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Iridium GO! Setup
How to install the Iridium GO! and external antenna
How to install the Iridium GO! and external antenna
Keryn McMaster avatar
Written by Keryn McMaster
Updated over a week ago

It is essential that you correctly mount the Iridium GO! and external antenna to ensure a strong satellite connection and signal.

The steps below will answer any questions relating to running the external antenna cables, power source, voltage, mounting, GPS signal etc.

IRIDIUM GO INSTALLATION:

  1. Find a dry location for the Iridium GO! inside the vessel away from direct sunlight. Exposure to high temperatures under a spray dodger and bimini can result in overheating and battery damage.

  2. The Iridium GO! device utilizes a negative ground system. When using a DC power source, such as a car or boat, the power system must be a negative ground system. Do not use the device with positive ground systems. Failure to properly ground the Iridium GO! could cause fire or could cause the device to fail so that it is unavailable in an emergency situation, preventing or delaying an emergency response.

  3. Use the Iridium GO! device with Iridium supplied power accessories ONLY. Use of non-Iridium supplied power accessories could result in exposing the device to excessive voltage, which could cause fire or could cause the device to fail so that it is unavailable in an emergency situation, preventing or delaying an emergency response.

  4. Avoid close proximity to instrument panels which may cause radio frequency interference.

  5. The Iridium GO unit should be installed in a position high in the cabin, ideally close to a window, so the GPS signal can penetrate the cabin top. The GPS antenna is inside the Iridium GO unit only.

  6. NOTE: THE ANTENNA FOR GPS TRACKING IS INSIDE THE IRIDIUM GO UNIT. The external antenna only repeats the Iridium satellite signal but not the GPS positions signal necessary for tracking. At present there is no external antenna for the Iridium GO! that will boost the GPS signal. If you have a steel, carbon or alloy boat the GPS tracking will not work with the Iridium GO. You should consider our stand-alone external tracking device, the YB3i

  7. The internal GPS receiver in the base unit faces the same direction as the LCD screen, so if possible, ensure the LCD screen is facing the sky for best tracking reception.

EXTERNAL ANTENNA INSTALLATION:

  1. The external antenna needs to be mounted where it has the best possible view of the sky and horizon with minimal obstruction to get the best possible Iridium signal level. If on a yacht we recommend installing the antenna near the pushpit area, above solar panels and not on the yacht mast.

  2. Avoid mounting the external antenna near any radar that is 4KW or higher. If mounting near radar please mount above the radar.

  3. VHF antennas will not cause signal interference, but it is important they are not obstructing the Iridium GO! antenna's view of the sky/horizon. If you have a GPS receiver it is important to mount the external antenna with at least 1 meter separation between the two.

  4. Avoid mounting the antenna within 2 meters of a wind generator which may cause electrical interference.

  5. The black co-axial cable is not designed to be bent around any hard corners, it has a 25mm minimum radius.

  6. Be careful of the Iridium GO! Cable Adaptor that connects the large cable to the Iridium GO unit. This is quite delicate.

  7. Secure the Iridium GO! Cable Adaptor with cable ties, so there is no strain on the small connector into the unit.

  8. Use coaxial sealant, shrink-wrap tubing, electrical tape or another suitable product to seal all cable connections appropriately to prevent moisture and corrosion damage from weather exposure.

  9. When an external antenna is connected, you must still raise the device antenna; this action turns the unit on and allows for transmission with the Iridium network, while lowering the device antenna can disable transmission or effectively switch the device off.

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