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Verify all parts are present by using the XM520 Master Parts List.  Check off each part when it is counted.  There are extra parts intentionally
shipped with this antenna.  Place common hardware in temporary containers for ease of assembly.  Note all hardware is Stainless Steel.

Thank you  for your purchase of the Cushcraft XM520 . This antenna is designed and manufactured to give the best performance and trouble
free service. The antenna will perform as specified if the instructions are followed during assembly and installation. 

If you have technical questions

and have access to the World Wide Web you can visit Cushcraft’s 

TECHEXPRESS  support service (http://www.cushcraft.com). The site

enables the user to place parts orders, ask technical questions, locate part numbers, initiate warranty inquires and review 

Frequently Asked

Questions. Our technical support staff can be reached by phone at (603) 627-7877 (8 AM to 5 PM Eastern time or voice mail after hours), faxed
at (603) 627-1764 or can be e-mailed at 

[email protected].

THIS ANTENNA IS AN ELECTRICAL CONDUCTOR.  CONTACT WITH POWER LINES CAN RESULT IN DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY.
DO NOT INSTALL THIS ANTENNA WHERE THERE IS ANY POSSIBILITY OF CONTACT WITH OR HIGH VOLTAGE ARC-OVER FROM
POWER CABLES OR SERVICE DROPS TO BUILDINGS.  THE ANTENNA, SUPPORTING MAST AND/OR TOWER MUST NOT BE CLOSE
TO ANY POWER LINES DURING INSTALLATION, REMOVAL OR IN THE EVENT PART OF THE SYSTEM SHOULD ACCIDENTALLY FALL.
FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES FOR ANTENNA INSTALLATION RECOMMENDED BY THE U.S. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION
AND LISTED IN THE ENCLOSED PAMPHLETS.

Antenna System Planning
Before assembly, take time to review your installation plans for the antenna. Location of the antenna is very important. Surrounding objects such
as trees, power lines, buildings, and other antennas will interact with an HF Yagi. To minimize the effects of surrounding objects, mount the
antenna as high and in the clear as possible. Metallic guy wire within 30 feet of this antenna, if broken with strain insulators, will improve
performance.  

YOU MUST INSURE THAT NEITHER PEOPLE OR PETS CAN COME IN CONTACT WITH YOUR ANTENNA WHILE IT IS IN

OPERATION. DEADLY VOLTAGES AND CURRENTS MAY EXIST. ALSO, SINCE THE EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE TO RF ARE NOT FULLY
UNDERSTOOD, LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO INTENSE RF FIELDS IS NOT RECOMMENDED. THERE IS A WARNING STICKER WHICH
MUST BE ATTACHED TO THE BOOM AS SHOWN IN FIGURE A
.   Plan your installation carefully. If you use volunteer helpers be sure that
they are qualified to assist you. Make certain that everyone involved understands that you are in charge and that they must follow your instructions.
If you have any doubts at all, employ a professional antenna installation company to install your antenna.

System Grounding
Direct grounding of the antenna, mast and tower is very important. This serves as protection from lightning strikes and static buildup. A good
electrical connection should be made to one or more ground rods directly at the base of the tower or mast using at least #10 AWG ground wire
and non-corrosive hardware. For details and safety standards, consult the National Electrical Code. A coaxial lightning arrester should be used.
Cushcraft offers several different models such as the LAC series.

Assembly
The assembly procedure for the XM520 consists of assembling the following subassemblies. 1) Boom Assembly.  2) Element Assembly.
3) Element to Boom Assembly.  4) Feed System Assembly.  5)Boom to Mast Assembly.  6) Boom Truss Assembly. 
Assembly of the XM520
will be easiest if the preceding steps are performed in the given order.  

Please read through the entire assembly procedure before beginning.

1

XM520

Verification of Parts

Part No.

