Installation Guide

First InterComm ™ System VCA100 Installation Guide
Page 12 A29799
PROPRIETARY INFORMATION: This document contains trade secrets and commercial or financial information that is the property of BAE
Systems Electronics and Integrated Solutions (E&IS). Further dissemination or disclosure of this information is strictly prohibited without
the written permission of BAE Systems.
3.3 System Component Locations
WARNING
WHEN SELECTING LOCATIONS FOR FIRST INTERCOMM™ SYSTEM COMPONENTS,
AVOID HIGH FREQUENCY (HF) NOISE PRODUCERS AND DO NOT RUN DC POWER
FEEDS TO THE VCA100 PARALLEL TO IGNITION CIRCUITS, ELECTRONIC MODULES,
OR SIMILAR ITEMS. AVOID RUNNING POWER LEADS IN PARALLEL WITH VEHICLE
WIRING OVER LONG DISTANCES.
3.3.1 VCA100
The VCA100 has no operator interfaces other than an activity indicator. Also, the unit
has no fan; it is convection cooled and does not require any special ventilation.
However, it is not environmentally sealed and must be installed in a protected area
where it will not be exposed to any fluids (
THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE).
The optimum location is one in which the VCA100 is out of the way, its face plate and
cable connections protected as much as possible, and there are at least six inches of
space around the VCA100 to allow air circulation. Additionally, attempt to provide line of
sight to the activity indicator.
Plan for cable management and strain relief loops for the cables. Cable ties and
mounts are needed to prevent cable movement and vibration.
3.3.2 WiFi Antenna
The WiFi antenna location has highest priority because the antenna’s relatively short
range has the greatest effect on system performance. Mount the antenna as high as
possible on the cab roof, and as close as possible to the vehicle’s centerline to provide
360-degree coverage. The antenna requires a metal ground plane to achieve its full
5dBi of gain.
We recommend keeping the antenna at least 12 inches away from any light bars or
other antennas. The maximum designed distance from the VCA100 to the WiFi
antenna is 14 feet, the standard cable length that comes with the antenna. Extensions
are not recommended since they will significantly reduce the WiFi range. If an
extension cannot be avoided substitute the antenna mount with a cable of sufficient
length (no splices or adapters) and equivalent or better loss specifications at 2.4 GHz
than what is supplied.
Certain vehicles do not allow locating the antenna in the center or center-rear of the
roof. In this case, the next best antenna location is on the direct center of the trunk lid.
Be aware, however, that this location will degrade the WiFi range. The mounting area
under the antenna must be a flat, metallized ground plane.