{MEM clectronics corporatio ~ Woulve gota Rtond™ ae 7 78205 INSTRUCTION MANUAL General Description Theory of Operation Specifications Choosing a Site ORDER NO. 386-A Model 18 AVT/WB-A Vertical Radiator, Amateur Antenna PN 801270 ‘The Hy-Gain 18AVT/WB-A is an omnidirectional, self-supporting, vertical radiator that operates in the 10- to80-meter amateur bands. The system will work against earth ground or a resonant radial system when mounted above ground, You make your own radial system following the manual, or you can use the Hy-Gain 14RMQ radial system kit. Performance of the antenna can be optimized tor either phone or CW with either a ground or roof mount. Regardless of the optimization, the VSWR bandwidths of the antenna are brvad enough for the antenna to operate at a VSWR of 2:1 or less trom 10 10.40 meters. ‘The bandwidth for 80 meters is sharper, because the antenna is top loaded. Heavy-duty “Hy-Q Traps" give automatic band selection. The Hy-Q traps are parallel resonant circuits which isolate the various sections of the antenna, This provides true quarter-wavelength resonance on all bands. The top hat and 80-meter resonator extends coverage to 80 meter by top loading, ‘Mechanical Overall height 21° nominal (6.401 m) Mast vo accepts up to 1%" (4.1 em) Wind survival cee. 80 mph (129 kmph) Electrical Frequency AD-, 80-, 20-, 18-, and 10-meter amateur bands Input impedance -. 52 ohms SWR at resonance less than 2:1 Power capabilities rece 2 kW PEP* Lightning protection +++ DC ground Input connector 5 5 80-239 *Maximum power on 80 meters is 1 kW PEP NOTE: If the terminals of the input connector are checked with an ohmmeter, they will show a direct short. This is normal! The matching coil in the antenna base puts the entire system at DC ground, but presents a perfect 52-ohm impedance to RF energy. ‘A good ground is imperative for any vertical antenna system. Ine 18AVI/WB-A can be mounted on the ground, on a roottop, or on a mast. When mounting the antenna above ground, remember that you must also install a ground plane radial system. Wnen tne antenna is ground-mounted, a radial system is usually not needed. But in some areas, where soil surtace conductivity is poor and a good ground cannot be made using tne metnod snown in Figure 4, you will need to lay Out ground radials to improve the efficiency of your antenna, if you mount your antenna on a roof and find the root space is too smallfor a radial system, you can droop the radials over the edge of the roof at almost any angle without seriously changing the performance of the antenna. The radial system must be insulated from the root and connected to @ good ground for lightning protection.Assombly and Instalt M1 Section Assembly M2 Section Assombly M3 Section Assembly M4 Section Assembly Read through the manual before beginning assembly. Algo, acquaint yourself with the drawings by checking the parts as you take them from the carton, Decide where you will mount your antenna (rooftop or ground) and what mode of transmission you will use (phone ar CW) Take special notice of the dimensinas an Figure 1. The antenna parts must be set to the exact dimensions given, or it will not operate at peak efficiency. The VSWR chars will help you decide which dimensions to choose. WARNING Isolate the antenna from the reach of children or pets. The antenna radials are hot with RF proportional to the operating power. CAUTION The antenna dimensions must be set either for CW operation on all bands or phone operation on all bands. It is not possible to mix phone and CW dimensions to allow operation of some bands on CW and some bands on phone. NOTE: The compression clamps used with this antenna are used in many varied applications, so the screw head may or may not contact the lockwasher or clamp body. Once tts tight, do not force the screw by tightening it further. To do so may damage both the clamp and tubes. Do not tighten any of the compression clamps until instructed to do 50. Refer to Figure 1 to assemble the main portion of the antenna. (.) Drop the 1%" compression clamp, untightened, over the M1 section (the base is atlaciied lo il already). Slip the M2 section (1'6" x 26") into the lop of MI and set M2 at dimension “A”, as shown. Slide the clamp into place around the top of M1 and tighten it just enough to keep M2 from slipping, (.) Drop an untightened 1%" compression clamp over M2. Then slip the 10-meter trap (87018) bottom first into M2 butting it against the top of M2. (The top of this trap has a Plastic cap on it) (_) Slide the clamp into place around the top of M2 and tighten it just enough to keep the trap from slipping () There are two M3 sections supplied — one for ground mount 1" x 5%"), Choose the correct one for your installation and slide.it onto the end of the 10-meter trap. Place a 1 6" compression clamp around the lower end of M3. Then set M3 at dimension “B" and tighten the clamp just enough to keep M8 from slipping, NOTE: There ie 2 drainage holo in tho sido of the tube above the trap propor. Align this hole