Arbiter Systems 1084A, Operation Manuals

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Chapter 4
GPS Antenna and Cable Information
The Model 1084A/B/C come complete with the necessary hardware to be able to receive GPS
signals: 50-feet of RG-6 cable and a GPS antenna. The antenna cable is connected between the
female F connector on the antenna and the female F connector at the rear panel of the clock.
This section should help you with installing the GPS antenna and antenna cable(s) to the Model
1084A/B/C series clocks. It should also be a source of information if you should need to trouble
shoot the antenna cable system. These clocks achieve their accuracy by comparing and adjusting
the internal clock signal to the incoming GPS signal.
4.1 GPS Antenna Installation
To properly receive GPS signals, the GPS antenna needs to be mounted clear of buildings and
surrounding elements that would block the GPS signals being transmitted by the satellites. For
complete coverage, the antenna needs to have a clear view of the sky from 10 degrees above the
horizon to directly overhead for all points of the compass. Minimal installations, where the antenna
is mounted in a less favorable location, may work however reception may be somewhat limited
during certain hours of the day.
4.1.1 Mounting the Antenna
The standard antenna is designed for pole mounting on a 26-mm pole (1.05-in. OD or 3/4-in. ID
pipe), with either a standard 1-in. – 14 (approximately M25.4 x 1.81) marine-mount thread or a
3/4-in. NPT pipe thread. The Type F connector on the inside of the antenna is protected from
direct exposure to the elements when the antenna is mounted in this way. This will extend the
operational life of the antenna-to-cable interface.
To mount the antenna, you will need a short piece of gray, 3/4” plastic pipe nipple that can
be attached to a solid fixture. The piece of pipe nipple should be threaded up into the antenna
receptacle after connecting the antenna cable to the Type F cable adapter. Arbiter Systems sells
an antenna mounting kit (P/N AS0044600) that simplifies installation, and is illustrated in Fig-
ures 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3.