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CHALLENGER DX-V111 ANTENNA
Congratulations on your purchase of the Challenger DX-VIII GAP Launched Antenna. You soon will enjoy
the latest in vertical antenna technology. Your GAP antenna has been designed and manufactured to
provide superior performance, and a long, trouble-free life.
The GAP technology produces highly efficient, low-Q/wide bandwidth performance. As a result, no tuning is
required in most amateur installations.
This manual is organized to minimize the amount of time necessary to assemble and install your GAP
vertical. It is recommended that you follow the instructions.
Before beginning assembly, take a few minutes to read through the site selection chapter, and to review the
safety notices.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I: Site Considerations
Safety, nearby structures, buildings, guying, radials, feed line.
CHAPTER 2: Base Installation Putting the ground mount in place
CHAPTER 3: Assembly Space required, sub-assembly, final assembly
CHAPTER 4: Raising the Antenna Ground mounted, roof mounted
CHAPTER 5: Initial Test First operation ... a place to record VSWR data
CHAPTER 6: Tips and Troubleshooting When to call for help, if you need it
READ THE SAFETY NOTICE ON PAGE 2 BEFORE TURNING THIS PAGE
CHAPTER 1: SITE CONSIDERATIONS
1 .0 General
It is best to locate the antenna in a clear area, away from wires, metal buildings, fences and trees. As a
practical matter, many amateurs must compromise in locating their antenna. This section contains some
guidelines to assist in making those compromises.
1.1 Site Safety
A) If you have not read the safety notice, do so now. Stay away from power lines, they are life-threatening.
B) Choose an antenna site such that it is not easily accessible to people or pets. Contact with the antenna
could be dangerous. The lower tuner rods may be at high RF potential during operation. If it is not possible
to site the antenna to prevent access, then a wooden fence should be placed around the antenna, after it is
erected, to prevent contact.
1.2 Nearby Wires and Antennas
In general, any vertical antenna will exhibit mutual coupling with any other vertical structure or wire within a
few wavelengths, if the structure approaches resonance at the operating frequency. The GAP is no
exception.
Be especially careful with wires or down leads which may be within close proximity of the proposed GAP
installation site. These may include other towers, down spouts, coax from other amateur antennas, metal
pipes, or TV antenna feed lines on your property or adjoining properties.
While horizontal wires or structures may also affect performance of a nearby vertical antenna, this is much
less likely than in the case of a vertical structure.
1.3 Buildings
A) It is best to locate the antenna as far from the home as possible, to minimize interaction with house
wiring, and RFI to consumer electronics.
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Table of Contents
Summary of Contents for Challenger DX-V111
- Page 1 CHALLENGER DX-V111 ANTENNA Congratulations on your purchase of the Challenger DX-VIII GAP Launched Antenna. You soon will enjoy the latest in vertical antenna technology. Your GAP antenna has been designed and manufactured to provide superior performance, and a long, trouble-free life.
- Page 2 CHAPTER 3: ASSEMBLY 3.0 General Assembly of the Challenger DX-VIII antenna is done in stages. Sub-assemblies are completed first, then joined in the final assembly stage. The process should take about 60 minutes, based on user experience. Within the manual is an assembly drawing of the DX-VIII, on the back of which is a parts drawing. This drawing is removable for use in assembly and parts identification.
- Page 3 3.1 Space Required Final assembly of the Challenger DX-VIII requires a clean, dry area approximately 35 feet long. A driveway or rear yard would serve the purpose. Sub-assembly needs less space, a patio or deck, for example. The key to easy assembly is room to move, and a surface which allows you to recover the sheet metal screws you drop! Rear yards are notorious for eating stainless steel screws.
- Page 4 3) Twist the stand-offs to lie flat, as shown. 4) Select the two Mid Tuner Rods and install stop screws in each of them. 5) Slide both Mid Tuner Rods through the upper stand-offs. 6) Now slide the lower end of the Tuner Rods through the two lower stand-offs. 7) Select two black jumper wires.
- Page 5 2) The lower tuner rods are different lengths. Select the long one, and insert it into the stand-oft which are spaced furthest apart. Insert the stop screw in the tuner rod. 3) Insert the short rod in the remaining two stand-offs. 4) Start a screw and lock washer in the top of each rod, but do not tighten.
- Page 6 5) insert the bent coax into the Base Section toward the large hole. The bend should continue to point upward. When the coax reaches the large hole, the free end of the coax will pop through. 6) Gently pull the coax through the hole. Slide the Base Section into the Lower Section. Continue to pull carefully on the cable.
- Page 7 E) Connect the three radials to one of the lower screws at the base of the antenna. Dress them in the desired position. F) Using a PL-258 barrel, connect a coaxial line to the Challenger DX-VIII antenna. Proceed to the section on initial test.
- Page 8 Any indication of varying VSWR or a standing wave greater than 1:1 suggest defective coax. 2) Mutual coupling with nearby vertical metal objects may detune the CHALLENGER. Check to see if any of the items suggested in section 1.2 & 1.3 apply.
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