DX Engineering DXE-SMBA-2 User manual

Auto Tuned Multi-Band HF

Stealth Antenna System

DXE-SMBA-2

Patent Pending

DXE-SMBA-2-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 -

Introduction

Living in an area where antennas are not allowed? DX Engineering has designed a complete

antenna system that will allow Ham Radio Operators living under the shadow of HOA controlled

areas to get on the air easily.

Typically, with even a short 26 foot wire antenna, you can be on the air on all bands 40M and up –

And with the included DX Engineering 46 foot wire antenna element you can be on all bands 80M -

10M!

The very low profile Remote Tuning Unit [RTU] is easily hidden - even in small bushes or shrubs -

and the only thing that shows is the wire antenna element which can be very small diameter for a

near-zero visual impact.

This is a complete system including the tuner, MatchBoxx, stainless steel mounting shelf with

integral radial plate, the radial wire, three serpentine insulators and all hardware. Everything is

supplied that you will need for a no compromise installation that will get you on the air and

operating right under their noses.

This system can be used if your shack is on the main floor, basement or any other location as long

as you can run any size coax to the RTU located outside. There are no extra control lines necessary

since the RTU is completely self contained and even the power necessary to run it is carried by the

coax. There is no coax loss due to high SWR since the RTU will automatically match your coax to

the antenna at any HF frequency within seconds.

The MFJ-927 IntelliTuner™ lets you rapidly tune the DXE-SMBA-2 stealth antenna automatically.

MFJ's exclusive InstantRecall™, IntelliTune™ and AdaptiveSearch™ algorithms give you fast

automatic tuning with more than 20,000 non-volatile VirtualAntenna™ memories. The tuner

includes a highly efficient switching L-network with wide matching capability, 1.8 to 30 MHz

coverage, a radio interface port, and heavy-duty 10 amp/1000 volt relays.

The MFJ tuner is rated at 200 watts SSB/CW. Furnished with MFJ-4117 Bias Tee for inserting 12

VDC from your power source (or DXE-PSW-12D1A power supply) on the coaxial cable to the

remote tuner.

- 2 -

Part List for the DXE-SMBA-2

Parts List

Quantity Description

1 DX Engineering custom Laser Cut Stainless Steel Mounting Shelf with integral Radial

Wire connection points (patent pending)

4 Laser Cut Stainless Steel Legs

1 MFJ-927 IntelliTuner™ with external Bias "T" and mounting hardware

1 MatchBoxx (US Patent # 7,573,349) - mounted to the Shelf

1 45 Foot Wire Antenna Element with Ring Terminal attached

1 UHF Right Angle Adapter

3 DX Engineering custom molded End Insulators with special serpentine wire slots

1 Insulator to Shelf mounting hardware

1 Set of Stainless Steel hardware for radial wire attachment (20)

DXE-RADW-500 Bulk Radial Wire Kit which includes:

1- 500 ft spool of 14 gage, stranded copper wire with relaxed black PVC insulation

20 - Ring Terminals for Radial Wires.

Typical radial system is twenty radials, each 25 feet long.

DXE-STPL-100P Metal Lawn Staples - 100

Recommended Optional Items

Quantity Description

1 DXE-PSW-12D1A AC Adapter 12 VDC/1000 ma

1 DXE-81343 Anti-Seize, 1 oz Squeeze Tube

1 STI-DBR-94-100 3/32" Dia. Double Braided Dacron/Polyester Rope, 100 Foot Roll

1 DXE-3M2155 3M Temflex™ 2155 Rubber Splicing Tape

1 DXE-33PLUS Scotch Super 33+ Vinyl Electrical Tape

Please read and understand the instruction manual that comes with the MFJ-927 Remote

IntelliTuner™ Automatic Antenna Tuner.

There is information included in that manual that is critical to proper operation of both the

IntelliTuner™ Automatic Antenna Tuner and the Bias "T".

There is also troubleshooting information and tuner reset information that may be very

helpful.

- 3 -

Site Selection

Select a mounting location clear from power lines, structures and other antennas. Consider

overhead power lines, utility cables and wires. The vertical wire element 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.

When installing the unit, the four ground spikes must be pushed into the soil to provide a

good ground.

If your soil is not a good ground (sandy, real hard dirt, etc.), adding a customer supplied

ground rod which is connected to the unit at one of the radial connection points will help

provide a good ground.

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.

Included with the DXE-SMBA-2 is one 500 foot roll of radial wire, a 14 gauge stranded copper

with a black relaxed PVC insulation wire. At a minimum, 20 radials, each 25 feet long, should be

used with this antenna. Using extra radials may 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

DXE-SMBA-2 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 will

automatically be connected to the shield of your feedline

when connected to the tuner.

