Sirius 14245 Owners Guide

SIRIUS Home Signal Distribution Kit

for Satellite Radio

For Use With One or Two SIRIUS Receivers

Installation Manual

Thank you for purchasing the SIRIUS Home Signal Distribution

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Kit for Satellite Radio

The SIRIUS Home Signal Distribution Kit for Satellite Radio will allow you to con­nect one or two SIRIUS receivers using only one outdoor antenna, with standard
RG-6 antenna cable wire, the same cable used in cable TV installations. This

allows you great exibility as to where you locate the outdoor antenna and where

you locate your SIRIUS receivers. RG-6 cables can be purchased at your local
hardware store, home center, or electronics retailer. Short adapter cables are
included for adapting the RG-6 cable to your SIRIUS receivers.

The outdoor antenna is a high-performance antenna, specically designed to

receive signals from the SIRIUS satellites and terrestrial (ground) transmitters
when mounted outdoors on a home or other building. The antenna has been
approved by Sirius Satellite Radio to receive the SIRIUS signal under a variety of
conditions within the SIRIUS North American coverage area.

Installation of the antenna and splitter requires experience in mechanical and

electrical procedures. Review this installation manual before beginning the instal-

lation process. If you are not comfortable or experienced with the installation

procedures, SIRIUS recommends that you have a professional install the kit and
wiring for you.

The antenna should be mounted according to the instructions in this manual to
ensure the best quality reception of the SIRIUS signal. All necessary mounting
hardware for a variety of mounting options is included with the kit.

Box Contents

Open the box and verify that all the items shown below are included with the kit.

If any items are missing, please contact your dealer or retailer immediately. Keep
your purchase receipt and the packaging materials should you need to return or
ship the kit.

A. Outdoor Antenna
B. SRS-2VB Splitter
C. Rubber Cable Boot
D. Terminator
E. RG-174 Adapter

Cables (2)

F. U-Bolts (2)
G. Mounting Brackets (2)
H. Hex Lock Nuts (4)
I. #10 Screws (4)
J. Cable Tie

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Home Distribution Kit Installation Manual

Tools Required

IN

OUT1

MODEL SRS-2VB

2300-2400 MHz

OUT2

IN

OUT1 OUT2

A phillips-type screwdriver and a 3/8 in. wrench is needed for installation. De­pending upon the type of installation, a power drill with a 3/32 in. drill bit may also
be required.

Caution and Warnings

WARNING: Be sure not to cut, damage, or puncture the external jacket of the

antenna cables during the installation procedure. Damage to the antenna cable
can cause the SIRIUS signal to be degraded or unavailable, and can also cause
water to intrude into the antenna cable causing the cable to fail.

Splitter Port Identication

For a successful installation, the various cables used in the installation process
described later in this manual must be connected to the correct ports on the Split-

ter. The following illustration identies the 3 ports on the Splitter. This diagram

should be used for reference during installation.

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Materials Required and Installation Considerations

SATELLITE

OUTDOOR ANTENNA

SATELLITE RADIO

SPLITTER

Adapter

Cable

S

SATELLITE RADIO

Adapter

Cable

RG-6 Cable

Outdoor
Antenna

SIRIUS

Receivers

Splitter

RG-6 Cables

RG-174

Adapter Cables

50’ MAX.

150’ MAX.

Terminator (if connecting
only one SIRIUS receiver)

1

3

2

In order to install the antenna you will need to purchase several lengths of RG-6
antenna cables to complete your installation. The following illustration shows a
typical home installation.

Cables will be needed for the following:

A length of RG-6 cable to go from the SIRIUS outdoor antenna to the loca-

1.
tion of the Splitter.

A length of RG-6 cable to go from the Splitter to the rst SIRIUS Receiver.

2.
(50 ft. maximum length.)

If you are installing a second SIRIUS receiver, a length of RG-6 cable to go

3.
from the Splitter to the second SIRIUS receiver. (50 ft. maximum length.)

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Home Distribution Kit Installation Manual

RG-6 cable is typically sold in lengths of 25, 50, or 100 ft., all with “F” type con­nectors on each end. These cables may be purchased at your local hardware
store, home center, or electronics retailer.

The combined length of the RG-6 cables from the outdoor antenna to each
SIRIUS receiver should not exceed 150 ft., as shown in the preceding illustra­tions. The overall length for your particular installation may be less than 150 ft.
Also note that the individual lengths of the cables from the Splitter to the SIRIUS
receivers is limited to 50 ft. maximum for each cable.

Determine the overall length of the RG-6 cable run by measuring the distance
from the SIRIUS outdoor antenna mounting location to where the Splitter will be

located. (It is recommended that the Splitter be located indoors.) Next measure

the distance from the Splitter to where the SIRIUS receiver is located, and note

that this particular cable length should not exceed 50 ft. The sum of these cable
lengths should not exceed 150 ft.

Home Distribution Kit Installation Manual

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Antenna Installation

No obstructions to the

sky within this area

A successful antenna installation consists of three steps: First, determining a
location for the antenna; Second, choosing a mounting option; and Third, ad-

justing and aiming the antenna. Please read the following three sections before

beginning the antenna installation so that you understand the entire installation
process.

