Light Beam Antenna LBM-17M+20M User manual

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The Light Beam Multi-band Antenna
Model LBM - 17M+20M
Installation Instructions
Light Beam Multi-band Antenna Series
Model: LBM-17M+20M
W. A. Freiert – WB2LYL
The Light Beam Multi-band antenna is a compact, computer optimized, directional antenna with good gain and
excellent front to back ratio. The antenna has been optimized for operation at 30  above the ground.
Please read these Installation Instructions completely
before beginning installation of your antenna.
Check Your Delivery
Your Light Beam antenna has been shipped in one (1) box. Carefully
inspect the packaging for damage then unpack the antenna and note any
shipping damage. If any damage is found, contact the shipping carrier for
insurance coverage.
Parts Photographs
Boom Components Quantity
1.5” OD x 48” Tube 1
1.5” OD x 24” Tube 2
1.25” OD x 36” Tube 2
1.25” OD 0.058” x 36” Al. Tube 2
Note 1 1.125” OD 0.058” x 36” Al. Tube 2
1.0” OD x 48” Tube 2
1.0” OD 0.058” x 36” Al. Tube 1
0.75” OD x 12” Tube 2
0.5” OD x 12” Rod 2
Note 2 3/4”copper to 1/2” Elbow 2
Fig. 1
Note 1: The 1.125” Aluminum Tube is within the
1.250” Aluminum Tube.
Note 2: The Elbows and associated hardware
are pre-assembled in the 1.25” x 36” Fiberglass
Tubes.
Boom Components

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Note 3: 1.0” OD x 24” Tube and 0.75” OD x 6” Rod are
within the 1.25” OD x 48” Tube
Fig. 2
Element Components Quantity
1.25” OD x 48” Tube 4
Note 3 1.0” OD x 24” Tube 4
Note 3 0.75” OD x 6” Rod 4
1.0” OD x 48” Tube 4
0.75” OD x 48” Tube 4
0.5” OD x 24” Rod 4
Spreader Components Quantity
0.75” OD x 48” Tube 2
0.5” OD x 48” Rod 4
Element Components
Spreader Components
Hardware
Components
Element
Mounting Plates
Element
Lanyards
Feed-line
Terminal Plate
Wire Elements
Hardware Components Quantity
10-24 x 2.0” SS Machine Screw 19
10-24 x 1.5” SS Machine Screw 8
10-24 x 1.0” SS Machine Screw 16
10-24 x 5/8” SS Machine Screw 2
10-24 SS Anti Vibration Hex Nut 45
10-24 Hex Nut w/Tooth Washer 4
No. 10 SS Flat Washer, .36” OD 25
¼ loop-1/4-20 x SS Eye bolt w/Nut 2
1/4-20 SS Anti-vibration Nut 2
1” SS Hose Clamp 4
3/4” SS Hose Clamp 8
1/8” - No. 10 Black Cable Clamp 13
Copper Elbows (Boom) & Hardware 2
Element Tube Lanyards Quantity
1/8” Dacron Cord 4
S.S. Lanyard Clamps 4
1/8” x 2” Heli-tube 8
No. 10 Ring Terminal 2
Plastic Plates Quantity
Element Mounting Plates
7.5” x 3.75” x 0.187” PC
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Feed-line Terminal Plate 2.5”
x 1” x 0.187” PC
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RF Wire Element Assembly Quantity
17M Driver Element (17D) 2
17M Reector Element (17R) 1
20M Driver Element (20D) 2
20M Reector Element (20R) 1
Balanced Feed, 17M to 20M 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

