DX Engineering DXE-VE-BASE User manual

Vertical Antenna Fixed Base Assembly
DXE-VE-BASE
DXE-VE-BASE-INS Rev. 4b
(DXE-VE-BASE shown with customer supplied mounting pipe and antenna section)
© DX Engineering 2010
P.O. Box 1491 · Akron, OH 44309-1491 USA
Phone: [phone] · Tech Support and International: [phone]
Fax: [phone] · E-mail: [email protected]

- 1 -
Introduction
The DXE-VE-BASE Insulated Vertical Antenna Base with its supplied 2 inch U-Bolt Saddle
Clamps is intended to support a 2 inch OD antenna base section in a fixed vertical position.
Features:
•Rugged 1/4" thick aluminum mounting plate
•Upgradable to tilt base operation
•Massive fiberglass insulating channel - not slit PVC pipe
•Stainless steel saddle clamps, not muffler clamps, firmly grip antenna
•Can withstand maximum+ power, and high voltage from multiband operation
•
For heavy duty applications, or if your antenna height will exceed 30-43 feet, the DXE-VA-BASE
with its easy tilt-over mounting plate is recommended for ease of installation and lowering.
The DXE-VE-BASE consists of a unique reinforced fiberglass insulating channel which has twice
the strength of commonly used nylon and other insulating materials. It is fastened with stainless
steel hardware to a rugged 1/4 inch thick aluminum mounting plate. The aluminum mounting plate
may be bolted to a secure flat mounting surface, or to the recommended galvanized steel mounting
pipe (up to 1-3/4" OD) described in the installation instructions with two optional DXE-CAVS-1P
V-Bolt Saddle clamps. The standard 1-1/2" galvanized water pipe (with its 1.9" OD) is just fine for
this application and can usually be found at your local home building supply store.
The tilt-over feature may be subsequently added by ordering the DXE-TB-3P Stainless Steel Tilt
Base Assembly.
The aluminum mounting plate may be bolted to a secure flat mounting surface, or to the
recommended galvanized steel mounting pipe described in the installation instructions.
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.
Tools Required
3/8", and two 1/4" nut drivers or wrenches (SAE)

- 2 -
Parts Included
Description Quantity
Aluminum Mounting Plate 1
Mast Mount Insulated Channel 1
3/8" U-Bolt x 2" ID x 3.25" leg, Saddle & Hardware 2
1/4-20 x 2" Hex Head Bolt 4
1/4" Flat Washer 8
1/4" Split Washer 4
1/4-20 Hex Nut 4
Aluminum Spacer 4
Installation
Site Selection
Select a mounting location clear from power lines, structures and other antennas by a minimum of
your antenna height. 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.
Mounting Pipe
Use a thick-walled 1-3/4" OD galvanized steel mounting pipe at least 4 feet
long. This will allow approximately 2 feet or more to be below ground and
about 2 feet above ground. A thick-walled steel pipe 1-3/4" OD maximum is
recommended with a minimum thickness of 1/8" (1/4" preferred) should be
used. The standard 1-1/2" galvanized water pipe (with its 1.9" OD) is just fine
for this application and can usually be found at your local home building
supply store. 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.

- 3 -
Assembly
The DXE-VE-BASE shipping box contains an aluminum plate with eight holes, an insulated
channel, two U-Bolt assemblies and stainless steel hardware.
DXE-81343 Never-Seez or NSBT8 Anti-Seize should be used on all clamps, bolts and
stainless steel threaded hardware to prevent galling and to ensure proper tightening.
Attach the Aluminum
Mounting Plate to the Insulated
Channel using the 2" x 1/4"
Hex Bolts, 1/4" Flat Washers,
1/4" Split Washers, Aluminum
Spacers, and 1/4-20 Hex Nuts
as shown in Figure 1. Do not
over tighten to avoid crushing
the insulated channel.
Figure 1
The four spacers are required if you decide to install the optional DXE-TB-4P Tilt Base at a later
date. The spacers are being installed at on this assembly so they will not get lost.
The 2" OD base section of your
vertical antenna is installed to the
DXE-VE-Base assembly using the
two 2" OD x 3/8" threaded U-Bolt
Saddle Clamps as shown in Figure
2. When tightening, observe the split
washers. When they fully seat
(flatten out), the clamp is tight
enough. Any clamp should be
tightened evenly from side-to-side
with an equal amount of thread
above the nut.
Figure 2

