Maco Antennas Comet User manual

®
COMET
MACO Antennas, A Division of Charles Electronics, LLC
302 S. East Street, Mt. Carroll, IL 61053
Copyright © 2009 Charles Electronics LLC • All Rights Reserved
www.macoantennas.net
[phone]

MACO COMET
PACKING LIST
PART QTY OD SIZE LENGTH DESCRIPTION CHECKLIST
T59P 1 1 ½” .050” 72” ALUM. TUBING SWAGED ONE END ____
T28 1 1 ½” .050” 72” ALUMINUM TUBING ____
T11P 6 5/8” .050” 72” ALUM. TUBING SLOTTED BOTH ENDS ____
T01 8 ½” .050” 72” ALUMINUM TUBING ____
P01P 1 ¼” x 5 5” 1 ½” BOOM TO 1 ½” MAST PIPE ____
W04P 1 7/14 40” COPPER WIRE ____
FA1P 4 48” FIBERGLAS RODS ____
G01P 2 11 METER GAMMA MATCHES ____
Z08P 4 GAMMA STRAPS W/COAX CONNECTORS ____
S42 2 COAX CONNECTOR W/MOUNTING NUT ____
HARDWARE BAG #1
U02 10 1 ½” PLATED U-BOLTS ____
S02 10 1 ½” PLATED SADDLES ____
N03 20 5/16” LOCK NUTS ____
HARDWARE BAG #2
BE1P 6 1 ½” BOOM TO ELEMENT MOUNT ____
W58P 12 5/8” ALUMINUM CLAMPS ____
PL2 8 .437” PLASTIC CAPS – BLACK ____
PL4R 1 1 ½” PLASTIC CAP – RED ____
PL4B 1 1 ½” PLASTIC CAP – BLACK ____
S21 13 10-24 ½” MACHINE SCREWS ____
N11 13 10-24 SQUARE NUTS ____
N12 7 #10 LOCK WASHERS ____
N26 7 #10 FLAT WASHERS ____
Z02P 4 ½” GAMMA STRAPS ____
1 FIBERGLASS ROD KIT (4 SCREWS) ____
1 WARRANTY SHEET ____
1 INSTRUCTION SHEET ____
1 TIP SHEET ____
Please note: In an effort to keep the price on Maco Antennas down, we have decided not to clean up all the burrs and
rough edges on the parts. We recommend that you deburr and clean up each part with files, sandpaper, etc. so that they
go together easily. We are aware this needs to be done but have elected not to do it to save you the money we would
have to add to the price of the kit for this service.
Rev 05/09

r
BLACK
PLASTIC
CAP
(PL4)
REFLECTOR
-78”--.
\\\
1 l/2” O.D. MAST
(CUSTOMER
FURNISHED)
.57”
--l
P
GAMMA
MATCHES
\
DRIVEN
ELEMENT
RED PLASTIC
CAP
lDIRECTOR
This figure shows what the antenna should look like when assembled. Specific assembly details are
shown on following pages. All hardware should be tightened securely, and then coated with silicon rubber
sealant or similar compound to prevent loosing from wind vibration .
Take care to locate all parts accurately per dimensions given. Complete each step as instructed before
going onto the following steps.
After completing assembly, install red plastic cap (PL4R) on the director end of the boom, and the
black plastic cap (PL4B) on the reflector end. This will enable you to tell at a glance the direction of transmit
and receive.
COMET
2

1 l/2” U-BOLT (U02
1 112” SADDLE (S02)
916” LOCKWASHER (N02)
5/16” HEX NUT (NOI)
I
T2
/’
1 l/2” U-BOLT (UO2
1 l/2” SADDLE.(S02)
5/16” LOCKWASHER (N02)
5/16” HEX NUT (NOI)
1 l/2” O.D. MAST
(CUSTOMER FURNISHED)
To assemble the boom slide the swaged ends of the boom section (T59P) 0.152m into the boom
section (T28)
Mount the boom-to-mast plate (PO3P) to the boom using the 1 l/2” U-bolts, 1 l/2” saddles, and hardware
shown.
This antenna is designed for mounting on a 1 l/2” O.D. mast. Mount using 1 l/2” U-bolts, 1 l/2’ saddles,
and hardware as shown.
3
COMET

