Hy-Gain VB-214FM User manual

308 Industrial Park Road
S
tar
k
v
ill
e,
MS
39759
USA
Ph: [phone] FAX: (662) 323-
VB-
214
FM
14 Elements 2-Meter Beam
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Figure 1
Overall View
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
This antenna is a 14-element, closed-spaced, two
meter beam. It features high forward gain associated
with a narrow beam width. It has an excellent front-to-
back ratio and is especially suited for DX contacts
where maximum gain and a narrow beam width is
re
q
uired.
The 214FM antenna now features stainless steel
hardware for all electrical and most mechanical
connections, and a boom-to-mast bracket that will fit
mast diameters up to 2 1/16 inches.

SPECIFICATIONS
Mechanical
Boom Length.......................………………………………………….................................15'6"(4.72 m)
Longest Element ....................…………………………………............................... 39 1/2" (1003 mm)
Turning Radius (maximum) .....…………………………………........................................ 95" (2.41 m)
Wind Survival ........…………………………………….......................................... 80 mph (129 kmph)
Mast Diameter.............………………………….................... 15/8" to 2 1/16" O.D. (41 mm to 52 mm)
Boom Diameter......…………………………………............................................ 1 1/4" O.D. (32 mm)
Wind Area ..............………………………..................... 1.65 sq. ft. (vertical), 1.28 sq. ft. (horizontal)
Net Wei
g
ht ...........................……………………………………........................... 5.5
p
ounds
(
2.5 k
g)
Electrical
Gain .........................…………………………………………................................. 15.2 dBi (13.0 dBd)
Front-to-Back Ratio .................…………………………………………....................................... 20 dB
Maximum SWR.....................................................…………………………………………….........2:1
Band Width . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 MHz
Maximum Power...............…………………………………........ 250 watts continuous, 500 watts P.E.P.
Impedance...................................………………………………………................. 50 ohms (with balun)
Half-Power Beam Width ......................……………………......... 35° (vertical, horizontal polarization)
Broadside Stackin
g
Distance .............………………......................... …………….12" max.
,
6'10" min.

INSTALLATION
This antenna fits a 2" O.D. mast. A 2" O.D.
galvanized pipe is recommended for a sturdy mast.
Mount the antenna in the clear. Surrounding objects-
particularly power lines and other objects of
considerable mass or length - are detrimental to the
p
erformance of the antenna.
WARNING
Do not allow any part of the antenna to touch
power line. This could cause severe burns or
fatal injuries.
Select the boom-to-mast backup plate (Item No. 6), the
boom-to-mast clamp (Item No. 5) and the four (4)
1/4"-20 x 3/4" bolts, 1/4" lockwashers and nuts (Item
Nos. 32, 33 & 34).
Place the boom-to-mast clamp on the boom as shown
in Figure 2. The front and rear boom sections should
meet in the middle of the boom-to-mast clamp. Use the
1/4"-20 x 3/4" bolts in the outside holes. Leave the
inside holes for the two (2) U-bolts, which will be used
later for mounting the mast. Select either the vertical or
horizontal mounting position. Adjust the boom
accordingly before tightening the bolts securely.
When mounting the 214FM with an HF beam antenna
on the same mast, the 214FM should be on top. If the
214FM is to be vertically polarized, separation of the
two antennas should be at least 2 feet. If the 214FM is
to be horizontally polarized, separation should be at
least 6 feet.
The mast, if metallic, should never be run completely
through the. plane of tire elements. A vertically
polarized 214FM may be mounted at the top of a
metallic mast as shown in Figure 1. Horizontally
p
olarized mountin
g
will not be affected b
y
the mast.
The antenna can be mounted either vertically or
horizontally for FM or SSB/CW operation respectively.
Circular polarization can be obtained by using two
yagis. For information about which polarization to use,
consult local Amateurs who use the frequencies you
desire.
Select 3/16" x 39 1/2" R1 aluminum rod (Item No. 7).
Use a pencil to place a mark at the center of the rod
(19 3/4" from either end). Place two more marks 5/8"
from each side of the center mark.
NOTE: Clamps shown in vertically-polarized
mounting configuration.
Place a #10-24 x 1 1/2" eyebolt (Item No. 27) into the
RI slot as shown in Figure 3. Slide the RI through the
holes and the eyebolt until the outer two marks on the
RI are visible on each side of the boom. Slip on an
aluminum half washer (Item No. 23), a lockwasher
(Item No. 30) and a #10 nut (Item No. 31). Tighten it
just enough to hold the rod securely. DO NOT
OVERTIGHTEN You should not be able to twist or
move the element if ti
g
htened enou
g
h.
STEP-BY-STEP ASSEMBLY
Remove the parts from the carton and check them
against the Parts List and the illustrations.

