- 4 -
Mounting Pipe
Use a customer supplied thick-walled galvanized steel mounting pipe
at least
4 feet
long. This will allow approximately 2 feet or more to be below ground and 2 feet
above ground. A thick-walled steel pipe
1-3/4" OD
is recommended with a minimum
thickness of 1/8" (1/4" preferred) should be used. The standard 1-1/4" galvanized
water pipe (with its approximate 1.7" OD) is just fine for this application and can
usually be found at your local home building supply store. When using the optional
DXE-TB-4P
Tilt base a mounting pipe of up to 2" OD may be used. For permanent
mounting, use a post-hole digger to make the hole deep enough to accommodate 2
feet of pipe and a couple inches of gravel at the bottom for drainage. Set the pipe on
the gravel, use the pre-mix concrete to fill around the pipe, adding water and mixing
as you fill or mix the concrete first, then pour in the hole. Fill the hole until the concrete is level
with the ground around it. Use a level as you fill the hole to be sure the pipe is straight. Allow to set
overnight. Your location, landscape and ground conditions may require different mounting solutions
in order to have the steel mounting pipe and the vertical antenna in a secure position.
Note: Galvanized steel, rather than aluminum, is much more suitable for mounting in concrete.
Aluminum will quickly corrode due to incompatibility with the materials used to make
concrete.
.
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
32 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 around the vertical antenna
and spaced evenly, regardless of how many radials are used. Do not cross or bunch any
radial wires as this detunes the radials involved. 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.
Radial wires can be laid on the roots of the grass using steel or biodegradable
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 they will be
virtually impossible to see. An article describing this process is available the DX Engineering
website in the
Tech Info
section. Radials can also be buried just under the surface by using a power
edger to make a slit in the soil.
Assembly
The
DXE-40VE-1
shipping box contains vertical tubing sections, insulated U-channel, 2 U-Bolt
