SEARCH KIT Manual page 1 Tuesday, March 26, 2002 13:14 Composite
The STEALTH Kit Thank you for choosing the American made, SGC STEALTH Kit. We are confident that you will be happy with your purchase and assure you of our full commitment to customer service. Since 1971, SGC has been designing and manufacturing a wide range of HF SSB communications products. Our goal is to provide reliable equipment, which is competitively priced and which fits the need of the radio user. With the STEALTH Kit, SGC has provided an all-in-one, convenient antenna solution.
Table of Contents Quick Start............................................................. 4 1.0 Introduction ....................................................... 5 2.0 Specifications.................................................... 6 3.0 Supplied Items .................................................. 7 4.0 Installation......................................................... 7 4.1 Advance preparation for emergency use........... 7 4.1 Antenna Installation ..........................................
Quick Start 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Locate a proper area where you would like to erect your loop antenna. Initially the system could be operated with the antenna lying on the floor. Connect your coupler to the transceiver and a suitable 12VDC power supply. This can be the same source as the power supply to the radio if it is a 12VDC unit. Avoid regulated linear or switching power supplies as they may be susceptible to RF radiation and may lose regulation and apply higher voltage than permissible.
1.0 Introduction The Smart Tuning, Emergency Antenna Loop, Tactical HF Kit STEALTH - antenna kit is a high-frequency antenna for situations where a full size antenna is not possible. Its main features are: • • • • • • • Easily configured to the space available Groundless - no RF ground required Easy to install - kit contains all necessary items Automatic operation Easy to use - no meters or lights to watch, no buttons to push Wide bandwidth - 2.
1.1 Disclaimers RF Burns can occur if the output terminals or antenna wire of the SG237 are touched while transmitting. Use caution to avoid injury and burns. Prolonged exposure to RF should be avoided. Those persons using heart pacemaker devices should avoid RF exposure. To avoid injury and damage to equipment: Whenever possible, we strongly recommend reducing transmit power. Preferably, 10 to 25 watts should be used and will generally provide good communications.
Performance and results may vary and SGC does not warrant any installation or any result. SGC reserves the right to change the specifications without notice. 3.0 Supplied Items • • • • • • SG-237 Smartuner HF Antenna coupler and manual. 80’ (25m) of loop antenna wire. 4 - antenna mounting clips and 20’ (6m) ropes attached 30’ (9.14m) of nylon support rope with clip 12 - Releasable cable ties 2 - spare antenna mounting clips 4.0 Installation 4.
• • • • Equipment - Have you selected the equipment to be used in an emergency situation? Is that equipment able to withstand possible abuse? Do you have all power sources immediately available and, in the case of batteries, are they fully charged? Cable extensions - Do you have AC cords long enough for typical situations? Is your coax long enough or should you have some extensions? If your installation will be battery powered, do you have cables to reach them and also the cables needed to maintain the c
This is called polarization. A loop mounted horizontally is considered to be vertically polarized as the signal is primarily radiated vertically and will provide more effective short distance communications. Likewise, a loop mounted vertically is horizontally polarized as its signal is primarily radiated horizontally and is better for long range communications. 4.1.1.
4.1.1.2 Vertical - more than 500 miles (830km) Use this type of antenna when you need to maintain long range communications of 500 to 5000 miles (830km to 8300km). Vertically mounted two-turn loop. The coupler is installed in center of lower section antenna. 4.1.2 Shape of the antenna loop The ideal shape of the antenna for this situation would be a single turn circle. However, this would require complicated mounting. Most needs can be fulfilled with a one-turn square, rectangle or triangle shape.
4.1.4 Height of antenna As is the case with all antennas, the rule of thumb is “the higher the better”. You should attempt to make the lowest point of the loop at least 10 feet (3mtr) above ground. 4.1.5 Inside or outside If possible, the antenna should be located outside and clear of any structures for maximum effectiveness. If you find this impossible, and you must locate the antenna inside, consider the following: • Ensure that the antenna will be at least 4 inches (10cm.
