SteppIR CrankIR Assembly & Instruction Manual
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SteppIR CrankIR Assembly & Instruction Manual

Portable antenna system
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This assembly manual is intended to be
COLOR
printed in full
printed in
black and
portant details could be lost.
SteppIR Antennas
CrankIR Portable Antenna System
Assembly & Instruction Manual
. If the manual is
white, many im-
2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004
Tel: 425.453.1910
Rev 2.1b
20161121
www.steppir.com

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Summary of Contents for SteppIR CrankIR

  • Page 1 CrankIR Portable Antenna System Assembly & Instruction Manual This assembly manual is intended to be COLOR printed in full . If the manual is Rev 2.1b printed in black and white, many im- 20161121 portant details could be lost. SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: 425.453.1910...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    TABLE OF CONTENTS CrankIR Introduction Operation Controls Getting Started Radial Set Up Tuning the CrankIR Pole Extension Kit Taking Down the Antenna Troubleshooting Operation Tips Specifications Page 2 SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: 425.453.1910 www.steppir.com...
  • Page 3 U.S. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION. EXTREME CARE MUST BE USED FOR YOUR SAFETY. YOU MUST INSURE THAT WHILE THE CRANKIR IS IN OPERATION NEITHER PEOPLE NOR PETS CAN COME IN CONTACT WITH ANY PORTION OF THE ANTENNA INCLUDING THE RADIALS.
  • Page 4 Tunable Radial Unit: Provides simple “Turn the Crank Tuning” of the radial utilizing the same tuning system as the CrankIR Antenna. The antenna can be tuned to any band by simply setting the radial and vertical radiator to the matching color-coded band marks.
  • Page 5 Strongly recommended for 80m, improves 40m and 30m as well. Extends 16’ pole to 22’. Couplers and 3 pole sections fit into 24” travel bag. 6 ft Tripod: 9ft-6in Tripod: (recommended for 80m operations) Page 5 SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: 425.453.1910 www.steppir.com  ...

  • Page 6: Crankir Introduction

    50 ohm transmitter. On the CrankIR, The basic CrankIR model covers from 40m matching is done by off-center feeding the –...
  • Page 7 Bob Fuller, W7KWS on the air with a CrankIR prototype. QTH Kauai, HI. Page 7 SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: 425.453.1910 www.steppir.com   ...

  • Page 8: Operation Controls

    2. OPERATION CONTROLS Page 8 SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: 425.453.1910 www.steppir.com   ...
  • Page 9 Page 9 SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: 425.453.1910 www.steppir.com ...
  • Page 10 2. OPERATION CONTROLS (continued) Page 10 SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: 425.453.1910 www.steppir.com   ...
  • Page 11 WIRE REEL LOCK/DRAG Locks the vertical radiator reel shaft, this will keep the Wire/Cord from unwinding during transport and storage. The amount Page 11 SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: 425.453.1910 www.steppir.com  ...
  • Page 12 Main box—left side view Main box— right side view Radial Lug Return Arm Pole Tip Tensioner Assembly Page 12 SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: 425.453.1910 www.steppir.com   ...
  • Page 13 YELLOW 155.75 inches but will vary based upon location. GREEN 199 inches BLUE 279.25 inches VIOLET 394.38 inches Page 13 SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: 425.453.1910 www.steppir.com   ...
  • Page 14 Before You Begin: Carefully choose your setup location When choosing a location to set up the CrankIR be sure to select a space with plenty of room to extend the vertical radiator and radial(s) to the appropriate length for the lowest desired band of operation. Make sure there is adequate overhead clearance and no obstructions where the radial(s) will be deployed.
  • Page 15 Make sure you have everything you need before you begin to set up the antenna. Lay everything out at the setup location just to be sure. Page 15 SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: 425.453.1910 www.steppir.com...

