Dx engineering Dxe-aokc-17m User manual

17 Meter

Add-On Kit

for the Hustler

4/5/6-BTV

Vertical

Antennas

DXE-AOKC-17M

DXE-AOKC-17M-INS Revision 1

DXE-AOKC-17M

Installed on a BTV

 DX Engineering 2021

1200 Southeast Ave. - Tallmadge, OH 44278 USA

Phone: (800) 777-0703

Tech Support and International: (330) 572-3200

Fax: (330) 572-3279

E-mail: DXEngineering@DXEngineering.com

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The DX Engineering DXE-AOKC-17M kit adds 17 meter coverage to the Hustler BTV series of

vertical antennas without giving up any existing band coverage. This kit will operate across the

entire 17 meter band, 18.068 through 18.168 MHz. The DXE-AOKC-17M 17 Meter Add-On Kit

has a very wide SWR bandwidth, so adjustment of the tuning rods is typically not critical. The

minimum SWR will vary from as low as 1.2:1 to over 1.6:1, depending upon several variables. Even

if the minimum SWR is over 100 kHz away from the 17 meter band, the resulting SWR in the band

is typically very low. Therefore, precise adjustment isn’t necessary.

The DXE-AOKC-17M 17 Meter Add-On Kit is rated at 1,500 watts PEP SSB, 1,000 watts CW and

is conservatively rated for RF power handling of 375 watts RTTY and Digital modes including

FT8, at antenna SWR of 2:1 and below.

Installation of the DXE-AOKC-17M can have the effect of narrowing the SWR bandwidth of 20,

15 and 10 meters, a reasonable trade-off for adding the extra band. After the DXE-AOKC-17M is

installed and tuned, any required shift of the usable SWR frequency ranges on those bands is

accomplished by trap sleeve repositioning on the respective band trap. SWR may be optimized for

CW and digital or SSB segments by careful trap sleeve tuning adjustments.

The frequency of lowest SWR on 17 meters is affected by the presence and tuning of the DXE-

VMN-1 Vertical Matching Network, which is required for 40 and 80 meter impedance matching.

Adjustment of tuning rods will likely be required. Optimization of the SWR only for 40 meters, with

a VMN-1 coil tap point only a couple of turns from the bottom, will typically result in a lower

minimum SWR on 17 meters. However, if both 80 and 40 meter operation is desired, then it is best

to favor 80 meters by setting resonance to an 80 meter frequency with the resonator whip length,

then adjusting the SWR to around 1.5:1 with a coil tap point above the middle turns of the DXE-

VMN-1 coil. This approach results in an elevated SWR minimum on 17 and 40 meters between

1.5:1 to 2:1 or above. Even so, the antenna is usable at full mode rated power on all bands. Keep in

mind that a 1.5:1 SWR represents only 4% reflected power and a 2:1 SWR represents only about

10% reflected power. Completely normal operations are possible at these modestly elevated SWR

levels, using a tuner when required by the transceiver or amplifier.

IMPORTANT: Running a continuous carrier power mode (FT8, AM, RTTY) on any band on

which the antenna has a trap, will create an accumulation of heat inside the trap windings,

depending upon power level and keying cycle times. When a high level of RF continues to be

applied to a trap or coil that has not sufficiently cooled, irreparable damage will occur. Aside from

conducting operations that do not interfere with others, this is a very practical reason why RF power

output must be limited to a level that accomplishes communications, when using coil loaded and

trap antennas. Typically, antenna coils and trap components cannot be operated above a 3:1 SWR.

Before operating at any power level, the antenna SWR at the operating frequency MUST be

checked. This is especially important if high power operation is planned. This test does not include

whether or not a tuner can tune an existing high SWR. The actual antenna SWR needs to be

double-checked. The presence of fog, rain, frost, and unknown damage or impediments, such as a

tree branch, can cause a drastic shift in the antenna system SWR curve. Simply beginning to operate

without checking the antenna SWR, especially just starting to operate on an antenna of unknown

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SWR with an automatic tuner and at high power levels, can cause irreparable damage to any and all

components of the system, including traps, tuners, amplifiers and transceivers which is not covered

under warranty.

WARNING: STOP TRANSMITTING if the SWR on any antenna rises dramatically, especially

on a trap or resonator band. Damage to the trap or resonator may have occurred and will occur if a

high level of RF power is used for an extended period of time.

If your BTV is installed on the roof or in an elevated position, at least four resonant radials for 17

meters should be added (14 ft. each).

