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Summary of Contents for DX Engineering DXE-MBVE-3
- Page 1 Multi-band Vertical Antenna 40 through 10 Meters DXE-MBVE-3 DXE-MBVE-3-INS-Revision 0b © DX Engineering 2012 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: DXEngineering@DXEngineering.com...
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Page 2: Table Of Contents
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... -
Page 3: Introduction
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. -
Page 4: Tools Required
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. -
Page 5: Suggested Parts Not Included
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. -
Page 6: Additional Material Needed, Not Supplied
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. -
Page 7: Mounting Pipe
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"... -
Page 8: Assembly
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. -
Page 9: Attaching Optional Ground Radial Wires To The Optional Radial Plate
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. -
Page 10: Tilt Base To Mounting Pipe
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"... -
Page 11: Vertical Base Section
Vertical Base Section The base section is made up of an insulated mounting channel, a mounting plate with hardware, two 2" x 3/8" U-Bolt assemblies and the base antenna section which is 2" OD thick wall, 36" long with a hole drilled at bottom end for the feedpoint hardware. - Page 12 Install the lower section to the insulated channel using the two 2" x 3/8" U-Bolts, two saddle clamps, four 3/8" flat washers, four 3/8" split washers, and four 3/8" hex nuts as shown in Figure 6. The base section tube should extend 1-3/4" beyond the bottom of the U-bolt clamp. The feedpoint hardware should be coming out on the left side as you look at the lower section as shown in Figure 6.
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Page 13: Base Section To Tilt Base
Base Section to Tilt Base Place the Lower Base Section into the holes of the mounted Tilt Base and loosely install the Tilt Base mounting hardware shown in Figure 7. Leave the flange nuts and Nyloc nuts slightly loose. Figure - 7 Using a wrench or nut driver, securely tighten the two Nyloc Nuts at the bottom of the Tilt Base. -
Page 14: Assembling The Vertical Sections
Test the tilt function to ensure proper clearances. Standing in front of the Tilt Base, lift the antenna base section, slide it to the right, and let it down slightly until the lower outside bolt is resting in the pivot point. Then slowly tilt as shown in Figure 8. Make sure when you are tilting the antenna to lift, slide to the right, and then tilt. - Page 15 Deburring is a finishing method used in manufacturing. Our aluminum tubing is machine cut on both ends and machine slit on one end. Although DX Engineering manufactured aluminum tubing is deburred, you should further assure that there are no ragged edges or protrusions.
- Page 16 Using a felt tip pen, measure and mark the antenna sections as shown in Figure 9. Figure 9 Locate the 8 Element Clamps. Element Clamp Quantity DXE-ECL-10SS - Element Clamp DXE-ECL-12SS - Element Clamp DXE-ECL-16SS - Element Clamp DXE-ECL-20SS - Element Clamp DXE-ECL-24SS - Element Clamp Figure 10 Refer to Figure 11 for element clamp sizes and locations.
- Page 17 Figure 11 - Finished Antenna Assembly - Shown with optional Radial Plate and UNUN - 16 -...
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Page 18: Mating The Vertical Sections To The Tilt Base
Mating the Vertical Sections to the Tilt Base CAUTION: Attempting final assembly without proper precaution can be dangerous. You should have someone help you steady the vertical antenna sections during mating with the base section. Note: A pair of sawhorses or ladders should be used to support the vertical sections during assembly with the Tilt Base and whenever the vertical is tilted down. -
Page 19: Assembling The Optional Unun Mounting Bracket
The antenna mounting channel must be kept in parallel alignment with the tilt-base plate to prevent binding until it is positioned in the tilt-base. Once the antenna is vertical, lift and slide the antenna to the left toward the tilt-base mounting pipe to allow the two parts of the tilt-base to line up and drop down into the slots. -
Page 20: Optional Unun Assembly To Antenna
Optional UNUN Assembly to Antenna Lower Section The completed UNUN and UNUN Mounting Bracket assembly are mounted to the antenna lower section. To allow easy installation of the UNUN Bracket to the lower base section, open the upper and lower custom studded element clamps as shown in Figure 13. Figure 13 Position the UNUN Mounting Bracket so the bottom element clamp is located between the feedpoint hardware and the U-Bolt as shown in Figure 14. - Page 21 Once in position, re-insert the clamp ends into the worm drive of the clamps and using a flat blade screwdriver or nut driver, snug them up as shown in Figure 15. Note position of lower clamp is between the feedpoint hardware and the U-Bolt. Figure 15 - 20 -...