The sketches below show possible shapes. One Loop Configurations Configuration 101 Configuration 102 Configuration 103 These configurations are the most common and are used for installations outside and away from buildings. 12 SEARCH KIT Manual page 12 Mailing: PO Box 3526, Bellevue, WA 98009 Shipping: 13737 SE 26th St., Bellevue, WA 98005 Toll-Free: 800-259-7331 • Phone 425-746-6310 • Fax: 425-746-6384 www.sgcworld.com • Email: sgc@sgcworld.com © March 2002 - SGC, Inc.
Two Loop Configurations Configuration 201 Configuration 202 Configuration 203 The two turn loop is primarily used for inside situations. It is also a very convenient installation for vacationing, a small patio, or even a greenhouse. Mailing: PO Box 3526, Bellevue, WA 98009 Shipping: 13737 SE 26th St., Bellevue, WA 98005 Toll-Free: 800-259-7331 • Phone 425-746-6310 • Fax: 425-746-6384 www.sgcworld.com • Email: sgc@sgcworld.
Three Loop Configurations Configuration 301 Configuration 302 Four Loop Configurations Configuration 401 Configuration 402 The three and four turn loops are almost always indoor antennas and are very convenient for situations where there is a limited amount of space available. This will be of significant importance for the office or apartment user where they can be mounted near a window or door.
Configuration 502 Configuration 501 Configuration 503 Tip: one drawback when connecting the coupler at a corner of a triangular configuration is that the support ropes for the coupler can become long and difficult to install properly. If you have obtained the STEALTH for emergency use, practice installing the antenna. This will benefit you when it comes to an actual emergency situation. 4.3 Sample installation WARNING! Never mount any antenna near power lines or utility wires.
• • Form the antenna wire into the approximate desired shape and size and slightly knot the ends of the wire together for later attaching to the coupler. Attach four support ropes at corners of antenna using the supplied antenna clips. The wires will easily snap into the clips. The two loops of the antenna wire have been strapped into a support clip. • Raise the antenna as much as possible and secure the ropes. The antenna, which was formed on the floor, is being raised to its final position.
In this sample installation, the support ropes were attached to 2 chairs. • Attach the coupler to ends of antenna wire and lay it on the floor. The antenna has been raised to its final position and ends have been connected to the coupler which is lying on the floor. • Attach the cable from the coupler to the radio and connect the coupler power leads - see section 4.4.
A support rope has been passed through the mounting holes of the coupler. And secure the ropes so the coupler is supported. • The corners of the antenna loop located near the floor can be raised. The lower corners of the antenna have been attached to two chairs which are then moved to form the antenna into its final shape.
4.4 SG-237 Smartuner HF Antenna Coupler Installation Read the SG-237 manual, which is included, as it provides detailed information which can be helpful to your installation. The coaxial connector at the end of the coupler cable can then be securely attached to the radio equipment. The red wire should be attached to a +12 volt power source and the black wire to ground. 4.5 Tips, Do’s and Don’ts • Do not coil any cables, even those which are not part of the antenna.
For RF radiation detection, the fluorescent tube has been moved around the loop until a position was found where the bulb glowed. • Knot the ends of the supplied antenna wire together before attempting to shape or install the antenna. Once the antenna has been raised into position, the knot can be removed and the coupler attached to the ends of the wire. • Whenever nylon rope is cut, the ends will quickly become unraveled.
5.0 Adjustable Directive Loop Antenna A small, highly directive, four-turn loop antenna can be constructed for indoor or outdoor use. The Adjustable Directive Loop Antenna can be used in a room as small as 10 by 10 feet. It can be hung from the ceiling with the supplied rope for orientation of the antenna for the best receiving or transmitting signal. By listening to a station, the operator can simply rotate the antenna for best signal strength or intelligibility.
First construct the cross section of the two sticks by using the supplied rope - on the vertical stick by approximately 2 to 3 inches above the center. Next, use two of the supplied cable ties at the end of each pole; one to go around the pole and to hold the other in place. Four sets of two will be required, one set for each of the four ends of the poles. 22 SEARCH KIT Manual page 22 Mailing: PO Box 3526, Bellevue, WA 98009 Shipping: 13737 SE 26th St.