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Tools Required
☐Tape Measure
☐ A 1/4” Nut Driver or Open end wrench
☐ A 5/16” Nut Driver or Open end wrench
☐ A 3/8” Nut Driver or Open end wrench
☐ #2 Phillips head screwdriver
☐ A 7/32” Nut Driver or Open end wrench
☐A 3/8” combination (box and open end) wrench
☐A 7/16” combination (box and open end) wrench
☐A 12” Carpenter Square
Assembly Overview
The Light Beam Multi-Band Antenna
Series, LBM-17M+20M is shipped
from our factory in a single box that
is less than 55 inches in length. This
has reduced your shipping expense.
Do not become intimidated by
the length of this instructions
document. We have provided very
detailed instructions with many
illustrative photographs to provide
clarity. The inclusion of many steps
in this document will ensure that
you will successfully assemble and
install your new antenna. Our goal is
to have the antenna work correctly,
the rst time out of the box.
The antenna is built in stages. Initial
sub-assembly can be completed indoors in the comfort of your workspace. Final assembly of the sub-assemblies to
create the nished antenna will be later completed outdoors near your tower site.
Step–by–Step Instructions
• As you progress – check o each step.
• Wear gloves and safety glasses.
• Use tools safely.
DANGER – Antenna Assembly
Failure to heed these warnings could result in
serious injury or death
While assembling your antenna you will be handling large structures. Caution must
be used when moving these assemblies. Be aware of your surroundings and move all
large assemblies slowly and with care.
Fig. 5

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Boom Assembly
The Boom Assembly consists of three (3) sub-assemblies. Each sub-assembly can be built indoors on a large
workbench or table. The Boom assembly is a very strong laminated structure consisting of aluminum and
berglass tubes nested within each other. Holes within each tube must be carefully aligned to enable insertion of
all fasteners. Final assembly of the three sub-assemblies into the completed boom assembly must be performed
outdoors or in a large space.
☐Separate boom components identied in Fig. 1 from all other tubes and rods. See the image and list on p. 1.
Center Boom Sub-Assembly
☐ Select the 1.5” OD x 48” berglass tube and select
one 1.25” OD + 1.125” OD x 36” aluminum tube and
orient them as shown in Fig. 6.
☐Insert the aluminum tube within the right side of the
berglass tube as shown in Fig. 7. Align the holes
and insert a 10-24 x 2.0” machine screw and loosely
fasten (nger tight) using a 10-24 anti-vibration hex
nut.
☐With care, insert the 1.0” OD 0.058” x 36” aluminum
tube into the le side of the 1.5” OD x 48” berglass
tube while aligning the smaller aluminum tube
within the 1.25” OD aluminum tube installed in the
previous step.
DANGER – Antenna Installation
If you are installing your antenna on a roof, tower, or other high structure or will use a ladder or
scaold to access the installation location, follow these precautions to prevent personal injury or
death:
• Walk only on sound roof structures.
• Make sure the antenna assembly and installation surface are structurally sound so that they
can support all loads (equipment weight, ice, and wind).
• Use safety equipment (for example, a safety harness and lifeline) appropriate for the work
location.
• Perform as many procedures as possible on the ground. Do not attempt to assemble the
antenna on a roof or tower.
• To avoid electric shock, stay at least 20  from overhead and adjacent power lines.
• If any part of the antenna or mount assembly comes in contact with a power line, call the local
power company to remove it. Do not try to remove it yourself.
Failure to heed these warnings could result in
serious injury or death
Fig. 6
Fig. 7

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☐Select the remaining 1.25” OD + 1.125” OD x 36” aluminum tube and carefully insert the tube into the le side
of the 1.5” OD x 48” berglass tube as shown in Fig.
8. Rotation of the larger tube may be required to
position the smaller aluminum tube to properly
nest within the larger aluminum tube being
inserted.
☐ Fully insert the aluminum tube within the le side
of the berglass tube as shown in Fig. 8. Align the
holes and insert a 10-24 x 2.0” machine screw and
loosely fasten (nger tight) using a 10-24 anti-
vibration hex nut.
This completes the Center Boom Sub-Assembly, Fig. 9. Place this sub-assembly aside for use later.
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Boom End Sub-Assembly
The Front End of the Boom and the Back End of the Boom will be assembled in the following steps.
☐Select one of the 1.5” OD x 24” berglass tubes, one of the 1.250” OD x 36” berglass tubes with copper elbow
and one of the 1.0” OD x 48” berglass tubes. Orient the tubes as shown in Fig. 10. Note the alignment of the
holes and the relative position of each tube.
☐Insert the 1.0” x 48” berglass tube into the 1.25” OD x 36” berglass tube with copper elbow until all holes
align in both tubes.
☐Temporarily insert a 10-24 x 1.5” Machine Screw in the hole indicated by the arrow in Fig. 11.
☐Insert the 1.25” OD x 36” berglass tube with copper elbow into the 1.5” OD x 24” berglass tube until the
holes are aligned in all tubes as shown in Fig. 12.
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12

