DX Engineering DXE-4030VA-1 User manual

40/30 Meter

Dual-Band

Vertical

Antenna

DXE-4030VA-1

DXE-4030VA-1-INS-Revision 5a

1200 Southeast Ave. - Tallmadge, OH 44278 USA

Phone: (800) 777-0703 ∙Tech Support and International: (330) 572-3200

Fax: (330) 572-3279 ∙ E-mail: [email protected]

- 1 -

Table of Contents

Introduction

Features

Supplied Installation Items

Additional Material Needed, Not Supplied

Parts List

Suggested Parts Not Included

Tools Required

Manual Updates

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 Balun Shelf and VFCC

Installation of VFCC to Antenna Mount

Feedline Connections

Tuning the Vertical

Guying a Vertical Antenna System

Optional Accessory Items

Technical Support and Warranty

- 2 -

Introduction

The DX Engineering 40/30 Meter Vertical Antenna is a high performance 40/30 meter vertical

dual-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, free

standing, attractive, and is an optimized height of less than 30 feet.

Of course, another key to performance is a good ground radial system. 32 radials, 32 feet long are

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

The 40/30 Meter Vertical Antenna includes the antenna element, insulated mounting channel,

mounting plate, patented Tilt Base, stainless steel hardware, and stainless steel element clamps.

Features

Full band coverage on 40 and 30 meters with SWR under 1.5:1 No Tuner needed

Bandwidth greater than 750 kHz with SWR under 2:1

Tunable above and below 7 MHz range for MARS and CAP frequencies

Power Handling up to 5 kW

Less than 30 ft overall height

Self Supporting Vertical Antenna

Heavy Duty design to withstand 60 MPH wind without guying

Supplied Installation Items:

DX Engineering’s patented Tilt Base - Precision laser cut from 3/16 inch thick 304 Stainless Steel,

this mounting plate is virtually indestructible. Using the included two DXE-SSVC-2P V-Clamps,

the Tilt Base is mounted to the same mast that you use for the optional radial plate. The Tilt Base

Allows for easy installation, tuning or severe weather lay-down.

Additional Material Needed but not Supplied:

Antenna Mounting - Steel mounting pipe, up to 2.0″OD, 0.25″wall thickness. 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 (depending on your landscape material)

JTL-12555 Jet-Lube™SS-30 Pure Copper Anti-Seize - To ensure good connection for

aluminum element sections. Also used on the threads of Stainless Steel Hardware to prevent

galling and aid in proper tightening torque

- 3 -

Parts List for the DXE-4030VA-1 40 - 30 Meter Vertical Antenna

Lower Tilt Base Assembly

Quantity

Tilt Base, patented Stainless Steel, Laser Cut, 3/16"

DXE-SSVC-2P V-Clamp Kit

Insulated Tilt Base, Extren®Mast Mount Channel

Tilt Base Aluminum Mounting Plate

1/4-20 x 2" Stainless Steel Hex Head Bolt, full thread

1/4" Flat Washer

1/4" Stainless Steel Split Washer

1/4" Dia. X 1/4" x 1/2" OD Aluminum Spacer

1/4-20 Stainless Steel Hex nut

1/4" Fender Washer, 1" OD

1/4-20 Stainless Steel Flanged Nut

1/4-20 Nyloc nut

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

Feedline Connection

Quantity

1/4-20 x 1" Stainless Steel Hex Head Bolt, full thread

1/4" Stainless Steel External Tooth Washer

1/4" Flat Washer

1/4-20 Stainless Steel Hex nut

Antenna Assembly

Quantity

2.00" x 0.058" x 36" Element (Slit 1 end & drilled)

1.875" & 1.750" x 72" Element Riveted. (Slit one end & drilled)

1.750" & 1.625" x 72" Element Riveted. (Slit one end)

1.625" x 0.058" x 36" Element (Slit one end)

1.500" x 0.058" x 36" Element (Slit one end)

1.375" x 0.058" x 72" Element (Slit one end)

1.250" x 0.058" x 36" Element (Slit one end)

DX Engineering 30 Meter Trap

1.250" x 0.058" x 36" Element (Slit both ends)

1.125" x 0.058" x 12" Element

Element Clamp, 1.875" - 2.00"

Element Clamp, 1.625" - 1.75"

Element Clamp, 1.375" - 1.50"

Element Clamp, 1.25"

Black Vinyl Cap.

- 4 -

Suggested Parts Not Included

DXE-RADP-3 (US Patent 7,432,875) Radial Plate: Made from Laser Cut Stainless Steel with 20

Sets of Stainless Steel Radial Attachment Hardware. The DX Engineering Radial Plate is meant for

those having a vertical antenna and want easy, neat and effective way to connect the 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 patented DXE-

RADP-3 Radial Plate to the antenna mounting pipe of 1" to 2" outside diameter. One required for

mounting the optional DXE-VFCC-H05A Vertical Feedline Current Choke.

DXE-VFCC-H05-A - 2/5 kW Vertical Feedline Current Choke for Coaxially Fed 50 Ω HF

Vertical Antennas - Prevents unwanted RFI by eliminating feedline current and radiation allowing

all power to go to the antenna improving efficiency. Reduces noise or unwanted signals picked-up

by the feedline and overcome a less than optimal ground system The V-Clamp, used to mount the

VFCC, part number DXE-SSVC-2P, is not included and must be purchased separately.

RADIAL WIRE KITS: 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.

Tools Required

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

1/2”and 7/16”socket and drive

3/16”and 7/64”Allen wrenches

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

Tape measure

Felt-tip marker

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.