Attach the cable ties 2 inches from three ends of the pole. For the fourth side (the bottom), place the cable ties 14 to 15 inches from the end of the pole. This will create a 4 by 4 foot loop approximately. Next, on the bottom below the cable ties, attach the coupler vertically with rope or more cable ties. Now, attach the antenna wire to the coupler output and loop the antenna five times through the loops previously made. When completed, attach the end of the loop antenna to the couplers ground terminal.
This setup is an effective way to improve the connections. Configuration 601 Note: Drawing shows construction details and is not to scale. Rotate the antenna until the best direction is achieved. Then, secure it with an additional rope attached to a nearby object such as a window or door. Note: Any materials can be used for this setup with the exception of metal. Test performances expected are similar to the four loop antenna described on page 35.
5.1 Directive Loop Antenna Improvised with Four Brooms This is an example of a 15 minute improvisational setup using wooden brooms in a very small area. These are the steps used to install our sample setup. 1. Tie four brooms together in a crisscross fashion using the ropes provided. 2. Loop the antenna wire around the brooms four times. Use the bristles to keep each loop of the wire apart. Mailing: PO Box 3526, Bellevue, WA 98009 Shipping: 13737 SE 26th St.
3. Hang system from ceiling using cable ties provided. 4. Attach tuner to antenna wires. 5. Attach the coupler to the lower broom. 6. Attach coupler to radio. 7. Rotate system horizontally until the best connection is received. 26 SEARCH KIT Manual page 26 Mailing: PO Box 3526, Bellevue, WA 98009 Shipping: 13737 SE 26th St., Bellevue, WA 98005 Toll-Free: 800-259-7331 • Phone 425-746-6310 • Fax: 425-746-6384 www.sgcworld.com • Email: sgc@sgcworld.com © March 2002 - SGC, Inc.
5.2 General Applications Most of the loop antennas described can be used anywhere, on board boats, aircraft and cars. Vessel Groundless Loop For example, the loop antenna can be configured on a sail boat from the top Radiation of the mast to the front or back of the vessel, with the coupler Coupler located on the deck avoiding installation of expensive backstay isolators.
The antenna could be mounted on the top of a car or camper using short plastic mountings of 4” to 8” in length and elevating it from the roof of the vehicle. 18" PVC pipe standoffs Recreational Vehicle Antenna Installation Antenna wire Coupler mounted inside coach Use a separate ground strap or wire for the body a n d t h e c h a s s i s t o t h e g r o u n d o f t h e c o u p l e r.
6.0 SGC Limited Product Warranty and Software License - 1Year Parts & Labor This manual is produced as a guideline for the Smart Tuning, Emergency Antenna Loop, Tactical HF Kit - STEALTH Kit. Performance and results may vary and SGC does not warrant any installation or any result. This manual is subject to change without notice. You have purchased an SGC product together with a license to use the software installed in that product.
7.0 Appendix The appendix contains seven sample configurations and the results of the testing. • One-turn loop antenna mounted horizontally outside, 12 feet above the ground. Tested at 20 watts. (page 31) • Three-turn loop antenna mounted vertically inside a building. Tested at 20 watts. (page 32) • One-turn loop antenna mounted horizontally outside, 12 feet above ground. Tested at 100 watts. (page 33) • Three-turn loop antenna mounted vertically inside a building. Tested at 100 watts.
Appendix A Antenna Installation: One-turn triangular loop mounted 12 feet horizontally above ground. Used SG-2020 transceiver. 80 VSWR 40 VSWR 30 VSWR 20 VSWR 17 VSWR 15 VSWR 12 VSWR 10 VSWR Bottom of band f (MHz) Fwd Ref 3.510 MHz 20w .7w 1.1:1 7.010 MHz 21w .2w 1:1 10.110 MHz 21w 0 1:1 14.010 MHz 23w 0 1:1 18.078 MHz 21w 0 1:1 21.010 MHz 21w 0 1:1 24.900 MHz 20w .1w 1:1 28.010 MHz 19w .6 1.1:1 Middle of band f (MHz) Fwd Ref 3.750 MHz 20w .7w 1.1:1 7.150 MHz 21w .1w 1:1 10.125 MHz 21w 0 1:1 14.
