PredictWind recommends customers purchase and install the Iridium GO exec LITE Single Mode Antenna Kit to ensure the most reliable and consistent connection possible. This only has one Iridium satellite antenna and does not include an additional GPS antenna.
This antenna is included in PredictWind Iridium GO! exec™ Complete Package, or is available separately in the Iridium GO! exec antenna kit.
Iridium also offers a Premium Dual Mode Antenna Kit with GPS. PredictWind does not stock this as the GO exec GPS cannot report a tracking position at all. PredictWind designed and recommends the DataHub for the GO exec to enable automatic and seamless GPS tracking.
If you have decided not to purchase the external antenna, skip this step and continue to Step 10 - How to use the PredictWind Offshore App.
GO exec external antenna installation overview
It is recommended that you pre-test the complete setup before installation. This can be done on a bench outside at home or on the boat's deck away from the harbour 1NM to avoid the radio frequency interference of marinas and port authorities. Connect all the components to test that everything works.
The GO exec external antenna needs to be mounted outside where it has the best possible view of the sky and horizon with minimal obstruction to get the best Iridium signal. It must also be clear of metal objects, above and away from other transmitting devices.
Iridium has been very careful to specify the cable length for the LMR 400 Iridium GO exec antenna cable at its maximum of 5 metres / 16 feet.
Carefully consider the cable path and where the GO exec can be mounted in a dry location inside the vessel, close to a power source.
We recommend installing the antenna on the pushpit of your vessel. If on a sailboat, we recommend installing the antenna near the pushpit area, 1 metre above solar panels and any other reflective surfaces. Mounting on a sailboat mast is not recommended.
The thick, black coaxial cable is not designed to be bent around any hard corners; it has a minimum radius of 25mm.
With the GO exec and external antenna well mounted, you can use Wi-Fi or any ethernet cable up to 100m to connect the DataHub to the GO exec. The DataHub will become the Wi-Fi hotspot to which you can connect all your devices.
Avoid mounting the external antenna near any radar that is 4KW or higher. If mounting near a radar, please mount the external antenna above the radar.
VHF antennas will not cause signal interference, but they mustn't be 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 a 1-meter separation between the two.
Avoid mounting the antenna within 2 meters / 6.5 feet of a wind generator, as it may cause electrical interference.
GO exec external antenna installation steps
Bracket mounting
Install the Mast/Rail mounting bracket on a pole or rail within the 5-meter cable run length. The U-bolts can fit a pole or rail with a 30-60mm diameter.
The antenna must not be mounted in a location where a person would be within the minimum safe distance of 20cm / 8 inches during radio transmission.
With the antenna mount bracket securely in place, refer to the image below:
Feed one end of the passive antenna cable through the base of the bracket (A, B).
Feed the cable through the antenna base plate (C).
Screw the antenna base to the bracket as in (D).
Attach the black rubber seal provided to the base plate(C)
Insert the satellite cable through the antenna base.
Connect the SAT antenna cable connector (TNC-M) to the antenna connector1 (TNC-F) and hand-tighten it.
Carefully screw the antenna base to the antenna housing using screws and the Allen key provided.
To prevent the cable from moving, use the cable ties provided to fasten it tight along the pole or rail path at both the antenna end and GO exec device end.
Connecting the antenna cable, adaptor and connector
Protect the 15cm GO exec cable adaptor from damage using cable ties to secure it at the GO exec end and tighten the satellite cable to any mounting equipment used. It is essential to make sure the gap between the cable connector and the satellite connector is close enough so that the cable adaptor is not stressed at any point when connected.
The external satellite antenna connector is found directly next to the device's internal antenna.
Be careful when connecting the GO exec cable adaptor to the GO exec Ext. Satellite Connector as it is very delicate.
Seal all cable connections appropriately with coaxial sealant, shrink-wrap tubing, electrical tape, or another suitable product to prevent moisture and corrosion damage from weather exposure.
Example GO exec antenna installation, flat-mounted
The below example shows a well-mounted External Antenna connected to a flat-mounted GO exec in its bracket, with USB power wired into the boat. This great setup will achieve consistent, strong coverage for the GO exec offshore. Click the image to enlarge it in a new window.
When your external antenna is connected, the touchscreen and the Iridium GO exec App will show this by displaying EXT in the top left corner.
Move on to Step 10
You are ready to move to Step 10 - Configure your GO exec to use an external antenna.
Quick Tips
Iridium's GO exec External Antenna Installation Guide
To download the full antenna, cable and kit specifications and official Iridium installation instructions, please see the Iridium GO exec Single Mode Antenna Lite Kit (NO GNSS) installation guide.