BEAM ISD942 50m Active Inmarsat Antenna Cable Kit

BEAM ISD942 Original 50M Active Inmarsat Antenna Cable Kit

The BEAM ISD942 is a factory-certified 50-meter (164-foot) dual-run active antenna cable kit engineered for long-run satellite installations where passive loss budgets fail. Designed specifically for Inmarsat GSPS (IsatPhone Pro / IsatPhone 2) ground infrastructure, Oceana maritime terminals, and IsatDock systems, the ISD942 delivers calibrated RF link continuity across harsh electromagnetic, dynamic marine, and fixed hazardous environments.

Manufactured using ultra-low-loss double-shielded coaxial lines, the ISD942 maintains attenuation under Inmarsat’s maximum operational threshold over 50 meters, eliminating reception dropouts and transmit power foldbacks. The assembly features UV-stabilized, halogen-free, salt-spray-resistant outer jackets capable of withstanding extreme masthead vibration, engine exhaust exposure, and continuous UV radiation.

Model Details

• Manufacturer: BEAM Communications Pty Ltd
• Model Number: ISD942 (Active 50M Antenna Cable Kit)
• Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): ISD942
• Product EAN/UPC: 9346665001018

Features

1. Calibrated 50-Meter Dual Run: Precision-matched 49-meter primary SAT line paired with an independent 50-meter GPS line maintains signal parity across 1.5–1.6 GHz Inmarsat L-band and GPS L1 spectra.
2. Factory Pre-Terminated Terminals: Fitted with mill-spec SMA (Male) and TNC (Male) connectors featuring dual-wall heat shrink and vulcanized strain reliefs to prevent cable pull-out under dynamic tension.
3. Active Circuit DC Biasing: Engineered with solid-core center conductors that handle DC current injection (10–16V DC) to supply masthead low-noise amplifiers (LNAs) and internal active diplexers without heat build-up.
4. Double-Shielded RF Isolation: High-coverage tinned copper braiding and bonded aluminum foil shield minimize signal leakage, external radar/VHF intermodulation, and RF cross-coupling.
5. Marine-Grade Sheathing: UV-stabilized, heavy-duty thermoplastic jacketing prevents environmental micro-cracking, fluid ingress, fuel degradation, and rot in bridge and deck-pen runs.

Technical Details

Terminal Allocations

• Antenna Transceiver Head (TX/RX): Mates directly via the primary SAT TNC-M to TNC-F chassis terminal.
• Antenna GPS Head: Mates via the GPS SMA-M to the antenna chassis SMA-F terminal.
• Terminal/Dock Base Connection: Using the supplied 50cm fly leads, the SAT TNC-M routes directly to the dock’s TNC-F or adapts to SMA-M without placing mechanical strain on the docking station’s bulkhead.

Applications

• Commercial Deep-Sea Vessels: Long-distance vertical cable runs from the main mast or monkey island through multi-deck cable glands to bridge radio desks (SOLAS/GMDSS non-safety voice & tracking).
• Offshore Oil & Gas Platforms: Interconnecting hazardous-area certified topside active antennas with control room emergency dispatch satcom terminals.
• Harbor Tugs & Workboats: Low-clearance cable runs through waterproof conduits across wheelhouse bulkheads.
• Remote Land Command Posts: High-profile military and civil emergency centers requiring up to 50 meters of separation between outdoor antenna masts and blast-hardened operations bunkers.

Frequently Asked Question

Can I cut and re-terminate the BEAM ISD942 cable if it is too long?

No. Cutting and field-terminating the ISD942 is strictly not recommended. The cable is calibrated at exactly 50 meters with factory impedance-matched connectors to keep overall link budget and DC voltage drops within Inmarsat active transceiver requirements. Excess cable should be coiled into loops not smaller than 350 mm in diameter and stowed securely inside an equipment locker or cable tray.

Why does this kit include two separate cables and two fly leads?

The Inmarsat satellite network requires simultaneous reception of L-band communication signals and dedicated GPS location data. The ISD942 supplies a heavy 49m low-loss run for the transceiver, an independent 50m SMA-to-SMA run for the GPS antenna, and two short 50cm flexible fly leads to prevent mechanical stress on your dock’s terminal ports.

Will this cable work with passive Inmarsat antennas?

No. Passive antennas (such as the BEAM ISD700) cannot compensate for the high insertion loss present over a 50-meter run. The ISD942 is engineered exclusively for active antenna units (ISD710, ISD715, ISD720) that contain powered internal amplifiers to overcome cable loss.

What is the maximum conduit size needed to pull this cable assembly through a vessel bulkhead?

Because the primary satellite line connector has an outer barrel dimension of 19.04 mm and a boot diameter of 22 mm, your conduit or penetration gland should have an internal diameter (ID) of at least 25 mm to 32 mm (1.0 to 1.25 inches) to allow safe passage without damaging the connector pins.