DX Engineering DXE-8040VA-1 User manual

80 and 40 Meter
DX Engineering
Thunderbolt™
Dual Band
Vertical Antenna
DXE-8040VA-1
US Patent No. 8,130,168
DXE-8040VA-1-INS Revision 4a
© DX Engineering 2012
P.O. Box 1491 ∙ Akron, OH 44309-1491 USA
Phone: [phone] ∙ Tech Support and International: [phone]
Fax: [phone] ∙ E-mail: [email protected]

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Table of Contents
Introduction & Features
2
Warning
3
Tools Required
3
Manual Updates and Information
4
Installation Sequence
4
Site Selection
4
Mounting Pipe
4
Coaxial Cable to Mounting Pipe
5
Radial System
6
Assembly Notes
6
Radial Plate to Mounting Pipe
7
Attaching Ground Radial Wires to the Radial Plate
8
Overall Pivot and Antenna Base Assembly Drawing
9
Pivot Base and Lower Antenna Assembly
10
Mounting and using the Optional DXE-VRW-1 Manual Winch
18
General Information about Aluminum Tubing
21
Assembling the Vertical Sections
22
Mating the Vertical Elements to the Pivot Base Assembly
30
80/40 Trap Assembly and Installation
31
Base Matching Network Assembly and Installation
34
Optional DXE-7580-THK Capacity Hat Assembly and Installation
35
Tuning the Vertical
38
Operation of the DXE-8040VA-1 for CW portion of the 80M band
40
Locking the Pivot Base
40
DXE-8040VA-1 Part Lists
Pivot Base Assembly
41
Optional DXE-VRW-1 Manual Winch Assembly
41
Feedpoint Hardware
41
Vertical Elements Assembly
42
80/40 Trap Assembly
42
Base Matching Network Assembly
42
Optional DXE-7580-THK Capacity Hat Assembly
43
Additional Material Needed but not Supplied
43
Suggested Parts Not Included
44
Optional Accessory Items
45
Technical Support and Warranty
47

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Introduction
Congratulations on obtaining your DX Engineering DXE-8040VA-1 Multiband Vertical Antenna!
Now you can have a high-performance vertical antenna specifically for the 75/80 meter and 40
meter bands! The DX Engineering 53 to 55-foot Dual Band Vertical Antenna supplies the highest
possible performance this side of our mono-band vertical antennas. Perfect for areas where there is
no room for individual verticals. Achieve the strongest possible presence at your power level and be
competitive!
Covers the whole 40 meter band with one setting!
The 80/75 meter band is tunable down to 3650 kHz center frequency with 300 kHz bandwidth. This
means that operation on the CW DX frequencies and DX Phone frequencies is within range of most
radio internal tuners - no antenna changes are necessary to switch frequencies!
The optional patented DXE-7580-THK CW Optimizer Capacity Hat Kit for 75/80 and 80/40
Antennas is specifically designed to allow the center of resonance to be moved down to the low
band edge for dedicated CW ops. The DXE-7580-THK consists of hub and 48" adjustable rods.
Easy to add to or remove from upper antenna mast with two studded element clamps after lowering
antenna.
The DX Engineering DXE-8040VA-1 is a slow taper 53 to 55-foot high Dual Band Vertical
Antenna system. The vertical antenna is specifically designed to operate on 80 meters and 40
meters. Included with this antenna system is a rugged stainless steel pivot fixture for ease of
assembly and adjustments. Engineered with 6063 corrosion-resistant aluminum tubing, stainless
steel mounting brackets and stainless steel hardware, this antenna is very durable and attractive.
Features
High Efficiency Design
Massive high efficiency trap assembly - strongest signal possible on both bands
5 kW SSB and CW rated - unparalleled reliability
Instant automatic band switching
DX Engineering Adjustable Matching Network configures the lowest SWR
Broad 2:1 SWR bandwidth - 400 kHz on 40m, 300 kHz on 80m
Lowest possible take-off angle reduces domestic QRM signals
High Strength Pivoting Fixture - US Patent No. 8,130,168
Ultra-rugged construction starts with 3 inch OD Aircraft Grade heavy wall tubing
Self supporting - will withstand steady-state winds in excess of 50 mph without guying
(guying required under extreme wind speed conditions)
Extremely high strength heavy wall tubing made to DX Engineering specifications
Massive Extren® channel insulator