- 5 -

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

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

35 feet. Consider overhead power lines, utility cables and wires. The vertical antenna should be

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 35 feet). There should also be a clear

diameter of at least 33 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 (or more)

radials at 32 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 wire with black relaxed

PVC insulation, is suggested for the best results.

- 6 -

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 the DX Engineering website

www.dxengineering.com in the Tech Info section. Radials can also be buried just under the surface

by using a power edger to make a slit in the soil.

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

2 feet above ground. A thick-walled steel pipe 1-3/4" to 2" OD 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 a hole deep enough to

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

drainage. Set the 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. Fill the hole until the concrete is level with the ground around it. Use a

level as you fill the hole to be sure the pipe is 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: 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.

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

Pipe, with the optional DXE-RADP-3 Radial Plate and DXE-VFCC-H05-A

Vertical Feedline Current Choke. If you are not using these options, connection

of the radial system can be done in a number of ways but is not described here.

If not using the VFCC, connect the feedline to the antenna and the radial

system. (See the Alternate Feedline Connections section in this manual).

- 7 -

Assembly

The DXE-40/30 Meter Vertical Antenna shipping box contains the vertical tubing sections, an

insulated U-channel, two 3/8" U-Bolts, saddles with hardware, a backing plate, a Tilt Base, stainless

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

Carefully un-pack the antenna and separate the various parts. Check the parts against the parts list.

Note: JTL-12555 Jet-Lube™ SS-30 Anti-Oxidant should be used between all

antenna element sections. Jet-Lube™ SS-30 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.

Jet-Lube™ SS-30 should also be used on all element clamps and stainless steel

threaded hardware to provide good electrical contact, prevent galling, allowing

easier disassembly and to ensure proper tightening.

Radial Plate to Mounting Pipe

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

SSVC-2P 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 - Optional DXE-RADP-3 Radial Plate Installation

- 8 -

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’, 32’, or 65’lengths.

Depending on the number of radial wires used, space their attachment 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

- 9 -

Tilt Base to Mounting Pipe

Install the Tilt Base to the 2" mounting pipe using the two supplied DXE-SSVC-2P V-Clamps

allowing approximately 7" clearance between the bottom of the tilt base plate, to the top of the

DXE-RADP-3 Radial Plate as shown in Figure 3. 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. Make sure the Tilt Base and optional DXE-RADP-3 Radial Plate are oriented

correctly for the direction you wish to tilt the antenna. When fully assembled and you are standing

in front of the antenna and can read the DX Engineering logo on the tilt plate, the antenna tilts to the

right. Refer to Figure 9 or Figure 15 for a picture showing the front of the antenna. Tighten the

clamps evenly so the length of the exposed threads is approximately equal. Any clamp should be

tightened evenly from side-to-side with an equal amount of thread above each nut.

Figure - 3

Table of contents

Other DX Engineering Antenna manuals

DX Engineering

DX Engineering DXE-7580FS-VA-1 User manual

DX Engineering

DX Engineering DXE-8040-30AOK User manual

DX Engineering

DX Engineering 4-BTV Instruction manual

DX Engineering

DX Engineering SkyHawk 3X10 User manual

DX Engineering

DX Engineering DXE-ATK65 User manual

DX Engineering

DX Engineering DXE-MBV-1 User manual

DX Engineering

DX Engineering DXE-OCF-KIT User manual

DX Engineering

DX Engineering DXE-HEXX-BAL-KIT User manual

DX Engineering

DX Engineering DXE-RRMX2X8 User manual

DX Engineering

DX Engineering DXE-TW2010 User manual

DX Engineering

DX Engineering THUNDERBOLT DXE-MBVA-1UP User manual

DX Engineering

DX Engineering DXE-SWA-148 User manual

DX Engineering

DX Engineering EZ-Build DXE-UWA-KIT User manual

DX Engineering

DX Engineering DXE-MBVE-5A User manual

DX Engineering

DX Engineering DXE-NVIS-8040NM User manual

DX Engineering

DX Engineering DXE-MBVE-5A User manual

DX Engineering

DX Engineering DXE-SMBA-2 User manual

DX Engineering

DX Engineering DXE-MBVE-5A User manual

DX Engineering

DX Engineering RF-PRO-1B DXE-RF-PRO-1B User manual

DX Engineering

DX Engineering DXE-MBVE-2 User manual

DX Engineering

DX Engineering DXE-VA-PIVOT-3 User manual

DX Engineering

DX Engineering RF-PRO-1B User manual

DX Engineering

DX Engineering DXE-ATSA-1 User manual

DX Engineering

DX Engineering DXE-ARAH3-1P User manual

Popular Antenna manuals by other brands

Alfa Network

Alfa Network APA-L01 Specifications

Naval

Naval PR-422CA Operation manual

Feig Electronic

Feig Electronic ID ISC.ANTH200/200 Series manual

TERK Technologies

TERK Technologies TV44 owner's manual

Directive Systems & Engineering

Directive Systems & Engineering DSE2324LYRMK quick start guide

HP J8999A instructions

MobilSat

MobilSat MSP-S Mounting instructions

Steren

Steren ANT-UHF 13 instruction manual

Novatel

Novatel 600-G User information

Radio Shack

Radio Shack Amplified VHF/UHF/FM Indoor Antenna owner's manual

TRENDnet

TRENDnet TEW-AO12O Specifications

Radio Shack

Radio Shack 15-1837 owner's manual

CommScope

CommScope CMAX-OMFX-43M-I53 Installation instruction

Ramsey Electronics

Ramsey Electronics DAP25 Kit assembly and instruction manual

COBHAM

COBHAM SAILOR 800 VSAT Replacement procedure

Trango Systems

Trango Systems AD900-9 Specification sheet

Steren

Steren ANT-100 user manual

Proxim

Proxim 5054-PA-23 quick start guide