Antenna Installation: Inside three-turn square loop mounted vertically. Used SG-2020 transceiver. 80 VSWR 40 VSWR 30 VSWR 20 VSWR 17 VSWR 15 VSWR 12 VSWR 10 VSWR Bottom of band f (MHz) Fwd Ref 3.510 MHz .2 18w 1:1 7.010 MHz .9 18w 1.1:1 10.110 MHz .2 18w 1:1 14.010 MHz 0 18w 1:1 18.078 MHz 0 18w 1:1 21.010 MHz 1.9 17w 1.3:1 24.900 MHz 0 16w 1:1 28.010 MHz 5 14w 2.1:1 32 SEARCH KIT Manual page 32 Middle of band f (MHz) Fwd Ref 3.750 MHz 5.1 17w 1.9:1 7.150 MHz 2.2 19w 1.3:1 10.125 MHz .1 18w 1:1 14.
Antenna Configuration: One-turn triangular loop mounted 12 feet horizontally above ground. Used IC-736 Transceiver. Bottom of band f (MHz) Fwd Ref 80m 3.510 MHz 110w 0 VSWR 1:1 40m 7.010 MHz 110w 0 VSWR 1:1 30m 10.110 MHz 45w 0 Middle of band Top of band f (MHz) f (MHz) Fwd Ref Fwd Ref 3.750 MHz 3.990 MHz 110w 0 110w 8 1:1 1.2:1 7.150 MHz 7.290 MHz 110 0 115 0 1:1 1:1 10.125 MHz 10.140 MHz 44w 0 42w 0 VSWR 1:1 1:1 1:1 20m 14.010 MHz 14.175 MHz 14.340 MHz 120w 0 115w 8w 75w 18w VSWR 1:1 1.2:1 1.6:1 17m 18.
Antenna Installation: Inside three-turn square loop mounted vertically. Used IC-736 Transceiver. 80 VSWR 40 VSWR 30 VSWR 20 VSWR 17 VSWR 15 VSWR 12 VSWR 10 VSWR Bottom of band f (MHz) Fwd Ref 3.510 120w 1w 1:1 7.010 123w 1w 1:1 10.110 110w 2w 1:1 14.010 120w 0 Middle of band f (MHz) Fwd Ref 3.750 120w 0 1:1 7.150 125w 2w 1:1 10.125 115w 6w 1.1:1 14.175 113w 0 Top of band f (MHz) Fwd Ref 3.990 121w 0 1:1 7.290 116w 0 1:1 10.140 113w 7w 1.1:1 14.340 111w 3w 1:1 18.078 120w 1:1 21.010 120w 1:1 24.
Antenna Installation: Four-turn vertically mounted antenna, mounted inside, using IC-736. Bottom of band f (MHz) Fwd Ref 80 3.510 MHz 104w 2w VSWR 1:1 40 7.010 MHz 100w 3w VSWR 1.1:1 30 10.110 MHz 80w 14w VSWR 1.4:1 20 14.010 MHz 107w 1w Middle of band Top of band f (MHz) f (MHz) Fwd Ref Fwd Ref 3.750 MHz 3.990 MHz 104w 2w 100w 5w 1:1 1.1:1 7.150 MHz 7.290 MHz 100w 6w 105w 2w 1.1:1 1:1 10.125 MHz 10.140 MHz 80w 14w 75w 14w 1.4:1 1.5:1 14.175 MHz 14.340 MHz 108w 4w 104w 0w VSWR 1:1 17 18.
