Crestron SRD-ANT-8-PAK
Antenna System
Installation Guide
This document was prepared and written by the Technical Documentation department at:
Crestron Electronics, Inc.
15 Volvo Drive
Rockleigh, NJ 07647
1-888-CRESTRON
• Read and Retain Instructions – Read all Instructions before
• Outdoor Antenna Grounding – The antenna and coaxial cable
• Power Lines – An outside antenna system should not be located in
Important Safety Instructions
operating equipment and save for future reference.
connecting to the unit should be properly grounded to provide
protection against voltage surges and built-up static charges. Article
810 of the National Electrical Code (NEC), ANSI/NFPA 70, provides
information with regard to proper grounding of the mast and
supporting structure, grounding of the lead-in wire to an antenna
discharge unit, size of grounding conductors, location of antennadischarge unit, connection to grounding electrodes, and requirements
for the grounding electrode.
the vicinity of overhead power lines or electric light or power circuits,
or where they can fall into such power lines or circuits. When
installing an outside antenna system, extreme care should be taken to
keep from touching such power lines or circuits, as contact with them
might be fatal.
All brand names, product names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
The SRD-ANT-8-PAK is a high quality outdoor antenna system designed for use
with up to eight Crestron® XM or SIRIUS® satellite radio tuners. The inclusion of
two SRD-SPL-4 Four-Way Amplified Splitters enables distribution of the antenna
signal to eight separate tuners while allowing the antenna to be positioned up to 310
feet (cable length) from the tuners, using standard RG-6 cable (not included).
The antenna features a considerably narrower beam width compared to standard
consumer antennas, achieving superior gain and multi-path rejection. Additional
front end filtering provides excellent rejection to nearby out-of-band RF signals from
sources such as Wi-Fi, cellular telephones, and cordless telephones.
A wall mount bracket with elevation and azimuth adjustments is provided for
installation of the antenna to any horizontal or vertical flat surface. The additional
U-bolt and saddle enable mounting to a pole (not included) up to two inches in
diameter. Connections between the antenna and splitters are achieved using industry
standard RG-6 cable and F-type connectors (not supplied).
Eight 3-foot long F-to-SMB adapter cables are included for connecting each tuner to
the splitter outputs. If needed, standard RG-6 cable with male F-connectors (not
supplied) may be used to extend the output cable lengths up to 70 feet from each
individual splitter output to the tuners. Adding an SRD-AMP-1 line amplifier (sold
separately) at the input of either splitter will enable longer output cable lengths of up
to 250 feet each.
The SRD-ANT-8-PAK utilizes an SRD-CPL-4 Four-way Coupler to split the
antenna signal to each of the two amplified splitters provided. The two unused
outputs on the coupler may be used to feed additional amplified splitters, allowing
easy expansion to support distribution of the antenna signal to a total of up to 16
satellite radio tuners.
NOTE: Unused splitter outputs do not have to be terminated for proper operation.
A 20 dB power passing attenuator is also included with each splitter for use in
preventing overload of the splitter inputs in any installation that is located near a
high-power satellite radio terrestrial repeater.
NOTE: In this typical layout example, the sum total of all the cable segments
between the line amplifier output and the most distant radio should not exceed 310
feet.
Specifications
Following are specifications for the SRD-ANT-8-PAK.
SRD-ANT-8-PAK Specifications
SPECIFICATION DETAILS
Antenna
Bandwidth
Gain
Polarization
Beam width
Output connector
Wind resistance
Coupler
Input
Outputs
Loss @ 2.33 GHz
(Continued on following page)
2320 to 2345 MHz
12dBi (Typical)
Left hand circular
± 25°
F-female
Up to 100 MPH
One port (feeds DC power upstream)
Four ports (diode protected)
SRD-ANT-8-PAK, SRD-SPL-4, SRD-CPL-4, and SRD-AMP-1 Included Items
Industry Compliance
As of the date of manufacture, the SRD-ANT-8-PAK has been tested and found to
comply with specifications for CE marking and standards per EMC and
Radiocommunications Compliance Labelling.
• Mount the antenna outdoors with the supplied wall mount or pole mount
accessories. Installation indoors or behind windows is not recommended.
Windowpanes can have tinted coatings that can attenuate the signal. The
attenuation of these coatings can vary greatly as a function of temperature.
• Use the radio’s signal strength display as a guide to adjust the antenna for
peak satellite signal reception.
• This antenna kit is designed to drive up to 310 feet of RG-6 cable with no
signal loss. For longer cable runs, use in-line amplifier(s) SRD-AMP-1
(purchased separately) to boost the signal.
• Although this antenna can receive signals from terrestrial repeaters, it is
recommended to always use the satellite signals for primary reception at
fixed sites. The satellite signals are much more stable and are not affected
by many uncontrolled variables that can impact reception signal quality
greatly over time.
