Maco Antennas M108HV User manual

Assembly Instructions
M108HV
Your Maco 108HV maxibeam is an innovation in base station beam design, which enables the
vertical and horizontal to be assembled for either 10 or 11 meters.
For example, using the charts supplied, you can assemble the horizontal for 11 meters and the
vertical for 10 meters, or reverse this, or assemble both the same. The horizontal and vertical
do not affect each other, so feel free to set your antenna up whichever way you wish.
THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE HV BEAMS AND THE INSTRUCTIONS INCLUDED IS THAT THE
HV BEAM HAS BOTH SETS OF ELEMENTS ON THE SAME BOOM.
UUPLEASE ADD THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS TO THOSE SUPPLIED:
Mount the first reflector with the u-bolt facing the rear. Mount its mate with the u-bolt
facing the front of the beam. This is so the vertical and horizontal elements will be close
together, but they should not touch. Maintain a 1/4" spacing between the hardware.
Do the same with all the elements and measure the spacing only once per set of elements.
Maco Antennas - a Division of Charles Electronics, LLC
302 S. East St.
Mt. Carroll, IL 61053
815-244-3500
www.macoantennas.net

MACO M108HV
PACKING LIST
PART QTY OD SIZE LENGTH DESCRIPTION CHECKLIST
T01 28 ½” .050” 72” ALUMINUM TUBING ____
T04 4 ½” .050” 80.5” ALUMINUM TUBING ____
T11P 16 5/8” .050” 72” ALUM. TUBING SLOTTED BOTH ENDS ____
T36 1 2.875 .125 48” ALUM TUBING ____
T39P 2 3” .060 20’ ALUM TUBING ____
PO4P 1 ¼”x6” 18” PLATE 3” BOOM TO 2” MAST ____
V02P 1 1”x1” 36” VERTICAL GUY SUPPORT W/3 HOLES ____
WD3P 1 6/18 50’ STEEL GUY CABLE ____
G01P 2 GAMMA MATCH ____
Z08P 4 GAMMA STRAPS W/COAX CONNECTORS ____
S42 2 FEMALE COAX CONN. W/MOUNTING NUT ____
HARDWARE BAG #1
S01 5 2” PLATED SADDLES ____
S03 21 3” PLATED SADDLES ____
HARDWARE BAG
U01 5 2” PLATED U-BOLTS ____
U03 21 3” PLATED U-BOLTS ____
N03 53 5/16” LOCK NUTS ____
HARDWARE BAG #3
BE3P 16 3” BOOM TO ELEMENT MOUNTS ____
HARDWARE BAG #4
EG2 6 EGG INSULATORS ____
W58P 32 5/8” EXTRUDED ALUMINUM CLAMPS ____
S21 42 10-24 ½” MACHINE SCREWS ____
N11 42 10-24 SQUARE NUTS ____
N12 8 #10 LOCK WASHERS ____
S28 1 ½” 3 ½”” HEX BOLT ____
N15 1 ½” HEX NUT ____
N16 1 ½” LOCKWASHER ____
N17 3 ½” FLAT WASHERS ____
N18 2 5/16” EYEBOLTS-W 2 NUTS EACH ____
PL2 32 .437 PLASTIC CAPS – BLACK ____
PL6 1 3” PLASTIC CAP – BLACK ____
PL6R 1 3” PLASTIC CAP – RED ____
Z02 4 GAMMA STRAPS ____
1 TIP SHEET ____
1 WARRANTY SHEET ____
1 INSTRUCTIONS ____
WHEN ORDERING PARTS, ALWAYS GIVE PART NUMBER AND DESCRIPTION.
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

