ESCO Technologies ETS-LINDGREN 3159C User manual

Model 3159C
High-Power
Biconical Antenna
User Manual

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ETS-Lindgren Inc. reserves the right to make changes to any products herein to
improve functioning or design. Although the information in this document has
been carefully reviewed and is believed to be reliable, ETS-Lindgren does not
assume any liability arising out of the application or use of any product or circuit
described herein; nor does it convey any license under its patent rights nor the
rights of others. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
© Copyright 2005–2020 by ETS-Lindgren Inc. All Rights Reserved. No part
of this document may be copied by any means without written permission
from ETS-Lindgren Inc.
Trademarks used in this document: The ETS-Lindgren logo is a trademark of
ETS-Lindgren Inc.
Revision Record
MANUAL,3159C HIGH POWER BI-CONICAL ANT | Part #399775, Rev. D
Revision Description Date
A Initial Release November, 2005
B Rebrand November, 2008
C Update specifications February, 2018
D Update specifications, add
extension information
July, 2020

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Table of Contents
Notes, Cautions, and Warnings................................................ v
1.0 Introduction .......................................................................... 7
ETS-Lindgren Product Information Bulletin ...................................................8
2.0 Maintenance ......................................................................... 9
Annual Calibration .........................................................................................9
Service Procedures .......................................................................................9
3.0 Specifications..................................................................... 11
Electrical Specifications ...............................................................................11
Physical Specifications ................................................................................11
Model 3159C Antenna .........................................................................11
Model 3159C Pedestal ........................................................................12
4.0 Mounting Instructions ....................................................... 13
Mounting the Balun Unit ..............................................................................13
Mounting the Biconical Elements.................................................................14
Adjusting the Tube Extensions ....................................................................15
5.0 Operation ............................................................................ 17
Model 3159C Pedestal ................................................................................17
Electrical Field Distribution ..........................................................................17
Calibration Data ...........................................................................................18
Typical Antenna Factor at 6M..............................................................18
Calculated Forward Power at 3.5M .....................................................18
VSWR ..................................................................................................19

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Notes, Cautions, and Warnings
Note: Denotes helpful information intended to
provide tips for better use of the product.
Caution: Denotes a hazard. Failure to follow
instructions could result in minor personal injury
and/or property damage. Included text gives proper
procedures.
Warning: Denotes a hazard. Failure to follow
instructions could result in SEVERE personal injury
and/or property damage. Included text gives proper
procedures.
See the ETS-Lindgren Product Information Bulletin for safety,
regulatory, and other product marking information.

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Introduction |7
1.0 Introduction
The ETS-Lindgren Model 3159C High-Power Biconical Antenna is a
broadband, linearly polarized biconical antenna with a 20 MHz to 100 MHz
frequency range. This antenna exhibits a wide beamwidth and is designed to
handle up to 10 kW input power for generating high electric field strength over a
large uniform area.
The standard
configuration for the
Model 3159C consists
of:
Two open-end
biconical elements
High-power balun
Pedestal with
polarization control
The pedestal allows antenna height and tilt-angle to be easily adjusted, plus
features a wheeled base so that the antenna can be rolled out of the chamber
and stored when not in use. Slots below the base allow for easy transport with a
pallet jack or forklift. Horizontal and vertical polarization rotation is performed by
a toggle switch on the back. The air valve assembly for pneumatic polarization is
mounted onto the mast. The base is a steel plate covered in 137 ferrite tiles.
Each tile has a 10 mm hole in its center.
Biconical
elements (2)
(shown with
extensions)
Pneumatic
assisted
polarization
cylinder
Casters
Balun unit
Ferrite floor

8 | Introduction
Unlike the top hat, capacitive-loaded, log periodic dipole antenna normally used
in this frequency range, the phase center/source distance is the same for low and
high frequencies. This ensures high field strength at frequencies as low as
20 MHz. The design of the Model 3159C takes advantage of the wide beamwidth
feature of a biconical antenna. In addition, the optimized design provides
low VSWR and high radiation efficiency.
ETS-Lindgren Product Information Bulletin
See the ETS-Lindgren Product Information Bulletin included with your shipment
for the following:
Safety, regulatory, and other product marking information
Steps to receive your shipment
Steps to return a component for service
ETS-Lindgren calibration service
ETS-Lindgren contact information

Maintenance |9
2.0 Maintenance
Before performing any maintenance,
follow the safety information in the
ETS-Lindgren Product Information
Bulletin included with your shipment.
Maintenance of the Model 3159C is
limited to external components such as
cables or connectors.
If you have any questions concerning
maintenance, contact ETS-Lindgren
Customer Service.
Check all screws periodically and tighten any that are loose.
Check the air filters weekly; more often, as necessary. The air used to
feed the cylinder must be free of dirt and moisture. Never allow the air
filters to fill with water.
Lubricate all O-rings and pistons at 18-month intervals to prevent
excessive wear. The air cylinder uses a special O-ring lubricant that
can be purchased from any seal or bearing store or from
ETS-Lindgren.
Annual Calibration
See the Product Information Bulletin included with your shipment for information
on ETS-Lindgren calibration services.
Service Procedures
For the steps to return a system or system component to ETS-Lindgren for
service, see the Product Information Bulletin included with your shipment.
WARRANTY

