BSN NAL 105 Meter Premium Filtered Antenna Kit (ASE-PFA105)

BSN NAL 105 Meter Premium Filtered Antenna Kit (ASE-PFA105)

ASE-PFA105 is defined by its 105 m (344 ft) LMR-600 cable run and is typically described as a premium filtered active (powered) antenna kit that includes a lightning arrester and an interface/breakout box with a power adapter—components aimed at maintaining reliable Iridium performance over unusually long feeder distances.

Design and Features

Premium filtered, long-run architecture

At its core, the ASE-PFA105 is designed around a practical challenge: coaxial attenuation and interference become significant as antenna runs grow longer, especially in RF-dense environments (marine electronics, industrial sites, antenna farms, emergency communications hubs). The premium filtered concept is marketed as using “intelligent noise reduction” (RF notch filtering) and integrated protection to help the terminal “break through the clutter.”

Active (powered) Iridium antenna system

Unlike short passive antenna kits, PFA-27 through PFA-105 are commonly presented as premium powered/active configurations. Documentation and dealer descriptions frequently associate the PFA-series powered kits with the Iridium AD511-2 active antenna class and an indoor-side breakout box + AC/DC power adapter, which supplies power and provides a consistent interface to the Iridium docking station/terminal.

Full kit approach for consistent installation

The ASE-PFA105 is generally sold as a complete kit rather than a single antenna. Typical inclusions for the PFA powered series (including PFA-105) are:

• Iridium active antenna

• Antenna mounting bracket

• Lightning arrestor

• Breakout/interface box

• ASE PS071-series AC/DC power adapter

• Short adapter/pigtail cable (commonly ~0.6 m LMR-240 N(F) to TNC(M))

• 105 m (344 ft) LMR-600 coaxial cable

This “everything in one SKU” model is especially useful for fleet and multi-site programs where standardization reduces field errors (wrong cable type, incorrect connectors, missing surge protection).

Lightning and surge protection

Because long antenna runs often traverse rooftops, masts, and exposed cable routes, the kit includes a lightning arrester and is designed to be grounded per installation best practices. This is a critical element in protecting the Iridium terminal/dock from transient energy and static buildup.

Technology and Specifications

Cable length and type

The defining technical characteristic of ASE-PFA105 is the engineered feeder run:

• Length: 105 m (344 ft)

• Cable type: LMR-600

LMR-600 is a low-loss 50-ohm coaxial cable class commonly used for longer RF runs where attenuation management is important.

Kit classification and description

A BSN resiliency catalog description summarizes the kit as a:

• “Premium Filtered Active Antenna kit: 344’ (105 meters) LMR600 cable, premium passive filtered antenna, lightning arrester, interface box, and mounting bracket.”

(While the catalog text uses “active” and also references “passive filtered antenna” in the same line, the PFA105 is consistently positioned in the active/powered premium family by multiple sources and is bundled with an interface box and power adapter in the powered-kit bill of materials. )

Trade classification

Commonly published export/trade fields for the premium antenna kits include:

• HTS: 8517.70.0000

• ECCN: EAR99

Shipping pack-out

Published shipping figures for PFA-105 vary by document revision and pack-out method. For example:

• ASE brochure lists PFA-105 shipping dimensions 22 × 22 × 22 in and shipping weight 60 lb (27 kg).

• BSN resiliency catalog lists shipping dimensions 20 × 16 × 14 in and shipping weight 42 lb (19 kg) for ASE-PFA105.

In practice, distributors may ship the long LMR-600 run on a reel or in a larger carton, which can change the dimensional/weight presentation.

Installation constraints and warranty guidance

ASE documentation for the premium antenna kits warns that using the incorrect cable for the specified configuration—or shortening the supplied cable—can damage the antenna and invalidate warranty coverage. This matters for PFA-105 because installers may be tempted to cut excess cable on site.

Applications and Use Cases

Large vessels and maritime superstructures

On ships, the best antenna location may be far from the bridge or comms room, requiring long cable routing through bulkheads and cable trays. The 105 m kit is suited to larger hulls and high superstructures where shorter 12–40 m kits cannot reach.

In-building resilience for campuses and critical facilities

For facilities where roof access points are distant from interior security rooms, EOCs, or telecom closets, PFA-105 supports placing the Iridium terminal indoors while mounting the antenna in an optimal rooftop position.

Industrial sites with RF clutter

Industrial environments often include multiple radios, telemetry systems, and electrical equipment that can raise the noise floor. The premium filtered concept is explicitly marketed for harsh environments and interference reduction, which aligns with industrial installations and multi-antenna rooftops.

Docking stations and fixed voice terminals

Retail listings commonly position the kit as an upgrade path for Iridium docking stations (e.g., 9555/9575 docks), enabling stronger performance and standardized parts in vehicle/vessel/building dock deployments.

Advantages / Benefits

Enables extreme antenna-to-terminal separation

The primary benefit is straightforward: 105 meters of engineered low-loss cable expands where an Iridium terminal can be installed—allowing indoor placement for usability and protection even when the antenna must be mounted far away.

Standardized, engineered RF path

By bundling a matched cable type/length with specified adapters, an interface box, and a power adapter, the kit reduces installation variability and the risk of “it works sometimes” performance often caused by mixed components.

Better resilience in RF-dense environments

The premium “filtered” approach is positioned as addressing RF clutter through notch filtering/noise reduction, which can help where nearby transmitters or electronics degrade satellite reception.

Integrated surge protection

Including a lightning arrester and grounding approach supports safer rooftop/mast deployments and helps protect expensive docking/terminal electronics.

FAQ Section 

What is the BSN NAL 105 Meter Premium Filtered Antenna Kit (ASE-PFA105)?

The ASE-PFA105 is a long-run Iridium premium filtered antenna kit designed for docking stations and fixed terminals, featuring a 105 m (344 ft) LMR-600 cable plus an active/filtered antenna system, lightning protection, and an interface/power arrangement.

How does ASE-PFA105 work?

The antenna is mounted outdoors with a clear sky view. The long coax run connects through a lightning arrester and an indoor breakout/interface that provides the proper connection and power arrangement for the active antenna system, enabling the indoor Iridium dock/terminal to operate with the antenna mounted far away.

Why is ASE-PFA105 important?

It solves installations where the best antenna location is very far from the terminal—common on large vessels and facilities—and it adds a premium filtered approach and surge protection aimed at improving real-world reliability.

What are the benefits of ASE-PFA105?

Key benefits include 105 m installation reach, an engineered premium kit format (matched cable/parts), filtering/noise-reduction positioning, and integrated lightning protection for exposed antenna mounts.

Summary

The BSN NAL ASE-PFA105 is a specialized 105-meter premium filtered Iridium antenna kit built for installations where antenna placement must be far from the Iridium docking station or indoor terminal. By combining a 344 ft (105 m) LMR-600 run with a premium active/filtered antenna architecture, an interface/power arrangement, and lightning protection, it provides a standardized, professional path to reliable Iridium performance across large vessels, critical facilities, and RF-challenging industrial environments.