Directive Systems & Engineering DSE144-6RS User manual

DSEFO144-6RS Rev 1/21

Directive Systems & Engineering

2702 Rodgers Terrace

Haymarket, VA 20169-1628

www.directivesystems.com

703-754-3876

6 Element 144-145 MHz “Rover Special Yagi, Model DSE144-6RS

ELECTRICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Frequency range: MHz ..................... 144-145

Gain: ................................................. 10.1 dBd (12.25 dBi)

Impedance: Ohms.............................. 50

Connector type................................... Type N(F) UG-58/U

Front -to- back ratio: dB...................... 21

SWR: Typical at resonance................ ≅1.2:1

Beamwidth: degrees

E- Plane ................................. 44°

H- Plane ................................. 52°

Sidelobe level: decibels

E- Plane ................................. -24

H- Plane ................................. -18

Power rating, Continuous: Watts ...... 1500

Stacking Distance: in.(m)

E- Plane.................................. 98” (2.489)

H- Plane.................................. 91” (2.311)

MECHANICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Boom length: in. (m.)........................... 96”(2.438)

Turning radius: in. (m.)........................ 54”(1.372)

Weight Assembled: Lbs (kg.).............. 3.5 (1.59)

Max mast size: in. (cm.).......................2.0”(3.81)

Wind surface area: Ft2(m.2) ............... 0.67 (.062)

Wind Survival: Mph (km/hr)................. 100 (160)

PARTS LIST

Note: All hardware is Stainless Steel unless otherwise noted.

Anti-Seize Compound - Apply a small amount of the supplied Anti-Seize Compound to the aluminum joints and

to the threads of the U-Bolts to prevent galling.

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BEFORE INSTALLING YOUR NEW ANTENNA, PLEASE BE SURE

TO READ THE ENCLOSED WARNING PAMPHLET.

CAUTION: While we strive to remove all burrs from all machined parts, there is always the possibility of

sharp edges. We strongly suggest checking the edges and use a fine file, or 400 grit sandpaper,

to remove any burrs that may have been left.

Tools needed: #2 Phillips screwdriver

large needle nosed pliers

keeper installation tool (supplied with kit)

ruler with metric millimeter markings

marking pencil

ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS

1) The antenna components should be removed carefully from the shipping container and

the individual parts counted and checked for completeness. Be careful to check all tubing

pieces for elements and hardware that may be packed inside.

In the following steps, apply a small amount of the supplied Anti-Seize to the boom joints:

2) The boom consists of two aluminum tubing sections with a sleeve in the middle. The

sleeve is pre-attached to the rear boom section. Assemble the boom pieces by sliding the front

boom section over the sleeve and aligning to the alignment marks. Fasten with the

8-32 x 1 3/8” machine screw, lock washer and nut.

Hardware Bag Boom-to-Mast Hardware

8-32 x 1 3/4" Machine screw 1 1/4" x 1 3/4" U-bolts 2

8-32 x 1 3/8" Machine screw 1 1/4" Nuts 4

8-32 x 1 1/4" Machine screw 4

1/4" Split lock washers

#8 Split lock washer 7 1/4" Flat washers 4

#8 Internal Tooth Lock Washer 2 5/16" x 2" ss U-bolts 2

#8 Nut 7 5/16" Nuts 4

6-32 x 1/2" Machine screw 2

5/16" Split lock washers

#6 Internal tooth lock washer 5 5/16" Flat washers 4

T-arm support bracket (pre- 1

assembled with Delrin standoffs) Prepared Balun 1

T-arm shorting bars 2 Boom to Mast plate 1

1/4" Element insulators 10 Anti-Sieze Compound 1

1/4" Keepers 12

Element Assembly Tool

3/8" Hole pl ug

1/2" End caps 2

Assembly Manual 1

3/8" End caps 2

1 1/8" Boom End Caps 2

Prepared Female Type-N connector 1

Ca bl e ti es 3

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DSEFO144-6RS Rev 1/21

3) The element bundle contains all of the elements needed for assembly. Take time to

inventory each one and check off each dimension with Table 1. Some elements vary by 1 or

2mm in overall length, so extreme care in measuring is called for here. Arrange elements in

order of descending size and mark each element with a scribe for proper location of the

“keeper” (See Table 1 and Figure 1). The reflector is the longest element, and each

succeeding director is slightly shorter. DIR # 4 is the shortest. The keeper must be installed as

shown in Fig. 2. Using the aluminum tubing tool supplied, slide the keeper to within 1/8” or

3mm of the scribed line. Final adjustment will be done on the antenna. Note that the keeper is

a one-way device only. If you go past the scribed line, you must continue to the element end

and start the process over. Place the first keeper on all elements.

See pictures below for keeper orientation. The front side, with the tabs going inward, is the

side to push onto the element. The rear side, with the tabs going outward, is the side that

faces you. It is the side that goes face down into the element tool.

Keeper Front side Keeper Rear side

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DSEFO144-6RS Rev 1/21

4) You are now ready to install the elements on the boom. You must start at one end and

work your way, in order, to the far end of the boom. Lay out the elements in ascending or

descending order as appropriate. Install a black insulator in each side of the boom piece at

the starting end, and slide the correct element through the two insulators. Obtain a second

keeper and install that keeper on the opposite end of element #1 from the pre-installed keeper.

(See Figure 3) Check that the element is centered before you snug up both keepers. A

positioning error of +/- 2mm or 0.080" is acceptable.

5) At this point, if you tighten the keepers and the element is not centered, you will have to

cut one of the keepers to remove the element and start again. Some extra keepers are

supplied, but care is definitely required here. Check your work as you go! Proceed with the

next element in similar fashion. Check off each element on Table 1 to monitor your progress.