Elevation and
Azimuth Adjustments
Wall Mounting
Attach the wall mount assembly to a flat surface. Use the supplied screws to secure
the mount in the position desired (use of the included anchors requires 5/16” holes).
Attach the antenna to any pole (not larger than two inches in diameter) using the
U-bolt and saddle with supplied attaching hardware as shown in the following
figures.
U-Bolt
Mounting Hardware 2” DirecTV Pole 1 ¾” Dish Network Pole
Saddle
Wall Mount
Bracket
NOTE: For operation in close proximity to high power satellite radio terrestrial
repeaters, please use the supplied 20 dB power-passing attenuator on the input of the
splitters to avoid amplifier overload. Otherwise, the attenuators are not required.
Hookup
After the antenna is mounted, refer to the diagram on page 2, connect cables, attach
the in-line amplifier, the coupler, and the splitters, adjust the antenna position, and
finalize the installation as follows:
1. Attach the in-line amplifier to the antenna using a short RG-6 cable (not
supplied), providing a strain relief for the cable. Ensure the amplifier is
oriented with the Ant end toward the antenna and the Radio end toward the
radio.
2. Connect an RG-6 coaxial cable with male F-connectors to the in-line
amplifier Radio end.
NOTE: For best results in all configurations, use quad-shielded RG-6 cable
whenever possible.
3. Attach the RG-6 cable from the antenna to the coupler port labeled IN.
Attach an RG-6 cable from one of the coupler’s four OUT ports and route
the cable to the IN port of one of the splitters. Repeat for each splitter.
4. Using the supplied 3-foot F-Female to SMB adapter cables, connect the
RG-6 coaxial cable from splitter to the radio’s antenna input.
5. Adjust the azimuth and elevation pointing of the antenna for best reception
using the antenna signal strength menu in the radio. The antenna has a beam
width of ± 25º, which is narrower than standard consumer- quality home-kit
antennas, but provides higher gain and rejection to multi-path interference.
The “Appendix”, which starts on page 12, lists exact magnetic azimuth
bearings and elevation pointing angles for many major cities throughout the
US and Canada.
6. Tighten all hardware and seal the outdoor connectors using the included
weather boot or other means to prevent moisture ingress.
Aiming the Antenna
Refer to the documentation supplied with the tuner/radio for information on
observing signal strength. Adjust the antenna as required to maximize the signal.
XM Reception
XM has two satellites located in fixed orbital positions in the southern sky (at 115°
W longitude and 85º W longitude). These satellites each carry all of the XM
channels, so it is only required to have an un-obscured line-of-sight to one of these
orbital locations.
Initially set up the antenna with its orientation approximately due south, at an up
elevation angle of approximately 45º. Use this as the starting spot and peak the signal
reception for maximum on one of the XM satellites using the antenna alignment
menu in the radio. The “Appendix” lists exact magnetic azimuth bearings and
elevation pointing angles for many major cities throughout the US and Canada.
SIRIUS Reception
SIRIUS has three satellites in elliptical orbits that are constantly moving over the
earth in a “figure 8”. These orbits are arranged so that two satellites are always in
view at any point in time at relatively high elevation angles (from + 45° to almost
90°) in the sky. Your antenna should be aimed at the “cross-over point” of the
“figure 8”, or about 96.5° West Longitude and 46° North Latitude.
The following table and the figure on the following page provide relative azimuth
pointing guidelines for the United States and Canada. Your antenna should be aimed
for the “X” in the figure. The “Appendix” lists exact magnetic azimuth bearings and
elevation pointing angles for many major cities throughout the US and Canada.
Because the satellites’ positions are constantly changing, signal strength will vary
somewhat at different times of the day.
SIRIUS Antenna Aiming Guidelines
AREA* ANTENNA AIMING DIRECTION NORTH AMERICA
AREA 1 Aim the antenna EAST, NORTHEAST, or SOUTHEAST
AREA 2 Aim the antenna NORTH or NORTHEAST
AREA 3 Aim the antenna NORTH or NORTHWEST
AREA 4 Aim the antenna WEST or NORTHWEST
AREA 5 Aim the antenna STRAIGHT UP at the sky
* Refer to the following illustration for approximate area definitions.
The table after this paragraph provides corrective action for possible trouble
situations. If further assistance is required, please contact a Crestron customer
service representative.
SRD-ANT-8-PAK Installation Troubleshooting
TROUBLE POSSIBLE
CAUSES
No signal
reception. Radio
display shows:
“Antenna
Disconnected”, or
“Acquiring Signal”
“Check
Antenna” or “No
Signal”
.
Limited
reception or
channels
available for XM
and/or SIRIUS
tuners.
Short circuits or
discontinuities
Antenna is
connected properly
but signal is too
weak for reception.
Problem with tuner
card.