10 | Maintenance
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Specifications |11
3.0 Specifications
Electrical Specifications
Frequency: 20 MHz–100 MHz
Input Impedance: 50 Ω
VSWR: Typical—2:1
Maximum—4:1
Average RF Input Power: 10 kW
Maximum RF Input Power: 15 kW
RF Connector: 1 5/8 in EIA flange
Physical Specifications
MODEL 3159C ANTENNA
Length: 5.4 m (17.7 ft)
Length without extension: 3.6 m (11.8 ft)
Length with one extension: 4.5 m (14.8 ft)
Length with both extensions: 5.4 m (17.7 ft)
Diameter: 2.4 m (7.9 ft)
Weight without extensions: 12.7 kg (28 lbs)
Weight with one extension: 14.06 kg (31 lbs)
Weight with both extensions: 15.42 kg (34 lbs)

12 | Specifications
MODEL 3159C PEDESTAL
Length: 4.47 m (14.7 ft)
Width: 160 cm (63 in)
Total height with antenna: 6.52 m (21.42 ft)
Weight (without antenna): 272.16 kg (600 lbs)
Air Pressure Required: 80–120 PSI
FERRITE FLOOR
Length: 130 cm (51.18 in)
Width: 150.01 cm (59.06 in)
Individual tiles: 100 mm x 100 mm x 6.7 mm
(3.94 in x 3.94 in x 0.26 in)
Weight: 113.40 kg (250 lbs)

Mounting Instructions |13
4.0 Mounting Instructions
Before connecting any components, follow the
safety information in the ETS-Lindgren
Product Information Bulletin included with your
shipment.
Do not cross thread connections or permanent damage could occur.
Mounting the Balun Unit
Due to the size of the Model 3159C biconical elements, you must
mount the balun unit onto the pedestal prior to attaching the elements.
1. Align mounting channels to pedestal and fasten with stud and nuts.
2. Align balun to mounting channels and firmly secure with hex bolt, lock
washer, and nut.
Align threaded holes on balun
with holes on boom; then insert
knobs.

14 | Mounting Instructions
Mounting the Biconical Elements
1. Once the balun
unit is securely
connected to the
boom, align the
threads on one
of the biconical
elements with
the receptacle on
the end of the
balun, and then
turn the biconical
element until it is
firmly seated in
the balun.
2. Tighten bolt to secure element.
3. Repeat steps for the remaining biconical element.
4. Once both elements are connected, attach the input cable to the connector
on the bottom of the balun.
Insert element
into balun socket
Tighten bolt to
secure element

Mounting Instructions |15
Adjusting the Tube Extensions
Each side has a main tube with two (2) screw on extensions.
1. To add and adjust the extensions, screw them onto the elements.
2. To remove the extensions, unscrew them from the elements.
Element Extensions

16 | Mounting Instructions
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Operation |17
5.0 Operation
Before connecting any components or
operating the Model 3159C, follow the safety
information in the ETS-Lindgren
Product Information Bulletin included with your
shipment.
The Model 3159C High-Power Biconical Antenna has a 4:1 Guanella balun for
matching the impedance to the amplifier. The balun maintains a low operating
temperature due to the efficient radiation pattern and high power design.
Model 3159C Pedestal
To prevent damage to the cables, you must
disconnect the RF cables from the Model 3159C
before polarization or movement of the
boresight feature.
The Model 3159C pedestal has one air cylinder that controls the polarization
movement of the antenna. The switch on the back of the pedestal toggles
air control. Boresight is accomplished manually.
Electrical Field Distribution
The Model 3159C may be used for both horizontal and vertical polarization. It
exhibits a dipole-like radiation pattern; for example, a toroidal shape with an
omnidirectional pattern in the H-plane. In a low frequency range such as 30 MHz
(wavelength l = 10 m), the equipment under test (EUT) is in the near field of the
antenna, allowing the antenna to behave as a field generator.

18 | Operation
Calibration Data
TYPICAL ANTENNA FACTOR AT 6M
CALCULATED FORWARD POWER AT 3.5M
A calculation was used to derive the forward power data once the six-meter
calibration was complete. The following equation was used to determine the
power required to generate the desired field strength at a given distance when
antenna factors are known:
𝑃𝑑𝐵󰇛𝑊󰇜20 log 10 [E desired (V/m)]
20 log 10 󰇛𝑑𝑚󰇜
20 log 10 󰇛𝑓𝑀𝐻𝑧󰇜
𝐴𝐹 𝑑𝐵󰇛𝑚1󰇜15
With this equation, you can calculate the forward power needed to generate
100 V/m at a given distance. Following is the performance for the Model 3159C
at 3.5m:

Operation |19
VSWR
VSWR taken August 2017