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DX Engineering DXE-7580FS-VA-3 Manual

75/80 meter full size quarter-wave vertical antenna
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75/80 Meter
Full Size
Quarter-Wave
Vertical Antenna
DXE-7580FS-VA-3
US Patent No. 8,130,168
DXE-7580FS-VA-3-INS Revision 5d
© DX Engineering 2021
1200 Southeast Ave. - Tallmadge, OH 44278 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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Summary of Contents for DX Engineering DXE-7580FS-VA-3

  • Page 1 Full Size Quarter-Wave Vertical Antenna DXE-7580FS-VA-3 US Patent No. 8,130,168 DXE-7580FS-VA-3-INS Revision 5d © DX Engineering 2021 1200 Southeast Ave. - Tallmadge, OH 44278 USA Phone: (800) 777-0703 ∙ Tech Support and International: (330) 572-3200 Fax: (330) 572-3279 ∙ E-mail: DXEngineering@DXEngineering.com...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Lowering or Raising the Vertical Element Assembly Feedline Connection Optional DXE-VMN-1 Vertical Antenna Matching Network Tuning the Vertical Locking the Pivot Base DXE-7580FS-VA-3 Part Lists Pivot Base Assembly Optional DXE-VRW-1 Manual Winch Assembly Feedpoint Hardware Vertical Elements Assembly Exploded View of Pivot Base Assembly for Reference...

  • Page 3: Introduction

    Congratulations on obtaining your DX Engineering DXE-7580FS-VA-3 Full size 75/80 Meter Quarter-Wave Vertical Antenna. With this antenna you will have a high-performance vertical antenna specifically for the 75/80 meter bands. The DX Engineering 68 foot vertical antenna supplies the highest possible performance. Achieve the strongest possible presence at your power level and be competitive.

  • Page 4: Warning

    Specifically, 3" OD (max) high strength galvanized steel tubing with 0.250” minimum wall thickness and 7’ minimum length, which is available from DX Engineering; part number DXE- VGMT-3CG. A customer supplied 2-1/2" Schedule 80 pipe that has an outside diameter of 2.875"...

  • Page 5: Manual Updates And Information

    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 6: Coaxial Cable To Mounting Pipe

    Mounting Pipe DX Engineering has a galvanized Chromoly Steel mounting mast available - Part Number DXE-VGMT-3CG is 3 inches OD, Chrome-Moly 4130 Steel Tubing, 100K PSI Min. Yield, 3 in. OD, 0.250 in. Wall, 7 ft. Length, This mounting pipe must be permanently mounted in the ground, preferably in a concrete base 2 feet by 2 feet by 4 feet deep (with gravel below for drainage).

  • Page 7: Assembly Notes

    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. At a minimum, 32 radials, each 65 feet long, should be used with this antenna.

  • Page 8: Radial Plate To Mounting Pipe

    Radial Plate to Mounting Pipe Place the optional DXE-RADP-3 Radial Plate over the 3" OD (maximum) mounting pipe. Attach the Radial Plate to the mounting pipe using one DXE-SSVC-3P stainless steel V-Clamp. Allow approximately one inch clearance between the bottom of the Radial Plate and the ground to allow access to the radial wire mounting hardware (see Figure 1).

  • Page 9: Attaching Ground Radial Wires To The 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: Overall Pivot And Antenna Base Assembly Reference Drawing

    Figure 3 Overall Super Duty+ Pivot Base (US Patent No. 8,130,168) Assembly Reference Drawing - 9 -...