Determining a Location for the Antenna

For correct operation and best reception of the SIRIUS signal, it is important that
the outdoor antenna is located in a place where it will have a clear view of the
SIRIUS satellites in the sky. Obstructions such as bushes, trees, other homes

or buildings, overhangs, softs, chimneys, gables, dormers, etc., will impair or

prevent the antenna from receiving a signal.

The best reception is obtained if the pod portion of the antenna (where the
SIRIUS logo is printed) has a clear 360 degree view of the sky within the cone­shaped area shown in the following illustration.

If you cannot obtain a clear 360 degree view of the sky, then you must at least
have a clear view of the sky in the direction of the SIRIUS satellites, as shown in
the following map diagram.

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Home Distribution Kit Installation Manual

1

2

3

4

5

HORIZON

SKY

SOUTH

WEST EAST

NORTH

Use the above map and nd the area you are located in (1 to 5). Then nd the
direction in which you need to have a clear view of the sky:

Area 1: You will need a location with a clear view of the sky facing EAST or

NORTHEAST or SOUTHEAST

Area 2: You will need a location with a clear view of the sky facing NORTH or

NORTHEAST

Area 3: You will need a location with a clear view of the sky facing NORTH or

NORTHWEST

Area 4: You will need a location with a clear view of the sky facing WEST or

NORTHWEST or SOUTHWEST

Area 5: You will need a clear view of the sky facing STRAIGHT UP

Choose a mounting location for the antenna which has an unobstructed view of
the sky in the direction for your area.

For example, suppose you live in Area 2. You determined that your antenna
will need to have a clear view of the sky facing North or Northeast. The exact
direction is determined by your specic location in Area 2 relative to the X on the
map: If you live in Texas, you will need a more North facing clear view of the sky
whereas if you live in southern California, you will need a more Northeast fac­ing clear view of the sky.

The following illustration shows a correct antenna installation for Area 2, with a
clear view of the sky in the North to Northeast direction.

Home Distribution Kit Installation Manual

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No obstructions to the

sky within the area facing

North to Northeast

N

W E

S

NORTH

Once you have determined a possible mounting location for your area, it is

RG-174

RG-6

Adapter Cable

Signal Indicator

S

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recommended that you put the antenna in place temporarily and connect the
antenna to your SIRIUS receiver as shown in the following illustration. Using the
Antenna Aiming or Signal Indicator feature of your receiver, verify that your an­tenna is receiving a good SIRIUS signal. (Consult the user guide of the receiver

for specic instructions.)

Antenna Mounting Options

There are three possible mounting options for the outdoor antenna, and the
antenna mounting location you have chosen may determine which mounting
methods you can use:

Wall Mount: Mounting the antenna directly on the side of a home or building.
Roof Mount: Mounting the antenna on the roof of a home or building.
Mast Mount: Mounting the antenna on a mast or pole, such as an existing satel-

lite TV dish mast, an existing TV antenna mast, or other mast or pole, not ex­ceeding 2 inches in diameter.

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Home Distribution Kit Installation Manual

Wall Mount

MOUNTING

HOLES

UNOBSTRUCTED

VIEW OF THE SKY

INCORRECT CORRECT

UNOBSTRUCTED

VIEW OF THE SKY

CORRECT

OBSTRUCTED

MOUNTING

HOLES

The antenna mounting bracket should be oriented in a vertical position (as
shown) and mounted directly to the wall of the building or home using the pro­vided #10 screws.

Remember to avoid blocking the antenna’s view of the sky as described in the

previous section by locating the antenna too high under the eaves or soft of the

home or building.

Once you have determined a suitable mounting location, use the mounting
bracket as a template and mark the wall with the location of the four screw holes
in the bracket. Then, using a 3/32 in. drill bit, drill pilot holes in the wall for the
screws and then screw the bracket to the wall.

Roof Mount

When mounting the antenna on the roof of a home or building, mount the anten­na as close to the peak of the roof as possible. Remember to avoid blocking the
antenna’s view of the sky by locating it where a chimney, dormer, gable, etc. may
obstruct the sky view.

The antenna mounting bracket should be oriented in a vertical position as shown,
and mounted directly to the roof of the building or home using the provided #10
screws.

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Once you have determined a suitable mounting location, use the mounting
bracket as a template and mark the roof with the location of the four screw holes
in the mounting bracket. Then, using a 3/32 in. drill bit, drill pilot holes in the roof

for the screws. It may be necessary to ll the holes with a small amount of roof

cement or caulk to insure a watertight installation. Screw the bracket to the roof
using the provided #10 screws.

Mast Mount

The outdoor antenna can be mounted on most any mast or pole which does not

exceed 2 inches in diameter using the provided U-bolts and mounting brackets.

If you have a satellite TV dish, the outdoor antenna may be mounted on the
same mast as the satellite dish, but remember that the dish cannot obstruct the
antenna’s view of the sky in the direction which you determined from the map in
the previous section.

