DX Engineering DXE-MBVE-3 User manual

Multi-band

Vertical Antenna

40 through 10 Meters

DXE-MBVE-3

DXE-MBVE-3-INS-Revision 0b

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]

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Table of Contents

Introduction

Features

Warning

Tools Required

DXE-MBVE-3 Parts List

Manual Updates

Suggested Parts Not Included

Additional Material Needed, Not Supplied

Installation

Site Selection

Mounting Pipe

Optional Radial System

Assembly

Radial Plate to Mounting Pipe

Attaching Optional Ground Radial Wires to the Optional 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 Optional UNUN Mounting Bracket

Optional UNUN Assembly to Antenna

Feedline Connections

Tuning the Vertical

Optional Guying for a Vertical Antenna System

Optional Accessory Items

Technical Support and Warranty

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Introduction

The DX Engineering MBVE-3 is a freestanding fast taper 24 feet high multi-band vertical antenna

system. The vertical antenna operates from 40 meters through 10 meters. Since this is a non-

resonant vertical antenna, a customer supplied wide-range tuner is required. There are no traps,

coils or linear loading elements to rob power. Designed with 6063 corrosion-resistant aluminum

tubing and stainless steel hardware, this antenna is very durable and attractive. The heavy duty

insulating channel is custom made from Extren®, a proprietary combination of fiberglass

reinforcements and thermosetting polyester or vinyl ester resin systems and has a surface veil to

protect against glass fibers penetrating the resin surface in service and to increase corrosion and UV

resistance. The MBVE-3 is perfect for hams in HOA restricted areas. This vertical antenna blends

into the background and it can be painted to make it even more stealthy. Using the included tilt base

will allow the user to lower the antenna when not in use so nosey neighbors will not see anything.

Ground radials are not required but may be added to optimize performance. Guying is not required,

but may be added in situations where high winds are sustained.

Features

The DXE-MBVE-3 vertical antenna system includes the antenna elements, stainless steel element

clamps, mounting plate assembly, Tilt Base, and stainless steel hardware.

Full band coverage from 40 through 10 meters - Outboard customer supplied tuner required

24 ft overall height

Includes the DXE Tilt Base

Fast Taper from rugged base to sleek top for low wind resistance

No Coils or Traps - Maximum Radiation Efficiency

Power Handling up to 5 kW - built to last

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

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

5/16 inch, 3/8 inch, 7/16 inch, and 1/2 inch wrenches or

5/16 inch, 3/8 inch, 7/16 inch, and 1/2 inch sockets and drive

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

Tape measure and Felt-tip marker

DXE-MBVE-3 Parts List

Item:

Qty

Item:

Qty

Tilt Base, 3/16" Laser Cut Stainless Steel

2.000" x 0.058" x 36" Tube. Drilled.

DXE-SSVC-2P V-Saddle Kit

1.875" x 0.058" x 18" Tube. Cut & drilled.

Tilt Base, Mast Mount Channel

1.875" x 0.058" x 36" Tube. (Slit one end)

DXE-TB-1 Tilt Base Plate

1.750" x 0.058" x 36" Tube. (Slit one end)

1/4-20 x 2" HH Bolt, full thread

1.625" x 0.058" x 36" Tube. (Slit one end)

1/4-20 x 1" HH Bolt, full thread

1.500" x 0.058" x 36" Tube. (Slit one end)

1/4" Flat Washer

1.375" x 0.058" x 36" Tube. (Slit one end)

1/4" Star Washer

1.250" x 0.058" x 36" Tube. (Slit one end)

1/4" Split Washer

1.125" x 0.058" x 36" Tube. (Slit one end)

1/4" Aluminum Spacer

1.000" x 0.058" x 36" Tube. (Slit one end)

1/4-20 Hex nut

Element Clamps

1/4" Fender Washer, 1" OD

1/4-20 Flanged Nut

1/4-20 Nyloc nut

3/8 U-Bolt x 2" ID x 3.25" leg

2" Saddle for 3/8" U-Bolt

3/8-16 Hex Nut

3/8" Split Washer

3/8" Flat Washer

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.

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Suggested Parts Not Included

DXE-UN-43R - Complete Multi-Band UNUN kit for Vertical Antenna Systems

This is a complete 5 kW High Power UNUN kit which may be used in conjunction with your

wide range antenna tuner as an option for the DXE-MBVE and DXE-MBVA series of trapless

multiband antennas. It is also a perfect retrofit for existing DX Engineering and competitive 43

foot antennas to improve lower frequency performance.

The DXE-UN-43 DX Engineering Multi-Band Vertical UNUN built with proven Maxi-

CoreTM Technology is a matching device specifically designed for application with non-

resonant vertical multi-band antennas.

By allowing your wide-range tuner to more easily match the antenna’s complex impedance, low

frequency performance is improved over other devices currently available.

DXE-UN-43 Features

Full band coverage on 160-10 meters with an SWR under 1.5:1*

*Customer supplied wide band tuner required.

