A satellite communications upgrade onboard a vessel in Geiranger, Norway
Some assignments take our engineers to places that are difficult to forget.
During a recent marine communications project in Norway, the Sat-Elite team found themselves working onboard against the spectacular backdrop of Geiranger. A short video taken from H deck captures the view, but behind those few seconds of beautiful scenery were several days of careful installation, fault-finding and testing.
The project involved upgrading the vessel’s Sea Tel satellite antenna system and installing new fibre-optic communications equipment. As is often the case in marine engineering, the planned upgrade also revealed existing faults that needed to be understood and addressed.
Sat-Elite engineers were tasked with upgrading the vessel’s existing Sea Tel 370 antenna feed to a 370S configuration.
The work also included installing fibre-optic transmit and receive equipment to carry signals between the antenna systems and the communications rack.
Before beginning the installation, the team inspected the existing antenna feeds, cabling and fibre equipment. During these checks, they identified a fault affecting the antenna’s polarisation system.
Although the antenna control unit was supplying the correct voltage, the polarisation motor was not moving. Further investigation revealed a damaged choke in the motor wiring, most likely caused by the continuous vibration experienced by the antenna and pedestal.
By temporarily bypassing the damaged component, the team confirmed that the motor itself remained operational in both directions. This allowed the underlying problem to be identified accurately before the upgrade continued.
Installing and configuring the new antenna feed
The existing feed was removed and replaced with the new Sea Tel 370S feed.
The Sat-Elite team then:
- Installed and connected the fibre-optic transmitter and receiver.
- Wired the LNBs and routed the feed cables correctly.
- Updated the antenna management system with the appropriate firmware.
- Configured the correct linear and circular antenna profile.
- Added counterweights and carefully balanced the antenna.
- Tested the complete range of feed movement.
- Brought the new fibre-optic equipment online.
Once the installation was complete, the antenna was configured to track Astra 19.2°E. All four signal polarities were tested through the new fibre-optic system and at the vessel’s communications rack.
The antenna continued tracking successfully while the vessel was underway, providing an important real-world test of the installation.
Finding the effects of the marine environment
The team also inspected the fibre equipment serving a smaller antenna.
Inside its external junction box, they found evidence of salt-air corrosion affecting fibre connections, coaxial cables and power wiring. A damaged DC injector connection was also discovered.
Testing confirmed that the fibre cables running between the junction box and the communications rack were in good condition, with only approximately 1 dB of measured loss. The equipment also operated correctly when tested independently at the rack.
The problem was therefore traced to the condition and configuration of the external junction box rather than the fibre run itself.
The existing coaxial configuration was restored so the antenna could continue operating. Sat-Elite recommended installing a larger, properly sealed and earthed junction box, together with new coaxial cabling, before completing the fibre installation in this area.
It was a useful reminder that equipment selection is only one part of a reliable marine communications system. Connections, enclosures, cable routing and protection from the environment are equally important.
Testing at sea
Final testing included checking the upgraded antenna across all four polarities and confirming stable tracking during the vessel’s voyage.
The team also tested the antenna’s new C-band circular service by targeting the relevant global satellite service.
These tests helped verify that the upgraded equipment was operating correctly, not only while the vessel was stationary, but under genuine operating conditions at sea.
The people behind the technology
The scenery in Geiranger was extraordinary, but the success of the project came down to something more familiar: patient fault-finding, practical experience and attention to detail.
Marine satellite communications systems operate in demanding conditions. Movement, vibration, moisture and salt can expose weaknesses that may not be immediately obvious. Resolving these issues requires engineers who are prepared to look beyond the first symptom and identify the actual cause.
We are proud of the care the team brought to every stage of this assignment, from the initial inspection and mechanical work to system configuration, signal testing and final sea trials.
Reliable marine communications, wherever the voyage leads
Sat-Elite provides satellite communications installation, upgrades, maintenance and technical support for vessels worldwide.