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BevFlex-4X Installation Manual Rev 2.23 November 2019
20. What is the minimum distance that I need to maintain between my transmit antenna and the closest point
of the Beverage?
The further, the better, as noise can be re-radiated from the transmit antenna into the BevFlex-4X. Typically, 50 ft.
spacing is sufficient. It is important to locate the BevFlex-4X away from vertical transmit antenna systems, including
the ground or elevated radial wires. If possible, route the BevFlex-4X antenna wire perpendicular to any other
nearby antenna wires to minimize the coupling between the antennas. If it is not possible to provide this spacing, a
relay can be used to open the connection (float) the transmit antenna while receiving. If high power is applied to a
nearby transmit antenna, it is possible that the receiver protection, voltage limiting devices, in the Switching and
Terminator Units could be damaged.
21. Are the outdoor units weather proof?
YES, but it is the installer’s responsibility to use properly installed, weatherproof, connectors and seal the
connections. It is important to mount the units with the feedline connectors pointing down and use drip loops on
cables and wires approaching the boxes from the side or above to reduce the chance of moisture entering the
connectors or the BevFlex-4X units.
22. Do you have any weather proofing and installation tips?
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Use plastic electrical tape to tape over the seams where the box and lid come together on the various units
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Be sure to allow a generous amount of coax center conductor protruding from the F connectors when you install
them. This will allow for contraction of the center conductor during cold weather.
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Coat the center conductor with WD-40 or contact cleaner to maintain a good connection and prevent corrosion
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Use Vaseline or silicon grease on the threads of the F connectors when you put them together
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All wires and coax cable from the outside boxes must drop down away from their connection points to direct
water away from the connection. If the wire or coax approaches from the side or top, form a drip loop before
making the connection.
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Place a bead of RTV silicon rubber around where each F connector penetrates the various unit boxes. You can
also use “liquid tape” for this purpose.
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Use copper clad steel ground rods. You can also use scrap, copper, water pipe if the ground is soft.
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Use bronze or stainless steel clamps to make connections to the ground rods
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If you hang an above ground Beverage hung from trees, etc., use plastic electric fence insulators with loose ty-
raps to hang the RG-6 coax, but also let it slide as the supports move in the wind
23.
What kind of lightning protection is provided?
Each end termination unit is protected by a gas discharge tube to reduce the possibility of damage from nearby static
discharges. Use of a dual, F, connector grounding block is recommended for the feedlines entering the ham shack.
None of these will prevent damage from a direct or near lightning hit.
24. What is the minimum length needed for the Beverage antenna?
Please review the chart in the application information for each antenna configuration. In general, the longer the
better, with a practical minimum length being approximately 150 ft. While lengths greater than 1000 ft. can improve
the gain of the antenna, the F/B ratio may suffer when the antenna is longer than (2) wavelengths at the desired
reception frequency. There are many on-line references that discuss this trade-off in length.
25. I only have 270 ft. available. Should I configure the BevFlex-4X as an above ground Beverage antenna or
as a Beverage-On-Ground (BOG)?