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☐ Insert a 10-24 x 2.0” Machine Screw in the hole indicated in Fig. 13 and loosely fasten (nger tight) using a 10-
24 anti-vibration hex nut. Remove the temporary screw that was inserted in the previous step, see Fig. 11.
☐ Repeat the previous 5 Steps of the Boom End Sub-Assembly and build the other end of the Boom.
☐Position both Boom End Assemblies as shown in Fig. 14. Insert a 0.5”
OD x 12” Rod into the Copper elbow of each Boom End Assembly.
Note that this is a loose t.
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
☐Insert a 1/4” -20 Eye-bolt
with 1/4”-20 Nut into
each of the 0.75” OD x
12” berglass tubes as
shown in Fig. 15. Fasten
the Eye-bolt to the tube
using a 1/4”-20 anti-
vibration Hex Nut.
☐Position the Eye-bolt
as shown in Fig. 16.
Tighten the anti-
vibration Hex Nut
until the tube deforms
slightly.
Fig. 16
• Place a 3/4” Stainless Steel Hose Clamp (the smaller of the two sizes of hose clamp.) over the slit-end of each
of the 0.75” OD x 12” berglass tubes as shown in Fig. 17. Tighten slightly.
Fig. 17

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☐Place each of the tubes completed
in the previous step over the 0.5”
OD x 12” Rods as shown in Fig. 18.
Tighten the hose clamps.
This completes both Boom End Sub-
Assemblies. Place both aside with the
Center Boom Assembly as shown in
Fig. 19.
Element Assembly
The Element Assembly consists of four (4) Element Sub-Assemblies. All sub-assemblies are almost identical with
exception of the orientation of the hose clamps. This dierence will be discussed later within these instructions.
Each sub-assembly can be built indoors on a large workbench or table.
☐Separate the Element component tubes and rods
shown in Fig. 2 from other remaining tubes and
rods. See the list on Page 2.
☐ Insert the 1.0” OD x 48” berglass tube into the
1.25” OD x 48” berglass tube and align the holes as
shown in Fig. 20.
☐Insert a 10-24 x 1.5” Machine Screw and a 10-24 anti-
vibration nut as shown in Fig. 21. Tighten well.
☐Place the 1” Stainless Steel Hose Clamp (the larger
of the two sizes of hose clamp) over the slit-end of
a 1.0” OD x 48” berglass tube as shown in Fig. 22.
Note that the slit-end of the tube is positioned on
the right side end of the tube. Also note that the
hose clamp adjustment screw is above the tube.
☐Place a 3/4” Stainless Steel Hose Clamp (the smaller
of the two sizes of hose clamp.) over the slit-end of
a 0.75” OD x 48” berglass tube. Then insert the
0.75” OD tube into the 1.0” OD tube as shown in Fig.
23. Note the orientation of both hose clamps.
☐Slightly tighten both hose clamps.
Fig. 18
Fig. 19
Fig. 20
Fig. 21
Fig. 22
Fig. 23

