DX Engineering DXE-7580FS-VA User manual

75/80 Meter

Full Size

Quarter-Wave

Vertical Antenna

DXE-7580FS-VA-3

US Patent No. 8,130,168

DXE-7580FS-VA -3-INS Revision 1

P.O. Box 1491 ∙ Akron, OH 44309-1491 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

Warning

Overhead Power Line Safety

Tools Required

Manual Updates and Information

Installation Sequence

Site Selection

Mounting Pipe

Coaxial Cable to Mounting Pipe

Radial System

Assembly Notes

Radial Plate to Mounting Pipe

Attaching Ground Radial Wires to the Radial Plate

Overall Pivot and Antenna Base Assembly Reference Drawing

Pivot Base and Lower Antenna Assembly

Mounting and using the Optional DXE-VRW-1 Manual Winch

General Information about Aluminum Tubing

Assembling the Vertical Sections

Lowering or Raising the Vertical Element Assembly

Feedline Connection

Optional DXE-VMN-1 Vertical Antenna Matching Network

Tuning the Vertical

Locking the Pivot Base

DXE-7580FS-VA-3 Part Lists

Pivot Base Assembly

Optional DXE-VRW-1 Manual Winch Assembly

Feedpoint Hardware

Vertical Elements Assembly

Exploded View of Pivot Base Assembly for Reference

Additional Material Required but not Supplied

Suggested Parts Not Included

Optional Accessory Items

Technical Support

Warranty

- 2 -

Introduction

Congratulations on obtaining your DX Engineering DXE-7580FS-VA-3 Full size 75/80 Meter

Quarter-Wave Vertical Antenna! Now you can have a high-performance vertical antenna

specifically for the 75/80 meter bands! The DX Engineering 68 foot vertical antenna supplies the

highest possible performance. Achieve the strongest possible presence at your power level and be

competitive!

The DX Engineering DXE-7580FS-VA3 is a FULL SIZE quarter-wave high-performance antenna

that provides all the important design details for a high performance vertical antenna. The thick-wall

6061 sections provide you with a very stout antenna that can stay up with no guying necessary and

no worry on your part. When expecting a big storm or high winds, the antenna can easily be

lowered with the supplied Heavy Duty+ Stainless Tilt Base with the optional hand winch.

The DX Engineering DXE-7580FS-VA3 provides a 2:1 SWR Bandwidth of 466 to 557 kHz

depending on your radial field. Your internal tuner can get SWR down to 1:1 on any DXing

Frequency for maximum power transfer.

The DX Engineering DXE-7580FS-VA-3 is specifically designed to operate on 75/80 meters.

Included with this antenna system is a rugged heavy duty stainless steel pivot fixture for ease of

assembly and adjustments. Engineered with 6063 corrosion-resistant aluminum tubing, thick

stainless steel mounting brackets and stainless steel hardware, this antenna is very durable and

attractive.

Features

Ultra-WIDE SWR Bandwidth and Unbeaten Gain

Highest Wind Ratings - High Strength 6063/6061 Tubing Manufactured to DX Engineering

Specifications

Easy Tilt Up and Down - Specially Manufactured Heavy Duty+ Stainless Steel Tilt Base

High Power Handling Capacity - BIG High Strength, UV Protected Extren®Insulator

No Rust - 100% Stainless Steel Tubing Clamps and Hardware

Reliability Second to None - Specially Manufactured Stainless and Aluminum Saddle

Clamps, Stainless Bolts and Precision Machining on each antenna

5 kW SSB and CW rated - unparalleled reliability

High Strength Heavy Duty Plus Pivoting Fixture - US Patent No. 8,130,168

Ultra-rugged construction starts with 4 inch OD Aircraft Grade heavy wall tubing

Self supporting - will withstand steady-state winds in excess of 92 mph without guying

(guying required under extreme wind speed conditions)

Extremely high strength heavy wall tubing made to DX Engineering specifications

Massive Extren® channel insulator

Laser-cut high strength Stainless Steel brackets

- 3 -

The optional DXE-VRW-1 Manual Winch for easy one-person raising and lowering of the antenna

is available from DX Engineering. You can move the DXE-VRW-1 winch between similar

antennas in a multi-antenna installation.

This antenna system requires a heavy duty mounting pipe. Recommended installation should

provide for a 3" OD heavy wall galvanized steel pipe set in concrete. Schedule 80 pipe that is called

2-1/2" has an outside diameter of 2.875" is recommended. The mounting pipe should extend above

ground level by 37inches. Depth of the mounting hole and amount of concrete is dependent on local

soil type, condition and antenna guying.

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.

Tools Required

Two 9/16" wrenches, (one of them should be open-end)

One 7/16" open end wrench

One 1/2” wrench

Two 3/4" wrenches

Medium size flat blade screwdriver or 5/16" nut driver for the element clamps

Tape measure

Felt-tip marker

- 4 -

Manual Updates and Information

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.

Please - Take the time to read the entire manual before you start assembly. There are plenty of

pictures and drawings to see, and if you read the entire manual first, you'll get a better feel for the

overall construction methods described. Assembly is not difficult, but there are a number of parts

that must go together in a certain sequence to make assembly easier.

