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Page 75
CHAPTER ELEVEN
SECTION 11.1
SECURE CABLES & MOUNT DB18 ON TOWER MAST
MOUNT THE DB18 ONTO THE TOWER MAST (continued)
LAST STEPS:
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU PERFORM EACH OF THESE
STEPS BEFORE ATTACHING THE ANTENNA TO THE TOWER MAST
1. Connect the controller to the control cable and extend the elements simultaneously all the way out
to the 40m band. Have someone listen as the copper strip extends outward into the support tubes.
Ideally, having one person per element works best.
2. As the motors extend the copper strip, they start out moving very slowly, and then ramp up to full
speed. There should be an accompanying hum for this that should never sound harsh, or choppy.
3. If there are any obstructions stopping the copper strip from making it’s way out, you should notice
a significant sound that will not be confused with the smooth motor sound. Listen for any signifi-
cantly loud “clicks”, scraping sounds or anything that sounds out of the ordinary.
4. If there is something that outright stops the copper strip from extending or retracting, you will get
a harsh sound as the motors try to keep going but the tape is stuck.
5. If any of these “bad” sounds occur, try to locate the area where the problem is happening and in-
vestigate. Repeat these steps again. If all is OK, proceed to step 6.
6. Check all fasteners on the antenna to be certain that they are tight. This may seem redundant, but
the time to discover a loose fastener is NOW, not when that part it was supposed to hold falls out
of the sky.
7. Be sure that you have set-screws in all the saddles, where applicable. Be sure they are tightened.
8. Check all the quick disconnect boots to be sure they are as tight as possible and are in the correct
position relative to the EHU and the telescoping poles.
9. Check all wiring and coax jumpers to ensure that they are secured to the boom and that they are
not resting against any sharp objects.
10. If you have any of the optional trusses, be sure your turnbuckles are locked in place and that the
loop element or boom is level.
11. Check to be sure that the elements are level with the boom— a level antenna looks much better
when suspended in the air than one that is not!
12. Get the DB18 Yagi on that tower so you can work some good DX!
Figure 11.11
shows the #10 x 5/8” machine screws inserted through the mast plate.
Figure 11.12
shows the a saddle half that has been mounted on the mast plate, with a machine screw below it
awaiting the next saddle half.
Figure 11.13
shows all of the aluminum saddle halves mounted to the
mast plate.
FIG. 11.11
FIG. 11.12
FIG. 11.13
