Cobham Satcom Debuts Lightweight Sailor VSAT Antenna Systems

Cobham Satcom’s Sailor 60 GX. Photo: Cobham Satcom

[Via Satellite 09-24-2015] Cobham Satcom has revealed two new 60cm Ka-band VSAT antenna systems for maritime customers. The new Sailor 60 GX and Sailor 600 VSAT Ka weigh 37Kg each, and enable connectivity through Inmarsat’s Global Xpress and Telenor’s Thor 7 High Throughput Satellites (HTS), respectively.

The new antennas target customers such as yachts, fishing vessels, short sea shipping and ships with space restrictions. The antennas balance size and performance by leveraging HTS spot beams instead of wide beams to operate anywhere in the satellite footprint and provide a strong link to the satellite.

Installation of both new antenna systems uses features such as a single cable between antenna and below deck equipment for RF, power and data; automatic azimuth calibration; and automatic cable calibration for “one-touch commissioning.” Additionally, the use of dynamic motor brakes inside the antennas removes the requirement for mechanical brake straps, ensuring antenna balance in no-power situations at sea or during transport.