Impedance: 200 ohms to 50 ohms - optimized for DX Engineering vertical antennas

Ratio: 4:1

Power Handling: 2 KW / 5 KW Peak - Handles rated power with minimal energy loss so

there is no thermal related failure.

Silver / Teflon SO-239 input connector

Two 1/4-20 feedpoint connection studs with Stainless Steel Flat Washers, Split Washers,

Fender Washers & Wing Nuts

High impact plastic, weather sealed NEMA-spec case - 2-1/2" x 4" x 4" inches (HxWxL)

Shares the same mounting footprint as other similar competitive products, so it may be

easily substituted in existing installations for superior performance.

Included with the DXE-UN-43 is the DXE-UN-BRKT - Mounting Bracket Kit. A custom laser

cut and patented Aluminum Mounting Plate including Custom Stainless Steel 90 degree

Studded Element Clamps, Aluminum Spacers and Stainless Steel Hardware for mounting the

DXE-UN-43 to the DXE Multi-Band Vertical Antenna series.

Parts List for the DXE-UN-BRKT

Qty

Description

Laser Cut Aluminum Mounting Bracket for the DXE-UN-43

# 6 x 1/2" long Stainless Steel Hex Head Bolts

# 6 Flat Washer

# 6 Nyloc Nut

Custom Stainless Steel 90 degree studded Element Clamp

5/16" thick x 3/8" OD Aluminum Spacer for #10 Hardware

# 10 Nyloc Nut

The DXE-TCB-UNFK - Feed Point Connection Kit is also included with the DXE-UN-43R

Two 1" wide x 9" long pre-drilled tinned copper braids for feedpoint connection to the vertical

antenna system.

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DXE-RADP-3 Radial Plate (US Patent Numbers 6927740, D533167):

Made from Laser Cut Stainless Steel with 20 Sets of Stainless Steel Radial Attachment

Hardware. The DX Engineering Radial Plate is meant for those of you having a

vertical antenna and want an easy, neat and effective way to connect those 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 DXE-RADP-1P Radial Plate to the antenna

mounting pipe of 1" to 2" outside diameter.

DXE-RADW Radial Wire Kits and Components:

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 65Ft lengths.

Additional Material Needed but not Supplied:

Antenna Mounting - Steel mounting pipe, up to 2.0″OD, 0.25″wall thickness, 4 feet long.

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.

Quick-Set Concrete - Mounting pipe installation (type depends on your landscape)

DXE-P8A - Penetrox - To ensure good connection for aluminum element sections

DXE-81343 - Anti-Seize compound - used on the threads of Stainless Steel Hardware to

prevent galling and aid in proper tightening torque.

Guy Rope and Anchors –DXE-GUY200-KIT contains 4 screw-in earth anchors and two

100 foot rolls of Dacron/polyester rope.

Installation

Site Selection

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

34 feet ( 24 + 10 foot 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 tilt down and make sure there is adequate clearance (at least 24 feet). There

should also be a clear diameter of about 25 feet from the antenna for the optional radial system and

guying that will extend away from the antenna.

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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 20 inches above ground. A thick-walled steel pipe

1-3/4" OD to 2" OD maximum 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 the hole deep

enough to accommodate at least 2 feet of pipe and a couple inches of

gravel at the bottom for drainage. Set the mounting 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

(depends on the type of concrete you purchase). 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 is vertically 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: Galvanized 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.

Optional Radial System

Although this vertical antenna will operate without radials, 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 20 feet long, should be used with

this antenna. Using 32 radials at 20 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 with a 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.

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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

The DXE-MBVE-3 shipping box contains the vertical tubing sections, an insulated U-channel, two

2" U-Bolts and Saddles, a backing plate, a Tilt Base with two stainless steel V-Clamps, 8 stainless

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

Carefully un-box the antenna and separate the various parts. All of the element sections are 36"

long. The 36" base section element (2" OD) and the 18" tube inside of it are both drilled to accept

the feedpoint hardware. The added 18" section inside the base element section provides added wall

strength for the base section. The vinyl cap for the top element section should be installed after

assembly of the vertical is complete.

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 2" OD Mounting

Pipe, with the following options: DXE-RADP-3 Radial Plate, DXE-UN-43

UNUN, DXE-UN-BRKT Mounting bracket for the UNUN, and DXE-TCB-

UNFK Feedpoint kit for the UNUN

Radial Plate to Mounting Pipe

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

DXE-SSVC-2P stainless steel V-Clamps 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

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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 and the

optional DXE- UN-43 UNUN are mounted. (For reference, Figure 15 shows the completed

installation.)

Figure 1 - Optional DXE-RADP-3

Radial Plate Installation

Attaching Optional Ground Radial Wires to the Optional 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 65Ft lengths.

Depending on the number of radial wires used, space them out evenly around the Radial Plate. The

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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

Tilt Base to Mounting Pipe

Install the patented Tilt Base to the 2"

OD mounting pipe using the included

DXE-SSVC-2P stainless steel V-

Clamps allowing approximately 4-1/2"

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. See Figure 8 which

shows the tilt action.

Figure 3

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.

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