REFLECTOR BLACK PLASTIC
ELEMENT
DIRECTOR
SECOND
DIRECTOR
THIRD
DIRECTOR HORIZONTAL POLARIATION
DIRECTOR
PLASTIC CAP
RADIATION
(PLGR)
SIXTH
DIREC
DIRECTION
OF /
RADIATION
P
RED PLASTIC
CAP (PLGR)
VERTICAL POLARIATION
REFLECl
1
63 1-k’
DRIVEN
SECOND
DIRECTOR
TOR
BLACK
PLASTIC
CAP
P-6)
FIGURE 1 GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS
This drawing shows a view of the antenna assembled. The
M108C may be used horizontally or
vertically. These instructions and FIGURES 2 through 4 show the correct assembly instructions. It is highly
recommended that rope be put in the elements to prolong their life. All hardware should be tightened
securely, and then coated with silicon rubber sealant or similar compound to prevent loosening from wind
vibration.
Take care to locate all parts accurately per dimensions given. Complete each step as instructed before
going on to following steps.
Upon completion of assembly, install the red plastic cap (PL6R) on the director end of the antenna,
and the black plastic cap (PL6) on the reflector end. This will allow you to determine at a glance the direction
of transmit and receive.
M108C
2

3” BOOM
3” BOOM
TWIST END OF GUY
HEX NUT
,EYEBOLT
THREAD GUY WIRE THROUGH
EGG INSULATOR AND TWIST END
’ y ‘TW:,END OF
1” FROM ELEMENT
DIRECTOR
BOOM
/ I I--
2
END OF GUY
NOTE-
THIS CLAMP DOES
NOT ATTACH TO
-, ,- m, *Y-F --
'ntrLH't.
,’ ,v”\.
VERTICALGUY SUPPORT
PURE 29
LOCKWASHERS
HEX NUTS
FIGURE 2 BOOM ASSEMBLY
(See figure 2A.) First mark the center of the 2.832” O.D. boom coupler (T35P). Slide both of the
20’ sections of 3” O.D. tubing over the ends of the coupler so they both butt at the coupler center.
(See figure 2B.) Mark the center of the boom to mast plate. Center the plate (P04) on the boom and
secure with four of the 3” U-bolts (U03) and saddles (S03) and eight of the j/16” lockwashers (N02) and
hex nuts (NOl). Avoid over-tightening the U-bolts as doing so may crush and weaken the boom. Now,
reverse a 3” U-bolt so that it points away from the boom to mast plate. Slide on a 3” saddle, followed by
the vertical guy support, then secure with 5/16” lockwashers and hex nuts.
From the roll of guy cable (WD3), cut two lengths 2’ long. Take the two eyebolts (N18) and pass
one end of the cable through the eye of the bolt and wrap. Pass the opposite end of the cable through the
hole in the egg insulator (EGl) and adjust so that the length of cable between the eye of the eyebolt and the
egg insulator is l’, then wrap the cable. Make two of these, then place the eyebolts onto the guy support with
one nut inside and the other nut on the outside of the vertical guy support. Tighten only finger tight at this
time.
3
MlOSC

I
Please read the Assembly and Troubleshooting Tips at the
end of this instruction booklet before assembling elements.
I
BE3 CLAMP
\
ELEMENT
NUTS AND
b-BOLT
FIGURE 3A ELEMENT CENTER SECTION MOUNTING
Refer to the main sketch (Figures 1A & B) for spacing of the elements. Slide the 5/8” x 6’ center
sections inside the boom to element mounts. Mount these onto the boom with 3”” U-bolt assemblies as
shown. Refer to Figure 4 (Gamma Match Assembly) before mounting the driven element and note the
position of the coaxial connector assembly. Space the first saddle 1” from the end of the boom. Again,
be careful not to over-tighten the U-bolts. Line up all the sections after mounting with a level or by any
other accurate means. At this time, refer to Figure 2B and complete the boom guy support system.
Allow 6” of cable for the egg insulator wraps and 16” for the wraps around the boom at the boom
to element mounts. Distances shown should be adhered to plus or minus 1”. Pull the sag out of the boom
by tightening the outside nuts on the guy support, then lock the inside nuts against the guy support.
IO-24 x l/2” MACHINE
SCREW
IO-24 SQUARE
ELEMENT W58 CLAMP
FIGURE 3B ELEMENT END SECTION MOUNTING
Assemble the W58 clamps as shown in Figure 2B. Thread the l/2” machine screw (S21) into the
square nuts (Nl 1) only slightly at this time. Refer to Figure 4 (Gamma Match Assembly) and note the
position of the 5/8” metal clamps that will attach the gamma match to the driven position.
Insert the l/2” O.D. x 72” tubing (no slots) into the driven element and director center sections. Slide
on a W58 clamp assembly over each element and tighten slightly.
Assemble the reflector in the same manner by using the l/2” O.D. x 72” slotted one end sections.
At this time, refer to the element length chart on page 7 and set the element lengths. In setting element
lengths, telescope the l/2” O.D. into the 5/8” O.D. by equal amounts. In any case, the minimum length
telescoped into the next larger size should be 3”. Measure overall element lengths, then push the .437” black
plastic caps (PL2) over the ends of the premeasured elements.
MlOSC
4

