Hughes AN6-074S User manual

1036469-0001
Revision D
March 31, 2006
Hughes
Installation Manual for
.74 m Ku-band Upgradeable
Antenna Model AN6-074S

Copyright © 2005, 2006 Hughes Network Systems, LLC
All rights reserved. This publication and its contents are proprietary to Hughes Network Systems,
LLC. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the written
permission of Hughes Network Systems, LLC, 11717 Exploration Lane, Germantown, Maryland
20876.
Hughes Network Systems, LLC has made every effort to ensure the correctness and completeness
of the material in this document. Hughes Network Systems, LLC shall not be liable for errors
contained herein. The information in this document is subject to change without notice. Hughes
Network Systems, LLC makes no warranty of any kind with regard to this material, including, but not
limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.
Trademarks
Hughes, Hughes Network Systems, and HughesNet are trademarks of Hughes Network Systems,
LLC. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

• Important safety information
1036469-0001 Revision D iii
Important safety information
For your safety and protection, read this entire installation manual
before you attempt to install the satellite antenna. In particular,
read this safety section carefully. Keep this safety information
where you can refer to it if necessary.
Types of warnings used
in this manual
This section introduces the various types of warnings used in this
manual to alert you to possible safety hazards.
DANGER
Indicates an imminently hazardous situation, which, if not
avoided, will result in death or serious injury.
WARNING
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation, which, if not
avoided, could result in death or serious injury.
CAUTION
Indicates a potentially hazardous situation, which, if not
avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury.
CAUTION
Indicates a situation or practice that might result in property
damage.

• Important safety information
iv 1036469-0001 Revision D
Product warning labels The following safety alert label is affixed to each side of the
satellite antenna feed arm:
This label advises that the antenna emits radio frequency (RF)
energy. Because of this potential safety hazard, observe all
cautions in the following section (Antenna installation safety)
concerning RF radiation.
Antenna installation
safety
Observe the following precautions when installing the satellite
antenna. This manual also includes additional safety alerts where
appropriate concerning specific installation
procedures.
WARNING
Only Hughes-certified installers can install or service
Hughes earth stations and components. All
Hughes-certified installers must expressly acknowledge the
Hughes requirements for installations.
DANGER
If you work on a roof, tower, or other high structure or use a
ladder or scaffold to access the work site, follow these
precautions to prevent personal injury or death:
•Walk only on sound roof structures.
•Make sure the antenna assembly and installation
surface are structurally sound so they can support all
loads (equipment weight, ice, and wind).
•Use appropriate safety equipment (for example, a
lifeline), depending on the work location.
•Follow all safety precautions from the manufacturers of
all safety equipment and other equipment used.
•Perform as many procedures as possible on the ground.

• Important safety information
1036469-0001 Revision D v
DANGER
•To avoid electric shock, stay at least 20 ft from power
lines.
•If any part of the antenna or mount assembly comes in
contact with a power line, call your local power
company to remove it.
Do not try to remove it yourself.
Failure to heed these warnings could result in serious injury
or death.
WARNING
•Do not work in high wind or rain or if a storm, lightning,
or other adverse weather conditions are present or
approaching.
•Do not attempt to assemble, move, or mount the
antenna on a windy day. Even a slight wind can
unexpectedly create strong, unexpected forces on the
antenna surface.