Description

Metric Equivadent

Quantity

Qty Check

MNXM

Matching Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1

____

X79FS

6” feed strap . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15.2 cm

2

____

XM520FL

5/8” x 85-1/2” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.6 x 217.2 cm

2

____

XM520EA

1-3/8” x 48” aluminum tube . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  3.5 x 121.9 cm

3

____

XM520EB

1-1/4” x 24” aluminum tube, slotted one end . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.5 x 60.1 cm

10

____

X79EC

7/8”-1” x 36” aluminum tube, swedged, slotted one end . . . . . . . . . . . .  2.2-2.5 x 91.4 cm

10

____

X79ED

5/8-3/4” x 36” aluminum tube, swedged, slotted one end . . . . . . . . . . . .  1.6-1.9 x 91.4 cm

10

____

X79EE

1/2” x 36” aluminum tube, slotted one end . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.3 x 91.4 cm

10

____

X79EF

3/8” x 48” aluminum tube  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

.9 x 121.9 cm

6

____

XM520EG

3/8” x 50” aluminum tube  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

.9 x 127 cm

2

____

XM520EH

1-3/8” x 24” aluminum tube . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.5 x 61.0 cm

4

____

X79EJ

3/8” x 32” aluminum tube  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

.9 x 81.3 cm

2

____

XM520EK

1-1/8” x 36” aluminum tube . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

2.9 x 91.4 cm

10

____

XM520BA

2-1/2” x 84” aluminum tube, 4 holes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6.3 x 213.4 cm

2

____

XM520BB

2-1/2” x 84” aluminum tube, 4 holes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6.3 x 213.4 cm

2

____

XM520BC

2-1/2” x 84” aluminum tube, 8 holes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

6.3 x 213.4 cm

1

____

X79BD

2-3/8” x 12” aluminum tube, 4 holes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

6.0 x 30.5 cm

2

____

XM520BE

2-3/8” x 60” aluminum tube, 8 holes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

6.0 x 152.4 cm

1

____

XM520BF

2-3/8” x 84” aluminum tube, 4 holes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6.0 x 213.4 cm

1

____

Summary of Contents for BIG THUNDER XM520

Page 1: ...XM520 20 METER 5 ELEMENT YAGI 951484 11 98 ASSEMBLY INSTALLATION COMMUNICATIONS ANTENNAS ...

Page 2: ...OMMENDED THERE IS A WARNING STICKER WHICH MUST BE ATTACHED TO THE BOOM AS SHOWN IN FIGURE A Plan your installation carefully If you use volunteer helpers be sure that they are qualified to assist you Make certain that everyone involved understands that you are in charge and that they must follow your instructions If you have any doubts at all employ a professional antenna installation company to i...

Page 3: ... 3 cm 8 ____ 024259 1 8 Cable Thimble 3 cm 4 ____ 024623 Turnbuckle 2 ____ 024624 1 8 Cable Clamp 3 cm 12 ____ 030407 5 8 Worm Clamp 1 6 cm 10 ____ 030409 11 16 Worm Clamp 1 7 cm 10 ____ 030410 1 Worm Clamp 2 5 cm 10 ____ 030411 1 1 8 Worm Clamp 2 9 cm 10 ____ 030412 1 1 2 Worm Clamp 3 8 cm 20 ____ 032881 2 1 16 3 Worm Clamp 5 2 7 6 cm 2 ____ 050077 3 8 Black Plastic Cap 0 9 cm 10 ____ 054526 2 1 ...

Page 4: ...BD Aluminum 2 3 8 x 12 2 Tube 6 0 x 30 5 cm BE XM520BE Aluminum 2 3 8 x 60 1 Tube 6 0 x 152 4 cm BF XM520BF Aluminum 2 3 8 x 84 1 Tube 6 0 x 213 4 cm 19 010719 SS Hex 1 4 20 x 3 2 Bolt 7 6 26 054526 Black 2 1 2 2 Plastic Cap 6 3 cm 84 010084 SS Lock 1 4 2 Washer 99 014399 SS Lock 1 4 20 2 Nut 3 See Figure 1D Lay out boom sections as shown in Figure 1A Make sure tube ends are free of debris to allo...

Page 5: ...0082 Hex 1 4 20 x 1 20 Bolt 6 x 2 5 cm 84 010084 SS Lock 1 4 28 Washer 6 cm 85 010085 SS Nut 1 4 20 10 6 cm 99 014399 SS Lock 1 4 28 Nut 6 cm ID Part Description Dimensions Qty 509 324509 Aluminum 4 x 5 1 4 x 3 16 10 Bracket 10 2 x 13 3 x 5 cm 588 014588 SS Hex 1 4 x 3 1 2 8 Bolt 6 x 10 2 cm 592 014592 SS Flat 1 4 1 8 thick 8 Washer 6 x 3 cm 4 Tighten LAST Tighten FIRST Tighten SECOND 99 84 588 99...

