WARNING
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 INSTALLATIONS RECOMMENDED BY THE U.S. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
COMMISSION AND LISTED IN THE ENCLOSED PAMPHLET.
MA5V
1
Your Cushcraft antenna is designed and manufactured to give top performance and trouble free service. The antenna will perform
as specified if the instructions and suggestions are followed and care is used in assembly and installation. When checking the
components received in your antenna package, use the parts lists in each section. It is easiest to identify the various dimensions
of tubing by separating them into groups of the same diameter and length. If you are unable to locate any tube or component,
check the inside of all tubing.
IMPORTANT: save the weight label from the outside of the carton. Each antenna is weighed at
the factory to verify the parts count. If you claim a missing part, you will be asked for the weight verification label.
There is a
master parts list on page 3.
LOCATION
To prevent detuning, install the MA5V in an open area clear of metal buildings, guy wires, towers, and dipole feedlines.
Important Warning: Never mount your antenna where humans and pets may contact it accidentally.
Protruding elements
and hardware can cause injury, and contact with energized conductors may inflict severe RF burns. Also, transmitting antennas
may expose humans to intense RF fields. The medical effects of RF exposure are unknown, but may be harmful. U.S. amateurs
are required to comply with FCC exposure-safety guidelines (for more information, see the FCC web site at
www.crr.gov./oet/rfsafety
and ARRL web site at
www.arrl.org/news/safety
).
Amateurs in other countries may also be subject to governmental standards
(check publications for your region). Never install antennas without assistance. Plan work carefully and use only qualified persons
to monitor or assist. If in doubt about safety, obtain the services of a professional installer.
MOUNTING
The MA5V accepts mast diameters to 2.0” OD (5.1 cm). To prevent injury and minimize ground losses, always mount at least
10-12 feet above the surface. For best DX performance, mount high and in-the-clear. Because of its light weight, the MA5V may
be roof-mounted with conventional TV hardware. However, avoid installing near conductive guy wires—these may couple to the
lower element and detune the antenna. Also, do not mount next to parallel vertical conductors such as dipole feedline drops,
other masts, metal chimneys, and utility poles.
SYSTEM GROUNDING
To ensure lightning-strike protection,
always disconnect the feedline from its building-entrance when the antenna is not in use
.
For backup protection from unexpected nearby strikes, install a quality lightning arrester such as the Cushcraft LAC4.
ASSEMBLY
Assemble carefully, following all directions, photos, and illustrations. Before mounting, verify each part was installed correctly
and check all hardware for tightness.
FEEDLINE SELECTION
Feedline losses are inevitable, and a small amount is even beneficial because it enhances the antenna’s bandwidth without
noticeably degrading performance. However, to ensure best results, avoid long runs of lossy cable or short runs of low-loss cable.
We recommend the following:
1. RG-58 for runs up to 75’.
2. RG-8X (Mini-8) for 50-150 foot runs.
3. RG-8 or RG-213 for longer runs.
TUNING PROCEDURE
As needed, fine-tune resonator stubs to compensate for varied mounting locations or to provide best SWR in a favorite band
segment. When adjusting, use the same feedline you plan to install permanently. MA5V resonators are labeled by band.
Lengthen
to
lower
frequency and
shorten
to
raise
frequency (interaction between resonators is minimal). A handheld SWR analyzer speeds
fine-tuning.
PRECIPITATION
A buildup of precipitation will lower resonant frequency (a condition common to most antennas). If SWR exceeds 2:1 due to
precipitation loading, you may use an antenna tuner (ATU) to temporarily correct the problem. Alternatively, if you live in a wet
region, consider tuning resonators slightly high to provide built-in compensation for when it rains or snows.
RF POWER RATING
The MA5V will safely handle up to 250 Watts pep on SSB, but power should not exceed 100 Watts for high duty-cycle modes
such as AM, FM, RTTY, and PSK.
Important Warning: Never use a high-power linear amplifier with this antenna. Permanent damage to the sealed resonator
coils may result.
