DX Engineering DXE-60VA-1P Manuale utente

DX Engineering

THUNDERBOLT®

60 Meter

Vertical Antenna

DXE-60VA-1P

DXE-60VA-1P-INS Revision 13d

P.O. Box 1491 ∙ Akron, OH 44309-1491 USA

Phone: (800) 777-0703 ∙ Tech Support and International: (330) 572-3200

Fax: (330) 572-3279 ∙ E-mail: [email protected]

- 1 -

Table of Contents

Introduction

Features

Additional Material Needed, Not Supplied

Parts List

Manual Updates

Tools Required

Warning

Installation

Site Selection

Mounting Pipe

Radial System

Assembly

Radial Plate to Mounting Pipe

Attaching Ground Radial Wires to the Radial Plate

Tilt Base to Mounting Pipe

Vertical Base Section

Base Section to Tilt Base

Assembling the Vertical Element Sections

Mating the Vertical Elements to the Tilt Base

Raising The Vertical

Feedline Connections

Installing the optional DXE-VMN-1

Tuning the Vertical

Optional Upgrade to 80VA-3

Optional Accessory Items

Technical Support and Warranty

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Introduction

The DX Engineering THUNDERBOLT®DXE-60VA-1P is a high performance 60 meter vertical

antenna that is tunable to operate over segments of the entire band with an SWR of 1.5:1 or less,

yet is only an optimum 43 feet high! Designed with 6063 corrosion-resistant aluminum tubing and

stainless steel hardware, this antenna is very durable and attractive.

DX Engineering’s new THUNDERBOLT®technology has been proven in the hostile, remote

environment of Antarctica’s Peter I Island by the outstanding performance by the 3Y0X DXpedition

with an amazing 5,869 QSOs on 80 meters!

Of course, another key to performance is a good ground radial system. 32 radials, 30 feet long are

recommended. Fewer radials will work, but with diminished results.

The DXE-60VA-1P 60 meter vertical antenna includes the antenna element, mounting plates and

Tilt Base.

Features

Full band tunable coverage on 60 meters with an SWR under 1.5:1 No Tuner needed

Includes the patented DXE Tilt Base

Power Handling up to 5 kW - built to last

Only 43 ft overall height

Perfect for Four Square or Phased Array systems

Can be upgraded to 80 Meter Vertical Antenna System - DXE-80VA-3

Additional Material Needed, Not Supplied:

Antenna Mounting - Steel mounting pipe, up to 2.0″OD maximum, 0.25″wall thickness, 4

feet long. The standard 1-1/2" galvanized water pipe (with its 1.9" OD) is just fine for this

application and can usually be found at your local home building supply store.

Quik-Set Concrete - Mounting pipe installation

DXE-P8A - Penetrox™ A - To ensure good connection with aluminum

UMI-81343 - Anti-Seize compound - used on the threads of the Stainless Steel Hardware to

prevent galling and aid in proper tightening torque.

DXE-RADP-3 - Patented Radial Plate: The most effective way to connect those essential

radial wires and the feedline coax to your vertical antenna for the maximum efficiency and

strongest signals. All stainless construction and includes 20 sets of radial connection

hardware. Additional radial components available.

DXE-RAD-1HWK - Stainless Steel Radial Plate Hardware: Additional 20 Sets of all

Stainless Steel Radial Hardware for use with the DXE-RADP-3Radial Plate

DXE-RADW - Radial Wire Kits: DXE-RADW-500K/BD contains a 500 foot spool of 14

gauge PVC insulated black copper stranded wire with 20 Terminal Lugs and 100 Steel or

Biodegradable Lawn Staples. The DXE-RADW-1000K/BD Radial Wire Kit contains a

1,000 foot spool of 14 gauge PVC insulated black copper stranded wire with 40 Terminal

Lugs and 200 Steel or Biodegradable Lawn Staples. RADW-20RT, -32RT or -65RT

contain 20 each radial wires with 1/4" terminal attached. These kits come in 20 Ft, 32 Ft, or

65Ft lengths

DXE-SSVC-2P Stainless Steel V-Clamp. One for the DXE-RADP-3 Radial Plate.