To mount the antenna to the mast, you will need to use the two provided U-bolts,

the two mounting brackets, and the four hex nuts. Keep in mind that the antenna

cable is routed under the lower U-bolt, in the slot provided in the antenna base as
shown.

Slide one of the U-bolts through the holes at the top of the mounting bracket.
Then slide one of the mounting brackets over the two legs of the U-bolt.

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Home Distribution Kit Installation Manual

Next, screw the hex nuts on each leg until they are snug. Do not yet tighten the

1

Antenna Pod

HORIZONTAL LEVEL

SKY

Adjustment

Screw

Adjustment

Screw

2

hex nuts beyond nger tight. Repeat this procedure with the other U-bolt. When
all the hex nuts are snug, verify that the antenna is facing the correct direction
and begin tightening each hex nut with a 3/8” wrench. Turn each hex nut one-half
turn and then move to the next hex nut repeating this one-half turn pattern until
all the hex nuts are equally tight. Tighten the hex nuts enough so that the anten-

na is secured to the mast or pole, but do not overtighten them.

Adjusting and Aiming the Antenna

The pod portion of the antenna (where the SIRIUS logo is printed) needs to be

adjusted and aimed so that it is level and horizontal to the sky. There are two
possible adjustments that may be made on the antenna to accomplish this: tilting
the antenna pod itself (1), and adjusting the antenna support arm (2), as shown.

Slightly loosen the adjustment screws and position the antenna so that the top of
the antenna pod is level, with the top of the pod horizontal to the sky as shown.
When the antenna is adjusted correctly, tighten the adjustment screws but be

careful not to overtighten them.

Continue with the next section for installations with exposed wiring, or the section

following for installations with hidden wiring.

Home Distribution Kit Installation Manual

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Cable Installation

IN

OUT1 OUT2

Once the antenna is mounted according to the previous instructions, you can
continue with the cable and Splitter portion of the installation:

Take the RG-6 cable which you purchased to connect to the antenna and

1.
thread one end of the cable through the opening in the end of the rubber
boot. Then connect the cable to the antenna pod as shown in the illustration
following.

Slide the rubber boot over the cable connection to provide a weather proof

2.
seal and install the cable tie around the cable directly below the rubber boot

to prevent the rubber boot from slipping down. Trim off the excess cable tie.

Route the remainder of the antenna cable into the home or building to where

3.
you are locating the Splitter. When routing the antenna cable, be careful not
to pinch, squash, kink, or crimp the cable, or cut, damage, or puncture the

external jacket of the antenna cable.

Connect the cable from the antenna to the IN port on the Splitter as shown.

4.
(Refer to page 3 for the Splitter port identication.) Note that you must use
the Splitter even if you are only connecting one SIRIUS receiver.

Connect another RG-6 cable to the OUT1 connector of the Splitter and

5.
route the cable to the SIRIUS receiver. (Refer to page 3 for the Splitter port

identication.)

Connect one of the supplied RG-174 adapter cable to the RG-6 cable, and

6.
connect the other end of the RG-174 cable to the ANT connection on the
SIRIUS receiver.

Repeat steps 5 and 6 if you are connecting a second SIRIUS receiver, this

7.
time using the OUT2 connector of the Splitter. If you will not be connecting a

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Home Distribution Kit Installation Manual

second receiver, connect the provided terminator to the unused OUT2 con-

IN

OUT1 OUT2

{

Use terminator if no second receiver

IN

OUT1 OUT2

IN

OUT1 OUT2

nector on the splitter. (Refer to page 3 for the Splitter port identication.)

The installation of the Home Distribution Kit is now completed. The completed
installation for two SIRIUS receivers should be as illustrated below:

If you are connecting one SIRIUS receiver, the completed installation should be
as illustrated below:

Home Distribution Kit Installation Manual

13

Troubleshooting

SIRIUS receiver displays “Antenna Error” or “Check Antenna” message.
Check the antenna cable connections to be sure they are connected tightly.

SIRIUS receiver displays “No Signal” or “Acquiring Signal” message.
The receiver is not receiving a good SIRIUS signal. Check that the antenna has
a clear view of the sky, and that the antenna is pointed in the direction of the
SIRIUS satellites. (See the section titled, Antenna Installation.)

This message may also be an indication that your cable length has exceeded
150 ft., and that an in-line amplier is required for your installation.

Antenna Specications

Electrical Specications

Frequency................................................................................2320 to 2332.5 MHz

LNA Current Drain ..................................................................... 160 mA, maximum

Mechanical Specications

Radome Diameter .........................................................................................95mm

Arm Length .................................................................................................8 inches

Material .............................................................................................................AES

Antenna Connector.........................................................................“F” type, female

Weight ........................................................................................................1.75 lbs.

Temperature Range .........................................................................-40°C to +85°C

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Home Distribution Kit Installation Manual

Notes:

Home Distribution Kit Installation Manual

15

SIRIUS Satellite Radio

1221 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10020

[phone]

www.sirius.com

© 2006 SIRIUS Satellite Radio Inc.
® “SIRIUS” and the SIRIUS dog logo are registered trademarks of Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.

(SIRIUS Home Signal Distribution Kit for Satellite Radio 082306a)