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Keep your distance! Remember the 10-foot rule: When carrying and using ladders and other long
tools, keep them at least 10 feet away from all overhead lines - including any lines from the power
pole to your home.
Installation
Site Selection
Select a mounting location clear from power lines, structures and other antennas by a minimum of
55 feet.
Consider overhead power lines, utility cables and wires
. The vertical should mounted
away from local noise sources or other metallic objects which can re-radiate noise and affect the
tuning, radiation pattern and SWR. Determine the direction you want the antenna to tilt down and
make sure there is adequate clearance (at least 55 feet). There should also be a clear diameter of 65
to 130 feet from the antenna for the guying and radial systems that will extend away from the
antenna.
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, 20 radials, each 32 feet long, should be used with this antenna. Using 32 radials at
65 feet long is preferred and highly recommended. The extra
radials help overcome unknown poor-soil conditions, improve
bandwidth, and ensure the best performance possible from the
vertical antenna.
DXE-RADW
Radial Wire, a 14 gauge stranded
copper with black relaxed PVC insulation wire is suggested for the
best results.
The wire radials should placed as symmetrically as possible
straight from the feedpoint around the vertical antenna and spaced
evenly, regardless of how many radials are used. Do not cross or
bunch any radial wires as this nullifies their effectiveness. If you
have limited space, put in as many straight radials as you can. The
radials must be connected to the shield of your feedline. The
DXE-RADP-3
Stainless Steel Radial Plate is an ideal optional item which provides an excellent
system for attaching radial wires to your vertical antenna system feedpoint.
Radial wires can be laid on the roots of the grass using
DXE-STPL
Radial Wire Anchor Pins to
hold them down. Using enough staples will ensure the wires will not be snagged by mowers,
people, or animals. 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. Radials can
also be buried just under the surface by using a power edger to make a slit in the soil.