with the slot in M3 to allow proper drainage. (_) Drop a second, untightened 1%" compression clamp over M3. Slip the 15-meter trap (8701.35) into M3" Sat it at dimension "D" and tighten the clamp just enough to keenit rom slipping (.) There are two Md sections supplied (1 "x 14" and 1%" x 12") — one for ground mount. Choose the correct one for your installation and slide it onto the end of the 1- meter trap Place a 1'%" compression clamp around the lower end of M4 Set M4 at dimension “E" and tighten the clamp just enough to keep it from slipping,NOTE: There ie a drainage hole in the side of the tube above the trap proper. Align this hole with the slot in M4 to allow proper drainage. (.) Drop a second, untightened 11” compression clamp over MA. Slip the 20-meter trap (870160) bottom-first into Ma. (The top of this trap is taperad.) Sat the trap at dimension "@", slide the clamp into place, and tighten it just enough to keep the trap from slipping. M5 Section (.) Slide the M5 section (11" x 20%"), swaged end up, onto the end of the 20-meter trap, Ascombly Place a 1/4" compression clamp around the lower end of MS Rutt MS against the ton ofthe trap and tighten the clamp just enough to keep M5 from slipping, NOTE: There is a drainage hole in the side of the tube above the trap proper. Align this hole with the slot in MS to allaw proper drainage Ou" 2 * 2 wots Dotan A COCk Os ee OOO tte, Figure 1. Antenna Assembly DimensionsM6 Section Assembly M7 Section Assembly Top Section Assembly Assemble a 1” compression clamp over the swaged end of M5. Slide the M6 section (76" x 2214") into Mb. Set M6 al dimension "H” and tighten the compression clamp justenough to keep M6 from slipping. ()) Slide the M7 section (%" x 31"), insert end up, into the swaged end of M6. Drop an Untightened %" compression clamp down over M7. Set M7 at dimension "J", slide the clamp around the swaged end ot M6, and tighten it just eound to keep M/ trom slipping, ()) Hecheck att dimensions and tighten all the clamps securely in place. (.) Inis completes this portion of tne antenna, Set it aside to be completed later. Refer to Figure 2, Top Assembly Details and Figure 3 in connection with the following steps. (.) Push a 4" caplug on the end of each top radial (170610). (.) Attach the tour racials to the top plate (1/0615) as shown. Set the racial assembly aside to be used later. (.) Determine the proper length for your antenna as indicated in the cutting chart, Figure 3 NOTE: The tapered whip must be cut 10 the correct length so thal when the whip is inserted into the fitting 1", the ota! length equals the length in the cutting chart () File a deep notch around the rod witha file and snap off as shown in the detailin Figure 3, (.) Insert two #8 cot serowe, itom 41, in the top of the whip fitting, item 40, and tighten the whip assembly in the fitting (.) Screw a %'-24 nut, item 39, onto the bottom of the whip fitting () Screw the completed whip assembly into the top of the white 80-meter resonator (878761), itom 13, a0 chown in Figure 2. The lowor end of the resonator has a drainage hole in the side. () Screw the nut down snug against the resonator. (.) Thread %'-24 x 1" stud, item 25, %" into the inser in the M7 section, item 8, Place radial assembly over the stud as shown in Figure 2. Install one of item 39 (34"-24 nut, Hy- Gain part number 552964) on the stud and tighten to secure radial assembly (_) Place %" internal lockwasher, item 32, on 3” stud so that the lockwasher will be between the nut and the 80.meter resonator (.) Thread the whip assembly /resonator, item 13, an the stud and tighten hand tight. CAUTION Do not use any tools to tighten the resonator on the M7 section.Installing the Antonna Hooking Up the Antenna Refer to the two mounting details of Figure 2 and Figure 4 to install the completed antenna, ( ) First mount the completed antenna on your mast (not supplied) as shown in Figure 2. Use tho two U bolts and 6/18" nuts and lockwashers, (.) Use three "-20 x %" bolte, nute, and lockwachore to attach the inculator to the upper end of the mounting bracket. () If you are roof-mounting your antenna, use four sets of '%"-20 hardware for the preceding step. Refore tightening them, attach two adjacent radials to each set of hardware as shown in the two figures. NOTE: i your antenna is mounted more than 24" above ground, a radial system must be added for proper operation. Also, note that the radial system can serve to guy the system if insulators are used at the proper lengtns as shown. (_) This system must be grounded for lightning protection, Connect a ground wire to one U-bolt on the antenna base and run it to a buried, 8° ground rod by the shortest route. (.) If you are ground-mounting your antenna, install it as shown in Figure 2. You must install an 8° ground rod as shown. Figure 4. Roof Mounting Radials (.) Connect your coax (RG-8/u) lo the SO-239 curmector at the bottom of the mounting bracket (_) Weather seal the coax connection with Pli-O-Bond, neoprene, krylon, or equivalent to