7 Sq. Ft now equals about 48 Lbs. per Sq. Ft.

Wind Speed Wind Load on Dish Total Stress Load on Roof

40 mph 59 lbf 26 Lbs Sq Ft 50 mph 92 lbf 41 Lbs Sq Ft 60 mph 133 lbf 59 Lbs Sq Ft 80 mph 235 lbf 104 Lbs Sq Ft

If the vehicle installation requires deployed survival wind speeds of up to 80mph (129 kph)

the minimum required roof (stress) load is 104 Lbs Sq Ft (4.4 Kg Sq M). We recommend

doubling the Roof Loading values in insure a solid safe installation.

Use the chart above to determine the customer requirements. Operational requirements

are typically 30% to 50% lower.

Confirm with the vehicle manufacturer the maximum roof loading in Lbs. Sq. Ft. These are

wind survival requirements and not operational requirements. Also consider that even if a

roof can support 210 Lbs Sq Ft, if the hardware to attach the antenna to the roof is not

secured properly to the roof structure the wind survival rating may not be sufficient.

For more information, see Wind Loading Illustrations and additional mechanical detail at

the end of this document.

Use a Lap Sealant to help secure the Mounting Pan to the Roof.

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Using a Lap Sealant (Dicor 501LSG or Equiv.) will add additional bonding to the vehicle

surface. Running a bead of this sealant lengthwise along the bottom edges of the mounting

plate and 2 beads through the center lengths of the plate is recommended when possible.

Remember once this sealant has cured removal of this plate will be difficult.

Check with the vehicle Manufacture to determine recommended type of hardware to use

for securing the Dish Mount/Dish Pan to the Vehicle. Use a minimum of 6 screws on both

sides of the mounting plate in the slotted holes. Use at least four screws on both sides of

the Dish Mount AZ/EL Base. Use sealant where required (in drill/screw holes) to prevent

water leaks through the roof.

The Feed Stow Plate is used only as a protector to the roof surface. It can be secured

with 4 short self-tapping screws and water proof sealant (Dicor or similar) to prevent

leaking. If putting any sealant under the Stow Plate use it sparingly in case adjustment is

necessary.

NOTE: Before using Lap Sealant on any exposed screws or holes you should finish

the installation of the Antenna and complete wiring to avoid inadvertent contact and

tracking of the sealant (on clothes and inside customer’s vehicle) making this a cleaner

installation.

➢ Wiring (Dish Mount Connector Box) Note: Before Installing the Dish Reflector (parabolic antenna) to the Antenna Mount

it will be easier to complete the system Wiring. Prewiring the Antenna will allow you

to raise the Dish Arms to make installation of the Dish easier.

If you choose to install the Dish Reflector before completing the system wiring you

can skip wiring and go to Installing the Dish Reflector below.

The RFM Antenna System usually comes with the BUC and LNB prewired to the Feed Horn

Assembly.

The RF (Coax) cabling is wired from the Feed Assembly to the Connector Box located on

the Base Mounting Plate. The Black Coax is the Receive cable connected to the LNB and

the cable is usually labeled with RX at the Base. The White Coax is the Transmit cable

connected to a BUC (Block Up Convertor) or an HPA (High Powered Amplifier).

In addition to the Coax Cables the Mount is also prewired with a 12 conductor control

cable which connects to motors, sensors and GPS modules.

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Typical Connector Box on RFM Antenna - Roof Mounting Plate

A. Antenna Control Cable Connection. Snap together Male (33482-1201 Molex) Antenna Side

and Female (33472-1201 Molex) Control Cable to ACU-2 Antenna Controller.

B. RX Cable to ACU-2 Antenna Controller. From LNB Black RG-6 Coax Cable. Labeled RX.

C. TX Cable to Modem (if installed) or HPA Out. To BUC White RG-6 Coax Cable. Labeled TX.

Antenna Control Cable wiring for the 12 POS Euro Style Connector

The Antenna Control Cable can be shortened to facilitate installation. We recommend keeping the

cable length at least 15’ long if possible. For future service keep an additional 3 foot cable loop

behind the antenna controller.

