[Icom] Outbacker
[email protected]
[email protected]
Thu, 3 Oct 2002 00:35:43 EDT
My attachment did not work !! So I will try again!
INSTALLING THE OUTBACKER* PERTHplus
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing the OUTBACKER* PERTHplus. Please take a few moments
to carefully read these instructions before installing your antenna. This
will ensure that your mobile setup works and works well!
Like all OUTBACKER* antenna, the PERTHplus is constructed of a very tough,
yet flexible, fiberglass core. This core is then helically wound with copper
wire, which is hand-tuned to the various "tap" points. A coating of clear
epoxy resin is then applied. Finally a layer of colored polyurethane is
applied as a protection against the elements. All fittings on the antenna
are solid brass and nickel-plated. The 3/8" x 24tpi stud is made of tough,
high strength, stainless steel.
DESCRIPTION OF COMPONENTS
1. FIBERGLASS MAIN SHAFT - Location of helical coils. Base mounting stud is
stainless steel with standard 3/8" x 24 threads.
2. BAND SOCKETS - Non-corrosive and silver-plated sockets are clearly
engraved with band markings. These sockets are used for selecting a band of
operation.
3. WANDER LEAD - Insulated 31" length of stranded wire with banana plug on
each end. Used for 75m through to 2m operations. One end should be plugged
into the WL-31 socket and the other into the desired band socket. Must be
wound (counter- clockwise) from the bottom up, with coils evenly spaced and
neither taut, nor hanging loosely. Remove completely from antenna for
80-meter operation.
4. FLY LEAD - Short lead with a green banana plug at one end, this lead is
used to match the PERTHplus to the vehicle. Green plug goes into the socket
marked "FL" (FLY LEAD). The other end of the FLY LEAD should be connected to
ground terminal on your mount.
PLEASE NOTE: The tap marked NC (No Connection) which is located just
above the "FL" tap, is used to store or "park" the FLY LEAD when not in use.
5. STINGER / TIP / TUNING ROD or SPIKE - Steel rod which extends up to 31"
out of antenna shaft. Used for fine tuning SWR.
6. KNURLED LOCKING NUT - Located at the top of the antenna shaft. Used for
holding STINGER in place - finger tighten only!
MOUNTING YOUR PERTHplus
Correct mounting of your PERTHplus is of utmost importance to obtain
successful antenna performance. The PERTHplus can be used with the
Outbacker* OB360, or any standard 3/8" x 24tpi mount.
Trunk Lip and Hatch Mounting
When mounting in either of these types of configurations, please mount the
antenna as far from the roofline of your vehicle as possible. Be sure that
the surface of the trunk lip and underneath the lip is clean and that there
is solid electrical contact from the mount to the trunk lip. Here is an easy
way to do that.
Fit the mount in place and tighten its setscrews, then "back out" setscrews
and remove mount. Look at indentation points left by setscrews. Use your
pocketknife to scrape off paint at those points, exposing shiny metal.
Re-install mount, ensuring setscrews fit into scraped-clean-of-paint points
and are in contact with shiny metal. Check your mount and antenna
occasionally to ensure everything remains snug. OUTBACKER* assumes no
liability for antenna lost as a result of loose mounts, or hardware. An
excellent mount recommended by OUTBACKER*, is the Outbacker* OB360C 3/8m.
The mount comes with coax harness and will ensure a very strong setup without
holes drilled into your vehicle. This mount may be obtained through your
Outbacker Antenna dealer.
Bumper Mounting
In this configuration, avoid mounting antenna directly beside large areas of
vehicle metal like the door on the rear of a van. Make sure that the
antenna's mount is electrically grounded to the frame of the vehicle by use
of a wide metal strap. More advice to help with the mounting of your
antenna follows in the Installation instructions.
INSTALLATION
The PERTHplus can be installed on cars, trucks, RVs, and for fixed operation
(condos, apartments, etc.). As with any antenna system, there are no specific
rules to follow. However, here are some helpful suggestions.
1 Mount as high as possible, and as far away from other vertical metal
areas as possible. If mounting in a condo, use a metal balcony rail where
possible, or 3" wide copper foil (minimum 20-ft length.) for counterpoise.
2 The optimum mounting location for any mobile, is dead center of the
vehicle roof. However, since this is not usually practical for most HF
antennas, mount your antenna on the driver's side trunk of the vehicle to
avoid tree limbs, etc. (see Trunk Mounting section).
