10-2003, OdaLog Surface-Mount Antenna Installation Guide Revision: 1 , 31/05/2010
ODALOG SURFACE MOUNT ANTENNA – INSTALLATION GUIDE
Package Contents:
1. OdaLog® Surface-Mount Antenna kit (PN: 11-2001), Consisting of:
• OdaLog Surface-Mount Antenna
• OdaLog Antenna Plug w/lead (total cable length 3.5metres)
• Heatshrink (for sealing cable joiner connectors)
• Installation Guide (this document)
Recommended Accessories - SOLD SEPERATELY (or equivalent approved epoxy):
• Megapoxy™ kit permanent adhesive kit (PN: 11-0070, one-time application)
Suitable to bond to metal, concrete/bitumen and some plastic surfaces: Part A/B
30ml syringes, mixing stick, gloves (latex or PVC - NOT nitrile)
Required Tools (not provided):
1. Electric / Battery drill
2. 6mm drill bit (suitable for mounting material, e.g. metal, concrete etc...)
3. Mixing bowl or cup (disposable, e.g. plastic – polystyrene not suitable)
4. Marking Pen – Felt-Tip Marker or White-out correction pen
5. Heat Gun (portable if mains power not available on location)
WARNING
When installing the OdaLog Surface-Mount antenna, it is a customer responsibility to strictly
adhere to all Local Laws, Regulations and Occupational Health and Safety precautions. Caution is
to be given when installing in a publically-accessibly area, that duty of care, requirements and
consideration for the location surroundings (e.g. vehicles, pedestrians, frequency of use).
GENERAL DISCLAIMER
The OdaLog
®
Surface-Mount Antenna Kit is sold subject to our standard terms and conditions of
sale and any written warranty given by App-Tek. App-Tek does not accept any other liability
either directly or indirectly for any losses suffered in connection with the use and application of
the OdaLog
®
Surface-Mount Antenna Kit, whether or not in accordance with any advice,
specification, recommendation or information given by it or as a result of any errors or omissions
in this Installation Guide.
10-2003, OdaLog Surface-Mount Antenna Installation Guide Revision: 1 , 31/05/2010
PREPARATION:
1. Test Communication:
To check the antenna is working correctly prior to installation, it is recommended to
test connection. Plug in the standard 'stub' antenna - then compare with surface-mount
antenna to ensure your OdaLog connects correctly (refer to OdaLog RTx user manual
for instructions on how to connect to the internet server).
2. Mounting:
The antenna should be mounted on relatively flat surface metal, plastic, concrete,
bitumen or similar. The Antenna works best when mounted horizontal, but may still
give signal improvements if mounted on an angled or vertical surface.
The wiring of the antenna requires that a 6mm hole be drilled through the mounting
surface, check on the other side of the surface to see if it’s suitable.
The antenna cable is 3.5 meters long, ensure there is a suitable place to secure the
OdaLog within this distance from the antenna location. If extra length is required, a
5metre cable extension kit can be used (PN: 11-2003, sold separately)
3. Marking and Drilling:
Trace around the outline of the antenna (easiest if upside down), and mark the
approximate location of where the hole will be (easiest to mark points on the traced
outline, and sketch lines that will intersect where the hole location will be).
Taking note of the drill marking, drill 6mm hole through the mounting surface.
4. Test mount:
Locate the joining connectors in the 3.5 metre antenna cable, and disconnect. Slide the
short cable from the antenna side of through the drilled hole and check mounting
location is ok, and leave the antenna in this location during the next step.
OPTIONAL MASKING
If appearance is important, you may wish to use some wide packaging tape to
mask near the marked outline. Later in process, when epoxy starts to set, use a
disposable blade to separate the epoxy, and remove the masking (with excess
epoxy attached).
10-2003, OdaLog Surface-Mount Antenna Installation Guide Revision: 1 , 31/05/2010
5. Megapoxy™ kit (2 part epoxy) - Preparation and Fitment:
a. Empty contents of both syringes (Black & White) into a cup (Note: that
some plastics may melt).
b. Using a mixing stick, stir until the colour consistency reaches a dark grey
(no white swirls) – mixing should take no more than 20sec.
6. Ready to pour:
Make sure the antenna wire with connector is inserted through the hole before pouring
epoxy. Stand the antenna off to the side, so allow the pouring of the epoxy, as shown.
Begin pouring the epoxy in the centre of the mounting area, and spread over the
mounting area quickly. On a flat surface, you may not require the entire mixed
contents.
7. Placing the antenna:
Gently push the antenna wire though the hole, and allow the antenna to float on the
pool of epoxy. Applying pressure to the top face of the antenna, gently reposition if
required. If suitable, you may wish to pull gently on the antenna wire from the
underside of the surface to ensure the wire lines up correctly with the drilled hole.
Once satisfied with location, apply even pressure to the top surface until the epoxy
squeezes out past each edge/corner of the antenna, being sure not to squeeze all of the
epoxy out (needs to be an epoxy thickness 1-2mm to function correctly).
WARNING
Ensure all safety guidelines are observed when using the provided two-part epoxy
(Megapoxy™ 36 Gun Grade). Read the Caution Notice and Technical Bulletin
provided in this kit, refer to the manufacturers material safety data sheet for
further information (MSDS available on request from distributor). Latex or PVC
gloves (provided) are recommended for this process (not nitrile).
IMPORTANT
The antenna wire must be inserted through drilled hole before pouring epoxy.
Once mixed, epoxy will begin to set very quickly (approx 2-3min), ensure all
steps have been completed, and antenna is ready for mounting prior to mixing.
10-2003, OdaLog Surface-Mount Antenna Installation Guide Revision: 1 , 31/05/2010
8. Drying / Setting:
The epoxy will remain 'pourable' for around 2-3 minutes and will start to set in
approximately 5minutes, with a cure time of 1 hour. Do not use chemicals to clean
excess epoxy - use disposable blade to scrap excess if required.
9. Wire Connectors – Applying Heat Shrink Seal
To ensure ongoing and reliable communication – adhesive-lined heat shrink sleeving
must to be used to seal and protect the gold connections in the antenna cable
(protecting from corrosion and moisture ingress).
Once the antenna has been mounted (can be done at any time after wire is slipped
through the hole drilled in the mounting surface), slip the heat shrink over one end of
the disconnected antenna cable. Connect gold connections together and slide the heat-
shrink over area, and position it so the connectors are roughly positioned in the centre
of the sleeving.
Noting the warning above, use the heat gun to shrink fit the sleeving, ensuring a tight
fit, and both ends of the heat-shrink are completely closed over the cable.
Note: The adhesive lining of the heat-shrink (clear glue) will run slightly
each end of the sleeving, helping to seal the connection.
Caution: Over-heating may damage wire and/or connection
10. Ready to Install / Connect OdaLog RTx
After the epoxy has hardened sufficiently, and heat shrink has been applied to the
antenna lead connection, connect to the OdaLog RTx instrument and secure in desired
location. Secure any excess cable and check all connections are fitted correctly, test
communications with OdaLog Instrument before leaving location.
WARNING
Ensure all safety guidelines are followed during this process – as heat (and thus
potentials flames or sparks) is used in this operation, the cable should be moved
well-away from any entries to hazardous areas or potentially flammable materials
or gases.
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