Please read the Assembly and Troubleshooting Tips at the
end of this instruction booklet before assembling elements.
DIMENSION
I ELEMENT A
B
W58P. S21, Nl 1
[CLAMP WITH #10-24x l/2”
DRIVEN
209” 68 l/2”
\SCREW a SQ. NUT
\
DIRECTOR 204” 66”
\
REFLECTOR 161 l/2”
44 314”
FIBERGLASS
R EFLECTOR DMEN~IONS ARE ONLY PRELIMINARY .
CHANCE TO OET EQUAL sms OF 9’ 6”. FIBERGLMS
LENGTH ISNOTCRITICAL, HOWNER,THEEQUALWlRE
LENGTH OF 9’ 6” IS VERY CRITICAL.
TIIPJ
518” O.D.
TUBING
TllP-
5/8” O.D.
TUBING
ELEMEN I ASSEMBLY (FIGURE 3AI
-------
BE2P -
TUBING BOOM-TO-
\
6
ELEMENT
MOUNT
MOUNT
>M
TIIP
518” 0 D
TUBING
UOl, SOI, NO1 NO2 _
2” u-BOL I a SAVOLE
-----
mm--
HORIZONTAL
UOI, SOI. NOI, NO21
5116” NUTS a WASHERS 1
7/8” p-
2” U-BOLT a SADDLE
U
5116” NUTS 8 WASHFRS HORIZONTAL ELEMENT MOUNTING ELEMENT SPACING
VERTICAL ELEMENT MOUNTING
(FIGURE 3B)
______--__---______----------------___
The length of the reflector wire is very critical. It must be the correct length to
operate correctly. Take the wire (WO4P) and uncoil it making sure that there are no
kinks; secure it to a nail. Pull the wire until it stretches an inch or so. The easy way
to get the correct lengc#,for the reflector loop is as follows
1. Drive 2 nails in a board or fence l/2 the length of the loop apart --which is 228”
(5.790m) between them.
2. Stretch the wire aro:zq$he nails by hand as tightly as possible and splice ends
together. Solder the splice. Remove one nail
521, Nil, N12, N26, and remove the loop. Cut any excess wire off.
3. Loosely assemble the machine screws (S21),
flatwashers (N26), lockwashers (N12), and hex
nuts (N06) onto the lugs of the fiberglass arms,
adjusting the length as shown.
4. Tighten 3 of the 4 clamps that hold the
VERY
:RITICAL
zxq$F;; ;-Fiire as shown,
6. Tighten the wire by pulling the fourth
FIGURE 3C
COMET
fiberglass rod until the wire is the same tightness as it was around the nails. The wire
loop is now the correct length. REFLECTOR DIMENSIONS ARE ONLY PRELIMINARY. CHANGE
TO GET EQUAL SIDES 01; 9’ 6”. FIBERGLASS LENGTH IS NOT CRITICAL, HOWEVER, THE EQUAL
WIRE LENG'I‘H OF 9’ 6” IS VWY CRITICAL.
4

* NOTE: THESE DIMENSONS ARE APPROXI-
MATE. REFER TO THE INSTRUCTIONS ON
ADnJSTINNG THE S.W.R. TO DETERMlNE EX-
ACT SETTINGS. THERE ARE 2 St:PARATE
GAMMA ADJUSTMENTS, 1. CAPACITOR AD-
JUSTMENT, 2. SLIDER POSITION.
DO NOT MOVE BOTH AT THE SAME TIME.
MOVE THE CAPACITOR FIRST, THEN, IF NEC-
ESSARY MOVE THE SLIDER, AND GO BACK TO
THE CAPACITOR.
ZOBP-GAMMA STRAPS
(INSTALL FLUSH AGAINST
BOOM-TO-ELEMENT MOUNT)
ELEMENT
318” STARWASHER
FLATWASHERPLASTIC
SHOULDEFi
WASHER
ZO2P
GAMMA STRAk
(SLIDER) 1
I
I
1
VERTICAL/
DRIVEN ELEMENT
l!-
GOlP
USTOMER FURNISHED
OAXIAL CABLES
HOHILON 1 AL
GAMMA MATCHCOMET
GAMMA MATCH MOUNTING
GOIP
VERTICAL
GAMMA MATCH
COMET

Installing and rigging towers, masts and antennas require specialized skills and experience. Information
supplied by M
A
C
O
assumes that all products will be installed by personnel having these skills and have installed
similar products before. No one should attempt to install towers or masts without these knowledgeable skills.
M A C O assumes no liability if faulty or dangerous installation practices are used. There are available, trained
and experienced personnel to assist in installation, maintenance, or disassembly. Contact your local installer if
consultation or assistance is required.
All tower and antenna installations should be thoroughly inspected at least twice a year by qualified,
experienced, and trained personnel to insure proper performance and safety standards.
An additional warning precaution is given to be careful of surrounding high voltage power wires and other
electrical hazards during installation of your tower, rotor, or antenna.
Revised 09/12/10
M A C O Antennas is a Division of Charles Electronics, LLC
www.macoantennas.net
[phone]
Do not erect a tower, rotor, or antenna during an electrical
storm, rainstorm, or when lightning is a possibility.