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☐Repeat the previous ve (5) steps and assemble a second element that is of the same orientation as the rst
Element assembled.
☐The remaining two (2) Elements are assembled
in a similar fashion as the previously assembled
Elements except the orientation is opposite. See
the following gures. See (Fig. 24 through Fig. 27)
Note: The slit-end of the tubes are positioned on the
le side end of each tube. Also note that the hose clamp
screws are above the tubes. Note the orientation of both
hose clamps.
☐Assemble the remaining two Elements as shown in
Fig. 24 through Fig. 27.
Complete the following steps for each of the four (4) 0.5” x 24” berglass rods.
☐Select a 10-24 x 1.0” SS Machine Screw, a 1/8” No. 10 Black Cable Clamp, and a 10-24
SS Anti-vibration Hex Nut. Insert the hardware through the hole of the berglass rod
as shown in Fig. 28.
☐Insert each completed rod sub-assembly into each element sub-assembly as shown
in Fig. 29.
The four (4) Element Sub-Assemblies are now complete as shown in Fig. 30.
Fig. 24
Fig. 25
Fig. 26
Fig. 27
Fig. 28
Fig. 29
Fig. 30

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Spreader Assembly
The Spreader Assemblies consist of two (2) identical sub-assembles. Each sub-assembly can be built indoors on a
large workbench or table.
☐Select the four (4) 0.5” OD
x 48” berglass rods as
shown in Fig. 31.
☐Select a quantity of two
(2) -- 10-24 x 1.0” SS
Machine Screws, two (2)
-- 1/8” No. 10 Black Cable
Clamps,and two (2) – 10-
24 SS Anti-vibration Hex
Nuts. Insert the hardware through the hole of the berglass rod as shown in Fig. 32.
☐ Repeat the previous step for the remaining three (3) berglass rods. Note that the Black Cable Clamp is on
the Hex Nut side of each fastener.
☐Place a 3/4” Stainless
Steel Hose Clamp (the
smaller of the two sizes
of hose clamp.) over the
slit-end of a 0.75” OD x
48” berglass tube. Then
insert the 0.0.5” OD berglass rod into the 0.75” OD tube as shown in Fig. 33. Tighten the hose Clamp slightly.
☐ Repeat the previous step for the remaining 0.75” OD x 48” berglass tube and berglass rod.
☐Insert the 0.5” OD x 48”
berglass rod into the
0.75” OD x 48” berglass
tube and align the holes
as shown in Fig. 34. Then
Insert a 10-24 x 1.0”
Machine Screw and a 10-24 anti-vibration nut. Tighten well. Note that the Black Cable Clamps should be
oriented on the same side of both berglass rods.
☐ Repeat the previous step for the remaining spreader sub-assembly.
This completes the assembly of the Spreader Sub-Assemblies as shown in Fig. 35.
Fig. 31
Fig. 32
Fig. 33
Fig. 34
Fig. 35

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Mounting the Element Sub-Assemblies to the Boom End Sub-Assemblies
A large at surface (5’ x 10’) is required for the following steps. This can be performed indoors if space permits.
During the following steps, the Element Mounting Plates and the Terminal Plate will be attached to the Boom
End Sub-Assemblies. In addition, the Element Sub-Assemblies will be oriented
correctly and then partially mounted to the Element Mounting Plates.
☐ Prepare all plastic plates by premoving the protective plastic lm from both
surfaces of the plates as shown in Fig. 36.
Driven Element Assembly
☐ Select either one of the Boom End Sub-Assemblies and temporarily remove
the tube and rod from the copper elbow as shown in Fig. 37.
☐Select one (1) of the Element Mounting Plates and insert two (2) 10-24 x 5/8”
Machine Screws as shown in Fig. 38. Fasten the screws using two (2) 10-24
Hex Nuts with Tooth Washer. Tighten both fasteners well. These fasteners
will later become terminals for the 20M Driven Element Wires.
☐Select two (2) 10-24 x 2” Machine screws and two (2)
No. 10 SS Flat washers. Place one washer on each
screw. Then insert the screws and washers through
the Element Mounting Plate that was prepared
during the previous step. Orient the Element
Mounting Plate as shown in Fig. 39. Then insert the
screws in the Boom End Assembly through the 1st
and 3rd holes as indicated in Fig. 39.
Note: The Hex Nuts with Tooth Washer of the Driven Element Terminals are oriented up, on the top surface of the
Element Plate and are the furthest distance from the copper elbow as shown in Fig. 40.
Fig. 36
Fig. 37
Fig. 38
Fig. 39
Fig. 40
1st hole
3rd hole