  • Page 16: Getting Started

    Always either guy the tripod or put weights on the support legs, it doesn’t take much wind to blow over a 16’ pole. 2. Attach the CrankIR to the tripod (2a) or other suitable mounting pole (1.825”...
  • Page 17 Next Insert the Return Support Rod into the Return Support Rod Mounting Block turn it clockwise until the stop is reached (2c, 2d). (2c) (2d) Page 17 SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: 425.453.1910 www.steppir.com   ...
  • Page 18 Taping must be done if guy ropes are attached to the pole. Page 18 SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: 425.453.1910 www.steppir.com ...
  • Page 19 Cord Reel Hook (4b, 4c). The cord should already be routed through the Wire Guide Block (4a). (4a) (4b) (4c) Page 19 SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: 425.453.1910 www.steppir.com   ...
  • Page 20 Wire Reel. Do this smoothly to prevent the cord coming off the reel and tangling. (5c) (5e) (5d) Page 20 SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: 425.453.1910 www.steppir.com  ...
  • Page 21 CrankIR unit (6a). Rotate the pole so the Pole Tip Tensioner is in the same orientation as the Return Support Rod...
  • Page 22 Wire/Cord off the Wire Reel. Continue cranking until the Wire/Cord junction is all the way to the top of the pole, halfway between the two pulleys. Page 22 SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: 425.453.1910 www.steppir.com ...
  • Page 23 Reel Crank Handle (8a) to the appropriate mark on the wire for the desired band. (see section 4) Page 23 SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: 425.453.1910 www.steppir.com ...
  • Page 24 80m-40m if you are having trouble getting a good match. Raising the anten- na higher allows you more room to lower the ends of the radial(s) to assist in obtaining a low SWR in difficult situations. Page 24 SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: 425.453.1910 www.steppir.com ...

  • Page 25: Radial Set Up

    (shipped in spare parts bag) Optional Radial Unit The CrankIR antenna ships with a Radial Lug as part of the standard kit. This allows for easy connection of one or more cut-length radials or to an existing radial field. An optional Tunable Radial Unit (PN 06401) is available for easy deployment of a variable length (tunable) elevated ra- dial.
  • Page 26 6” or more to avoid destructive interactions. Some adjusting of the radial separation and/or length may be required. (10b) (10a) Page 26 SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: 425.453.1910 www.steppir.com  ...
  • Page 27 Re-tighten the Radial Release Knob to lock the radial in the desired orientation. (11a) (11b) Wire/Cord Guide Holes (11c) (11d) Page 27 SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: 425.453.1910 www.steppir.com   ...
  • Page 28 40m-6m, crank the radial out to the 20m point (about 16’) and adjust for the minimum acceptable tension; you can now go from 40m to 6m without adjusting the tension. Page 28 SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: 425.453.1910 www.steppir.com ...
  • Page 29 If you have room for a straight run of 1/4 WL you only need one support and one pulley. (13a) (13b) Page 29 SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: 425.453.1910 www.steppir.com ...
  • Page 30 This gives the highest efficiency. The bungee cords keep tension on the wire and cord fairly constant even though the wire and cord come off the reels at different rates. Page 30 SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: 425.453.1910 www.steppir.com ...
  • Page 31 Page 31 SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: 425.453.1910 www.steppir.com   ...

  • Page 32: Tuning The Crankir

    SWR meter built-into your transceiver. TUNING VIA A HAND-HELD ANTENNA ANALYZER The easiest way to tune the CrankIR is with the aid of a hand-held antenna analyzer. Recent improvements in antenna analyzer design allow these to now be truly hand-held devices, some not much larger than a deck of standard playing cards.
  • Page 33 SWR could be high when the antenna is out of resonance and if your radio doesn't have a high SWR protection circuit your radio could be damaged. Page 33 SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: 425.453.1910 www.steppir.com ...

  • Page 34: Pole Extension Kit

    (15a). Repeat with a second fiberglass tube and coupler and join the two assembled pieces together (1b). Tighten the Turn Key Clamp. Page 34 SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: 425.453.1910 www.steppir.com ...
  • Page 35 (with the extra half-slit) Tighten the Turn Key Clamps (15d). (15d) *Above photo not to scale. Page 35 SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: 425.453.1910 www.steppir.com ...
  • Page 36 Pole Tip Tensioner Pulleys and Return Arm Pulley . Refer to section 5 of Antenna Set up. Carefully lift the entire 22’ assembled pole and insert the butt- section into the pole Saddle Clamp of the CrankIR main unit. Tighten the Saddle Clamp wing nuts. Page 36...
  • Page 37 Page 37 SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: 425.453.1910 www.steppir.com   ...