Double-check element lengths one last time before final installation on the boom.

6) The driven element is next. Refer to the drawing in Figure 4 and the photos in Figure 5

for guidance. The driven element slides through the boom at the ½” holes. It should slide

through with some friction and you might need to twist it back and forth to get it through. Align

the hole in the driven element with the hole in the boom. Insert an 8-32 X 1 ¾” screw through

the large hole in the bottom of the boom, through the driven element and up through the hole

in the boom. If the head of the screw hits the top of the hole, try rotating the driven element.

Place the T-arm support bracket on next, then the connector L bracket (connector facing

forward!). Next place a #8 split lock washer and a nut and tighten. Install 3/8” plastic plug in

the driven element access hole.

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DSEFO144-6RS Rev 1/21

FIGURE 4.

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DSEFO144-6RS Rev 1/21

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DSEFO144-6RS Rev 1/21

FIGURES 5.

If you are installing multiple antennas, please be sure that you build each

antenna with the same T-match wire orientation. In the above drawing, the center pin

goes to the right hand side of the antenna as viewed from the back of the connector.

Make sure both antennas do the same! Proper phase relationship is very important

here!

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DSEFO144-6RS Rev 1/21

7) Next is the T-Match assembly. Once again, refer to figures 4 and 5. Starting with the left

T-arm, viewed from the rear, pass a 6-32 X ½” screw through a #6 internal tooth lock washer

and through a lug on the center conductor of the balun through a second # 6 internal tooth

lock washer, through the T-arm and into the insulator. Do not over-tighten the screw as the

threads of the insulator can be easily damaged. The right side is next. Pass a 6-32 X ½” screw

through a #6 internal tooth lock washer, then the center conductor of the balun, another #6

internal tooth lock washer, the lug from the N connector, another #6 internal tooth lock washer,

the T-arm and screw into the insulator.

8) Place a #8 split lock washer on the screw securing the driven element and the T-arm

support bracket, then the two ground lugs from the balun, then a #8 internal tooth lock washer

and nut. Tighten securely.

9) Last, pass 8-32 X 1 ¼” screws through the holes in the shorting bars and place a split

lock washer and nut on the other end. Slide the shorting bars over the ends of the driven

elements and over the T-arms and measure from the boom to the inside edge of the shorting

bars and set it at 6 inches. Install supplied 3/8” plastic caps on ends of T-arms.

FIGURE 6.

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DSEFO144-6RS Rev 1/21

10) Using supplied cable ties, secure the balun to the boom exactly as shown in Figure 6

and route so they do not touch any of the elements; this will ensure minimum SWR. Install

supplied 1 1/8” plastic caps on ends of boom.

Before moving on to the following step, apply a small amount of the supplied Anti-Seize

Compound to the threads of the U-Bolts to prevent galling:

11) Attach the boom to mast plate to the boom midway between elements D-2 and D-3.

Use the ¼” U-bolts with flat washers, lock washers and nuts. The antenna will be front heavy

at this point but the weight of the feedline, when attached, will cause it to be balanced. If using

multiple antennas in an array, be certain all mounting plates are at the same location. When

attaching the antenna to your mast, use the 5/16” U-Bolts, flat washers, lock washers and

nuts. Once you have the U-bolts installed and the antenna mounted on your support mast and

tightened, you can route your feedline along the mast and over to the driven element and

connector. Dress the coax against the antenna boom and tighten the connector. Seal the

connector body with several layers of good grade vinyl tape. Then apply a layer of butyl rubber

antenna sealer or RTV over the tape. This will provide a good vapor barrier and ensure years

of trouble free performance. The insulated design will make for a very long-lived antenna that

will stand up well in harsh environments.

If you wish to check your work, now is the time to apply power to the antenna. Any work

around RF energy should be done carefully. We do not recommend standing next to an

antenna with many watts of 144 Mhz energy radiating around it. Using an antenna analyzer,

VNA or low power transmitter and SWR bridge, adjust the shorting bars for minimum SWR.

Always keep the shorting bars th same distance from the ends of the driven element.

Generally, good wattmeters can reliably indicate SWR down to about 1.2:1. A high directivity

bridge or coupler can increase accuracy, but 1.2:1 is more than adequate for any installation.

The aperture of this antenna is large enough so that you must elevate the antenna a

minimum of about 10 feet or 3.0 m above the ground. Point the antenna so that there are no

"reflectors" or obstructions for 100 feet directly in front of the beam. A better method would be

to point the antenna straight up toward the sky. Support the antenna on a wooden or metal

pole or tube and tie, or guy, the antenna boom with very light string or line. Now the driven

element will be at T-arm level and ground effects are removed. Most locations are pretty clear

straight overhead as well!

Install a short length of coax (1/2 wave is ideal... The antenna impedance will repeat

each half wave from the antenna regardless of coax imperfections) between the coax

connector and your bridge or wattmeter. If you utilize your 144 MHz transmitter as an RF

source, apply power - observe the reflected power. Turn off the power and adjust the T-Match

bars equally in small increments - 1/8" or 3 mm. is a good starting point. Apply power again

and observe results. If it got better, keep going. If it degraded, change the direction of yout T-

Match movement program and recheck your SWR. At some point, you will observe a null in

reflected power. When you have found it, mark the point on the driven element and tighten the

screws on the shorting bars.

Over the years, performance can degrade due to oxidation. It is a good idea to spray

your handiwork with a good grade of clear paint sealant. As a general rule, the slower drying

sprays tend to be more enduring. Rustoleum "Clear Seal" or Krylon clear spray are

recommended. A few light coats work better than one big one.

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DSEFO144-6RS Rev 1/21

Using the dimensions supplied, your SWR should match our plot.

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