3 Use high-grade 52-ohm RG-58cu coax, or similar, with at least 95%
shield. Marine grade coax is the best. Do not use foam coax as it will
deform in heat and absorb moisture. Avoid solid center conductor-type coax
as it breaks easily. DO NOT SPLICE THIS "RUN" OF COAX. It should be a
single, unbroken length from transceiver to antenna mount. Use Coax Seal to
protect cable where its wires separate at mount.
4 A solid electrical ground is an absolute necessity for proper and
successful antenna performance. This is the most important yet often
overlooked step in all mobiling antenna installations. DO NOT IGNORE THIS
STEP AND DO NOT ASSUME THE NEGATIVE LEAD OF A POWER CABLE GIVES AN ADEQUATE
GROUND CONNECTION. IT DOES NOT!
Install a 1"- 3" wide ground strap between a bolt connected to your auto's
frame and the ground lug on your HF radio. A ground/frame bolt is usually
located behind your auto's dash. Another ground/frame bolt is also used to
secure the front seats in place (look under seat for shiny bolt). A large
alligator clip on this ground strap will permit quick connection to rig (and
easy rig removal).
If you are using a trunk lip mount, a 1" - 3" wide ground strap should also
be added from the trunk lip (or from mount's ground connection) to a
ground/frame bolt inside the trunk area. This step ensures the trunk lip is
electrically connected to the auto's body, rather than insulated by paint.
If you are using a bumper mount, adding a similar ground strap is also
encouraged (many bumpers are insulated by their crash/shock absorbers). It
is also recommended that you ground your tailpipe at the tip to help reduce
spark plug noise, etc.
5 It is recommended that you run your coax as far away from the ECM
(Engine Control Module) and existing vehicle electrical systems as possible.
6 Install the PERTHplus on its selected mount. Insert the FLY LEAD's
green banana plug into the NC (No Connection) tap. Then connect the opposite
end of the FLY LEAD to the ground side of your mount. Cut off excess. Use
as short a length of FLY LEAD as possible. Under no circumstances extend the
length of the FLY LEAD. Doing so will hinder the PERTHplus's performance.
7 Plug the green banana plug into the tap marked FL (FLY LEAD). This
tap will engage the inductive matching network.
Now use an Ohmmeter to check your work. No Ohmmeter? Clip leads connected
to a Code Practice Oscillator, or a Keyer with sidetone can be used to check
connections. Remove the ground strap from your rig.
TUNE-UP AND OPERATION
After following the proper mounting and grounding procedures, which are
crucial, as mentioned earlier, you are now ready for antenna tune-up.
1. Route the feed-line to your transceiver, making sure the antenna is
properly grounded to the vehicle body at the antenna base.
2. Be sure the green plug or FLY LEAD is in the "FL" tap point.
3. Remove black cap from top of antenna and discard. Set the STINGER to the
scribe point which is marked on the STINGER (length from scribe point to tip
of STINGER is 31").
a. For operation on 40m, tune your transmitter to 7.250MHz.
b. Key the transmitter and read the SWR measured at the transmitter. If SWR
reads greater than 2:1, go to Step C. If less than 2:1, go to Step D.
c. If SWR is greater than 2:1, tune your transmitter to 7.295MHz and check
the SWR there. If the SWR increases at this frequency, this indicates the
antenna is too long and is resonating "low." You will want to shorten the
STINGER about 1/4 inch, by loosening the KNURLED LOCKING NUT and making the
adjustment. Then re-tighten with fingers only. If the SWR decreases at this
frequency, your antenna is too short and you will need to lengthen the
STINGER by following the same procedures as for shortening. Continue this
process until the SWR, as measured at the transmitter, is as low as possible
at your desired operating frequency, on 40m.
d. Provided your SWR is sufficiently low, (less than 2:1 at the middle of
the 40m phone band), in most cases all that is necessary to do when changing
bands, is to move the top banana plug on the WANDER LEAD, into the desired
socket for 20m, 17m, 15m etc. Be sure to wrap the WANDER LEAD evenly and
counter clockwise, but not too tightly against the shaft. You can make
fine-tuning adjustments by moving the STINGER up or down.
4. 80m operation is obtained by complete removal of the WANDER LEAD. It
will also be necessary to use the STINGER to adjust for lowest SWR on the
desired operating frequency. Check SWR with and without the FLY LEAD plugged
into the socket marked "FL" You must adjust the STINGER for the lowest SWR on
75m. With the STINGER set at the scribe point, the resonant frequency is
approximately 3.850 MHz. To raise the resonant frequency, push the STINGER
in.
