User Guide

ASSEMBLY
1. This antenna is essentially a half wave dipole with one important difference– the feedline is at the end
of the antenna. The antenna is suspended at its ends by the two included end insulators– one of which is
integral to the matchbox.
2 In order to have the least possible influence on the antenna, insulated lines are recommended for
attachment to the insulators. The antenna may be suspended horizontally, vertically or sloping. Portable
operation is easily accomplished by suspending the far end from a tree limb and letting the matchbox hang
just above the ground.
3. The antenna has been used from hotel rooms by hanging the matchbox end just outside the window and
letting the far end hang, or preferably pulling it away from the building with a guy attached to the end
insulator.
TAKE THE TIME TO PROPERLY TUNE THE ANTENNA
4. Tuning is most easily accomplished by using an antenna analyzer attached to the far end of the coaxial
cable that will be used with the antenna. Alternatively, of course, a suitable VSWR meter may be em-
ployed. This should be done at the lowest power setting that yields reliable VSWR readings.
With the antenna in its operating position, look at the frequency of lowest VSWR on 20M. Most likely
this point will be too low requiring you to shorten the antenna. This is done at the matchbox end. As a
guide, each inch the bottom end is shortened will raise resonance approximately 30 KHz. After each
cutting, restrip the wire and attach it to the matchbox between the 2 #10 flatwashers. When the correct
length has been found, slide the 2 pieces of supplied shrink over the wire and solder the wire to the sup-
plied lug. Next, shrink the small piece of tubing while it is butted up against the lug. Position the large
shrink tube over the barrel of the lug and shrink it in place. Less desirable methods would be to simply se-
cure the bared wire between the two flatwashers– preferably first tinning the wire to prevent it from fray-
ing.
This is probably not suitable for a permanent installation. If too much radiator wire was cut off
during the tuning process, the included tuning stub may be attached to the 10-32 stud at the matchbox end
and trimmed to establish resonance to the desired frequency (Fig.2). . Tighten the #10 hardware just
enough to compress the lockwashers.
5. 10M resonance should automatically fall into place when 20M is properly tuned.
6. Again suspend the antenna and look at 40 M resonance. It should be below the 40M band– tune by
trimming the 87” 40M tip (SUB1412) attached to the end insulator. Each inch will raise resonance by
approximately 35 KHz .
7. Once you are satisfied with the overall length of the radiator, lace the end of the wire through the end
insulator as shown in Fig. 1.
8.
Take the time to tune the antenna– no tuner is required nor should one be used. Maximum
efficiency and absolute minimum feedline radiation will occur when the antenna is tuned as in the
steps above.
NOTE: If one or both ends use a tree for support, make sure to strain relieve the antenna with a pulley+
weight or a bungey if this is temporary installation. No antenna can hold up to thousands of pounds of
force exerted by a moving tree.
9. Fig. 3 illustrates some mounting ideas.
10. If the antenna is repeatedly deployed, take the time to neatly coil the radiator wire each time the an-
tenna is taken down– avoiding kinks.
11. The 10-32 thumb nut (1411) is supplied to facilitate changing radiators in the field. Do not use the
lockwasher when using the thumb nut.
Fig. 1
Fig. 2
GUY
RADIATOR
GUY
COAX
SLOPER
INVERTED L
GUY– IF NECESSARY
COAX
RADIATOR