Installation Sequence

1. Site Selection

2. Mounting Pipe

3. Coaxial Cable to Mounting Pipe

4. Radial System

5. Pivot Base Assembly (US Patent No. 8,130,168)

6. Mounting Pivot Base to Mounting Pipe

7. Antenna Assembly

8. Mating Antenna Elements to Pivot Base Assembly

9. Tuning

Site Selection

Select a mounting location clear from power lines, structures and other antennas by a minimum of

78 feet (68 + 10 ft safety rule). Consider overhead power lines, utility cables and wires. The

further away the vertical is mounted from local noise sources or other metallic objects, which can

re-radiate noise and affect the tuning, radiation pattern and SWR, the better. Determine the direction

you want the antenna to pivot and make sure there is adequate clearance (at least 80 feet).

Mounting Pipe

Use a customer supplied 2-1/2" schedule 80, which has an outside diameter (OD) of 2.895",

galvanized steel thick-walled mounting pipe at least 7-1/2 feet long. This will allow approximately

4-1/2 feet below ground and 37 inches above ground.

Some manufacturers use the term DOM (drawn over mandrel) which will give you a true OD

dimension. Other types of mounting pipe may be used but due to lateral strength needed ensure the

mounting pipe is strong enough. The material most available is ASTM A513 Type 5 which is a

1020 material. Some pipe suppliers list the material as either 1020 or 1026. Type 1020 has the

following properties:

ASTM A513 (1020): Up to 2-3/4" OD with maximum wall thickness of 0.25"

Tensile: 80,000 PSI. Yield: 70,000 PSI. Elongation in 2": 15%. Rockwell Hardness: B80

- 5 -

ASTM A513 (1020): Over 2-3/4" OD with wall thickness heavier than 0.25"

Tensile: 70,000 PSI. Yield: 60,000 PSI. Elongation in 2": 20%. Rockwell Hardness: B80

3.00" OD x 0.25" wall thickness (or more) of 65,000 PSI yield tubing may also be used.

Depending on your geographic location, various dealers should be able to supply the mounting post

you specify. The following dealers can supply DOM tubing: (Other dealers in your area may be a

better choice.)

Industrial Tube & Steel, Corp.: www.industrialtube.com

On Line Metal Store: www.onlinemetals.com

Speedy Metals: www.speedymetals.com

Metals Depot: www.metalsdepot.com

Note: DX Engineering does not recommend or endorse any specific

vendor.

This mounting pipe must be permanently mounted in the

ground, preferably in a concrete base 2 feet by 2 feet by 4

feet deep (with gravel below for drainage). The antenna

system requires this type of mounting to help withstand

the lateral forces present on the antenna during wind

conditions and when operating the pivot function. Make

the hole deep enough to accommodate at least 4 feet of

pipe and 4 to 6 inches of gravel at the bottom for

drainage. Set the mounting pipe on the gravel, use the

concrete to fill around the pipe per the concrete

instructions. Fill the hole until the concrete is level with

the ground around it. Use a level on the mounting pipe as

you fill the hole to be sure the mounting pipe is vertically

straight.

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.

Coaxial Cable to Mounting Pipe

The coaxial cable should be routed to the base of the antenna system and be buried below the radial

system. PVC Conduit pipe may be used to house the coaxial cable. Bury the cable 6" to 12" below

ground level.

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.

- 6 -

At a minimum, 32 radials, each 65 feet long, should be used with this antenna. DXE-RADW Radial

Wire, a 14 gauge stranded copper with black relaxed PVC

insulation wire is suggested for the best results.

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 on the DX Engineering website 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.

Assembly Notes

Note: DXE-P8A Penetrox A Anti-Oxidant should be used between all antenna element

sections. Penetrox 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.

Note: UMI-81343 Never-Seez or DXE-NSBT8 Anti-Seize should be used on all clamps, bolts

and stainless steel threaded hardware to prevent galling and to ensure proper

tightening.

Note: The following assembly instructions are based on using a customer supplied

2.895" OD Mounting Pipe (referred to as 3” OD), with the optional DXE-

VR-1 Manual Winch, optional DXE-RADP-3 Radial Plate with one optional

DXE-SSVC-3P V Clamp and one optional DXE-112-KIT - Chassis Mount

SO-239 Connector.

- 7 -

Radial Plate to Mounting Pipe

Place the optional DXE-RADP-3 Radial Plate over the 3" OD (maximum) mounting pipe. Attach

the Radial Plate to the mounting pipe using one DXE-SSVC-3P stainless steel V-Clamp. Allow

approximately one inch clearance between the bottom of the Radial Plate and the ground to allow

access to the radial wire mounting hardware (see Figure 1). Connections to the antenna will be

made via the optional DXE-112-KIT chassis mount SO-239 connector. The DXE-RADP-3 Radial

Plate comes with 20 sets of stainless steel hardware for mounting the radial wires. It is suggested

that 32 radial each 65 feet long be used, therefore additional DXE-RADP-1HWK Radial Plate

Wire Attachment Hardware Kits will be required.

Figure 1 - Optional DXE-RADP-3 Radial Plate Mounted to a 3" OD Mounting Pipe

- 8 -

Attaching Ground Radial Wires to the Radial Plate

Using the 20 sets of supplied 1/4" stainless steel hardware (Bolt, Star Washer, Flat 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 Ft, 32 Ft or 65 Ft lengths.

Depending on the number of radial wires used, space them out 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 -

Figure 3

Overall Super Duty+

Pivot Base

(US Patent No. 8,130,168)

Assembly

Reference

Drawing

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