NAUTICAST 300 1001, Product Manual

Page: 12 / 32

Page 12 of 32
B2 Product Manual 2_0
2.5 Installing your Nauticast B2 hardware
2.5.1 Installation hints
We strongly recommend that:

The GPS antenna is mounted in an elevated position and free of shadow effects from the
ship’s rigg or other super-structure.
 The GPS antenna has a free view through 360 degrees with a vertical angle of 5 to 90 degrees
above the horizon.
 As the received GPS signal is very sensitive to noise and interference generated by other on-
board transmitters, ensure that the GPS antenna is placed as far away as possible from radar,
Inmarsat and Iridium transmitters and that the GPS antenna is not mounted within the direct
radar or Inmarsat beams.
 It is also important that the MF/HF and other VHF transmitter antennas are kept as far away
as possible from the GPS antenna. It is good practice never to install a GPS antenna within
a radius of 2 meters from these antennas.
 The VHF antenna should be mounted with at least two meters of vertical separation from
any other VHF antenna, e.g. those used for speech or DCS communication.
 The Nauticast B2 transponder should be mounted on a vertical bulkhead or surface with the
end featuring connectors / cables in the downward position. Use the procided mounting
plate. The mounting location must be protected from weather (e.g. rain, snow, ..) and direct
water spray. The best place, therefore, is at the navigation desk, under the helm station or
some other suitable location in the cabin.

Safe distance to other electronic equipment should be half a meter.

The GPS, VHF, power and data cables need to be secured to the bulkhead within 6” to 12”
(15 to 30cm) from the connectors.
CAUTION:

Use only the parts and cables provided with the Nauticast B2 set or Nauticast accessories to
connect antennas, power and display devices in order to ensure the proper functioning of
the system. When attaching other parts to the system follow the technical recommendations
in section 4.3 “Using different antennas”.

Do not connect the Nauticast B2 unit to a main line 110/220V AC electrical supply, as it could
cause electric shock or fire. Only use 12-24V DC power sources!
 Do not connect the Nauticast B2 unit to a DC supply exceeding 24V DC or reverse the supply
polarity, because it may cause damage to the unit. Ensure that the power supply is limited
in accordance with EN 60950-1:2006 and protected with a fuse or breakers not exceeding
the specifications listed in this manual.
 The length of either data or power cable must not exceed 3 meters.
 Do not apply excessive force to connectors during installation!
 The Nauticast B2 unit is designed for operation in the temperature range -25 °C to +55 °C.
Do not install (or use) the Nauticast B2 unit in environments which exceed this range.
 Connecting a mismatched VHF antenna, leaving the VHF antenna port disconnected or
shorting the VHF antenna port will activate the VSWR alarm, will cause the unit to stop
sending position reports and can cause damage to the transponder and activate the Error
LED.
2.5.2 Connecting the antennas
Connect the down-lead from the VHF antenna to the VHF antenna port and connect the down-lead
of the GPS antenna to the GPS antenna port. Please see 8.1
APPENDIX A – Block Diagram
for proper
antenna installation.