- 4 -
Base Section to Mounting Pipe
If you are using the optional DXE-RAD31 Radial Plate, it must be installed on your mounting pipe
prior to installing the DXE-VE-Base.
Attach the completed DXE-VE-BASE to your ground mounting pipe using two optional
DXE-CAVS-1P Saddle Clamps, as shown in Figure 3. When tightening, observe the split washers.
When they fully seat (flatten out), the clamp is tight enough. Any clamp should be tightened evenly
from side-to-side with an equal amount of thread above the nut.
Rear View Front View
Shown without insulated Shown with customer supplied
channel for clarity Antenna Base Section and Feedpoint
Figure 3

- 5 -
When you decide to add the DXE-TB-3P Tilt Base, the DXE-VE-BASE can be easily installed.
With a DX Engineering DXE-TB-3P Tilt Base, operators can raise or lower their vertical antenna
in seconds while leaving the base plate securely attached to the mounting pipe or post. One person
can service the antenna. No more climbing ladders or removing brackets. Easily make repairs, tune
your vertical or lay your antenna down before bad weather hits. The DXE-TB-3P Tilt Base contains
all of the hardware needed to mount the DXE-VE-BASE.
Mating the VE-BASE to the Tilt Base
Refer to the Tilt Base
instructions for details
Figure 4 - DXE-VE-BASE shown mounted with the optional
DXE-TB-3P Tilt Base and the optional DXE-RADP-3 Radial Plate.

- 6 -
Optional Accessory Items
DXE-RADP-3 - Radial Plate, Stainless Steel with 20 Sets of SS Radial Attachment Hardware
The DX Engineering Radial Plate is meant for those of you that have or are building a quarter wave vertical antenna
and who want an easy, neat and effective way to connect those essential radial wires and the coax to your vertical
antenna for the lowest takeoff angle and strongest signals. DX Engineering Radial Plate is laser cut from tough
stainless steel so that it has smooth edges, won’t corrode and will always look good. You will be proud of how good
your installation looks. This plate will work perfectly with most commercially available vertical antennas such as
the Hutsler BTV series (4BTV thru the 6BTV), the SteppIR (BiggIR or SmallIR) or one of your own construction
DXE-TB-3P - Tilt Base Kit for Ground Mounted 1/4 Wave Vertical Antennas
The DX Engineering Tilt Base mounting plate enables operators to raise or lower an antenna in seconds while leaving
the base securely attached to the mounting post. With the Tilt Base, one person can service an antenna—no more
climbing ladders, or removing a bracket from the support post. Precision cut from 3/16 in. 304 Stainless Steel, this
mounting plate is virtually indestructible. Conveniently mounts to the same mast that you use for the antenna and
Radial Plate. Easily make repairs, tune your vertical, or lay your antenna down before bad weather hits with a DX
Engineering Tilt Base. Two DXE-CAVS-1P V-Clamps to secure the vertical antenna base to the Tilt Base are
included.
DXE-SSVC-2P - Stainless Steel V-Clamp for steel pipe, 2 inch V-bolt
This V-Clamp is made in one size that fits Steel tubing or pipe from 1" to 2'' OD as used in antenna construction.
The supplied V-bolt is long enough to attach tubing to thick plates and is made with anti-corrosive properties. The
special Stainless Steel saddle has serrated teeth will clamp to the pipe securely by biting into the surface. For this
reason, it is not recommended for softer aluminum tubing or pipe. Ideal for fastening a radial plate and antenna
mounting to a steel pipe.
•Used to clamp 1 to 2'' (O.D.) steel tubing or pipe
•Designed for attachments that don't require resistance to torque
•V-bolt and saddle made from high-strength 18-8* stainless steel
The use of an anti-seize compound is HIGHLY recommended to achieve proper torque and prevent galling.
DXE-CAVS-1P - V-Bolt Saddle Clamp, 0.51in. to 1.75 in. OD Applications
This V-Bolt Saddle Clamp is made in one size that fits tubing from 1/2" to 1-3/4'' OD as used in antenna construction.
The supplied V-bolt is long enough to attach tubing to thick plates and is made with anti-corrosive properties.
Designed for attachments that don't require resistance to torque
•V-bolt made from high-strength 18-8* stainless steel
•V-saddle cast from 535 aluminum with rippled surface
DXE-81343, NSBT8 - Anti-Seize & Never-Seez
An Anti-seize compound MUST be used on any Stainless Steel nuts, bolts, clamps or other hardware to prevent galling
and thread seizure. Any of these products can be used for this purpose.
*DXE-81343 Anti-Seize, 1 oz. Squeeze Tube
*DXE-81464 Anti-Seize, 8.5 oz. Aerosol Can
*DXE-NSBT8 Never-Seez, 8 oz. Brush Top
*DXE-NMBT8 Never-Seez, 8 oz. Brush Top, Marine Grade
* These products are limited to domestic UPS Ground shipping only

