DX Engineering THUNDERBOLT DXE-MBVA-1UP Manuel utilisateur

DX Engineering

THUNDERBOLT™

160-10 Meter

Vertical Antenna

DXE-MBVA-1UP

DXE-MBVA-1UP-INS Revision 3

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]

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Table of Contents

Introduction

Features

Supplied Installation Items

Additional Material Needed, Not Supplied

DXE-MBVA-1UP Parts List

Manual Updates

Suggested Parts Not Included

Tools Required

Warning

Installation

Site Selection

Radial System

Mounting Pipe

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 Sections

Mating the Vertical Sections to the Tilt Base

Raising The Vertical

Assembling the UNUN Mounting Bracket

Installation of UNUN Assembly to Antenna

Feedline Connections

Coaxial Cable and 160 Meter Notes

Tuning the Vertical

Guying a Vertical Antenna System

Optional Accessory Items

Technical Support and Warranty

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Introduction

The DX Engineering THUNDERBOLT™ MBVA-1UP is a high performance 160-10 meter

vertical multi-band antenna that is tunable to operate with an SWR of 1.5:1 or less. Designed with

6063 corrosion-resistant aluminum tubing and stainless steel hardware, this antenna is very durable,

attractive, and is an optimized height of only 43 feet!

DX Engineering 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, 65 feet long are

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

The MBVA-1UP 160-10 meter vertical antenna includes the antenna element, mounting plates,

patented Tilt Base, Multi-Band UNUN, patented UNUN Mounting Bracket, stainless steel hardware

and clamps.

Features

Full band coverage on 160-10 meters with an SWR under 1.5:1*

* Customer supplied wide band tuner required.

Power Handling up to 5 kW

Only 43 ft. overall height

Supplied Installation Items:

Tilt Base - Precision laser cut from 3/16 in. 304 Stainless Steel, this patented tilt mounting plate is

virtually indestructible. Mounts to the same mast that you use for the radial plate. Allows for easy

installation, tuning or severe weather lay-down.

DXE-UN-43 - Multi-Band UNUN for Vertical Antenna Systems

The DXE-UN-43 DX Engineering Multi-Band Vertical UNUN built with proven Maxi-Core®

Technology is a matching device specifically designed for application with non-resonant 43

foot tall vertical multi-band antennas.

The DXE-UN-43 assures the best efficiency from your vertical multi-band antenna and

transmission line/tuner installation. Using the DXE-UN-43 results in minimizing the additional

transmission lines losses caused by SWR and allows your antenna to perform to its full

potential. The DXE-UN-43 reduces the stresses on your equipment more efficiently than similar

competitive products.

By allowing your wide-range tuner to more easily match the antenna’s complex impedance, low

frequency performance is improved over other devices currently available.

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DXE-UN-43 Features

Full band coverage on 160-10 meters with an SWR under 1.5:1*

*Customer supplied wide band tuner required.

Impedance: 200 ohms to 50 ohms - optimized for 43 ft. verticals

Ratio: 4:1

Power Handling: 2 KW/5 KW Peak - Handles rated power with minimal energy loss so

there is no thermal related failure.

Silver/Teflon®SO-239 input connector

Two 1/4-20 feedpoint connection studs with Stainless Steel Flat Washers, Split Washers,

Fender Washers & Wing Nuts

High impact plastic, weather sealed NEMA spec case: 2-1/2" x 4" x 4" inches (HxWxL)

Shares the same mounting footprint as other similar competitive products, so it may be

easily substituted in existing installations for superior performance.

DXE-UN-BRKT - Mounting Bracket Kit for the DXE-UN-43 UNUN

Custom patented (US Patent No. D597,086) Mounting Bracket including Custom Stainless Steel 90

degree Studded Element Clamps, Aluminum Spacers and Stainless Steel Hardware for mounting the

DXE-UN-43 to the DXE Multi-Band Vertical Antenna series.

Parts List for the DXE-UN-BRKT

Qty

Description

Patented Mounting Bracket for the DXE-UN-43

# 6 x 3/4" long Stainless Steel Hex Head Bolts

# 6 Flat Washer

# 6 Nyloc Nut

Custom Stainless Steel 90 degree studded Element Clamp

1/8" thick x 5/16" OD Aluminum Spacer for #10 Hardware

# 10 Nyloc Nut

DXE-TCB-UNFK - Feed Point Connection Kit

Two 1" wide x 9" long pre-drilled tinned copper braids for feedpoint connection to the vertical

antenna system.

Additional Material Needed but not Supplied:

Antenna Mounting - Steel mounting pipe, up to 2.0″OD, 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 (type depends on your landscape)

DXE-P8A - Penetrox™ A - To ensure good connection for aluminum element sections

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

prevent galling and aid in proper tightening torque.