• Important safety information
vi 1036469-0001 Revision D
CAUTION
Observe these precautions to avoid exposure to RF
radiation, a potential safety hazard:
•The antenna must be installed in a location or manner
not readily accessible to children and in a manner that
prevents human exposure to potentially harmful levels
of radiation.
•Antennas mounted in Puerto Rico, the continental
United States, or at any site with greater than a 30°
elevation angle must be installed such that the lower lip
of the antenna reflector is at least 5 ft above any surface
upon which a person might be expected to stand, and 3
ft 3 in. from any opening (such as a door or window) in a
building or adjacent structure.
•Antennas mounted in Canada, Alaska, Hawaii, or any
site with less than a 30° elevation must be installed such
that the lower lip of the antenna reflector is at least
5ft 9 in. above any surface upon which a person might
be expected to stand, and 3 ft 3 in. from any opening
(such as a door or window) in a building or adjacent
structure.
•The antenna must be mounted such that no object
which could reasonably be expected to support a
person is within 6 ft 7 in. of the edges of a cylindrical
space projecting outward from the antenna reflector
toward the satellite.
•If the above distance requirements cannot be met, the
antenna must be mounted in a controlled area
inaccessible to the general public, such as a fenced
enclosure or a roof.
•The antenna must be mounted such that there is no
object outside the controlled area which could
reasonably be expected to support a person within
6ft 7 in. of the edges of a cylindrical space projecting
outward from the antenna reflector toward the satellite.
•A fenced installation must have a locked entry, and the
fenced area must be large enough to protect the general
public from exposure to potentially harmful levels of
radiation.
•Access to a roof installation in a commercial, industrial,
or institutional environment must be limited by a door or
a permanently fastened ladder that is locked to deny
access to the general public.
Failure to observe these cautions could result in injury to
eyes or other personal injury.

• Important safety information
1036469-0001 Revision D vii
Some installations may require additional precautions. See the
Antenna Site Preparation and Mount Installation Guide
(1035678-0001).
CAUTION
•All installations of any type or size must carry an
industry standard and government approved
Radiation
Hazard Caution
label on the feed arm and on the back of
the antenna reflector.
•A fenced or roof installation in a commercial, industrial,
or institutional environment must carry a
Radiation
Hazard Caution
sign on the access door, gate, or
permanently mounted access ladder that is within plain
sight of anyone approaching the antenna from the front
or sides of the reflector.
Failure to observe these cautions could result in injury to
eyes or other personal injury.

• Important safety information
viii 1036469-0001 Revision D

• Contents
1036469-0001 Revision D ix
Contents
Important safety information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii
Types of warnings used in this manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii
Product warning labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
Antenna installation safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv
About this document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xvii
Scope and audience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .xvii
Organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .xvii
Related publications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .xvii
Revision record. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .xvii
Chapter 1
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Broadband satellite system components. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Antenna installation summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Tasks related to antenna installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Selecting the installation site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Installing the antenna mount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Grounding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Installing the IDU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Cables and cabling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Chapter 2
Antenna components, tools, and materials . . . . . . . . . . .5
Antenna kit components. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Antenna reflector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Reflector bracket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Polarization plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Elevation bracket and canister . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Feed arm and radio assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Trimast (or other antenna mount). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Hardware and materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Required tools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Chapter 3
Assembling and installing the antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Unpacking the antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Assembling the antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Attaching the polarization plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

• Contents
x1036469-0001 Revision D
Installing a shim for vertical transmit polarization. . . . . . . . .14
Attaching the radio assembly to the feed arm . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Attaching the reflector bracket to the reflector. . . . . . . . . . . .20
Attaching the feed arm to the reflector bracket . . . . . . . . . . .21
Mounting the antenna. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Installing the fine elevation pointing tool. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Chapter 4
Cabling and connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Routing the cables at the ODU. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Connecting the transmit and receive cables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Transmit cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Receive cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Ground connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Chapter 5
Pointing the antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Antenna pointing overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Determining the pointing values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Using the installation software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Peaking the signal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Personnel requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Pointing parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Outdoor pointing interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
OPI block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Prerequisites for antenna pointing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Adjusting the antenna. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Adjusting polarization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Adjusting elevation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Coarse elevation adjustment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Fine elevation adjustment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Setting azimuth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
Setting azimuth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
Receive pointing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Adjusting azimuth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Peaking the signal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Isolating the transmit signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
Manual ACP test. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
Automatic ACP test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Final steps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Removing the fine elevation pointing tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Checking for safety labels and signs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Subsequent steps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48

• Contents
1036469-0001 Revision D xi
Acronyms and abbreviations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