  • Page 11: Pivot Base And Lower Antenna Assembly

    Pivot Base and Lower Antenna Assembly ® 1. Locate the heavy duty Extren insulated channel. There are 14 holes drilled in the insulated channel. The top of the insulated channel is identified by the two wide spaced holes located very near the top end. 2.
  • Page 12 4. Locate the stainless steel pivot base locking plate, backing plate, four carriage bolts, four 3/8" flat washers, four 3/8" split lock washers and four 3/8" hex nuts. Assemble the pivot base locking plate to the top of the heavy duty Extren® insulated channel as shown below. Tighten the hardware.
  • Page 13 6. Locate two 3” cast saddle blocks, two stainless steel 3” x 3/8” x 5.25” U-Bolts, four stainless steel 3/8" flat washers, four stainless steel 3/8" split lock washers and four stainless steel 3/8-16 hex head nuts. (Note: The U-Bolts and their hardware may be packaged separately). Loosely assemble (one or two threads beyond the end of the hex nuts) the two U-Bolts to the stainless steel base side bottom hinge as shown below.
  • Page 14 8. Locate two 3” cast saddle blocks, two stainless steel 3” x 3/8” x 5.25” U-Bolts, four stainless steel 3/8" flat washers, four stainless steel 3/8" split lock washers and four stainless steel 3/8-16 hex head nuts. (Note: The U-Bolts and their hardware may be packaged separately). Loosely assemble (one or two threads beyond the end of the hex nuts) the two U-Bolts to the Pivot Base Winch Mount as shown below.
  • Page 15 10. Move the four U-Bolts out as far as they will go (these were put on loosely in steps 2 and 8). Slide the entire assembly onto your mounting pipe. You want approximately 1 inch of clearance from the top of your mounting pipe to the bottom side of the winch mounting plate. Position the base fixture in the position you pre-selected for the pivoting direction.
  • Page 16 11. Locate the 4" OD x 72", 0.120" wall thickness antenna bottom element section. There are 5 holes drilled in this element section. Four drilled holes at the top are used for mating to the next antenna element section. One hole is drilled near the bottom for the feed point connection. Loosen the previously installed U-Bolts (Step 9).
  • Page 17 12. Locate the stainless steel Antenna Hook Mounting Plate, two 4" U-Bolt Saddle blocks, two 4" x 3/8" x 5.563" stainless steel U-Bolts, four stainless steel 3/8" flat washers, four stainless steel 3/8" split lock washers and four stainless steel 3/8-16 hex head nuts. (Note: The U-Bolts and their hardware may be packaged separately).
  • Page 18 15. Locate the 1/4-20 x 1" long stainless steel hex bolt, three 1/4" stainless steel external tooth lock washers, two 1/4" stainless steel flat washers and two stainless steel 1/4-20 hex nuts. Install the feedpoint hardware at the bottom of the 4" OD bottom element in the pre-drilled hole as shown below.

  • Page 19: Mounting And Using The Optional Dxe-Vrw-1 Manual Winch

    Mounting and using the Optional DXE-VRW-1 Manual Winch 1. Follow the instructions included with the optional DXE-VRW-1 - Manual Winch Add-On Kit to prepare the Manual Winch for installation on the antenna base assembly. 2. Included with optional DXE-VRW-1 - Manual Winch Add-On Kit is the stainless steel hardware for mounting the winch on the pivot base assembly.
  • Page 20 There are three holes with slots in the mounting bracket. The flat washers will fit through the large holes. Once in place, push the winch inward (toward the antenna elements) allowing the three bolts to go into the three slots. Tighten the hardware to hold the winch in place. Connect the Hook from the manual winch strap to the Antenna Hook Mount as shown below.
  • Page 21 3. To lower the antenna, ensure the winch hook is in the Antenna Hook Mount. Remove the four bolts and hardware that hold the Pivot Lock Plate to the Pivot Base Winch Mount Plate. You can now use the winch to pivot the antenna downward. Four Bolts to be removed to allow for pivoting 4.

  • Page 22: General Information About Aluminum Tubing

    Deburring is a finishing method used in manufacturing. DX Engineering aluminum tubing is machine cut on both ends and machine slit on one end and you should further assure that there are no ragged edges or protrusions.