CORRECTIVE ACTION
With radio on and all antenna
cables connected at the radio,
check for 4 - 7 VDC at antenna
end of cable.
With radio on and all antenna
cables connected at the radio,
check for AC voltage at antenna
end of cable; should be < 1 VAC.
If AC voltage is found, check for
ground loops.
Ensure proper cable type and
length(s) per the illustration on
page 2.
Ensure amplifiers are oriented
properly with the output (marked
with an arrow labeled Radio)
oriented towards the radio.
Refer to the instructions supplied
with the antenna to ensure the
antenna is pointed accurately.
Ensure that the tuner card is
registered/activated.
Further Inquiries
If you cannot locate specific information or have questions after reviewing this
guide, please take advantage of Crestron's award winning customer service team by
calling Crestron at 1-888-CRESTRON [1-888-273-7876].
You can also log onto the online help section of the Crestron website
(www.crestron.com/onlinehelp) to ask questions about Crestron products. First-time
users will need to establish a user account to fully benefit from all available features.
Future Updates
As Crestron improves functions, adds new features and extends the capabilities of
the SRD-ANT-8-PAK, additional information may be made available as manual
updates. These updates are solely electronic and serve as intermediary supplements
prior to the release of a complete technical documentation revision.
Check the Crestron website periodically for manual update availability and its
relevance. Updates are identified as an “Addendum” in the Download column.
The following chart shows the optimum azimuth bearing and elevation pointing
angles for locations throughout the US (below) and Canada (starting on page 14).
The azimuth has been magnetically corrected.
NOTE: Although in many locations it may be possible to receive signals from
terrestrial repeaters, it is not recommended to use these signals at fixed locations.
Repeater signal strength can vary greatly from day to day as a function of many
uncontrolled variables.
SIRIUS and XM Satellite Azimuth and Elevation Angle Settings - US
SIRIUS XM SAT 1 (WEST 85°) XM SAT 2 (WEST 115 °)
CITY ST AZIMUTH° ELEVATION° AZIMUTH° ELEVATION° AZIMUTH° ELEVATION°
1. No merchandise may be returned for credit, exchange or service without prior authorization
from CRESTRON. To obtain warranty service for CRESTRON products, contact an
authorized CRESTRON dealer. Only authorized CRESTRON dealers may contact the factory
and request an RMA (Return Merchandise Authorization) number. Enclose a note specifying
the nature of the problem, name and phone number of contact person, RMA number and
return address.
2. Products may be returned for credit, exchange or service with a CRESTRON Return
Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number. Authorized returns must be shipped freight
prepaid to CRESTRON, 6 Volvo Drive, Rockleigh, N.J. or its authorized subsidiaries, with
RMA number clearly marked on the outside of all cartons. Shipments arriving freight collect
or without an RMA number shall be subject to refusal. CRESTRON reserves the right in its
sole and absolute discretion to charge a 15% restocking fee plus shipping costs on any
products returned with an RMA.
3. Return freight charges following repair of items under warranty shall be paid by CRESTRON,
shipping by standard ground carrier. In the event repairs are found to be non-warranty, return
freight costs shall be paid by the purchaser.
CRESTRON Limited Warranty
CRESTRON ELECTRONICS, Inc. warrants its products to be free from manufacturing defects in materials
and workmanship under normal use for a period of three (3) years from the date of purchase from
CRESTRON, with the following exceptions: disk drives and any other moving or rotating mechanical
parts, pan/tilt heads and power supplies are covered for a period of one (1) year; touchscreen display and
overlay components are covered for 90 days; batteries and incandescent lamps are not covered.
This warranty extends to products purchased directly from CRESTRON or an authorized CRESTRON
dealer. Purchasers should inquire of the dealer regarding the nature and extent of the dealer's warranty, if
any.
CRESTRON shall not be liable to honor the terms of this warranty if the product has been used in any
application other than that for which it was intended or if it has been subjected to misuse, accidental
damage, modification or improper installation procedures. Furthermore, this warranty does not cover any
product that has had the serial number altered, defaced or removed.
This warranty shall be the sole and exclusive remedy to the original purchaser. In no event shall
CRESTRON be liable for incidental or consequential damages of any kind (property or economic damages
inclusive) arising from the sale or use of this equipment. CRESTRON is not liable for any claim made by a
third party or made by the purchaser for a third party.
CRESTRON shall, at its option, repair or replace any product found defective, without charge for parts or
labor. Repaired or replaced equipment and parts supplied under this warranty shall be covered only by the
unexpired portion of the warranty.
Except as expressly set forth in this warranty, CRESTRON makes no other warranties, expressed or
implied, nor authorizes any other party to offer any warranty, including any implied warranties of
merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Any implied warranties that may be imposed by law are
limited to the terms of this limited warranty. This warranty statement supersedes all previous warranties.
Trademark Information
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