12 - Tan – GPS RX Data In

11 - Pink – 15 to 18 VDC out to GPS

10 - White – GPS and Counter Input Common (Ground)

9 - Gray – Skew Count In

8 - Purple – Elevation Count In

7 - Blue – Azimuth Count In

6 - Green – Skew Motor Volts –

5 - Yellow – Skew Motor Volts +

4 - Orange – Elevation Motor Volts –

3 - Red –Elevation Motor Volts +

2 - Brown – Azimuth Motor Volts –

1 - Black – Azimuth Motor Volts +

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Run the Antenna Control Cable and the Coax Cables from the Roof though the roof entry

box to the Electronics compartment.

Place the Antenna Controller near other associated electronics (router, modem) and make

necessary connections for proper operation.

The DataSAT ACU-2 1RU Antenna Controller has five connections on the rear panel.

24 VDC Power Supply Antenna Control Cable Ethernet (LAN) RF Out RF In

Connect the External 24 Volt DC Power supply to the Antenna Controller and standard 100

to 220 VAC outlets.

External 24 Volt DC Power Supply

With Basic wiring complete you can use the DataSAT ACU-2 Antenna Controller to

manually move the Antenna Elevation into a raised position to Install the Dish Reflector.

Use the Menu, Search (Up) and Stow (Down) buttons on the front panel to access Move EL

functions. The Up Button will raise the Antenna manually when in the correct mode. Raise

the Dish Arms to about 60 degrees UP direction to simplify Dish Installation.

See the DataSAT ACU-2 Manual for detailed information.

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➢ Installing the Dish Reflector (Antenna) If you choose to install the Dish Reflector before completing the system wiring it is

still easier to use the supplied 30’ Antenna Control Cable that comes attached to the

Dish Mount to manually raise the Dish Arms using a tool Battery or the supplied 24

Volt DC Power Supply.

Remove the Red and Orange wires that are connected to the 12 Position Euro Style

Connector. These wires will raise and lower the Elevation Motor only.

Touch one wire to the positive and one wire to the negative sides of the battery or the 24

VDC power supply and check the direction of the Elevation Dish Arms. If you hear the

Elevation Motors stalling then reverse the wires and test again.

Raise the Antenna manually until the Dish Arms are about 60 degrees UP direction to

simplify Dish Installation.

With the mount tilted back at this angle it will be easier to place the Dish Reflector onto

the Dish Arms.

Dish Hardware is usually wrapped up against one of the Dish Arms. This hardware

includes; 2 each – 5/16” x 3 1/2” Button Head Socket Cap Screw, 2 each – 5/16” x 2 3/4”

Button Head Socket Cap Screw, 4 each 5/16” Flat Washer, 3 each - 1/4” x 1 1/4” Socket

Head Cap Screw, 3 each – 1/4” Flat Washer, 1 each 1/4” x 1” Fender Washer. All Stainless

Steel. Also included is an 3/8” T x 12 3/4” L Aluminum Dish Base Bracket (T Bar).

Remove the Dish Reflector (Antenna) from the Dish Box (Box #2).

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Follow the photo illustrations below to attach the Dish to the Mount.

Use a Lube Gel to hold the 4 Square nuts into the Slots in the Dish Arms. Also put some

lube gel on the 4 Dish Bolts. Do not use electric drill to screw bolts into square nuts.

Stainless Steel bolts will seize up

Insert Square Nut here

Slide Square Nut

to this position

Square Nut 4 places

Dish Bolts 2 – 5/16 x 2 ¾” L 2 – 5/16 x 3 ½” L

Dish T-Bar and

Hardware

4 Each Flat Washer 5/16”

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With the Dish Reflector properly attached to the Antenna Mount and all procedures above completed

the system is ready for final wiring inside the Vehicle and system testing.

Use the DataSAT ACU-2 Controller Wiring-Configuration-Operation Manual to complete the installation.

After completion of system wiring before moving the Antenna automatically one technician should

remain outside with a clear view of the Antenna and watch the Antenna Mount perform a Dish

Calibration. Check that the Antenna clears all roof objects and is secured to the roof.

When all tests are complete you should perform a final inspection of the roof installation, and then

apply the roof sealant (Dicor) on any exposed or open screws and roof holes.

Look for any loose tools or hardware before leaving the roof installation.

➢ Antenna Mechanical Data

¼-20 x ¾”L Cap Screw and 1” Dia Fender Washer

2 - ¼-20 x 1 ¼” Cap Screw 2 – ¼” Flat Washer

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➢ Installation is complete.

➢ Additional Wind Load Data

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Wind Load Data for the RFM Series 1.2M Antenna

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End of Document.