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The optional DXE-VRW-1 Manual Winch for easy one-person raising and lowering of the antenna
is available from DX Engineering. You can move the DXE-VRW-1 winch between similar
antennas in a multi-antenna installation.
This antenna system requires a heavy duty mounting pipe. Recommended installation should
provide up to 3" OD heavy wall galvanized steel pipe set in concrete. Schedule 80 pipe that is called
2-1/2" has an outside diameter of 2.875" is recommended. 36" of the mounting pipe should extend
above ground level. Depth of the mounting hole and amount of concrete is dependent on local soil
type, condition and antenna guying.
WARNING!
INSTALLATION OF ANY ANTENNA NEAR POWER LINES IS DANGEROUS
Warning:Do not locate the antenna near overhead power lines or other electric light or power
circuits, or where it can come into contact with such circuits. When installing the antenna, take
extreme care not to come into contact with such circuits, because they may cause serious injury or
death.
Overhead Power Line Safety
Before you begin working, check carefully for overhead power lines in the area you will be
working. Don't assume that wires are telephone or cable lines: check with your electric utility for
advice. Although overhead power lines may appear to be insulated, often these coverings are
intended only to protect metal wires from weather conditions and may not protect you from electric
shock
Keep your distance! Remember the 10-foot rule: When carrying and using ladders and other long
tools, keep them at least 10 feet away from all overhead lines - including any lines from the power
pole to your home.
Tools Required
Two 9/16" wrenches, (one of them should be open-end)
One 7/16" open end wrench
Two 3/4" wrenches
Medium size flat blade screwdriver or 5/16" nut driver for the element clamps
Tape measure
Felt-tip marker
Small Phillips Head Screwdriver

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Manual Updates and Information
Every effort is made to supply the latest manual revision with each product. Occasionally a manual
will be updated between the time your DX Engineering product is shipped and when you receive it.
Please check the DX Engineering web site (www.dxengineering.com) for the latest revision manual.
Please - Take the time to read the entire manual before you start assembly. There are plenty of
pictures and drawings to see, and if you read the entire manual first, you'll get a better feel for the
overall construction methods described. Assembly is not difficult, but there are a number of parts
that must go together in a certain sequence to make assembly easier.
Installation Sequence
1. Site Selection
2. Mounting Pipe
3. Coaxial Cable to Mounting Pipe
4. Radial System
5. Pivot Base Assembly (US Patent No. 8,130,168)
6. Mounting Pivot Base to Mounting Pipe
7. Antenna Assembly
8. Tuning
Site Selection
Select a mounting location clear from power lines, structures and other antennas by a minimum of
65 feet (55 + 10 ft. safety rule). Consider overhead power lines, utility cables and wires. The
further away the vertical is mounted from local noise sources or other metallic objects, which can
re-radiate noise and affect the tuning, radiation pattern and SWR, the better. Determine the direction
you want the antenna to pivot and make sure there is adequate clearance (at least 65 feet).
Mounting Pipe
Use a customer supplied 2-1/2" schedule 80 galvanized steel thick-walled mounting pipe at least
7-1/2 feet long. The 2-1/2" schedule 80 galvanized steel pipe will have an outside diameter of
2.895". This will allow 4-1/2 feet below ground and 3 feet above ground.
Some manufacturers use the term DOM (drawn over mandrel) which will give you a true OD
dimension. Other types of mounting pipe may be used but due to lateral strength needed ensure the
mounting pipe is strong enough. The material most available is ASTM A513 Type 5 which is a
1020 material. Some pipe suppliers list the material as either 1020 or 1026. Type 1020 has the
following properties:
ASTM A513 (1020): Up to 2-3/4" OD with maximum wall thickness of 0.125"
Tensile: 80,000 PSI. Yield: 70,000 PSI. Elongation in 2": 15%. Rockwell Hardness: B80