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

100 foot rolls of Dacron/polyester rope.

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Parts List for the DXE-MBVA-1UP

Lower Tilt Base Assembly (patented)

Qty

Antenna Assembly:

Qty

Tilt Base, 3/16" Laser Cut Stainless Steel

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

DXE-SSVC-2P Stainless Steel V-Clamp

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

Insulated Mast Mount Channel

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

Mast Mount Backing 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

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

1/4-20 Hex nut

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

1/4" Fender Washer, 1" OD

DXE-ECL-16SS Element Clamp

1/4-20 Flanged Nut

DXE-ECL-20SS Element Clamp

1/4-20 Nyloc nut

DXE-ECL-24SS Element Clamp

3/8 U-Bolt x 2" ID x 3.25" leg w/ Saddle & Hardware

DXE-ECL-28SS Element Clamp

Black Vinyl Cap

Feedline Connection

Qty

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

1/4" External Tooth Washer.

1/4" 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.

Suggested Parts Not Included

DXE-RADP-3 Radial Plate (patented):

Made from Laser Cut Stainless Steel with 20 Sets of Stainless Steel Radial

Attachment Hardware. The DX Engineering Radial Plate is meant for those of you

having a vertical antenna and want an easy, neat and effective way to connect those

essential radial wires to your antenna system for the highest efficiency and strongest

signals.

DXE-SSVC-2P Stainless Steel V-Clamp:

One required for mounting the optional DXE-RADP-3 Radial Plate to the antenna

mounting pipe of 1" to 2" outside diameter.

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DXE-RADW Radial Wire Kits and Components:

There are optional DX Engineering Radial Wire Kits available. DXE-RADW-500K/BD contains a

500 foot spool of 14 gauge copper stranded wire with black PVC insulation, 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 copper stranded wire with black PVC insulation, 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 65 Ft lengths.

DXE-GUY-200 Guying Kit for Vertical Antennas:

Some vertical manufacturers indicate their antennas do not need guying. During times

of high winds or ice loading, some of these verticals may sustain damage or fail

altogether. With the small amount of effort needed to install a four point guying system,

the risk hardly seems worth taking. A four-point guying scheme provides the best

mechanical advantage to reduce wind stress, regardless of direction. A four point

guying system is recommended for use with the DX Engineering Tilt Base, because just

one of the guy ropes has to be loosened when you tilt the vertical down. The remaining

guys help stabilize the vertical in three directions when being raised.

Tools Required

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

5/16”, 3/8”, 7/16”, and 1/2”wrenches or

5/16”, 3/8”, 7/16”, and 1/2”sockets and drive

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

Tape measure

Felt-tip marker

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

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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

55 feet. Consider overhead power lines, utility cables and wires. The vertical should mounted

away from local noise sources or other metallic objects which can re-radiate noise and affect the

tuning, radiation pattern and SWR. Determine the direction you want the antenna to tilt down and

make sure there is adequate clearance (at least 55 feet). There should also be a clear diameter of 65

to 130 feet from the antenna for the guying and radial systems that will extend away from the

antenna.

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

65 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

straight from the feedpoint 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 feedpoint.

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 it will be virtually impossible to see

them. An article describing this process is available on the DX Engineering website. Radials can

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

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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 20 inches 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 at

least 2 feet of pipe and a couple inches of gravel at the bottom for

drainage. Set the mounting 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 (depends on the type of concrete you

purchase). Fill the hole until the concrete is level with the ground around

it. Use a level on the mounting pipe as you fill the hole to be sure is

vertically 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.

Assembly

The DXE-MBVA-1UP shipping boxes contain the vertical tubing sections, an insulated U-channel,

two 3/8" U-Bolts, saddles with hardware, a backing plate, a Tilt Base, UNUN, UNUN Mounting

Bracket, stainless steel element clamps, a black vinyl cap, and stainless steel hardware.

Carefully un-box the antenna and separate the various parts.

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.

Note: UMI-81343 Never-Seez® or DXE-NSBT8 Anti-Seize should be used on all clamps,

bolts and stainless steel threaded hardware to prevent galling and to ensure proper

tightening.

- 8 -

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

Pipe, with the optional DXE-RADP-3 Radial Plate.

Radial Plate to Mounting Pipe

Install the optional DXE-RADP-3 Radial Plate on the 2" customer supplied mounting pipe using an

optional DXE-SSVC-2P Stainless Steel V-Clamp as shown in Figure 1. 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. 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 - DXE-RADP-3

Radial Plate Installation

- 9 -

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.

There are optional DX Engineering Radial Wire Kits available. DXE-RADW-500K/BD contains a

500 foot spool of 14 gauge copper stranded wire with black PVC insulation, 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 copper stranded wire with black PVC insulation, 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 65 Ft lengths.

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

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