Figure 2
Boom-to-Mast Clamp Assembly

Figure 3
Element Assembly
Figure 4
Driven element assembly

Select the element-to-boom insulator (Item No. 21),
two sections of the 7/16" x 17 1/4" Driven element
(DE) (Item No. 3) and the beta rod (Item No. 4). See
Fi
g
ure 4.
Use the #10-24 x 2 1/2" bolt (Item No. 29) to fasten
the element-to-boom insulator to the boom. Refer to
Fi
gu
r
e
4
.
Use
a l
oc
k
w
a
s
h
e
r an
d
2 n
u
t
s
t
o
secu
r
e.
Select the rods from the table below. Mark the center
point on each rod, then make two more marks 5/8" on
either side of the center mark. Secure the elements to
the boom as shown in Figure 3. Be sure they are
oriented as shown. When all elements are installed,
loosen the boom-to-mast clamp then twist the front
boom to align the elements, then retighten the boom-
to-mast clamps.
Use the two (2) #10-24 x I I/2" bolts (Item No. 28) to
assemble the Driven Element as shown in Figure 4.
Pay particular attention to the connections of the beta
rod, balun and feedline. The beta rods will bend
slightly as the screw (item 26) is tightened.
Use the #10 x 3/8" screw (Item No. 26) to fasten the
beta rod shorting clip (Item No. 22) over the beta rod
as shown in Fi
g
ure 4.
Slip the two U-bolts (Item No. 35) into the boom-to-
mast bracket and fasten it to the mast securely. Use
black electrical tape or black tie-wraps to secure the
coax feedline and balun to the boom and to the mast.
Be sure to insulate any connections from the boom or
the mast. This completes the assembly procedures.
TUNING
Waterproof the coax connection with Coax-Seal® or
some similar substance. Install caplugs on the ends of
the boom and the Driven Element.
Coax-Seal is a registered trademark of Universal Electronics Inc.
Driven Element: SWR can be lowered to less than
1.2:1 at a desired frequency by carefully trimming the
driven element. Keep the element symmetrical by
cutting the same amount from each side. Typical SWR
curves and a cutting chart are shown in Figure 6. Each
installation is slightly different, so cut the driven
element for the lower SWR at your particular location.
Measure the SWR as close to the antenna as you can
for accurate results. The SWR should be measured
with the mast at right angles to the elements.
Element Description Length Item No.
D1 34 3/4" (883 mm) 8
D2 l34 5/8" (879 mm) 9
D3 34 1/2" (876 mm) 10
D4 34 3/8" (873 mm) 11
D5 34 1/4" (870 mm) 12
D6 34 1/8" (867 min) 13
D7 34" (864 mm) 14
D8
D9 33 33 7/8" (860 3/4" (857 mm) mm) 15 16
D 10 33 5/8" (854 mm) 17
D11 33 1/2" (851 mm) 18
D 12 33 3/8" (848 mm) 19
Element Table

Figure 6
VSWR and Cutting Chart
Figure 7
Vertically Polarized Broadside Stacking Configuration for FM Operation

STACKING
STACKINGSTACKING
STACKING
This antenna can be easily stacked for approximately
3 dB more gain each time the number of yagi is
doubled. Refer to Figures 7 and 8 for stacking and
p
hasin
g
harness cuttin
g
information.
The two phasing lines coming from the two antennas
to the "T" connector can be any odd multiple of one-
quarter wavelength in the 75-ohm transmission line.
See Figure 8.
NOTE: When phasing two antennas, the Driven
Element halves that are connected directly to the
phasing lines should be on the same side of the array
(
either to
p
or bottom
)
.
For detailed information on stacking more than two
yagis, please consult any current Amateur Handbook.
Figure 8
Coaxial Cable Length for Phasing
FOR OUR OVERSEAS CUSTOMERS: The United States uses American units of measurement. Please
see the information below for assistance in identifying the hardware and components supplied with the
product.
CONVERTING AMERICAN MEASUREMENTS TO METRIC
Use this scale to identify length of bolts, diameter of tubes, etc. The American inch (l") and foot (1')
can be converted to centimeters in this way.
1 inch (1") = 2.54 cm
1 foot (1') = 30.48 cm
Example: 42" x 2.54 = 106.7 cm

