Directive Systems & Engineering DSEFO144-15 User manual

DSEFO144-15 Rev 2/21

Directive Systems & Engineering

2702 Rodgers Terrace

Haymarket, VA 20169-1628

www.directivesystems.com

703-754-3876

15 Element 144 MHz K1FO Designed Yagi, Model DSEFO144-15

ELECTRICAL SPECIFICATIONS MECHANICAL SPECIFICATIONS

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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.

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.

Boom

72" x 1 1/4" Rear Boom section 1 (match colors)

48" x 1 3/8"Rear Mid Boom section 1 (match colors)

72" x 1 1/2" Center Boom section 1 (match colors)

48" x 1 3/8"Front Mid Boom section 1 (match colors)

72" x 1 1/4" Front Boom section 1 (match colors)

Element Bundle Boom Sag Hardware Bag

1/4" Elements 14 Boom Sag bracket 2

1/2" Driven Element 1 2" Long tangent U-bolt 1

3/16" T-arms 2 2"Saddle 1

Aluminum spacer 2

Boom Sag 10-32 Machine screw 2

72" x 3/4" aluminum flattened on one end 2 10-32 NyLock® nut 2

24" x 5/8" aluminum flattened on one end 1 5/16" Split lock washer 2

12" x 5/8" aluminum flattened on one end 1 5/16" Flat washer 6

5/16" Hex nut 2

Hardware Bag #1

5/16" NyLock® nut 2

8-32 x 1 1/4"Machine screw 4 3/4" Hose clamp 2

8-32 x 1 1/2"Machine screw 1

8-32 x 1 3/4"Machine screw 4 Boom-to-Mast Hardware

#8 Internal Tooth Lock washers 2 1/4" x 1 1/2" U-bolt 2

#8 Split Lock washers 8 1/4" Nuts 4

#8 Nuts 10 1/4" Split Lock washers 4

6-32 x 1/2" Machine screw 2 5/16" x 2" U-bolts 2

#6 Internal Tooth Lock washer 5 5/16" Nuts 4

T-arm support bracket (pre- 1 5/16" Split Lock washers 4

assembled with Delrin standoffs) 2"Saddle 2

1/4" Element insulators 29 1 1/2" Saddle 2

1/4" Keepers 30

3/8" Hole plug 1 Prepared Balun 1

1/2" Black end cap 2 Boom to Mast plate 1

3/8" Black end cap 2 Anti-Sieze Compound 1

1 1/4" Black end cap 2 Element assembly tool 1

1 1/2" Hose Clamps 4

Prepared Female Type-N connector 1 Assembly Manual 1

T-arm Shorting Bars 2

Cable ties 3

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DSEFO144-15 Rev 2/21

Tools needed: #2 Phillips screwdriver

¼” flat blade 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 five (5) boom sections. The rear boom section has the large hole

for the driven element in it. There are two mid boom sections (1 3/8” dia.), one large diameter

center boom section (1 1/2" dia.) and the front boom section (1 ¼” dia.). Insert rear section

where marked with like colors into the rear mid boom section, align the #8 hardware mounting

holes and slide the stainless steel worm clamp over the slotted portion of the center boom

piece. An 8-32 X1 3/4" machine screw, lock washer and hex nut complete the process.

Tighten all hardware then proceed with the center boom piece. That connection with the mid

boom piece is also marked with like colors. Similarly attach the front mid boom section as you

did the rear and then the front boom section.

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 # 13 is the shortest. The keeper must be installed

as shown in Fig. 2. Using the 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.

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DSEFO144-15 Rev 2/21

Keeper Front side Keeper Rear side

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.

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DSEFO144-15 Rev 2/21

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 ½” screw through

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

in the boom. Place the T-arm support bracket on next, then the connector L bracket

(connector facing forward!). Next place a #8 internal tooth lock washer and a nut and tighten.

Install 3/8” plastic plug in the driven element access hole.

Note: In the following pictures, some may be a representation.

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DSEFO144-15 Rev 2/21

FIGURE 4.

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DSEFO144-15 Rev 2/21

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DSEFO144-15 Rev 2/21

FIGURES 5.

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DSEFO144-15 Rev 2/21

7) Next is the T-Match assembly. Once again, refer to figure 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 inside edge of the shorting bar to the

boom and set it for 205mm to start. This measurement should yield an SWR of 1.2:1 or less. If

you have the proper equipment you can adjust the SWR by moving the bars in or out. When

the lowest SWR is obtained, tighten all the hardware on the shorting bars. NOTE: Bending a

portion of the T-arm that extends past the ends of the shorting bars towards, or away, from the

driven element may help in lowering the SWR.

FIGURE 6.

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:

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DSEFO144-15 Rev 2/21

11) The boom to mast plate mounts between D7 and D8, using ¼” X 1 ½” U-bolts, saddles,

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. The exact position should be determined

by balance with your feed line in place. 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.

BOOM SAG SUPPORT ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS

12) Last is the boom sag brace assembly. We recommend attaching the antenna to a

temporary support to get the adjustments done before erecting on your tower.

13) Mount the antenna to a mast and assemble the boom sag long tangent U-bolt by

placing the saddle on the legs of the U-bolt. Next slide on the ½” spacers, then a 5/16” flat

washer, lock washer and nut. This assembly should be about 24” above the antenna.

14) Next, locate the two ¾” X 72” long boom sag struts and place a ¾” hose clamp over the

slits. Then place a flat washer on each leg of the long tangent U-bolt you just installed and

place the flattened end of one of the boom sag struts on each leg, followed by another flat

washer and a nylon lock nut. DO NOT TIGHTEN THE NUTS TO A POINT WHERE THE

BOOM SAG STRUTS CAN’T MOVE.

Mast Boom Sag Support

15) Install a boom sag support bracket on the front of the rear boom section (marked in

black), placing the bracket so that it is against the next boom section.

16) Locate the shorter 5/8” X 12” boom sag strut and slide the strut into the ¾” strut coming

from the mast going to the rear. Attach the end of the boom sag to the boom sag bracket using

a 10-32 X 1” screw and nylon lock nut. Do not over tighten. Snug the hose clamp slightly over

the slits to hold it in place.

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