Garmin GMR CHIRP 2106 radar antenna, upper part

Installing the antenna on the radar pedestal involves a few key steps:

First, remove the protective cover from the waveguide located on top of the pedestal. Next, align the pedestal’s waveguide with the socket under the antenna, then slide the antenna onto the pedestal. Secure the antenna to the pedestal by tightening the captive hex bolts located under the antenna arm. Finally, torque the hex bolts to 7.9 N·m (6 lbf·ft) to firmly secure the antenna without damaging the equipment. It is recommended to have a qualified marine installer perform this procedure.

When installing the GMR CHIRP 2106 radar, it is crucial to follow these safety instructions:

The radar transmits electromagnetic energy. Ensure the radar beam path is clear of all personnel before transmission.Do not look directly at the antenna up close while the radar is transmitting, as the eyes are the most sensitive part of the body to electromagnetic energy.Do not remove the inline fuse holder when connecting the power cable; the correct fuse must be in place to prevent fire or overheating risks.Installation should be performed by a qualified marine technician to avoid potential injuries and damage to the device or vessel.Do not attempt to open the device yourself, as it contains no user-serviceable parts and doing so will void the warranty.Always wear safety glasses, hearing protection, and a dust mask when drilling, cutting, or sanding.

The Garmin GMR CHIRP 2106 radar antenna, top part (SKU: 010-01366-00), is the essential radiating component of an open-array Garmin Fantom radar system. Designed to optimize marine detection, it is integral to the radar’s performance at sea. This part is specifically the upper element that mounts onto the pedestal (not included with this "top part") and is responsible for transmitting and receiving CHIRP radar signals.

The GMR CHIRP 2106 radar antenna is a component of the Garmin Fantom™ open-array radar series. It is designed to integrate and operate with the radar pedestals in this range, ensuring optimal performance within the Fantom marine network.

The radar, and the power converter if applicable, must be connected to a suitable water ground. To do this:

Use a 3.31 mm² (12 AWG) copper wire, not included.Connect one end of this wire to the ground connector on the radar pedestal.Apply marine sealant to the ground screw and crimp connector to ensure waterproofing.Connect the other end of the wire to a water ground location on your vessel. It is important to note that this wire must not be connected to the battery’s negative terminal.

Yes, opening the device by anyone other than a technician authorized by Garmin may result in personal injury and/or damage to the device. Furthermore, any damage resulting from opening the unit by an unauthorized person will not be covered under the Garmin warranty. The device contains no user-serviceable parts.

The choice of mounting location is crucial for performance and safety. Key considerations include:

The radar must be mounted out of reach of people, with the vertical beam width above head height. It must be installed high above the vessel’s keel line, with minimal obstruction of the radar beam to avoid blind sectors or false echoes. The higher the position, the greater the detection range. The mounting surface must be flat, parallel to the vessel’s waterline, and sufficiently robust to support the radar’s weight. The location must allow for connection to power, ground, and the network. The radar must be mounted away from heat sources (exhausts, lights) and at a different level from spreaders and mast crossarms. Avoid mounting the radar too close to a magnetic compass (observe the specified safety distance). Other electronic equipment and cables must be kept more than 2 m (6.5 ft) away from the radar beam path. GPS antennas must be either above or below the radar beam path. The radar must be mounted at least 1 m (40 in) from any transmitting equipment and cables carrying radio signals (VHF). A minimum distance of 2 m (6.5 ft) is required from SSB radios (single sideband).

The GMR CHIRP 2106 radar antenna is the 'top section' or radiating element of a Garmin Fantom Open Array radar system. It is a critical component for target detection and radar beam emission, thereby contributing to navigation and safety at sea.

Radar transmits electromagnetic energy. To avoid personal injury, damage to the vessel or equipment, or poor product performance, it is essential to ensure the radar is installed according to the recommendations and that all personnel are kept clear of the radar beam path before transmission.

It is also critical not to look directly at the antenna up close while the radar is transmitting, as the eyes are the most sensitive part of the body to electromagnetic energy.

This antenna is part of the Garmin Fantom Open Array range. It is designed for seamless integration into the Fantom marine network. For optimal compatibility, it is recommended to use it with a compatible Garmin chartplotter and ensure all Garmin devices on board are running the latest software version.

For the installation of the radar antenna, you will need the following tools:

A #2 Phillips screwdriverA 6 mm hex keyA drillA 15 mm (19/32 in) drill bitA 32 mm (1 1/4 in) drill bit (optional for cable routing)A 17 mm (21/32 in) wrench and a torque wrenchA 3.31 mm² (12 AWG) copper wire for grounding the radar housing and power converter (if applicable)Marine sealant

When selecting the mounting location, consider the following points:

The radar must be mounted out of reach of people, with the vertical beam width above head height. It must be installed high above the vessel's keel line with minimal obstruction to the radar beam. The mounting surface must be flat, parallel to the vessel's waterline, and sufficiently robust to support the radar's weight. The location must allow for connection to power, ground, and the network. Avoid mounting the radar near heat sources, horizontal spreaders, masthead trampolines, a magnetic compass (observe the safety distance specified by Garmin), or other transmitting equipment.

Once the pedestal is securely mounted, the antenna installation is done in several steps:

Remove the protective cover from the waveguide on top of the pedestal. Align the pedestal’s waveguide with the socket under the antenna, then slide the antenna onto the pedestal. Secure the antenna to the pedestal by tightening the captive hex bolts located under the antenna arm. Tighten the hex bolts to a torque of 7.9 N·m (6 lbf·ft) to secure the antenna without damaging the antenna or mounting hardware.

Yes, to achieve optimal performance and avoid potential injury or damage to the device or vessel, installation by a qualified marine installer is recommended by Garmin.

The connection to the power supply depends on whether your model comes with a voltage converter or not. If a voltage converter is included, it must be installed and connected to the boat's battery via a 30 A fuse holder. The radar's power cable already includes a 15 A fuse, and both fuses must be in place. The voltage converter requires an input voltage of 10 to 32 Vdc.

It is recommended to connect the power cable as close as possible to the battery source. The ground cable (not included) must be connected to a ground plate, not to the battery's negative terminal.

The radar (and the voltage converter, if applicable) must be connected to an appropriate water ground using a 3.31 mm² (12 AWG) copper wire. This wire is not included with the antenna. It is important to connect the wire to the ground connector on the pedestal and to coat the ground screw and the crimp connector with marine sealant.

No, it is imperative not to reuse power converters from previous Garmin radar models or third-party converters. Using any converter other than the one supplied with the radar, or the correct converter purchased from Garmin or your local Garmin dealer, may damage the radar or prevent it from powering on.

You can check your radar software version on a compatible chartplotter under « Settings > Communications > Marine Network ». To update, if your chartplotter has an SD card slot, you can use an SD card (up to 32 GB, formatted as FAT32). If your chartplotter supports Wi-Fi, you can use the ActiveCaptain™ app to download and install software updates.

Yes, opening the device may cause bodily injury and/or damage to the device. This device contains no user-serviceable parts and should only be opened by a Garmin authorized service technician. Any damage resulting from opening the unit by someone other than a Garmin authorized service technician will not be covered by the Garmin warranty.

Yes, connecting the power cable without the appropriate fuse in place voids the product warranty. It is critical to ensure the inline fuse holder is not removed and that the correct fuses (15 A for radar cable and 30 A for voltage converter, if applicable) are installed.