5. FOR 6M BAND OPERATION
Remove the longest 34" STINGER (with black bead) from the main shaft,
and install the shortest 6" STINGER (with red bead) supplied, down into the
top of the mainshaft, until the scribe mark, (3" from the tip) on the STINGER
is aligned with the top of the KNURLED LOCKING NUT. Adjust for best SWR.
The FLY LEAD is not required for 6m operation and should be removed from the
"FL" socket and stored in the "NC" socket
6. FOR 2M OPERATION
Remove the existing STINGER and install the medium length, 14" STINGER
(with green bead) down into the top of the mainshaft until the scribe mark
(12" from the top) on the STINGER, is aligned with the top of the KNURLED
LOCKING NUT. Adjust for best SWR.
Do not store FLY LEAD in the socket marked "NC" when using 2m, remove the FLY
LEAD completely from the antenna.
When operating the antenna on 6m, or 2m, the length of the black WANDER LEAD
(31"), is a critical factor as it forms an integral part of the antenna
tuning.
Its length should not be altered for any reason.
TROUBLESHOOTING
EXTREMELY HIGH SWR - Check all connections for opens, or shorts. Make sure
the WANDER LEAD extends from the WL socket for your desired band of
operation. Make sure the WANDER LEAD is evenly spaced as it wraps around the
antenna, counter clockwise, from the bottom up. Again, remember, do not wrap
too tightly. Also, remember that a quarter wave vertical needs a large span
of metal/ground beneath it to act as a counterpoise.
MODERATELY HIGH SWR - Make sure the antenna is not unusually close (parallel)
to any metal such as the trunk, or side of an RV (see INSTALLATION). Recheck
the integrity of your grounding. Try re-tuning the STINGER at the desired
operating frequency.
Remember there are more important aspects of mobile installations than having
a 1:1 SWR. It is okay and fully acceptable if your SWR should vary from 1:1
to 1:8. Pay special attention to grounding and antenna placement.
CARE AND MAINTENANCE
All OUTBACKER* antenna are fitted with a rubber "O" ring inside the tip to
prevent water entering the mainshaft, however, condensation will accumulate
on the inside of the shaft, do not be alarmed. This condensation will not
harm the antenna, nor will it cause inferior performance. Just remove the
KNURLED LOCKING NUT and shake out any water. Check your antenna after heavy
rain.
To clean your antenna, wash it with warm, soapy water and wipe dry with a
soft cloth. Apply a thin coating of non-abrasive, car wax. Buff the antenna
to a shine. Do not use cleaners with an acetone base as this will strip the
shiny coating.
Specifications
Model: PERTHplus (Cut to American frequencies Not for resale outside
Nth America)
Band Coverage: 80m-75m-40m-30m-20m-17m-15m-12m-10m-6m-2m
Feed Impedance: 48-52 Ohms
Power : 100 watts (pep)
Construction: Brass - Stainless Steel - Urethane, 1/4 wave helical.
Mounting: 3/8" x 24tpi (UNF) Male thread (Stainless Steel)
Wander Lead Length: 31" Plug tip to Plug tip.
Supplied with PERTHplus antenna
Qty Part# Description
1 Main shaft (Black)
1 x OBWL Wander lead (WL stands for wander lead, 31" in length)
1 x OBSP90 34" long tapered tuning spike with black bead.
(installed in antenna, at manufacture)
1 x OBSP30 14" medium length tuning spike with green bead,
1 x OBSP15 6" short tuning spike with red bead.
1 x OBFL Fly lead, black with green plug at one end.
Please quote Part# when ordering replacements.
Optional
OB360C Trunk mount with spring and cable. (Rotates 360 deg)
OB360s 21/2" x 7/8" x 3/16" Steel spring.
OSB Heavy Duty fixed mount.
OBADP 3/8" unf to 1/2" bsw Stainless steel adapter.
OBQD 3/8" TO 3/8" Quick disconnect adapter (brass & stainless)
OBMT M-Type to 3/8" adapter. (brass)
OBKNK Knockdown Knuckle 3/8" to 3/8" unf
Should you discover your OUTBACKER* antenna has been damaged in transit,
please notify your supplier, or write to the manufacturer within seven days.
Claims made more than 7 days after delivery will not be recognized.
We hope you will receive much enjoyment from using your PERTHplus antenna.
For technical assistance in Nth America, please contact:
MR JIM BURNS
ALPHA DELTA COMMUNICATIONS (Inc)
PO BOX 620
MANCHESTER KY 40962
Phone (606) 598-2029 --- Fax (606) 598-4413
OUTBACKER * the renowned HF Amateur Mobile Antenna - bridging the gap in
worldwide communications.
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