Your BTV can have both the DXE-AOKC-17M - 17 Meter add-on-kit and the DXE-AOKB-12M

12 Meter add-on-kit installed at the same time. Mount them 180 degrees apart from each other.

Included Parts

Pre-assembled 17 Meter element wire with #10 soldered ring terminals

Four Stainless Steel Band Clamps with Threaded Studs

Bottom Aluminum Mounting Bracket

Spring loaded End Insulator to keep the 17 Meter element wire snug

Upper Insulated Mounting Bracket

Custom 17 Meter Coil assembly

Two 14” long Tuning Rods with Corona Balls

All Stainless Steel Hardware

Scotch-Brite®Pad for cleaning the 17 Meter element connections

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Parts List NOTE: Extra hardware parts are included in the kit

DXE-AOKC-17M 17 Meter add-on Kit

Drawing #

Quantity

Description

#10-24 Hex Nut, Stainless Steel

#10 Split Washer, Stainless Steel

#10 Flat Washer, Stainless Steel

AOK-17M Lower Bracket, 5052 Aluminum

#10 External Tooth Washer, Stainless Steel

1-1/4” ECLS - Studded Band Clamp, Stainless Steel

#10-24 Hex Nut, Nyloc, Stainless Steel

Element Spring, Stainless Steel

End Insulator, DX Engineering

3/8” OD, 1/4” Thick, Spacer, Aluminum

11 (ref)

Scotch-Brite®Cleaning Pad

Element Wire, 14awg, approx. 107”, Teflon, Blk, w/#10 Ring Terminals soldered

AOK 17M Upper Bracket, HDPE Star Board, Black

#10-24 x 3/4” long, Carriage Bolt, Stainless Steel

#10-24 x 1” long, Carriage Bolt, Stainless Steel

AOK-17M Tuning Rod Bracket, Aluminum

AOK-17M Coil Bracket, HDPE Star Board, Black

AOK-17 Meter Coil, Aluminum

#10-24 x 1”, Hex Bolt, Stainless Steel

Tuning Rods, 14.375”, Stainless Steel, with Large Corona Ball

#10 x 1” OD Fender Washer, Stainless Steel

#10-24 Wing Nut, Stainless Steel

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DXE-AOKC-17M

Exploded

Parts

Drawing

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DXE-AOKC-17M

Assembled

Parts

Drawing

Required Tools and Parts - Not Included

5/16”and 3/8” Nut Driver

Flat Blade Screwdriver

Pliers

Jet Lube SS-30 Pure Copper Anti-Seize JTL-12555

Jet-Lube SS-30 Pure Copper Anti-Seize is the choice of engineers and technicians in government, industry and leading

Amateur Radio contest stations, for protecting mechanical assemblies of aluminum tubing, general hardware and copper

grounding systems. On bonded metal surfaces Jet-Lube SS-30 assures electrical and RF conductivity while preventing

oxidation and corrosion. Surpassing the capabilities of other aluminum anti-oxidants, the wide temperature range of Jet-

Lube SS-30 prevents long-term drying and caking, and allows easy disassembly and effortless cleaning of parts.

Suggested Parts - Not Included

Ruggedized BTV Reinforced Lower Tube DXE-RLT

Build or refurbish any Hustler BTV antenna to be stronger with a DX Engineering Ruggedized BTV Reinforced Lower

Tube. The DXE-RLT double-wall aluminum tube is stronger than the original single-wall tube, and it works on all BTV

Series antennas, new and old. It is overall 72 in. so it is direct replacement; it takes the place of the original Hustler BTV

antenna 72 in. lower tube (HSR-4087-1).

OMNI-TILT™ Vertical Antenna Tilt Base DXE-OMNITILT-1P

Due to the design of the 17 meter and 12 meter add-on-kits for the BTV series antennas, the OMNI-TILTTM Base is

desired rather than the DXE-TB-3P style Tilt Base. If the DXE-TB-3P is used, the clamps holding the lower bracket

assembly must be removed to allow the tilting action to be performed. The DX Engineering OMNI-TILT™ Vertical

Antenna Tilt Bases are a completely new design that incorporates features that make this Tilt Base a 'must have' for all

types of vertical antennas. NOTE: The OMNI-TILT™ REQUIRES two (2) optional DXE-OTMC-250P clamps to attach

the non-tilt part of OMNI-TILT™ to a Mounting Pipe, 1-1/4 to 2-1/2 inches OD.

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Assembly

Before you start installation, use an antenna analyzer to measure the SWR for each band in your Hustler BTV

and record those measurements. If the antenna needs to be tuned, do it prior to installing this add-on kit to

ensure installation is not a cause of radical de-tuning of your antenna. This will assure your antenna is

working properly before adding the 17 meter kit. When installing stainless steel hardware, JTL-12555 Jet-

Lube SS-30 must be used to prevent thread galling on stainless steel and ensure ideal RF coupling between

parts.

When mounting the assembled DXE-AOKC-17M to the antenna, You can either tilt the antenna down or

remove the antenna from the existing base and use a table to lay the antenna on. Installation of the parts is

straight forward and easy to accomplish.

The following assembly procedure is just one suggestion for the installation of the 17 meter add-on-kit. You

may vary from this sequence as you see fit as long as the measurements and hardware stack-ups are followed.

Refer to the exploded assembly drawing for reference when assembling the AOKC-17M kit.

1. Assemble the two element clamps (6) to the upper bracket (13) using four flat washers (3), two

split washers (2) and two hex nuts (1) as shown.

2. At the other end of the upper bracket (13) install the tuning rod bracket (16) using two 3/4” long

carriage bolts (14), two flat washers (3), two split washers (2) and two hex nuts (1) as shown.

Tighten the hardware in place until the carriage bolts press flush to the surface of the upper

bracket assembly.