Page 6: ...C ED EE EF EB EK EC ED EE EG EB EK EC ED EE EJ EB EK EH 32 81 3 cm 409 407 32 81 3 cm 36 91 4 cm 32 81 3 cm 32 81 3 cm 32 81 3 cm 409 407 32 81 3 cm 36 91 4 cm 32 81 3 cm 32 81 3 cm 32 81 3 cm 409 407 32 81 3 cm 40 101 6 cm 32 81 3 cm 32 81 3 cm 32 81 3 cm 409 407 32 81 3 cm 46 116 8 cm 32 81 3 cm 32 81 3 cm 20 50 8 cm 20 50 8 cm 20 50 8 cm 20 50 8 cm 411 32 81 3 cm 409 407 32 81 3 cm 23 58 4 cm 3...

Page 7: ...10 Tube 2 2 2 5 x 91 4 cm ED X79ED Aluminum 5 8 3 4 x 36 10 Tube 1 6 1 9 x 91 4 cm EE X79EE Aluminum 1 2 x 36 10 Tube 1 3 x 91 4 cm EF X79EF Aluminum 3 8 x 48 6 Tube 9 x 121 9 cm EG XM520EG Aluminum 3 8 x 50 2 Tube 9 x 127 cm EH XM520EH Aluminum 1 3 8 x 24 4 Tube 3 5 x 61 0 cm EJ X79EJ Aluminum 3 8 x 32 2 Tube 9 x 81 3 cm EK XM520EK Aluminum 1 1 8 x 36 10 Tube 2 9 x 91 4 cm 120 6 XM520 Figure 2B 5...

Page 8: ... 2 1 6 3 2 Clamp 5 2 7 6 cm 82 010082 SS Hex 1 4 20 x 1 20 Bolt 6 x 2 5 cm 84 010084 SS Lock 1 4 60 Washer 6 cm 87 014387 SS Lock 8 32 4 Nut 98 014498 Cush a 1 3 8 20 Clamp 3 5 cm 99 014399 SS Lock 1 4 60 Nut 6 cm 707 194707 U Channel 4 x 24 5 Bracket 10 2 x 61 cm MN MNXM Matching 1 Network FL XM520FL Aluminum 5 8 x 85 1 2 2 Strap 1 6 x 217 2 c m FS X79FS Copper 1 2 x 6 2 Braid 1 2 x 15 cm 87 81 8...

Page 9: ...asher 6 cm 85 010085 SS Nut 1 4 20 1 6 cm 99 014399 SS Lock 1 4 20 2 Nut 6 cm 815 154815 Strap 2 x 1 1 2 x1 8 1 Insulator 5 1 x 3 8 x 3 cm 564 324564 Aluminum 1 x 5 1 4 x 1 8 2 Bracket 2 5 x 13 3 x 3 cm Figure 4A Element 3 Element 2 Element 4 Element 5 Element 1 8 XM520 815 FL 99 99 815 82 84 82 84 Figure 4C 82 84 82 84 85 564 Figure 4B ...

Page 10: ...d 5B for assembly of boom to mast clamp Required hardware is listed in the Boom to Mast Clamp Assembly Parts List Form the boom shelf by attaching the lower boom bracket 506 to the mast plate 542 Attach mast plates 542 618 to mast using U bolts 3209 and V blocks 35 Place the boom on the boom shelf during installation Loosely attach the top boom bracket 506 to the mast plate 542 and to the lower bo...

Page 11: ... the turnbuckles Tighten the cable clamps beginning with the clamp closest to the thimble Refer to Figure 1E for attachment of the cable to the boom ends Place a thimble 59 on the 1 4 20 x 1 bolt Place three loose cable clamps 24 onto the cable end Feed the cable end through the element bracket and around the thimble Run the cable back through the cable clamps Tighten the cable to remove the major...

Page 12: ...representatives This warranty is in lieu of all other expressed warranties Any implied warranty is limited in duration to one year Cushcraft Corporation shall not be liable for any incidental or consequential damages which may result from a defect Some states do not allow a limitation on how long an implied warranty lasts or exclusions or limitations of incidental or consequential damages so the a...

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