Summary of Contents for Spiderbeam 160-18-4WTH
- Page 1 Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH (shown here without radials) 160-18-4WTH Manual, Ver. 1.7 17-JULY-2021...
- Page 2 Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH VERTICAL CONSTRUCTION GUIDE Ver. 1.7 160-18-4WTH Manual, Ver. 1.7 17-JULY-2021...
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Page 3: Table Of Contents
Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH We strongly suggest reading this entire manual BEFORE beginning to work. CHAPTER CONTENTS PAGE Description and Theory Antenna Description Required Space Material Description Construction Pole Preparation 2.1.1 Tips for Clamp Set Assembly Wooden Base Stake Preparation and Installation... - Page 4 Material included in the kit 5.1.2 Other required material (supplied by user) 5.1.3 Optional Spiderbeam Material 5.1.4 Recommended Tools (Supplied by User) Appendix B: Preparing Kevlar Rope Appendix C: Knots Contact: Adress / Email to the Spiderbeam Tech Support 160-18-4WTH Manual, Ver. 1.7 17-JULY-2021...
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Page 5: Description And Theory
Antenna Description The Spiderbeam Model 160-18-4WTH is a base-fed, [electrical] quarter wavelength vertical antenna built on a Spiderbeam 18 meter-high telescoping fiberglass pole. It uses 4 top-hat loading wires to reduce the antenna’s physical height by electrically lengthening the antenna. -
Page 6: Material Description
The Spiderbeam 160-18-4WTH is built with high quality, lightweight but strong material: The vertical radiator wire is made of Spiderbeam CQ-532 wire. This is AWG-18 stranded Copper-weld wire, with ultraviolet-resistant polyethylene insulation. The wire itself has 1.1 mm diameter, with an OD of 2.2mm. Its breaking strength is 50 kg. -
Page 7: Construction
Spiderbeam as a PDF. Label each clamp with a permanent white marker. 2.1.1 Tips for Clamp Set Assembly The Spiderbeam 18m Pole consists of 12 telescoping segments. The segments are counted from 1 to 12, with segment #1 being the bottom, thickest segment. There are 11 clamps included with the clamp set. -
Page 8: Wooden Base Stake Preparation And Installation
Wooden Base Stake Preparation and Installation The wooden base stake is not included in the 160-18-4WTH kit and must be sourced locally. The purpose of the base stake is to hold the pole in place and keep it from slipping or sliding under the pressure of the wind. -
Page 9: Raising The Pole For The First Time
Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH Raising the Pole for the First Time UNLESS YOU ARE VERY TALL, YOU SHOULD USE A SHORT STEP LADDER. Note: it is helpful to wear very thin leather gloves when erecting of the pole. This not only protects your hands;... -
Page 10: Using The Optional Guy Belt Set
Continue exactly like this until all of the pole segments are fully extended and secure. 2.4.2 Using the Optional Guy Belts Whenever possible, please use the optional guy belt set, available from the Spiderbeam Online Shop. These belts enable guying the pole in 3 or 4 directions (4 directions STRONGLY recommended), and reduce the point pressure exerted on the pole by the guy ropes. -
Page 11: Mounting The Radial Connection Box
Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH 2.5. Mounting the Radial Connection Box: In 2016 Spiderbeam replaced the big bulky aluminum Radial Connection Plate with this smaller Radial Connection Box (RCB-1). The RCB-1 is easier to mount to any size fiberglass mast and has plenty of connectivity for radials. -
Page 12: Measuring And Cutting Ropes And Wires
Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH Measuring and Cutting Ropes and Wires Measurements that need to be exact should be measured with a long tape measure, rather than with a folding ruler. By measuring once or twice with a long tape measure, rather than multiple times with the folding ruler, you reduce the possibility of error. -
Page 13: Cutting Wire And Ropes
*Prepare the Kevlar rope ends as described in APPENDIX B (5.2.) Preparing the Radials The Spiderbeam 160-18-4WTH was designed to be easy to install, using 16 ground-mounted radials. Using any number between 8 and 24 will give rewarding results. If you use less, performance will be reduced. -
Page 14: Preparing The Top-Hat
Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH EXAMPLE: 16 RADIAL WIRES WILL BE PREPARED IN GROUPS OF 2 (or 4). Cut 2 (or 4) equal length radial wires, each 20 to 40m long. (2 wires shown) ¾ Remove 2cm ( ”) of insulation from one end of each wire. -
Page 15: Preparing Top-Hat Wires
Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH 2.8.1 Preparing the Top-Hat Wires We will prepare the top-hat wires “two at a time”: (next page) Grasp two of the top-hat wires about 15cm below one of their ends, such that the two ends are the same length above your hand. -
Page 16: Connecting The Pvdf Monofil Line To The
Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH 2.8.2 Connecting the PVDF Monofil Line to the 2 Top-Hat Insulator of each Top-Hat Wire: The top-hat wires have very little RF current in them, but very high voltage. It is advisable to use two insulators in each top-hat, with a short piece of PVDF Monofil line between them. -
Page 17: High Power Option (>1Kw)
Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH Tie a large knot about 10cm from its end and pull it tight, using a pliers to hold the short end. Pull the long end away from this insulator, pulling the knot inside the insulator’s slot. -
Page 18: Installation
Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH 3.0 INSTALLATION The hardest part of the entire assembly and installation process is "keeping the wires and ropes from tangling.” We recommend laying each rope or wire out on the ground in its approximate end position. -
Page 19: Connecting The Vertical Radiator Wire To The Top-Hat Wires
Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH Wrap an 8mm (wide) heavy duty UV-resistant wire-tie around the layer of tape and wires, and pull it only slightly tight, TAKING CARE TO ASSURE THAT THE WIRE-TIE IS SEATED IN THE CENTER OF THE TAPE (as shown in the picture). -
Page 20: Raising The Pole To Its Full Height
Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH Finally, you will remove 3cm of insulation from the end of the vertical radiator wire and make the connection to the RCB-1. It is almost certain that you will have to shorten this length later, so do not bother to tighten it real tight for now and DO NOT INSULATE IT YET. - Page 21 Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH BEGIN: Pole segment #12 is already fully extended. Double-check that its clamp is tightened and seated properly, resting on top of segment #11. NOTHING should be attached to this segment except clamp #12. Proceed with raising segment #11. When it is fully extended, friction-locked, and secured with clamp #11, be sure to rotate it back to its original position.
- Page 22 Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH Now extend segment #4, taking care that the spiraling wire does not tangle with the lower guy ropes. Continue by extending segments #3 and #2 as above. Now the pole is fully extended. Temporarily tape the vertical wire to segment #1 using electrical tape. This will hold the wire in place while you fasten the guy ropes.
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Page 23: Guy Belt Method
Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH 3.1.4.1. Guy Belt Method: Attach each of the 4 upper 2mm Kevlar guy ropes to one arm of the upper guy belt, using a “Bowline” knot to secure them. See APPENDIX for knot instructions. Repeat these steps for the lower guy ropes. -
Page 24: Fastening The Top-Hats To Their Ground Stakes
Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH Now remove the electrical tape and raise segment #7 and secure it. Don’t forget to dress the wire as described in the section above. Tape the wire again. Return to the 4 guy stakes, and loosen the 4 guy ropes enough that you can raise the pole for the next segment. -
Page 25: Installing The Radial Network
Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH Where do you begin? Begin by loosening the line that is pulling it too far. Do not tie a permanent knot. You will make several repeated trips to the ground stakes, adjusting each guy line several times before you are satisfied with your work. -
Page 26: Tuning The Antenna
Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH Tuning the Antenna Tuning Theory and Methodology This antenna is not plug-and-play, and must be tuned for setting the frequency of minimum “SWR ”. SWR to your preferred frequency. We call this frequency of minimum SWR... -
Page 27: It's Time To Tune
Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH 4.1.1 It’s Time to Tune With ground-mounted radials, the radials do not have much influence on the resonance frequency. There is no need to adjust the length of radials. You will adjust for resonance by adjusting the length of the vertical wire. -
Page 28: Appendix
By now you should have a feeling for tuning the antenna. It is impossible to describe every scenario you might encounter in the field. If you have run out of ideas, please record everything which you have tried so far and contact Spiderbeam Tech Support (as displayed below). 5.0 APPENDIX 5.1 Materials and Tools List... -
Page 29: Other Required Material (Supplied By User)
Pair of leather [work] gloves APPENDIX B: Preparing Kevlar Rope The 2mm Kevlar rope supplied by Spiderbeam has a yellow-colored Kevlar inner core, and a thin black Polyester outer cover to protect the Kevlar from ultra-violet rays. The Polyester cover tends to fray easily on its ends, and should be properly prepared before use. -
Page 30: Appendix C: Knots
When completed, it should look like this: APPENDIX C: Knots The Spiderbeam vertical antenna is built using specific knots. For each task requiring a knot, we have selected the knot which we believe is best suited for the job. We STRONGLY recommend using the type of knot we specify in each instruction. - Page 31 The smaller [red] rope must come from the right. In the Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Antenna, it is used to join the Kevlar guy ropes to the short 6mm Polyester guy rope stubs (see 3.1.4.2). Leave both stubs long enough to attach wire-ties.
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Page 32: Contact: Adress / Email To The Spiderbeam Tech Support
It may be used to extend identical ropes, such as guy ropes, or to tie a rope to itself. In the Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Antenna, it is used for fastening the short 6mm rope stubs to the pole (see 3.1.4.2).
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