prevent moisture from shorting out the connection, Further, in coastal areas or smog, cover the hardware with live rubber such as DOW-CORNING Silastic Rubber, or GE Silicone Seal (.) For maximum lightning protection, we recommend the use of aHy GainLA 1 lightning arrestor, available from you Hy-Gain dealer. Your antenna is now ready to use.PE) Figure 2. Top and Mount Details He ™ Bes i fe oP ettss R ve a Ss fa NOTE: Dimension includes 1" for insertion into whip fing, Figure 3. Cutting Chart for Whip Rod -Hooking Up the Antenna Refer to the two mounting details of Figure 2 and Figure 4 to install the completed antenna, ( ) First mount the completed antenna on your mast (not supplied) as shown in Figure 2. Use the two U botte and 5/16" nuts and lockwashera (.) Use three '4"-20 x24" bolte, nute, and lockwashers to attach the inculator to the upper end of the mounting bracket. (.) If you are roof-mounting your antenna, use four sets of %4”-20 hardware for the preceding step Before tightening them, attach two adjacent radials to each set of hardware as shown in the two figures. NOTE: If your antenna is mounted more than 24” above ground, a radial system must be added for proper operation. Also. note that the radial system can serve to guy the system if insulators are used at the proper lengths as shown. (_) This system must be grounded for lightning protection. Connect a ground wire to one U-bolt on the antenna base and run it to a buried, 8° ground rod by the shortest route. (.) Ifyou are qround-mountina your antenna. install it as shown in Figure 2. You must install an 8' ground rod as shown, / NOTE mba otras Figure 4. Roof Mounting Radials (.) Connect your coax (RG-8/u) lu the SO-239 connector al the boltum of the mounting bracket, (_) Weather seal the coax connection with Pli-O-Bond, neoprene, krylon, or equivalent to prevent moisture from shorting out the connection. Further, in Coastal areas or smog, cover the hardware with live rubber such as DOW-CORNING Silastic Rubber, or GE Silicone Seal. (.) For maximum lightning protection, wo rocommond the use of aHly GainLA 1 lightning arrestor, available from you Hy-Gain dealer. Your antenna is now ready to use.MOTOR SCHEMATIC OF ANTENNA BASE Figure 5. Completed Installation Converting English Measurements to Metric Use this scale tu identify lengths of bolts, diameters of tubes, etc, The English inch (") and foot (’) can be converted to centimeters in this way. 1 inch (1")= 254 om 1 foot (1") = 90.48 om coxample: 42" x 2.84 = 106.7 om‘a3 2a 299 2s 300 Figure 6. Typical VSWR Curves (ground mount) 90-DAY LIMITED WARRANTY ‘rm antects mate and werimant and agrs io emody any uch Stet oro {aman amour exchange fray farsa nt wricn unde ror aon, Ue serves, tees aun cet mae sedate vs warn laden sao of purcase by he cap omner Tawarantyoppsescny athe ‘gma prensa” ‘lta ofinrchane tuna oy as Nr piesa ste tts, nor scressret we teh neo ruin Eevones Corporation reser Ne ight 0 make any canoes deemed aerate wowace rseogevncory ceasonvomotie ascent ae ani te eey sty saeoe aie, ‘period of ths warranty” Hy-Gain Electonics Corporation is not respansibe tor 8 ‘age mt marae oye mentocrer aur proses ‘ams of etc er stonage shouldbe adreses wo: Hy aan warranty Serie Hy Gam ecanicn Corporation xm ann not sani, i. pace nde of pacar seh ‘Song wap or tam umers vag attr yu equa dS Seo warranty cara umes, you rust supply he above infomation. eave ening Thee eayscanbe vosety witing n vance ae urmahingSSIS err 9Hs0m+§ PartNo. 170603 170606 170610 170612 170621 170625 870135 a7016 870137 870138 878793 870169 878761 870134 165361 168680 168681 168682 170615 951787 455624 505540 06325 506485 543792 546830 555362 556945, 556960 556970 568085 567075 567095 567110 867126 170271 505692 170277 552984 380261 531579 Parts List Description tube, 116" x 20%" (2.85 cm x 52.07 cm) tube, 14" x S14" (2.05 om x 14.92 em) ground mount top radials : tubo, 114" x 26" (2.85 em x 66.04 em) tube, 11" x 9" (2.85 cm x 22.86 cm) roof mount tube, %" x 2216" (2.22 em x 57.18 em) trap, 15-meter top rod w/insert base assembly trap, 10-meter whip, tapered 52” trap, 20-meter resonator, 80-meter parts pack compression clamp, %" (1.90 cm) compression clamp, 11" (3.175 cm) compression clamp, 1%" (2.85 cm) compression clamp, 1" (2.54 cm) top plate Allen wrench, #8 (.41 cm) caplug, i" (317 cm) sorew, %"-20 x %", hex head (625 om x.95 cm) screw, %"-20 x %" hex head (625 cm x 1.90 cm) screw, #10-24 x 4" round head (48 cm x 1.27 om) U-boIt, e"-18 x 2K" (793 Em x 5.12 EM) stud, 3” x 1" (952 cm x 254 cm) nut, 10-24, square (.48 cm) nut, he"=18, hex jam (.79 cm) nul, '4°-20, Imex (625 cm ‘nut, 10-24 hex (.48 cm) rut, %"-20 square (.625 cm) lockwasher, int. (793 cm) lockwasher, %" int. 952 em) lockwasher, "int. (625 cm) lookwashor, #10 int. (.48 om) (not assigned) tubo, 1%" x 14" (2.85 em x 36.56 om) ground mount screw, 10-24 x %" (.48 om x 95 cm) (used with %" compression clamp) tube, 114" x 12" (2.85 cm x 30.48 cm) root mount 4 ut 5 1178" whip fiting #8 set screw 2 Say cel tot eh cohen ete eet