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Spiderbeam 160-18-4WTH Construction Manual

160m vertical
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Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH
Spiderbeam 160m Vertical
Model 160-18-4WTH
VERTICAL CONSTRUCTION GUIDE
Ver. 1.3
We strongly encourage you to read this entire manual once
1
160-18-4WTH Manual, Ver. 1.3
26-AUG-2013

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  • Page 1 Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH VERTICAL CONSTRUCTION GUIDE Ver. 1.3 We strongly encourage you to read this entire manual once 160-18-4WTH Manual, Ver. 1.3 26-AUG-2013...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH before beginning to work. CHAPTER CONTENTS PAGE Description and Theory Antenna Description Required Space Material Description Construction Pole Preparation 2.1.1 Tips for Clamp Set Assembly Wooden Base Stake Preparation and Installation Attaching the Pole to the Base Stake Raising the Pole for the First Time 2.4.1...
  • Page 3 Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH CHAPTER CONTENTS PAGE Installation Installing the Radiator and Top-Hats 3.1.1 Mounting the 4 Top-Hat wires and Vertical Radiator Wire to the Pole 3.1.2 Connecting the Vertical Radiator Wire to the Top-Hat Wires 3.1.3 Running the Vertical Radiator Wire down the Pole 3.1.4...
  • Page 4 Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH 160-18-4WTH Manual, Ver. 1.3 26-AUG-2013...

  • Page 5: Description And Theory

    Antenna Description The Spiderbeam Model 160-18-4WTH is a base-fed, [electrical] quarter wavelength vertical antenna built on a Spiderbeam 18 meter high telescoping fiberglass pole. It uses 4 top-hat wires to reduce the antenna’s physical height by electrically lengthening the antenna.

  • Page 6: Material Description

    The Spiderbeam 160-18-4WTH is built with high quality, lightweight but strong material:  The vertical radiator wire is made of Spiderbeam CQ-532 wire. This is AWG-18 stranded Copperweld wire, with ultraviolet-resistant polyethylene insulation. The wire itself has 1.1 mm diameter, with an OD of 2.2mm.

  • Page 7: Construction

    Spiderbeam as a PDF. 2.1.1 Tips for Clamp Set Assembly The Spiderbeam 18m Pole consists of 12 telescoping segments. The segments are counted from 1 to 12, with segment #1 being the bottom, thickest segment.

  • Page 8: Wooden Base Stake Preparation And Installation

    Wooden Base Stake Preparation and Installation The wooden base stake is not included in the 160-18-4WTH kit and must be sourced locally. The purpose of the base stake is to hold the pole in place and keep it from slipping or sliding under the pressure of the wind.

  • Page 9: Raising The Pole For The First Time

    Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH  When you tighten the straps, take care that their metal adjustment head is resting on the wooden stake, not directly on the fiberglass pole.  If you cannot find these straps, you may substitute 6mm Dacron rope: ...

  • Page 10: Using The Optional Guy Belt Set

    Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH #11) with it. While holding segment #11 with one hand lower segment #12 back into #11 until only about 30 or 40 cm are sticking out. Tape with electrical tape.  You will now slide the entire clamp set, beginning with the largest clamp first (clamp #2), over the top of the pole.

  • Page 11: Mounting The Connection Plate

    Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH  The belt with the larger hole mounts on pole segment # 5, so insert the belt between clamps #5 and #6.  The belt with the smaller hole mounts on pole segment # 9, so insert the belt between clamps #9 and #10.

  • Page 12: Measuring And Cutting Ropes And Wires

    Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH  Insert the rubber strip between the U-bolt and pole.  Fasten the U-bolt to the plate using a washer, lock washer and nut on each side.  When tightening, take care that the U-bolt remains centered on this rubber strip as shown in the Side View in the picture.

  • Page 13: Table Of Measurements

    *Prepare the Kevlar rope ends as described in APPENDIX 5.2. Preparing the Radials The Spiderbeam 160-18-4WTH was designed to be easy to install, using 16 ground-mounted radials. Using any number between 8 and 24 will give rewarding results. If you use less, performance will be reduced.

  • Page 14: Preparing Radial Wires

    Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH 2.7.1 Preparing the Radial Wires The following instructions are based on the assumption that you are using 16 ground-mounted radials as recommended. If you use more, or fewer, please adjust the numbers yourself. The ground-mounted radials should each be between ⅛ and ¼ wavelength long (20 to 40m).

  • Page 15: Preparing The Top-Hat

    Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH Preparing the Top-Hats  For space reasons, it is probably easier to prepare the top hats in the field.  You will need to solder at least one connection in the field. This will require a soldering iron with at least 60w.

  • Page 16: Nd Top-Hat Insulator

    Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH  run the end of the wire through the hole a second time and pull it    tight.  Fold back the rest of the wire onto itself twisting the excess wire several times around the longer portion of the wire as you fold it back.
  • Page 17 Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH  Tie a large knot in the PVDF Monofil line about 10cm from this end. Tie any kind of knot you like; just make sure it does not slip through the hole. You may want to use pliers to hold the short end while pulling tight.