• Contents
xii 1036469-0001 Revision D

• Figures
1036469-0001 Revision D xiii
Figures
Chapter 1
1. The .74 m satellite antenna installed on a trimast. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Chapter 2
2. Antenna reflector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
3. Reflector bracket. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
4. Polarization plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
5. Elevation bracket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
6. Feed arm and attached feed horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
7. Trimast in various configurations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Chapter 3
8. Fastening the polarization plate to the elevation bracket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
9. Securing the polarization plate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
10. Shim location next to TRIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
11. Horizontal shim and vertical shim for transmit polarization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
12. Direction of TRIA rotation for vertical polarization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
13. TRIA position for horizontal and vertical transmit polarization . . . . . . . . . . . .16
14. Feed arm and feed horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
15. O-ring on back end of feed horn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
16. Radio assembly in position to be attached to feed arm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
17. Attaching the radio assembly to the feed horn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
18. Radio assembly attached to feed arm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
19. Attaching the reflector bracket to the reflector. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
20. Attaching the feed arm to the reflector bracket . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
21. Sliding the antenna assembly onto the mast. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
22. Installing the fine elevation pointing tool. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Chapter 4
23. Transmit and receive cable configurations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
24. Connecting the transmit cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
25. Connecting the receive cable to the LNB. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
26. Ground screw on the transmitter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Chapter 5
27. OPI (optional tool) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
28. OPI installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34

• Figures
xiv 1036469-0001 Revision D
29. OPI block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
30. Adjusting azimuth, elevation, and polarization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
31. Adjusting polarization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
32. Polarization adjustments on the antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
33. Adjusting elevation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
34. Elevation adjustments on the antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
35. Elevation pointer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
36. Adjusting the antenna azimuth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
37. Loosening the canister nuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
38. Rotating the antenna to adjust azimuth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43

• Tables
1036469-0001 Revision D xv
Tables
Chapter 2
1. Hardware parts shipped with antenna. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
2. Tools needed to install the antenna. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

• Tables
xvi 1036469-0001 Revision D

• About this document
1036469-0001 Revision D xvii
About this document
Scope and audience This manual explains how to assemble, install, and point the
Hughes model AN6-074S antenna. It is written for qualified
installers who are familiar with satellite antenna installation
practices and are capable of properly applying the information
presented.
Organization This manual is divided into the following chapters:
•Chapter 1 – Overview includes a summary of the antenna
installation steps and tells you where to find information
about tasks related to antenna installation.
•Chapter 2 – Antenna components, tools, and materials
describes the components and parts provided in the antenna
kit. It also lists the tools and materials needed for installation.
•Chapter 3 – Assembling and installing the antenna provides
instructions for installing the antenna.
•Chapter 4 – Cabling and connections explains how to route
and connect cables to the outdoor unit (ODU).
•Chapter 5 – Pointing the antenna explains how to point the
antenna at the satellite and acquire the satellite signal.
Related publications For information on preparing the antenna site, including
mounting options, see Antenna Site Preparation and Mount
Installation Guide (1035678-0001).
Revision record The following table presents the revision record of this
document:
Revision Date of issue Scope
ASeptember 28, 2005 Production release
BDecember 16, 2005 Added instruction to use extra
cable to allow for future antenna
upgrade. Minor corrections.
CFebruary 8, 2006 Minor corrections
DMarch 31, 2006 New Hughes branding

• About this document
xviii 1036469-0001 Revision D

Chapter 1 • Overview
1036469-0001 Revision D 1
Chapter 1
Overview
The Hughes model AN6-074S .74 m antenna is designed for both
Ku-band and Ka-band applications.
This chapter presents an overview of the Hughes broadband
satellite system, a summary of the antenna installation steps, and
information about tasks related to antenna installation. These
topics are included in the following sections:
•Broadband satellite system components on page 1
•Antenna installation summary on page 3
•Tasks related to antenna installation on page 4
Broadband satellite
system components
The .74 m antenna (Figure 1 on page 2) is a part of the broadband
satellite system, which consists of the following major
components:
•Indoor unit (IDU)
•Antenna assembly (the ODU)
•Cables for connecting the IDU to the ODU and the computer
•Software

Chapter 1 • Overview
21036469-0001 Revision D
Figure 1 shows the .74 m antenna installed on a trimast mounted
on a wall.
Figure 1: The .74 m satellite antenna installed on a trimast
T0143012
Antenna
reflector
Radio
Trimast
(one of several possible
mounting options)
Feed arm
Az/el assembly