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DXE-VMN-1 Vertical Antenna Matching Unit - Enhances the tuning of an 60 meter

resonant vertical antenna

Guy Rope and Anchors –DXE-GUY200-KIT contains 4 screw-in earth anchors and two

100 foot rolls of Dacron/polyester rope to guy the DXE-60VA-1P in four directions.

Additional guy rope is available from DX Engineering in several diameters and lengths.

Parts List for the DXE-60VA-1P

Description

Qty.

Description

Qty.

Lower Tilt Base Assembly

Antenna Assembly

Tilt Base - Patented

2.00”x 0.125" x 36" Tube 6063-T632 mat'l Drilled

DXE-SSVC-2P V-Clamp

2.125" x 0.058" x 72" Tube (Slit both ends)

Tilt Base, Mast Mount Channel

2.00" x 0.058" x 72" Tube (Slit one end)

Tilt Base Plate

1.875" x 0.058" x 72" Tube (Slit one end)

1/4-20 x 2" HH Bolt, full thread

1.750" x 0.058" x 72" Tube (Slit one end)

1/4" Flat Washer

1.625" x 0.058" x 72" Tube (Slit one end)

1/4" Split Washer

1.500" x 0.058" x 72" Tube (Slit one end)

1/4" Aluminum Spacer

1.375" x 0.058" x 8" Tube (Plain)

1/4-20 Hex nut

1.500" x 0.058" x 72" Tube (Slit both ends)

1/4" Fender Washer, 1" OD

Element Clamps

1/4-20 Flanged Nut

Black Vinyl Cap

1/4-20 Nyloc nut

3/8”U-Bolt x 2" ID x 3.25" leg

Feedpoint Connection

2" Saddle for 3/8" U-Bolt

1/4-20 x 1" Hex Head Bolt, full thread

3/8-16 Hex Nut

1/4" Star Washer

3/8" Split Washer

1/4" Flat Washer

3/8" Flat Washer

1/4-20 Hex nut

Manual Updates

Every effort is made to supply the latest manual revision with each product. Occasionally a manual

will be updated between the time your DX Engineering product is shipped and when you receive it.

Please check the DX Engineering web site (www.dxengineering.com) for the latest revision manual.

Tools Required

Two 7/16”wrenches, (one of them should be open-end)

1/2”and 7/16”socket and drive

3/16”and 7/64”Allen wrenches

Medium size screwdriver or 5/16”nut driver for the element clamps

Tape measure

Felt-tip marker

The use of an antenna analyzer such as the MFJ-259B will facilitate the fine tuning of the vertical.

Ground conductivity as well as the number of radials and their length can affect tuning parameters.

A minimum of 16 radials at 30 feet long should be used for reasonable performance.

- 4 -

WARNING!

INSTALLATION OF ANY ANTENNA NEAR POWER LINES IS DANGEROUS

Warning:Do not locate the antenna near overhead power lines or other electric light or power

circuits, or where it can come into contact with such circuits. When installing the antenna, take

extreme care not to come into contact with such circuits, because they may cause serious injury or

death.

Overhead Power Line Safety

Before you begin working, check carefully for overhead power lines in the area you will be

working. Don't assume that wires are telephone or cable lines: check with your electric utility for

advice. Although overhead power lines may appear to be insulated, often these coverings are

intended only to protect metal wires from weather conditions and may not protect you from electric

shock

Keep your distance! Remember the 10-foot rule: When carrying and using ladders and other long

tools, keep them at least 10 feet away from all overhead lines - including any lines from the power

pole to your home.

