Quark-Elec QK-R041 User manual

V1.0(06/22)
QK-R041
POWR SUPPLY
The R041 can be powered from a 12V to 35V DC power supply. Power (V+) and GND(V-) are
clearly indicated on the side terminal block. Ensure these are connected correctly. The R041 is
equipped with reverse polarity protecon to protect the device in case of improper installaon.
4G SIM CARD
To get Internet connecon via a 3G/4G mobile network, the R041
should have a 3G/4G data SIM inserted, which is registered to a valid
mobile operator account.
To insert a SIM card into the router, unscrew the two screws and
remove the small cover as shown on the image and insert the SIM
card into the SIM card slot. For nano and micro-SIM cards a card
adaptor is required (not included with the router, normally comes
with the SIM card).
When inserng a SIM card, ensure the SIM card has the correct orientaon. Do NOT insert the
SIM card at an angle or use force. There is also an SD card slot next to the SIM card slot, the use
of this is not currently supported by the rmware.
Aer inserng the SIM card, power on the R041 to ensure the SIM card works well before replac-
ing the cover. The router will automacally connect to the mobile network, the rst LED is the 4G
indicator, it will stay on showing that the router is connected to the Internet. The other three are
signal strength indicators will turn on if the strength arrive relave level. If the 4G indicator
doesn’t come on, login to the conguraon interface to check if the Access Point Name (APN)
needs to be modied.
Please switch o the router before inserng or removing the SIM card.
INDICATION LEDS
The R041 features indicator LEDs which show power, system, WiFi and 4G/3G network strength
status. There is also another LED on the front panel, which can be customized as required by the
operator.
* Power: LED light is constantly lit in red when the device is powered on.
* System: LED light ashes once every second, when the router is working properly.
* WiFi: LED will ash for each data transacon via WiFi. It will keep steady on when idle.
* Reserved: This LED can be assigned to a specic status or event by using the conguraon in-
terface.
* 4G/3G signal strength: There are four LED lights: the le LED shows
the current network type. Red indicates 2G, green indicates 3G(UMTS)
and the orange (mixed green and red) indicates 4G(LTE).
The other three LEDs represent the current signal strength. More lit up
LEDs mean stronger signal.
Disclaimer: This product is designed to aid navigaon and should be used to augment normal navigaonal procedures
and pracces. It is the user’s responsibility to use this product prudently. Neither Quark-elec, nor their distributors or
dealers accept responsibility or liability either to the product user or their estate for any accident, loss, injury or
damage whatsoever arising out of the use or of liability to use this product.
SET-UP GUIDE
QK-R041 WIRELESS 4G LTE ROUTER
FAST & LONG RANGE INTERNET ACCESS ON BOAT
MIMO TECHNOLOGY WITH DIVERSITY 4G ANTENNAS
FAILOVER BETWEEN 4G AND 3G
SERIAL PORT SUPPORTS NMEA 0183 PROTOCOL
SUPPORT UP TO 32 TERMINALS
All products are CE, RoHS cered
www.quark-elec.com
Please recycle your packaging

This is an overview only. Familiarize yourself with the manual and the manuals of
any connecng devices before installaon. It is always recommended that electronic
equipment be installed by an experienced installer.
QK-R041
BEFORE YOU START:
The default R041 sengs have been carefully selected to work well in most situaons. We
suggest you not to change at the rst me except the following two sengs.
1) The APN sengs for the mobile network of the Data SIM– these must be set to enable
the mobile Internet connecon.
2) The default WiFi sengs (SSID and Password) were recommended changing to your
preferred name and password. This ensures that only the users who know the login
details will be able to connect to the router.
The R041 is congured and controlled via its built-in web interface. In order to access this, you
will need a wireless device such as a PC, Mac, tablet or smart phone running a web browser such
as Chrome, Safari, Edge or Firefox. Connect your mobile device or desktop to the router’s WiFi
network. The default SSID is similar to ‘QK-R041-xxxx’ and the default password is ‘QE88888888’ .
Input ‘192.168.1.1’ into the address bar and press ‘Enter’. You will be asked the login in ID and
password, both of which are ‘admin’. Click ‘Login’ , you will be lead to the conguraon webpage.
MOUNTING
1. The R041 is not fully waterproof, so it needs to be mounted in a dry place such as behind the
instrument panel or a rack. When choosing the right place for it, the most important factor is the
quality of the 3G/4G recepon. A mobile phone with a signal strength measuring applicaon can
be used (e.g., Signal Strength on Google Play store) to test various places inside the boat to see
where strong and reliable mobile signal can be received, usually close to a port hole, hatch, or
window. The suggested signal strength is at least 3 bars (-90dBm) shown on the phone. On
vessels with a breglass hull, it should be easy to nd a place with good mobile network
recepon, but if this is not achievable or the vessel has a wooden, carbon bre or steel hull, then
the installaon of external berglass antennas are recommended. This will allow the R041 to
have the best possible receiver range.
2. Apart from the mobile signal strength, WiFi recepon and cable runs also need to be
considered to nd the best possible place for the router. Please allow a minimum of 0.5m
between the R041 and other WiFi devices. This will help avoid interference problems.
3. The R041 can be mounted in any orientaon, as the antennas can be rotated and bent for
best recepon, although we recommend mounng the R041 on a at surface with the antennas
poinng upwards, in a posion to avoid stress on the cables and to ensure condensaon doesn’t
get into the connectors.
4G ANTENNAS
The R041 comes with two SMA 5dBi external
indoor 4G/3G antennas. Both antennas have a
magnec base so they can be aached to various
ferrous surfaces. The two 4G antennas should be
placed at a minimum distance of 20 inches (50cm)
from each other to maximise the posive eect of
the MIMO technology. There is no need to place
the two antennas further apart, since the eld
tests show that the signal quality cannot be
signicantly improved by increasing the distance.
The 4G antennas should not be mounted near
metal objects or close to other high-power
transming antennas like VHF, HF and SSB
antennas. It is recommended to place the 4G
antennas at a minimum distance of 40 inches (1.0
meter) away from these high-power transming
antennas on the boat.
For low power antennas or not near frequency
band antennas (e.g. WiFi, GPS, TV), it is
recommend to keep a minimum distance of 20
inches (50cm) between antennas.
To have beer 4G network recepon external 4G berglass antennas can be used. The following
image shows a wiring example. If longer cables are used to connect the antenna to the router, it
must be a high-quality, low loss cable. The cable and any connectors used should have 50 Ohms
impedance.
QK-R041