- 7 -
Technical Support
If you have questions about this product, or if you experience difficulties during the installation,
contact DX Engineering at [phone]. You can also e-mail us at:
[email protected]
For best service, please take a few minutes to review this manual before you call.
Manual Updates
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.
Warranty
All products manufactured by DX Engineering are warranted to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a
period of one (1) year from date of shipment. DX Engineering’s sole obligation under these warranties shall be to issue
credit, repair or replace any item or part thereof which is proved to be other than as warranted; no allowance shall be
made for any labor charges of Buyer for replacement of parts, adjustment or repairs, or any other work, unless such
charges are authorized in advance by DX Engineering. If DX Engineering’s products are claimed to be defective in
material or workmanship, DX Engineering shall, upon prompt notice thereof, issue shipping instructions for return to
DX Engineering (transportation-charges prepaid by Buyer). Every such claim for breach of these warranties shall be
deemed to be waived by Buyer unless made in writing. The above warranties shall not extend to any products or parts
thereof which have been subjected to any misuse or neglect, damaged by accident, rendered defective by reason of
improper installation, damaged from severe weather including floods, or abnormal environmental conditions such as
prolonged exposure to corrosives or power surges, or by the performance of repairs or alterations outside of our plant,
and shall not apply to any goods or parts thereof furnished by Buyer or acquired from others at Buyer’s specifications.
In addition, DX Engineering’s warranties do not extend to other equipment and parts manufactured by others except to
the extent of the original manufacturer’s warranty to DX Engineering. The obligations under the foregoing warranties
are limited to the precise terms thereof. These warranties provide exclusive remedies, expressly in lieu of all other
remedies including claims for special or consequential damages. SELLER NEITHER MAKES NOR ASSUMES ANY
OTHER WARRANTY WHATSOEVER, WHETHER EXPRESS, STATUTORY, OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS, AND NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO ASSUME
FOR DX ENGINEERING ANY OBLIGATION OR LIABILITY NOT STRICTLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
FOREGOING.
©DX Engineering 2010
DX Engineering®, DXE®, Hot Rodz™, Maxi-Core™, THUNDERBOLT™, Antenna Designer™, Yagi Mechanical™,
and Gorilla Grip™ Stainless Steel Boom Clamps, are trademarks of PDS Electronics, Inc. No license to use or
reproduce any of these trademarks or other trademarks is given or implied. All other brands and product names are the
trademarks of their respective owners.
Specifications subject to change without notice.