Installation

Site Selection

Select a mounting location clear from power lines, structures and other antennas by a minimum of

53 feet (43 plus 10 for the 10 foot safety rule). Consider overhead power lines, utility cables and

wires. The further away the vertical is mounted from local noise sources or other metallic objects,

which can re-radiate noise and affect the tuning, radiation pattern and

SWR, the better. When using the Tilt Base, determine the direction you

want the antenna to tilt down and make sure there is adequate clearance.

There should be sufficient room for a radial system that will extend away

from the antenna equally in all directions, if possible.

Mounting Pipe

Use a customer supplied thick-walled galvanized steel mounting pipe at

least 4 feet long. This will allow approximately 2 feet or more to be below

ground and approximately 2 feet above ground. A thick-walled steel pipe

1-3/4" OD to 2" OD maximum is recommended with a minimum

thickness of 1/8" (1/4" preferred) should be used. The standard 1-1/2"

galvanized water pipe (with its 1.9" OD) is just fine for this application

and can usually be found at your local home building supply store. For

permanent mounting, use a post-hole digger to make the hole deep enough

to accommodate 2 feet of pipe and a couple inches of gravel at the bottom

- 5 -

for drainage. Set the pipe on the gravel, use the pre-mix concrete to fill around the pipe, adding

water and mixing as you fill or mix the concrete first, then pour in the hole. Fill the hole until the

concrete is level with the ground around it. Use a level as you fill the hole to be sure the pipe is

straight. Allow to set overnight. Your location, landscape and ground conditions may require

different mounting solutions in order to have the steel mounting pipe and the vertical antenna in a

secure position.

Note: Galvanized steel, rather than aluminum, is much more suitable for mounting in concrete.

Aluminum will quickly corrode due to incompatibility with the materials used to make

concrete.

Radial System

The use of a radial system is a key requirement for a high performance quarter wave vertical

antenna system. With a vertical antenna system, the radials are the second half of the antenna. The

radials contribute to the radiation efficiency of the entire vertical antenna system.

At a minimum, 20 radials, each 32 feet long, should be used with this antenna. Using 32 radials at

32 feet long is preferred and highly recommended. The extra radials help overcome unknown poor-

soil conditions, improve bandwidth, and ensure the best performance possible from the vertical

antenna. DXE-RADW Radial Wire, a 14 gauge stranded copper with black relaxed PVC insulation

wire is suggested for the best results.

The wire radials should placed as symmetrically as possible around the

vertical antenna and spaced evenly, regardless of how many radials are used.

Do not cross or bunch any radial wires as this nullifies their effectiveness. If

you have limited space, put in as many straight radials as you can. The radials

must be connected to the shield of your feedline. The DXE-RADP-3

Stainless Steel Radial Plate is an ideal optional item which provides an

excellent system for attaching radial wires to your vertical antenna system.

Radial wires can be laid on the roots of the grass using DXE-STPL Radial Wire Anchor Pins to

hold them down. Using enough staples will ensure the wires will not be snagged by mowers,

people, or animals. Grass will quickly overgrow the radials and they will be virtually impossible to

see. An article describing this process is available the DX Engineering website in the Tech Info

section. Radials can also be buried just under the surface by using a power edger to make a slit in

the soil.

Assembly

Carefully un-box the antenna and separate the various parts. All of the upper element sections are

72" long. The 2" OD x 36" long base element section is drilled for the feedpoint connection and

does not have a slit end. The 2-1/8" OD section and one of the 1-1/2" OD sections are slit on both

ends. All the other sections are slit on one end. The vinyl cap for the top element section should be

installed after assembly of the vertical is complete.

- 6 -

Note: DXE-P8A Penetrox™A Anti-Oxidant should be used between all antenna element

sections. Penetrox™ A is an electrical joint compound to affect a substantial electrical connection

between metal parts such as telescoping aluminum tubing or other antenna pieces. It ensures high

conductivity at all voltage levels by displacing moisture and preventing corrosion or oxidation.

UMI-81343 Never-Seez® or DXE-SBT8 Anti-Seize should be used on all clamps, bolts and

stainless steel threaded hardware to prevent galling and to ensure proper tightening.