MOUNTING
The M108C is designed to accept a 2” O.D. mast. A l/4” heavy duty mast designed for this purpose
is recommended. If mounted on a guyed tower, break up the guys every 3’ by using egg insulators in the
guy lines for the top 20’ of the guy cables. Also, the guys should be located at least 12’ below the level of
the boom. Although it may be desirable to mount the antenna on a mast so that the elements clear the top
of the tower, this should not be attempted unless you are certain that your installation is sturdy enough for
this type of installation. Experimentation has shown little, if any, effect on the operation of the antenna by
mounting it 2’ above the top of the tower, or by mounting a rotator so that it lies between the vertical elements.
The first consideration should always be the mechanical stability of the antenna.
BOOM TO MAST TILT FEATURE
The l/2” x 3 l/2” hex bolt, l/2” lockwasher, (3) l/2” flat washer cut and l/2” hex nut are provided
to give a tilt feature to the boom, if desired.
A hole will have to be drilled through your mast to accommodate the l/2” bolt.
Place the parts as shown below.
T
NUT
r-BOOM TO MASTPLATE
5
M108C
I

M108C DIMENSIONS
FRJZOUENCY
REFLECTOR DRIVEN ELEMENT DIRECTOR 1
26.500
18’ IO” IT I I”I 7’ 2”
26,550
26,600
26,650
26,700
26,750
26,800
26,850
26,900
26,950
27.000
27,050
27, IO0
27, I50
27,200
27,250
27,300
27,350
27,400
27,450
27,500
27,550
27,600
27,650
27,700
27.750
27,800
27850
27,900
27.950
28,000
28,050
28,100
28,150
28,200
28.250
28,300
28,350
28.400
28,450
28,500
28.550
28,600
28,650
28,700
28.750
28,800
28,850
28,900
28.950
29.000
29.050
29.100
29,150
29.200
29,250
29,300
29,350
29.400
29,450
29,500
MlOSC
18’ IO” IT lo” I T2”
18’ IO” IT IO”
IT2”
8’ 9” lT9”
IT I”
8’ 9” IT 9”IT I”
8’ 8” IT 9”
17’ I”
8’ 8” IT 8”IT 0”
8’ 7”
IT 8” IT 0”
8’ jr
ITT 16’ I I ”
8’ 7” IT 7”
16’ I I”
8’ 6” IT 7”
16’ I I”
8’ 6” IT 6” 16’ IO”
8’ 5” I 7’ 6”
16’ IO”
8’ 5”
IT 6” 16’ IO”
8’ 5”
IT 5” 16’ 9”
8’ 4”
17’ 5” 16’ 9”
8’ 4”
I T4” 16’ 8”
8’ 3”
I T4” 16’ 8”
8’ 3” I T4”
16’ 8”
8’ 3” IT 3”
16’ T
8’ 2” IT 3”
16’ 7”
8’ 2” I T2”
16’ 7”
8’ I” lT2”
16’ 6”
18’ I ” I T2”
