Haitian Hospital Installation

In the summer of 2010, the CRUDEM Foundation ordered a VSAT Systems 1.8 meter antenna system for its Hôpital Sacré Coeur in Milot, Haiti, about 12 miles southwest of Cap Haitien. CRUDEM independently arranged with Richard Yepez, Director of Operations for the U.S.-based Little Angels of the Broken Wings to install the VSAT antenna system.

Richard took delivery of the full satellite system at his home in the U.S., and working with the VSAT Systems Installation Coordinator, installed the 1.8 meter dish on a steel pole embedded in cement in his front yard to make sure everything worked perfectly before flying it to Haiti. Haiti may be relatively close to the United States, but its communications and social infrastructures, severely affected by political as well as environmental turmoil, requires any technical crew arrive there fully prepared for any equipment issue. Telecom and computer supply warehouses are few and far between.

Mr. Yepez was exact and demanding, insisting that every detail be perfect. When VSAT Systems asked for 9 key photographs to ensure installation precision and integrity, Richard decided not only would he document his installation, but he would celebrate the mission of the Hôpital Sacré Coeur, and the Haitian community, in his own way.

Mr. Yepez's photographs below not only show how a VSAT installation should take place, but also shows his love and dedication in helping people around the world get world class communications technology.

The cargo truck from Cap Haitien required some care to ensure the 1.8 meter antenna arrived safely.

Upon arrival, the Hôpital Sacré Coeur staff reviews the shipment.

This is the dish, and these the assembly parts.

The feed arms and assembly come out first.

They've hoisted the equipment to the first level roof, and are now making their way to the top.

Waiting for the crew to bring the dish over.

And with the dish, they're ready to install.

Looking at the roof, they determine the angle of attack and placement of cabling.

This pole is not exactly attached, though the block it's embedded in isn't going anywhere. If not attached, roof mounted antennas need significant ballast to counteract the wind. Between 500 and 2000 pounds concrete or cinderblock is used, depending on antenna angle and expected wind speed. This block could easily be close to 2000 pounds, which will be excellent for a 60 degree dish elevation.

Normally, if the antenna is near the ground where people will be near it with some frequency, the pole should be tall enough that the bottom of the dish is five feet off the ground. On the roof, there's no human activity, so no worry about radiation exposure. That being the case, the second consideration is wind. Because Haiti's smack dab the middle of Hurricane Alley, antennas act like sails in high winds, and have been known to blow off roofs, sometimes taking part of the roof with them.

So cutting the pole a few feet down permits a lower profile, and easy maintenance.

Once cut, attaching the azimuth elevation cap and frame is relatively quick.

Product placements "Я" not us.

The 1.8 meter dish is not small. It really takes a team to maneuver it.

The injection molded plastic reflector, officially called "glass fiber reinforced polyester," is superior to the metal reflectors only insofar as VSAT Systems' experience. We've used both metal antennas and plastic. Plastic ships better (though can still be damaged en route), and is easier to hold, given its ribbing and lighter weight. Naturally, the corrosion resistance of plastic antennas is 100 percent, though the assembly pieces are basically the same as those used with metal dishes.

With a good team, the components assemble quickly.

The feed arm assembly is also rapidly assembled, though each piece is unique, and not interchangeable. Keeping the dish vertical rather than at the operational elevation, makes feed arm assembly a snap.

Notice anything wrong here? That's right. The LNB looks to be 90 degrees off. Well, Richard must have the NJR2835H LNB, which has the label on a different side than does our typical LNB, the NJR2744HH. Were this our typical LNB, the LNB label should be facing toward [our rule of thumb] or away from the transmitter). But since it's the NJR2835, it should be oriented just as it is. Got a 2nd problem? Right. Were the cables connected and the system on, the hospital worker in the green shirt would be in a bad place regarding RF radiation. They'll take more care when adjusting the polarization!

Attaining the highest quality signal requires quad shielded, solid copper core RG-6*, connected with 360 degree compression fittings. It's noticeable right away at the NOC when an installer seeks to cut corners with copper clad steel core cable. The signal with inferior cable is just that: inferior. You get what you pay for. Also, don't forget that ground cable. Satellite dishes make expensive lightning rods.

*VSAT Systems requires quad shield solid copper core RG-6 for distances between the modem and transmitter/receiver (IDU/ODU) of 50 to 150 feet, quad shield solid copper core RG-11 for IDU/ODU distances of 150 to 500 feet, and solid copper core Heliax for IDU/ODU distances greater than 500 feet.

What's Creole for "¡pura vida!"?

Don't be hasty, and throw away that antenna carton! Richard needed a bit of shade to bring up the iDirect pointing software.

Watching the pointing software (and listening to its annoying klaxon that gets higher as you near the optimum point), Richard begins moving the dish to ...

... and fro. If he's precise, he won't have to do the same for the NOC's co pol adjustments.

Once the pointing software gets above 17, it's time to call the NOC.

Balancing on a cinder block as a make-shift stool, Richard carefully reaches into the RF field for the polarization adjustment (remember for the cross pol, only the transmit cable is connected, so RF energy is at full, and exposure must be limited to an arm reached briefly into the field). The NOC gives him instructions on hairs-breadth adjustments on the polarizer based on the spectrum analyzer cross pol. Attaining a cross pol near zero takes some very fine adjustments.

Way to go, Richard! Look closely, and you'll see three cables. Transmit. Receive. And the ground cable.

Affixing the cable to the roof with zip ties.

Final prep. Cables are zip-tied to the descending feed arm, up to the back for the ground block (hidden behind the dish), and then zip-tied down the post, and along the roof. It's an extra bonus when the installer leaves the area neater than how he found it.

The Hôpital Sacré Coeur has 8 computers networked. Once the satellite broadband Internet is connected, the users should not notice any difference from what they enjoy in the U.S.

Any other equipment placed on the VSAT Systems 3100 modem should permit ample room for ventilation.

Extra cable must not be cut to length. The system actually needs a minimum of 50 feet of cable — so just coil it up, label it for future reference, and affix it as best possible. Note just under the cables is the external penetration hole for the transmit and receive cables. All such building penetrations should be well sealed. What a clean job, Richard!