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3. Install the wing nut (22), split washer (2), large flat washer (21) and carriage bolt (14) to the

tuning rod bracket (16) as shown. Just snug the hardware in place so it won’t come loose,

4. Check the 17 Meter coil (18) ends to verify they are in line with the coil. If they are slightly

bent, you can use pliers to gently and carefully bend them into place. The coil is made from

aluminum so it is easy to bend.

5. Attach the 17 Meter coil (18) to the upper bracket (13) using the coil bracket (17), 1” long

carriage bolt (15), external tooth washer (5), flat washer (3), split washer (2) and hex nut (1) as

shown.

6. Carefully and evenly stretch the coil (18) to fit the coil bracket (17). At the bottom of the coil

bracket (17) attach the bottom of the coil (18) using the 1” long hex bolt (19), flat washer (3),

external tooth washer (5), flat washer (3), split washer (2) and hex nut (1) as shown.

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7. Attach two element clamps (6) to the lower bracket (4) using an external tooth washer (5), flat

washer (3), split washer (2) and hex nut (1) as shown.

Note: If you are also installing the DXE-AOKB-12M 12 Meter Add-on-kit, the lower brackets

will be both mounted to the same studded band clamps. When installing the two lower

brackets add an external tooth washer (5) on each studded band clamp between the two

mounting brackets to ensure good electrical connection.

8. Assemble the wire insulator (9) using the 1” hex bolt (19). flat washers (3), split washer (2), hex

nut (1), spring (8) and nyloc hex nut (7) as shown below. Note the side of the insulator that has

the cupped area. The spacer (10) is inserted in the large hole in the insulator. When attaching the

spring (8) and nyloc hex nut (7), allow a gap to permit the spring to swivel in place.

5. On end of the lower bracket (4) loosely install the 1” hex bolt (19), flat washers (3), split washer

(2) and nylock hex nut (7) as shown.. Note install the nyloc nut (7) just snug at this point. It

will be tightened when the element wire is installed.

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6. Attach one end of the approximately 107” 17 Meter element wire with terminal (12) to the lower

insulator assembly as shown below. Fold the wire so there is approximately 10” of wire in a

loop. Note carefully how the wire is routed through the insulator in reference to the

insulator’s cupped area. When you have completed the wire installation, you want

approximately 8” of wire as shown below. You can make adjustments to the wire positioning as

needed before continuing to the next step in the assembly.

Element wire shown as White for clarification - actual color is Black

Element wire shown as Red for clarification - actual color is Black

7. Remove the previously installed nyloc hex nut (7), attach the black element wire with terminal

(12) to the lower bracket (4) as show below. Insert the end of the spring (8), re-attach the nyloc

hex nut (7) and tighten. Allow a small gap so the spring can still rotate.

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9. Connect the other end of the element wire (12) to the bottom of the coil bracket (17) using an

external tooth washer (5), split washer (2) and hex nut (1) as shown below.

10. Install the tuning rods (20) evenly placed to the upper assembly. Slightly loosen the wing nut

(22) and slip the rods under the large flat washer (21) in the grooves that are in the tuning rod

bracket. Tighten in place. The final rod lengths will be adjusted during tuning.

11. The drawing shown below is the completed 17 Meter AOKC assembly for reference.

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12. Use the included Scotch-Brite®pad to clean the aluminum surface of the BTV base where the

lower bracket assembly with the two clamps will be positioned - approximately 1” above the

bottom edge of the BTV Base as shown below. Remove the warning label if it is in the way.

Ensure there is no sticky residue left over from the removed label. Use a small amount of Jet-

Lube SS-30 over this cleaned area just prior to installing the two clamps. Position the assembly

so the spacing between the lower bracket and the BTV base bracket as shown below. Tighten the

clamps in place with the bracket horizontal as compared to the BTV base as shown.

13. Position the upper assembly on the BTV 12” above the 10 Meter Trap as shown so the lower

bracket spring is just slightly putting pressure on the element wire. Not tugging on it excessively

or the antenna may get a “tilt’if the spring has too much tension. Tighten the two element

clamps in place. The Upper and lower assemblies should be in alignment with each other. The

element wire should be snug with the spring just slightly holding it in place.

14. Re-mount (or tilt up) the complete antenna to the tilt base (depending if it was removed or just

tilted down).

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The photograph below shows the DXE-AOKC-17M 17 Meter Add-on-kit installed on a Hustler

BTV Antenna.

The BTV antenna is mounted to an optional DXE-OMNITILT-1P Tilt Base.

Other options shown installed include:

DXE-VMN-1 Vertical Antenna Matching Network used for 80 and 40 meter tuning.

DXE-AOK-DCF Direct Coax Fee Add-on-kit for the BTV antenna and a DX Engineering

coaxial cable jumper connected between the DXE-AOK-DCF and a DXE-UHF-FDFB-KIT

SecureMount™ Bulkhead Connector.

DXE-RADP-3 Radial Plate and radial wires.

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Tuning

Installation of the DXE-AOKC-17M can have the effect of narrowing the SWR bandwidth of 20, 15

and 10 meters, a reasonable trade-off for adding the extra band. After the DXE-AOKC-17M is