16’ 6”
18’ I ”
IT I” 16’ 6”
18’ 0”
IT I” 16’ 5”
18’ 0” IT I” 16’
5”
17’ I I” IT 0”
16’ 4”
17’ I I”IT
0” 16’ 4”
17’ I I”IT
0” 16’ 4”
17’ IO”
16’ I I ” 16’ 3”
If IO” 16’ I I ”
16’ 3”
If IO” 16’ IO”
16’ 3”
If 9”
16’ IO” 16’ 2”
If 9” 16’ IO”
16’ 2”
17’ 8”
16’ 9” 16’ 2”
17’ 8”
16’ 9” 16’ I ”
17’ 8”
16’ 9”
16’ I”
17’ T
16’ 8” 16’ I ”
17’7”
16’ 8” 16’ 0”
17’ TI 6’ 8”
16’ 0”
17’ 6”
16’ 7”
16’ 0”
17’ 6” 16’ 7”
15’ I I”
17’ 5”
16’ 7”
IS’ I I”
17’ 5” 16’ 6”
15’ I I”
17’ 5”
16’ 6”
15’ IO”
17’ 4”
16’ 5”
IS IO”
I T4” 16’ 5”
15’ IO”
IT 4” 16’ 5”
IS 9”
IT 3”
16’ 4”
15’ 9”
IT 3”
16’ 4”
15’ 9”
IT 3”
16’ 4”
IS 8”
I 7’ 2”
16’ 3”
15’ 8”
I T2”
16’ 3”
IS’ 8”
IT I”
16’ 3”
IS’ 7”
IT I”
16’ 2”
IS’ 7”
IT I”
16’ 2” 15’ 7”
IT 0” 16’ 2”
IS’ 6”
IT 0” 16’ I”
IS 6”
IT 0”
16’ I”
15’ 6”
16’ II
16’ I”
15’ 5”
DIRECTOR 2 DIRECTOR
3
IT I” 16’ IO”
IT I”
16’ IO”
IT 0”
16’ IO”
IT 0”
16’ 9”
IT 0” 16’ 9”
16’ I I ”
16’ 9”
16’ I I ”
16’ 8”
16’ IO” 16’ 8”
16’ IO” 16’ T
16’ IO”
16’ T
16’ 9”
16’ T
16’ 9”
16’ 6”
16’9”
16’ 6”
I 6’ 8” 16’ 6”
16’ 8”
16’ 5”
16’ T16’5”
16’ 7”16’4”
16’ T16’4”
16’ 6” I 6’ 4”
16’ 6”
16’ 3”
16’ 6” 16’ 3”
16’ 5”
16’ 3”
16’ 5” 16’2”
16’ 5”
16’ 2”
16’ 4”
16’ 2”
16’ 4” 16’ I”
16’ 4”
16’ I”
16’ 3”
16’ I”
16’ 3” 16’ 0”
16’ 2”
16’ 0”
I 6’ 2”
16’ 0”
I 6’ 2”
15’ I I”
16’ I” IS’ I I”
I 6’ I ”
IS’ I I”
16’ I ”
15’ IO”
16’ 0”
IS’ IO”
16’ 0”
15’ IO”
16’ 0” IS’ 9”
15’ I I”
IS’ 9”
IS’ I I”
IS 9”
15’ I I” IS’ 8”
IS’ IO”
IS 8”
IS’ IO”
IS’ 8”
IS’ IO”
IS’ T
IS’ 9”
15’ 7”
IS’ 9”
IS’ T
IS’ 9”
15’ 6”
15’ 8”
15’ 6”
15’ 8”
IS’ 6”
15’ 8”
IS 5”
15’ 7”
IS’ 5”
IS T
IS’ 5”
IS’ 7”
15’ 4”
IS’ 6”
IS 4”
IS’ 6”
IS’ 4”
IS’ 6”
IS’ 3”
15’ 6”
IS’ 3”
IS 5”
IS 3”
IS’ 5” 15’2”
IS 5”
15’ 2”
15’ 4”
15’ 2”
DIRECTOR 4.5.6
16’ IO”
16’ 9”
16’ 9”
I 6’ 8”
16’ 8”
I 6’ 8”
16’ T
16’ 7”
16’ 7”
16’ 6”
16’6”
16’5”
16’5”
16’5”
I 6’ 4”
16’ 4”
I 6’ 4”
16’ 3”
I 6’ 3”
16’ 3”
16’2”
16’ 2
16’ I”
16’ I”
16’ I”
16’ 0”
16’ 0”
16’0”
IS’ I I”
15’ I I”
IS’ I I”
IS’ IO”
IS’ IO”
IS’ IO”
15’9”
15’ 9”
15’ 9”
15’ 8”
15’ 8”
IS’ 8”
IS’ 7”
IS’ 7”
is r
IS’ 6”
15’ 6”
IS’ 6”
15’ 5”
IS’ 5”
IS 5”
15’4”
15’4”
IS 4”
IS’ 4”
15’ 3”
IS’ 3”
IS’ 3”
15’2”
15’2
15’ 2”
15’ I”
15’ I”
6