  • Page 18: High Power Option (>1Kw)

    Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH 2.8.3 HIGH POWER OPTION (>1kW) If you plan to run more than 1 kilowatt, you must take special precaution. You will need 3 insulators per Top-Hat Wire instead of 2 and you must use 1mm Kevlar rope between the insulators instead of PVDF Monofil.
  • Page 19 Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH Note: the pole segments are much smaller than they appear in this sketch. In this sketch the pole segments were drawn over-size to enable showing the details of the dressing of the wires. 160-18-4WTH Manual, Ver. 1.3...

  • Page 20: Connecting The Vertical Radiator Wire To The Top-Hat Wires

    Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH Begin:  Wrap about 5 or 6 layers of good quality black UV-resistant electrical tape around segment 11 of the mast, about 5 cm from its top.  Tie an “Overhand Knot” 10cm from one end of the CQ-532 vertical wire.

  • Page 21: Raising The Pole To Its Full Height

    Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH NOW READ THIS REST OF THIS SECTION, BUT DO NOT DO ANYTHING YET ! YOU WILL PERFORM THE WORK DESCRIBED BELOW IN THE NEXT SECTION, 3.1.4 The vertical wire will spiral gently down the pole with about 1 turn per meter. As you approach the bottom of the pole, about 2m from the bottom of the pole begin wrapping the turns much closer together, about 10 to 12 turns per meter, forming a loose coil.

  • Page 22: Guy Belt Method

    Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH  After securing a section in place, as you run the wire down the pole, you will wrap the vertical wire about two turns around each segment. Once again it is advantageous to use a small step-ladder.
  • Page 23 Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH  Pull the 4 lower guy ropes away from the mast, laying them on the ground.  Unless the wind is blowing strong, you don’t have to do anything with them now.  If the wind is blowing strong, follow the directions in Section 3.2.

  • Page 24: Special Instructions For Erecting The Pole In Windy Conditions

    Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH  Remaining Work: o Fastening the top-hats to their ground stakes o Adjusting all guy ropes o Attaching the radials o Tuning the antenna Special Instructions for Erecting the Pole in Windy Conditions This is very important and if you are not sure whether it is too windy or not, then assume it is too windy and PLEASE follow these special instructions: ...

  • Page 25: Fastening The Top-Hats To Their Ground Stakes

    Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH Fastening the Top-Hats to their Ground Stakes. The top sections of the pole are very thin and very light. The top-hat lines are very light. When pulling them tight and fastening to the ground stakes, please take care not to pull the lines tight the first time you tie them! Leave them very loose.

  • Page 26: Installing The Radial Network

    Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH  Finally, adjust the top-hat lines.  When you are satisfied that all lines are guyed like you want them, check all knots to make sure they are tight and secure. Installing the Radial Network When installing the radials, every attempt should be made to keep the individual radials symmetrical and equally spaced.

  • Page 27: It's Time To Tune

    Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH coil, lowering the resonance frequency even more, you may find that you only need to remove 1.5 to 1.8cm per kHz. EXAMPLE: Say you want to raise the resonance frequency by 50 kHz. Normally you would calculate 2cm per kHz, or 100cm to be cut (50 x 2 = 100) for 50 kHz.
  • Page 28 Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH  Calculate the amount of wire to be removed using 2cm per kHz as your initial formula – AND ONLY REMOVE ABOUT HALF THE LENGTH THAT YOU CALCULATED. BE SURE that you remember how much wire you removed (write it down).
  • Page 29 By now you should have a feeling for tuning the antenna. It is impossible to describe every scenario you might encounter in the field. If you have run out of ideas, please record everything which you have tried so far and contact Spiderbeam Tech Support at: ...

  • Page 30: Appendix

    Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH APPENDIX APPENDIX A: Sketch of the Antenna Note: The sketch above is NOT to scale. Guy ropes and radial wires are not shown. 160-18-4WTH Manual, Ver. 1.3 26-AUG-2013...

  • Page 31: Appendix B: Materials And Tools List

    Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH APPENDIX B: Materials and Tools List 5.2.1 Material Included in the Kit DESCRIPTION 18m Heavy Duty Telescoping Fiberglass Pole Clamp Set for 18m HD Telescoping Fiberglass Pole Radial Connection Plate CQ-532 AWG 18, Stranded Copperweld Wire, Insulated...
  • Page 32 Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH 5.2.3 Optional Spiderbeam Material DESCRIPTION Guy Belt Set for 18m HD Telescoping Pole Galvanized steel ground peg (330mm long) Galvanized steel ground peg (750mm long) 5.2.4 Recommended Tools (Supplied by User) DESCRIPTION Soldering Iron, 60w or greater...

  • Page 33: Appendix C: Preparing Kevlar Rope

    Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH APPENDIX C: Preparing Kevlar Rope The 2mm Kevlar rope supplied by Spiderbeam has a yellow-colored Kevlar inner core, and a thin black Dacron outer cover to protect the Kevlar from ultraviolet. The Dacron cover tends to fray easily on its ends, and should be properly prepared before use.

  • Page 34: Appendix D: Knots

    Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Model 160-18-4WTH APPENDIX D: Knots The Spiderbeam vertical antenna is built using specific knots. For each task requiring a knot, we have selected the knot which we believe is best suited for the job. We STRONGLY recommend using the knot we specify in the instructions.
  • Page 35 The smaller [red] rope must come from the right. In the Spiderbeam 160m Vertical Antenna, it is used to join the Kevlar guy ropes to the short 6mm Dacron guy rope stubs (see 3.1.4.2). Leave both stubs long enough to attach wire-ties.

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