Garmin GMR Fantom 18x/24x Dome Radar Installation Instructions - Page 2

Mounting Considerations

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Mounting Considerations To complete the installation, you need the appropriate fasteners, tools, and mounts. These items are available at most marine dealers. • It is highly recommended that the device is mounted out of range of personnel, with the horizontal beam width above head height. To avoid exposure to harmful radio frequency (RF) levels, the device should not be mounted closer to people than the maximum safe distance value listed in the product specifications. • The device should be mounted high above the ship's keel line with minimal blockage between the vessel and the radar beam. Obstructions may cause blind and shadow sectors, or generate false echoes. The higher the installation position, the farther the radome can detect targets. • The device should be mounted on a flat surface or a platform that is parallel to the vessel's water line and is sturdy enough to support the device's weight. The weight for each model is listed in the product specifications. • Most radar beams spread vertically 12.5° above and 12.5° below the radome's radiating element. On vessels with higher bow angles at cruise speed, the installation angle can be lowered to point the beam slightly downward to the waterline while at rest. Use shims if necessary. • The device should be mounted away from heat sources such as smoke stacks and lights. • The device should be mounted at a different level than horizontal spreaders and mast crosstrees. • To avoid interference with a magnetic compass, the device should not be mounted closer to a compass than the compass-safe distance value listed in the product specifications. • Other electronics and cables should be mounted more than 2 m (6 ½ ft.) from the radar beam path. • GPS antennas should be either above or below the radar beam path. • The device should be mounted at least 1 m (40 in.) from any transmitting equipment. • The device should be mounted at least 1 m (40 in.) away from cables carrying radio signals such as VHF radios, cables, and antennas. For Single Side Band (SSB) radios, increase the distance to 2 m (6 ½ ft.). 2

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Mounting Considerations
To complete the installation, you need the appropriate fasteners, tools, and mounts. These items are available
at most marine dealers.
It is highly recommended that the device is mounted out of range of personnel, with the horizontal beam
width above head height. To avoid exposure to harmful radio frequency (RF) levels, the device should not be
mounted closer to people than the maximum safe distance value listed in the product specifications.
The device should be mounted high above the ship’s keel line with minimal blockage between the vessel and
the radar beam. Obstructions may cause blind and shadow sectors, or generate false echoes. The higher the
installation position, the farther the radome can detect targets.
The device should be mounted on a flat surface or a platform that is parallel to the vessel's water line and is
sturdy enough to support the device's weight. The weight for each model is listed in the product
specifications.
Most radar beams spread vertically 12.5° above
and 12.5° below
the radome's radiating element. On
vessels with higher bow angles at cruise speed, the installation angle can be lowered to point the beam
slightly downward to the waterline while at rest. Use shims if necessary.
The device should be mounted away from heat sources such as smoke stacks and lights.
The device should be mounted at a different level than horizontal spreaders and mast crosstrees.
To avoid interference with a magnetic compass, the device should not be mounted closer to a compass than
the compass-safe distance value listed in the product specifications.
Other electronics and cables should be mounted more than 2 m (6 ½ ft.) from the radar beam path.
GPS antennas should be either above or below the radar beam path.
The device should be mounted at least 1 m (40 in.) from any transmitting equipment.
The device should be mounted at least 1 m (40 in.) away from cables carrying radio signals such as VHF
radios, cables, and antennas.
For Single Side Band (SSB) radios, increase the distance to 2 m (6 ½ ft.).
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