Radial wires can be laid on the roots of the grass using the

included 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.

- 4 -

Installing Ground Spikes and Antenna Insulator

Using the included stainless steel hardware, mount four ground spikes as shown below. DXE-81343

Anti-Seize should be used on all stainless steel hardware to prevent galling.

Bottom

View

Mount serpentine insulator to the shelf using one hex bolt, star washer, flat washer and Nyloc hex

nut. Mount the insulator with the cupped area on the bottom as shown below.

Top

View

- 5 -

Attaching Ground Radial Wires to the SMBA-2 Shelf

Prepare the twenty 25 foot radial wires by stripping off insulation at one end and crimping a #10

Terminal Lug. As an option, the terminal lugs may also be soldered to help ensure positive

electrical connection and long life.

Using the 20 sets of supplied #10 stainless steel hardware (Bolt, Flat Washer, Star Washer, Split

Washer, Nut) connect the 25 foot ground radial wires to the SMBA-2 shelf as shown below. (You

will use two radial wires on the corner nearest the insulator.)

Radial Wire Pattern

Bias "T" Connections

Refer to the MFJ manual for details on the Bias "T". The Bias "T" supplies the DC power required

in the remote tuner using the coaxial cable that goes from the Bias "T" to the remote tuner. The Bias

"T" is usually located in the radio room and has 12 VDC connected to it. Make certain the coaxial

cables are properly connected to the Bias "T" as shown below. Ensure the ON/OFF switch on the

Bias "T" is turned ON when using the system.

The customer supplied coaxial cable coming from the Bias "T" (located in the radio room) is

connected to the MFJ tuner SO-239 connector using the right angle UHF adapter (included).

- 6 -

Wire Element Installation and MatchBoxx Connections

The Wire Element included is 45 feet long. This will allow you to tune from 80 meters through 10

meters. If your installation will not allow a 45 foot length, the wire may be cut to 26 feet which will

allow you to tune on 40 through 10 meters.

Weave the soldered terminal on the wire antenna element through the serpentine insulator installed

on the SMBA-2 shelf and connect it to the MatchBoxx wing nut titled "ANT" as shown below.

Note the way the wire is woven through the end insulator, especially the side where the antenna

wire is coming from. There is a dip or cupped out area on the bottom to assist in a smooth wire

transition point.

The three wires are

connected to the

MatchBoxx as shown.

- 7 -

Attaching Antenna Element Wire to the End Insulators

The end of antenna element wire is woven through an end insulator as shown below. Note the way

the wire is woven through the end insulator, especially the side where the antenna wire is coming

from. There is a dip or cupped out area to assist in a smooth wire transition point.

Antenna Element Wire

Attaching Rope to the End Insulators

DX Engineering Double-braided Polyester Rope STI-DBR should be secured to the end insulators

(depending on your installation) using a non-slip knot. One suggestion for attaching the rope is

shown below. The ends of the rope should be cauterized with a small flame to prevent the rope

braid from fraying.

Non-Slip Knot using STI-DBR

Double-braided Polyester Rope

- 8 -

Some options in putting up the antenna element are:

Connect the antenna element from the SMBA-2 to a roof eve, then to a tree.

Connect the antenna element from the SMBA-2 to a tree.

Connect the antenna element from the SMBA-2 to a tree, then to another tree.

Serpentine Insulators

- 9 -

Using the Auto-Tuner

When using the tuner, refer to the MFJ-927 manual for details. If you try tuning and it seems that

the tuner will not tune up as it should, try 'band switching'. Band switching for this means going up

or down one band, re-tune, and then go back to the desired band and re-tune again.

Grounding at the unit is important. Ensure you have a good ground at the tuning unit.

When installing the unit, the four ground spikes must be pushed into the soil to provide a

good ground.

If your soil is not a good ground (sandy, real hard dirt, etc.), adding a customer supplied

ground rod which is connected to the unit at one of the radial connection points will help

provide a good ground.

Please read and understand the instruction manual that comes with the MFJ-927 Remote

IntelliTuner™ Automatic Antenna Tuner.

There is information included in that manual that is critical to proper operation of both the

IntelliTuner™ Automatic Antenna Tuner and the Bias "T".

There is also troubleshooting information and tuner reset information that may be very

helpful.

Removing the Tuner

To access the inside of

the MFJ-927 tuner it

will have to removed

from the shelf. Remove

your coaxial cable from

the right angle UHF

adapter and remove the

wire going from the

tuner's red post to the

MatchBoxx. Remove

the four hex head nuts

as shown below. The

other hardware shown

does not have to be

removed.

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