* m: THESE DIMENSONS ARE APPROXIMATE.
REFER TO THE INSTRUCTIONS ON ADJUSTINNG THE
S.W.R. TO DETERMINE EXACT SETTINGS. THERE
ARE2 SEPARATEGAMMA ADJUSTMENTS, 1. CAPACI-
TOR ADJUSTMENT, 2. SLIDER POSITION.
DO NOT MOVE BOTH AT THE SAME TIME. MOVE
THE CAPACITOR FIRST, THEN, IF NECESSARY MOVE
THE SLIDER. AND GO BACK TO THE CAPACITOR.
521, Nil, N12-7
itln-7A Y 1/y SCREWS
DRIVEN
;&SQ. \
,.N ELEMENT
., .- -- - .,-
LK. WSHR5 -
NUTS
ZO2P
GAMMA STRAPS
(SLIDER)
318” 24 NUT\
I I
318 STAR-e-(
WASHER _
\
CABLE
(CUSTOMER
FURNISHED)
‘\
521. Nil. N12
#IO-24 x I/2” SCREWS
LK. WSHRS & SQ.
- 318 PLASTIC SHOULDER
WASHER
318 FLATWASHER
- GO1 P GAMMA MATCH
FIGURE 4 GAMMA MATCH MOUNTING
Mount the gamma match (GOlP) to the driven element, using the gamma straps (202, ZOS) and attaching
hardware as shown. Attach your 52 ohm coaxial cable to the connector (S42) and dress along boom and down the
mast. The gamma is shown pointing down - this is to let water out.
ADJUSTING THE STANDING WAVE RATIO (SWR)
Refer to Figure 4. The dimensions given are approximate and should be used as a starting point. * The gamma
match has 2 adjustments. First is the capacitor adjust and second is the slider adjust. Connect a SWR bridge coax
between your transmitter and the antenna and check the SWR. If adjustment is required, loosen the clamp on the
gamma match and the screws holding the slider (gamma straps (202)). Next move the capacitor adjustment first one
direction, then the other until a minimum SWR reading is obtained. If SWR is not yet satisfactory, move the slider
out 2” away from the boom. Ifthe reading has gone up move the slider backto the original position and then2” towards
the boom. Now readjust the capacitor for minimum SWR. You should now be able to determine which direction to
move the slider. Repeat the above procedure moving the slider in smaller increments until a satisfactory SWR is
obtained. Tighten all hardware. Disconnect the SWR bridge and reconnect your coaxial cable.
NOTE!
When assembling for vertical use, set antenna on a pole about 8 to 9 feet above the ground horizontally and
adjust SWR to 1.7. When you turn the antenna vertical and mount it on the tower, etc., the SWR will drop to 1.4 to
1.5. This is good; QUIT! Antenna results best if vertical antenna clears the top of the tower.
7
MlOSC

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.