Note: The following assembly instructions are based on using a 2" OD (maximum) Mounting

Pipe, with the optional DXE-RADP-3 Radial Plate. The standard 1-1/2" galvanized water

pipe (with its 1.9" OD) is just fine for this application and can usually be found at your

local home building supply store.

Radial Plate to Mounting Pipe

Install the optional DXE-RADP-3 Radial Plate on the 2" OD (maximum) mounting pipe using an

optional DXE-SSVC-2P V-Clamp as shown in Figure 1. Mount the Radial Plate so you have

approximately 1" of space between the bottom of the plate and the ground level. This will allow

easy access to install the radial wire hardware. The DXE-RADP-3 Radial Plate comes with 20 sets

of stainless steel hardware for mounting the radial wires. Mount the plate as shown in relation to

how the Tilt Base is mounted. (For reference, Figure 7 shows the completed installation.)

Figure - 1 - Optional patented DXE-RADP-3 Radial Plate Installation

- 7 -

Attaching Ground Radial Wires to the Radial Plate

Using the 20 sets of supplied 1/4" stainless steel hardware (Bolt, Flat Washer, Star Washer, Split

Washer, Nut) connect the optional ground radial wires to the DXE-RADP-3 Radial Plate as shown

in Figure 2. Additional hardware kits are available (DXE-RADP-1HWK) that contain 20 sets of

Radial Plate Hardware.

Depending on the number of radial wires used, space them out evenly around the Radial Plate. The

Radial Plate will accommodate up to 60 radial wires (60 laser drilled holes), or up to 120 radials if

doubled up.

Radial Wire

Pattern

Figure - 2 - Radial Wire Hardware Installation

Tilt Base to Mounting Pipe

Install the Tilt Base to the 2" OD (maximum) mounting pipe using two DXE-SSVC-2P V-Clamps

allowing approximately 7" clearance between the bottom of the tilt base plate, to the top of the

DXE-RADP-3 Radial Plate as shown in Figure 3. The standard 1-1/2" galvanized water pipe (with

its 1.9" OD) is just fine for this application and can usually be found at your local home building

supply store. Make sure the Tilt Base and optional DXE-RADP-3 Radial Plate are oriented

correctly for the direction you wish to tilt the antenna. Tighten the clamps evenly so the length of

the exposed threads is approximately equal. Any clamp should be tightened evenly from side-to-

side with an equal amount of thread above each nut.

Figure - 3

- 8 -

Vertical Base Section

The base section is made up of an insulated mounting channel with hardware, a mounting plate, two

U-Bolt assemblies and the base antenna element section which is 2" OD and 36" long.

Using Figure 4, attach the aluminum backing plate to the back of the insulated channel. The base

hardware kit contains four 2" bolts, four flat washers, four aluminum spacers, four split washers and

four nuts. From the inside of the channel, insert a 2" bolt with a flat washer through each of the

middle four holes, through the backing plate. Put on the aluminum spacer, a split washer and a hex

nut. Tighten firmly, but not enough to crush the insulated channel.

Figure - 4

Using the 36" base element section, install the 1" bolt through the hole in the tube from the inside,

so the threads stick out. Put on a star washer, flat washer, then a hex nut. Tighten securely. Add

another star washer, flat washer and hex nut, but do not tighten. The feed wire attaches to this

hardware. Figure 5 shows the completed feed assembly.

Figure - 5

- 9 -

Install the lower element section to the insulated channel using the two 3/8" x 2" U-Bolts, two

saddle clamps, four flat washers, four split washers, and four nuts as shown in Figure 6. The base

section element tube should extend approximately 1-1/4" beyond the bottom of the U-bolt clamp.

When tightening, observe the split washers. When they fully seat (flatten out), the clamp is tight

enough. Any clamp should be tightened evenly from side-to-side with an equal amount of thread

above each nut.

Figure - 6

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