  • Page 38: Taking Down The Antenna

    Cord Lock/Drag Knob (Stowing the Wire/Cord on both the CrankIR Unit and Tunable Radial Unit so it will not come off the reels will save you a lot of grief from tangles.) Remove the vertical telescoping pole, take the Tip Tensioner...
  • Page 39 Wire/Cord Guide Block Next, lock the Cord Lock/ Drag Knob to hold the Wire/Cord in place. Page 39 SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: 425.453.1910 www.steppir.com   ...

  • Page 40: Troubleshooting

    (Cord Reel) by removing the Drag/Lock knob and pulling the Cord Reel off (16a, 16b). Page 40 SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: 425.453.1910 www.steppir.com ...
  • Page 41 Do not lose the white spacer washer between the Wire Reel and the chassis on both the CrankIR Unit and the Tunable Radial Unit. Removing the Wire Reel necessitates removal of the back cover to access the “C”...
  • Page 42 The same applies to the Tunable Radial Unit pulley(s). Check for kinks in the wire that can’t get through the pulleys. Page 42 SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: 425.453.1910 www.steppir.com ...
  • Page 43 Page 43 SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: 425.453.1910 www.steppir.com   ...

  • Page 44: Operation Tips

    The CrankIR can be configured as a dipole on 20m and higher if you add the dipole kit (06410). A vertical will have a takeoff angle of about 25 degrees.
  • Page 45 2.0:1 300kHz 1.0:1 Entire Band 1.5:1 400kHz 1.0:1 Entire Band 1.5:1 550 kHz 1.0:1 Entire Band 1.5:1 900 kHz 1.0:1 Entire Band Page 45 SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: 425.453.1910 www.steppir.com   ...

  • Page 46: Specifications

    PREAMBLE CrankIR Specifications ELECTRICAL Frequency Standard Antenna: 6.8 to 150 MHz With 80m Option: 3.4 to 150 MHz Power Limit 1500W PEP Radiator 18 gauge; construction—63 wires, 36 gauge 0.049” (1.24 mm) OD, tinned copper. Vertical wire marked at 1/4 WL for each amateur band.
  • Page 47 PREAMBLE CrankIR Specifications DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHTS Base Unit 6.0 x 6.0 x 8.1 inches, weight 3.0 lb. (152 x 152 x 206 mm, weight 1.36 kg) Construction - powder coated aluminum chassis Pole clamp range - 0.825-1.825 inches (21 mm-46.3 mm) Base Unit with Optional Radial Unit 6.0 x 7.0 x 12.8 inches, weight 4.45 lb.
  • Page 48 PREAMBLE CrankIR Specifications DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHTS (CONTINUED) 80M Pole Extension Assembled: length - 64.5 in. (1.64m) Weight - 2.8 lb. (1.27 kg) Dismantled: Length - 23.5 in. (59.7 cm) each of three sec- tions; 2ea 2.0 in (51 mm) OD, 1ea 1.75 in (44.45 mm) OD...
  • Page 49 SteppIR Antenna’s responsibility is strictly limited to repair or replacement of defective components, at SteppIR Antennas discretion. SteppIR Anten- nas will not be held responsible for any installation or removal costs, costs of any ancillary equipment damage or any other costs incurred as a result of the failure of our products.
  • Page 50 Contact Information Email : New orders or questions about your current order: sales@steppir.com Existing customers requiring technical or product support services: support@steppir.com Information and questions about our products: sales@steppir.com Phone / Fax: Phone: 425-453-1910—9:30am to 4:30pm Pacific Standard Time Fax : 425-462-4415 Tech Support: 425-891-6134—10:00am to 5:00pm Eastern Standard Time...
  • Page 51 Page 51 SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: 425.453.1910 www.steppir.com   ...

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