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Page 22: Feedline Connections
Position the UNUN so it faces forward. Tighten the Upper and Lower Studded Clamps and Tighten the Nyloc Nuts on the Upper and Lower Clamps Figure 16. Figure 16 Feedline Connections The DXE-UN-43 UNUN is attached to the feedline antenna connection using the DXE-TCB- UNFK - UNUN Feed Point Connection Kit which contains two pre-drilled copper tinned braids for connection to the vertical antenna system. - Page 23 Note: Ensure the braid connection to the Radial Plate does not interfere with the tilting process. Figure 17 If you are not using the optional DXE-RADP-3 Radial Plate, instead of the braid, connect a #10 "▬" insulated wire from the UNUN to the closest clamp on the Tilt Base which is clamped to your mounting pipe as shown on the next page.
- Page 24 Figure 18a - Completed Base Assembly for Reference If you are not using the optional DXE-RADP-3 Radial Plate, instead of the braid, connect a #10 insulated wire "▬" from the UNUN to the closest clamp on the Tilt Base which is clamped to your grounded metal mast or mounting pipe as shown in the picture to the right.
- Page 25 Figure 18b - Completed Base Assembly for Reference - 24 -...
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Page 26: Tuning The Vertical
Tuning the Vertical Antenna System Coaxial cable is an important consideration for any non-resonant vertical antenna. Good quality coaxial cable will help ensure you achieve a maximum radiated signal. Length of the coaxial cable can effect tuning. If you have a situation where high SWR is present in one part of a band (such as 40 meters), varying the length of the coaxial cable feedline may allow easier tuning. -
Page 27: Optional Guying For A Vertical Antenna System
Optional Guying for a Vertical Antenna System Guying of vertical antennas is always recommended for stability. However, if your area encounters severe wind velocities or icing conditions, simple guying will reduce the possibility of failure. Using the DXE-GUY-Kits, you can install four guy ropes starting approximately 1/2 the way up the vertical antenna system to ground level. -
Page 28: Optional Accessory Items
DXE-RADP-3 - Radial Plate, Stainless Steel with 20 Sets of SS Radial Attachment Hardware The patented DX Engineering Radial Plate is meant for those of you that have or are building a quarter wave vertical antenna and who want an easy, neat and effective way to connect those essential radial wires and the coax to your vertical antenna for the lowest takeoff angle and strongest signals. - Page 29 A no compromise system! A Bias Tee is included with this special package for supplying the 12 Vdc power through the coaxial cable from your radio shack to the remote tuner. Works on all DX Engineering, Zero-Five, MFJ and Hy-Gain 43 foot vertical antennas.
- Page 30 SUM-900031 - Automatic Wire Stripper/Crimper/Cutter, 24-10 Ga. Our DX Engineering wire stripper uses a spring-loaded design to make quick work of wires ranging from 24 to 10 gauge. Just insert the wire, squeeze the handle, and listen for the click. That’s the sound of another perfect wire stripping job performed in about 2 seconds- a fraction of the time it takes your pocket knife to do the same job.
- Page 31 DXE-22166 - Slim Grip Deburring Tool This Slim-Grip deburring tool allows quick and easy removal of burrs left after cutting or slitting aluminum tubing. Useful for most other deburring applications involving aluminum or steel. Slim-Grip design allows deburring in hard-to-reach locations. ...
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Page 32: Technical Support And Warranty
All products manufactured by DX Engineering are warranted to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of one (1) year from date of shipment. DX Engineering’s sole obligation under these warranties shall be to issue credit, repair or replace any item or part thereof which is proved to be other than as warranted; no allowance shall be made for any labor charges of Buyer for replacement of parts, adjustment or repairs, or any other work, unless such charges are authorized in advance by DX Engineering.
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