Victron Energy Outdoor LTE-M Puck Antenna

Enhance your Victron energy system’s connectivity with the Outdoor LTE-M Puck Antenna, designed for reliable remote monitoring and control. Built for the GlobalLink 520 device, this compact antenna strengthens LTE-M network signals, ensuring stable communication even in remote or low-signal areas. Its rugged, weatherproof design withstands rain, dust, and UV exposure, making it ideal for outdoor installations in harsh environments.

The antenna comes with a pre-attached 3–5 meter cable and a standard SMA male connector, offering easy plug-and-play installation. Its low-profile puck design allows discreet mounting on rooftops, poles, or enclosures without obstructing surroundings. Compatible with LTE-M devices featuring an SMA external antenna port, it is perfect for off-grid solar systems, rural energy projects, IoT installations, and remote monitoring setups.

Features & Benefits

• Enhanced LTE-M Connectivity: Optimized for LTE‑M networks — improves signal reception compared to internal antennas, making data transmission more reliable and less prone to dropouts, especially useful for remote monitoring.
• Compact, Low-Profile Design: The “puck” form is small, discreet and easy to mount on rooftops, enclosures, poles, or other structures without being obtrusive — suitable where a larger directional antenna might be impractical.
• Outdoor-Ready / Durable: Built to withstand weather, UV exposure, dust, and rain — making it appropriate for installations in harsh environments (off-grid solar installations, rural areas, industrial sites).
• Plug-and-Play Installation: Comes pre-fitted with cable and standard SMA connector — installation is straightforward (no special tools needed), and switching from internal to external antenna on GlobalLink 520 is done via a small switch.
• Compatibility: Specifically designed for use with GlobalLink 520 (and similar devices with SMA external antenna ports), but can also work with other LTE‑M devices using SMA connectors — giving flexibility for different installations.

Use Cases

• Off‑grid solar / battery systems: When using a GlobalLink 520 to monitor solar charge controllers, battery monitors, inverters etc., this antenna ensures stable remote telemetry — especially in rural or remote installations with weak cellular signal.
• Remote monitoring (IoT / telemetry): For any LTE‑M based remote monitoring or IoT devices (environmental sensors, pumps, alarms, telemetry), where connectivity is intermittent or weak, this antenna boosts reliability.
• Marine, agricultural, or industrial installations: Its rugged outdoor build makes it suitable for farms, remote water‑pumping stations, telecom towers, remote cabins, industrial sites, or even marine / boat installations.
• Mobile / mobile‑home / van / RV installations: Since LTE‑M supports handovers and roaming, this antenna can be helpful in mobile applications (e.g., campervans, mobile solar setups) when the built-in antenna doesn’t suffice.
• Backup or emergency power systems in weak‑coverage zones: Where regular connectivity is unreliable, using this antenna can help maintain consistent data upload and remote monitoring — useful for off‑grid backup systems or remote telecom sites.

Value Propositions

• Better coverage in rural or low‑signal areas: In many parts of Tanzania (and other emerging‑market regions), cellular coverage — especially LTE‑M — may be weaker or patchy. Using an outdoor puck antenna significantly increases the chance of stable connection, enabling dependable remote monitoring.
• Cost-effective upgrade: Instead of switching to more expensive communication infrastructure, adding this antenna is a relatively simple and affordable way to improve signal strength for existing Victron setups.
• Durable and weather-resistant for harsh environments: Tanzania’s climate (sun, rain, dust) can be challenging — the antenna’s weatherproof and UV‑resistant design ensures longevity and reliability under local environmental conditions.
• Easy deployment and scalability: For solar installers, off-grid system providers, or businesses deploying multiple remote installations (solar micro‑grids, telecom base‑stations, agricultural pumps), the puck antenna allows quick installation, minimal maintenance, and scalable deployment.
• Enhance remote management / maintenance capabilities: With stable LTE‑M connectivity, systems integrated with GlobalLink 520 (or similar) can reliably upload data to remote portals (e.g. monitoring battery health, solar output, alert notifications) — reducing the need for frequent site visits, saving time and operational costs.

Local Market Positioning in Tanzania

• Advantage for Off‑Grid Solar & Rural Electrification: Many remote/rural locations may not have wired internet or stable connectivity — LTE-M with an external antenna offers a realistic, practical way to enable remote system management. This makes the antenna attractive to solar‑installers, NGOs, small‑scale farm owners, remote households, etc.
• Reliable Alternative to Traditional 4G/Internet: Even when 4G cellular coverage exists, internal modem antennas may struggle due to distance from towers, obstructions (trees, hills), or signal variability. An external puck antenna helps mitigate these limitations, making LTE‑M more reliable.
• Scalability for Distributed Installations: For businesses or organizations deploying multiple off‑grid units across different sites, using a standard external antenna helps ensure uniform connectivity performance.
• Low Maintenance & Long-Term Use: Given its weatherproof build and long cable for flexible mounting, the antenna suits Tanzanian climate — with hot sun, seasonal rains, dust, and sometimes remote harsh environments. The durability and low maintenance are big pluses.
• Cost‑Effective Upgrade Over Infrastructure Investment: Rather than investing in expensive wired connectivity or satellite links, adopting an LTE‑M antenna + modem is often financially accessible for local buyers — especially in off-grid scenarios.

Technical Specification