High End Frequency Test (6 meter) Antenna: Three turn vertically mounted inside. Tested using Alinco DR-M06 50.01 MHz 51.00 MHz 52.00 MHz 53.00 MHz 53.99 MHz Fwd = 19w Fwd = 16.7w Fwd = 19.8w Fwd = 15w Fwd = 19w Ref = 1w Ref = 1.5w Ref = 1.6w Ref = 3.7w Ref = 1.9w SWR = 1.1:1 SWR = 1.2:1 SWR = 1.2:1 SWR = 1.7:1 SWR = 1.2:1 Antenna: Four turn vertically mounted inside. Tested using Alinco DR-M06 50.01 MHz 51.00 MHz 52.00 MHz 53.00 MHz 53.
Antenna Installation: Adjustable Directive Loop Antenna, mounted inside. 80 VSWR 40 VSWR 30 VSWR 20 VSWR 15 Bottom of band f (MHz) Fwd Ref 3.510 MHz 16w .5w 1.1:1 7.010 MHz 16w .1w 1.1:1 10.110 MHz 16w .1w 1.1:1 14.010 MHz 16w .1w 1.1:1 21.010 MHz 15w .8w VSWR 1.1:1 12 24.900 MHz 14w 1.2w VSWR 1.1:1 10 28.010 MHz 13.5w 1w VSWR 1.1:1 Middle of band Top of band f (MHz) f (MHz) Fwd Ref Fwd Ref 3.750 MHz 3.990 MHz 16w .2w 16w 1.2w 1.1:1 1.1:1 7.150 MHz 7.290 MHz 16w .1w 16w .1w 1.1:1 1.1:1 10.125 MHz 10.
8.0 Global Reference Database To illustrate and substantiate the results and performance of the loop antennas described in this book, SGC has established a special online database describing contacts used with this equipment. This database will effectively inform any user of the results that they could expect using the STEALTH Kit. Anyone can add their contacts made to this database for the entire world to see. For more information on this database go to www.sgcworld.com/ stealth 9.
10.0 Further Reading For more information regarding HF technology, these publications and all of our manuals are available to download for free at www.sgcworld.com These publications include: • • • • The HF Users Guide Go Mobile at 500 Watts DSP Facts and Equipment Smartuners for Stealth Antennas 11.
Notes: 40 SEARCH KIT Manual page 40 Mailing: PO Box 3526, Bellevue, WA 98009 Shipping: 13737 SE 26th St., Bellevue, WA 98005 Toll-Free: 800-259-7331 • Phone 425-746-6310 • Fax: 425-746-6384 www.sgcworld.com • Email: sgc@sgcworld.com © March 2002 - SGC, Inc.
Notes: Mailing: PO Box 3526, Bellevue, WA 98009 Shipping: 13737 SE 26th St., Bellevue, WA 98005 Toll-Free: 800-259-7331 • Phone 425-746-6310 • Fax: 425-746-6384 www.sgcworld.com • Email: sgc@sgcworld.
Index 12 Volt Power Source 19 Aircraft 28 Antenna Directivity 10 Height 11 Inside 11 Installation 8 Orientation 8 Outside 11 Shape 10 Wire 17 Antenna Configurations 101 One-turn Square 12 102 One-turn Rectangle 12 103 One-turn Triangle 12 201 Two-turn Square 13 202 Two-turn Rectangle 13 203 Two-turn Triangle 13 301 Three-turn Square 14 302 Three-turn Triangle 14 401 Four-turn Square 14 402 Four-turn Triangle 14 501 One-turn Inverted Triangle 15 502 Two-turn Inverted Triangle 15 503 Three-turn Inverted Trian
Supplied Items SG-237 Smartuner HF Antenna coupler and manual. 80’ (25m) of antenna wire 4 - antenna mounting clips and 20’ (6m) ropes attached 30’ (9.1m) of nylon support rope with clip 2 - spare antenna mounting clips 12 - Reusable cable ties Mailing: PO Box 3526, Bellevue, WA 98009 Shipping: 13737 SE 26th St., Bellevue, WA 98005 Toll-Free: 800-259-7331 • Phone 425-746-6310 • Fax: 425-746-6384 www.sgcworld.com • Email: sgc@sgcworld.
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