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ASTM A513 (1020): Over 2-3/4" OD with wall thickness heavier than 0.125"
Tensile: 70,000 PSI. Yield: 60,000 PSI. Elongation in 2": 20%. Rockwell Hardness: B80
The following sizes of 65,000 PSI yield tubing are also suggested:
2.50" OD x 0.375" wall thickness
2.50" OD solid bar
3.00" OD x 0.25" wall thickness
Depending on your geographic location, various dealers should be able to supply the mounting post
you specify. The following dealers can supply DOM tubing: (Other dealers in your area may be a
better choice.) On Line Metal Store: www.onlinemetals.com
Speedy Metals: www.speedymetals.com
Metals Depot: www.metalsdepot.com
Note: DX Engineering does not recommend or endorse any specific vendor.
This mounting pipe must be permanently mounted in the ground, preferably in a concrete base 2
feet by 2 feet by 4 feet deep (with gravel below for drainage). The antenna system requires this type
of mounting to help withstand the lateral forces present on
the antenna during wind conditions and when operating the
pivot function. Make the hole deep enough to
accommodate at least 4 feet of pipe and 4 to 6 inches of
gravel at the bottom for drainage. Set the mounting pipe on
the gravel, use the concrete to fill around the pipe per the
concrete instructions. Fill the hole until the concrete is level
with the ground around it. Use a level on the mounting pipe
as you fill the hole to be sure the mounting pipe is
vertically straight.
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.
Coaxial Cable to Mounting Pipe
The coaxial cable should be routed to the base of the antenna system and be buried below the radial
system. PVC Conduit pipe may be used to house the coaxial cable. Bury the cable 6" to 12" below
ground level.

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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, 32 radials, each 65 feet long, should be used with
this antenna. DXE-RADW Radial Wire, a 14 gauge stranded copper
with a black relaxed PVC insulation wire is suggested for the best
results.
The wire radials should placed as symmetrically as possible straight
from the feedpoint around the vertical antenna and spaced evenly,
regardless of how many radials are used. Do not cross or bunch any
radial wires as this nullifies their effectiveness. 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 feedpoint.
Radial wires can be laid on the roots of the grass using 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 it will be virtually impossible to see
them. An article describing this process is available on 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 Notes
Note: DXE-P8A Penetrox™A Anti-Oxidant should be used between all antenna element
sections. Penetrox™ A is an electrical joint compound to affect a substantial
electrical connection between metal parts such as telescoping aluminum tubing or
other antenna pieces. It ensures high conductivity at all voltage levels by displacing
moisture and preventing corrosion or oxidation.
Note: UMI-81343 Never-Seez® or DXE-NSBT8 Anti-Seize should be used on all clamps,
bolts and stainless steel threaded hardware to prevent galling and to ensure proper
tightening.

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Note: The following assembly instructions are based on using a customer supplied
2.895" OD Mounting Pipe, with the optional DXE-VR-1 Manual Winch,
optional DXE-RADP-3 Radial Plate, optional DXE-363-SST Bulkhead
Connector and the optional DXE-7580-THK Capacity Hat Assembly.
Radial Plate to Mounting Pipe
Place the optional DXE-RADP-3 Radial Plate over the 2.895" OD mounting pipe. Connections to
the antenna will be made via the optional DXE-363-SST bulkhead fitting SO-239 socket connector.
The DXE-RADP-3 Radial Plate comes with 20 sets of stainless steel hardware for mounting the
radial wires. It is suggested that 32 radial each 65 feet long be used, therefore additional DXE-
RADP-1HWK Radial Plate Wire Attachment Hardware Kits will be required.
Optional DXE-RADP-3 Radial Plate Mounted to a 3" OD Mounting Pipe

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Attaching Ground Radial Wires to the Radial Plate
Using the 20 sets of supplied 1/4" stainless steel hardware (Bolt, Star Washer, Flat Washer, Split
Washer, Nut) connect the optional ground radial wires to the DXE-RADP-3 Radial Plate as shown
below. Additional hardware kits are available (DXE-RADP-1HWK) that contain 20 sets of Radial
Plate Hardware.
There are optional DX Engineering Radial Wire Kits available. DXE-RADW-500K/BD contains a
500 foot spool of 14 gauge copper stranded wire with black PVC insulation, 20 Terminal Lugs and
100 Steel or Biodegradable Lawn Staples. The DXE-RADW-1000K/BD Radial Wire Kit contains
a 1,000 foot spool of 14 gauge copper stranded wire with black PVC insulation, 40 Terminal Lugs
and 200 Steel or Biodegradable Lawn Staples. RADW-20RT, -32RT or -65RT contain 20 each
radial wires with 1/4" terminal attached. These kits come in 20 Ft, 32 Ft or 65 Ft lengths.
Depending on the number of radial wires used, space them out evenly around the Radial Plate. The
Radial Plate will accommodate up to 60 radial wires (60 laser drilled holes), or up to 120 radials if
doubled up.
Radial Wire Pattern
Radial Wire Hardware Installation

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Overall Pivot Base
(US Patent No. 8,130,168)
Assembly Drawing
The exploded
view drawing
is for reference
and shows the
overall
Pivot Base
Assembly.