  • Page 23: Assembling The Vertical Sections

    Assembling the Vertical Sections ™ Note: JTL-12555 Jet-Lube SS-30 Anti-Oxidant should be used between all antenna element ™ sections. Jet-Lube SS-30 is an electrical joint compound to affect a substantial electrical connection between metal parts such as telescoping aluminum tubing or other antenna pieces.
  • Page 24 Note - When installing the first three tube sections together, use the following guidelines. The first two sections of tubing have a 0.25” wall thickness and required machining to allow the tubes to fit together. This machining process also provided a positive matching of the parts which allowed accurate drilling during production.
  • Page 25 - 24 -...
  • Page 26 Figure A-1 below is an overall layout of all the vertical elements with hardware shown for reference. The 4" OD element which is already mounted on the base pivot assembly is shown for reference. Figure A-1 - 25 -...
  • Page 27 Pivot the antenna base down. This will allow easy assembly of the vertical sections. The further toward the top you go, you will need to have a support under the sections to keep them straight while you do the assembly. Assemble the 3.5"...
  • Page 28 The following drilled sections are drilled to match the next size, so make sure you have the correct ends matched up (holes aligned). Assemble the 2.75" OD element to the 3" OD base element using the two stainless steel 1/4-20 x 3- 1/2"...
  • Page 29 Using a tape measure and felt tip pen all of the slit tubing elements need to be marked as follows for overlap as shown in Figure A-5. Figure A-5 - 28 -...
  • Page 30 Using Figure A-1, place the element clamps over the appropriate tubing. When tightening the element clamps, install them approximately 1/4" to 1/2" below the end of the slit tube with the worm tightening drive as shown in Figure A-6, located between two of the four slits.

  • Page 31: Lowering Or Raising The Vertical Element Assembly

    Lowering or Raising the Vertical Element Assembly 1. To lower the antenna, ensure the winch hook is in the Antenna Hook Mount. Remove the four bolts and hardware that hold the Pivot Lock Plate to the Pivot Base Winch Mount Plate. You can now use the winch to pivot the antenna downward.

  • Page 32: Feedline Connection

    Feedline Connection The easiest way to make a reliable feedline connection using customer supplied coaxial cable is ™ using the DXE-RADP-3 Radial Plate with the DXE-UHF-FDFB-KIT SecureMount dual SO-239 Bulkhead Mount Connector with the DXE-FP-WIRE-P Feedpoint Wire Connector Assembly should be used as shown below. ™...

  • Page 33: Tuning The Vertical

    The DXE-7580FS-VA-3 should resonate at approximately 3.65 MHz with the recommended ground radial system installed and the vertical dimensions described in this manual. Resonance is adjusted by the length of the vertical element sections.

  • Page 34: Locking The Pivot Base

    Locking the Pivot Base To help prevent accidental pivoting, ensure the four pivot locking bolts are in place and properly secured. Additionally, you may replace one of the bolts with a padlock to further prevent tampering or accidental pivoting as shown below. Ensure all four Pivot Locking Bolts are in place Padlock used in place of one Pivot Locking Bolt - 33 -...

  • Page 35: Dxe-7580Fs-Va-3 Part Lists

    DXE-7580-VA-3 Parts List Pivot Base Assembly - US Patent No. 8,130,168 Description 4” Base Side Bottom Hinge 4” Antenna Side Bottom Hinge 4” Bottom Hinge Bushing Heavy Duty Extren Insulator 10” x 1/2” x 29.625” ® Saddle Backing Plate 1.5” x .375” x 8” 4”...

  • Page 36: Vertical Elements Assembly

    Vertical Elements Assembly Description 4.00” OD x 71.75” long, .25” wall, 5 drilled holes 3.50” OD x 71.75” long, .25” wall, 8 drilled holes 3.00” OD x 72” long, .120” wall, 8 drilled holes 2.75” OD x 48” long, .120” wall, 4 drilled holes 2.75”...

  • Page 37: Exploded View Of Pivot Base Assembly For Reference

    Exploded View of Pivot Base Assembly for Reference (US Patent No. 8,130,168) Description 4” Base Side Bottom Hinge 4” Antenna Side Bottom Hinge 4” Bottom Hinge Bushing Heavy Duty Extren ® Insulator 10” x 1/2” x 29.625” Saddle Backing Plate 1.5” x .375” x 8” 4”...

  • Page 38: Additional Material Required But Not Supplied

    DXE-RADP-3 - Radial Plate (patented): 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 39 DXE-T001 - DX Engineering SO-239 Connector Installation Tool Kit This DX Engineering SO-239 connector installation tool kit offers an easier installation of chassis or bulkhead mount SO-239 coaxial connectors. Having the right tools can make all of the difference in your shack, and this handy DXE tool provides you with a special dual-use stainless steel wrench, plus a multipurpose 6-in-1 screwdriver/nut driver tool.

  • Page 40: Technical Support

    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;...

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