PARTS LIST
Item
No. Part No. Description Qty
1 170390 Boom, Rear, 1 1/4" x 93" (has extra hole for Beta Match) ........... 1
2 170387 Boom, Front, 1 1/4" x 93..................................... 1
3 175157 Driven Element. 7/16" x 17 114................................. 2
4 170389 Beta Rod, 2 1/2"...........................................1
5 385142-1 Clamp, Boom-to-Mast ...................................... 1
6 385144-1 Backup Plate, boom-to-Mast.................................. 1
7 160037 Rod, R1, aluminum, 3/16" x 39 1/2.............................. 1
8 160024 Rod, Dl, aluminum, 3/16" x 34 3/4.............................. 1
9 160025 Rod, D2, aluminum, 3/16" x 34 5/8.............................. 1
10 160026 Rod, D3, aluminum, 3/16" x 34 1/2.............................. 1
11 160027 Rod, D4, aluminum, 3/16" x 34 3/8"............................ 1
12 160028 Rod, D5, aluminum, 3/16" x 34 1/4.............................. 1
13 160029 Rod, D6, aluminum, 3/16" x 34 1/8.............................. 1
14 160030 Rod, D7, aluminum, 3/16" x 34................................ 1
15 160031 Rod, D8, aluminum, 3/16" x 33 7/8.............................. 1
16 160032 Rod, D9, aluminum, 3/16" x 33 3/4.............................. 1
17 160033 Rod, D10, aluminum, 3/16" x 33 5/8............................. 1
18 160034 Rod, D11, aluminum, 3/16" x 33 1/2............................. 1
19 160035 Rod, D12, aluminum, 3/16" x 33 3/8............................. 1
20 871704 Balun Assembly ........................................... 1
21 465420 Insulator (Driven Element-to-Boom)............................ 1
872072-1 Parts Pack 214S-1, Stainless Steel............................... 1
22 163266 Beta Clip ...............................................1
23 170376 Half Washer, aluminum.................................... 13
24 475639 Caplug, 7/16", with hole, black................................ 2
25 455630 Caplug, 1 1/4", black ...................................... 2
26 510670 Screw, pan head, #10 x 3/8", Type A .......................... 1
27 540065 Eyebolt, 5/16" #10-24 x 1 1/2................................ 13
28 500159 Bolt, hex head, #10-24 x 1 1/2................ . ............... 2
29 500164 Bolt, hex head, #10-24 x 2 1/2" .......... . ................... 1
30 565697 Lockwasher, internal, #10.................................. 21
31 554071 Nut, Hex, #10-24 ........................................ 20
32 505266 Bolt, hex head, 1/4"-20 x 3/4................................. 4
33 562961 Lockwasher, internal, 1/4.................................... 5
34 554099 Nut, hex, 1/4"-20 ......................................... 4
35 540067 U-bolt, 5/16"-18 x 3 5/8..................................... 2
36 564792 Lockwasher, split, 5/16...................................... 4
37 555747 Nut, hex, 5/16"-18 ........................................ 4

Hy-Gain Warrants to the original owner of this product, if manufactured by Hy-Gain
and purchased from an authorized dealer or directly from Hy-Gain to be free from
defects in material and workmanship for a period of 12 months for rotator products and
24 months for antenna products from date of purchase provided the following terms of
this warrant
y
are satisfied.
1. The purchaser must retain the dated proof-of-purchase (bill of sale, canceled check,
credit card or money order receipt, etc.) describing the product to establish the
validity of the warranty claim and submit the original or machine reproduction of
such proof of-purchase to Hy-Gain at the time of warranty service. Hy-Gain shall
have the discretion to deny warranty without dated proof-of-purchase. Any evidence
of alteration, erasure, or forgery shall be cause to void any and all warranty terms
immediately.
2.
Hy-Gain agrees to repair or replace at Hy-Gain’s option without charge to the
original owner any defective product under warranty, provided the product is
returned postage prepaid to Hy-Gain with a personal check, cashiers check, or
mone
y
order for $8.00 coverin
g
p
osta
g
e and handlin
g
.
3. Under no circumstances is Hy-Gain liable for consequential damages to
p
erson or
p
ro
p
ert
y
b
y
the use of an
y
H
y
-Gain
p
roducts.
4. Out-of-warranty Service: Hy-Gain will repair any out-of-warranty product
provided the unit is shipped prepaid. All repaired units will be shipped COD to
the owner. Repair charges will be added to the COD fee unless other
arran
g
ements are made.
5. This warranty is given in lieu of any other warranty expressed or implied.
6.
Hy-Gain reserves the right to make changes or improvements in design or
manufacture without incurring any obligation to install such changes upon any of
the products previously manufactured.
7. All H
y
-Gain
p
roducts to be serviced in-warrant
y
or out-of-warrant
y
should be
addressed to hy-gain, 308 Industrial Park Road,
Mississippi 39759, USA and must be accompanied by a letter describing
the problem in detail along with a copy of your dated proof-of-purchase.
8. This warranty gives you specific rights, and you may also have other rights which
vary from state to state.
LIMITED WARRANTY