MFJ MFJ-1886 User manual

MFJ-1886
Receive Loop Antenna
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
CAUTION: Read All Instructions
Before Operating Equipment
Mw
300 Industrial Park Road
Starkville, MS 39759 USA
Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
COPYRIGHT © 2015 MFJ Enterprises Inc.

GENERAL INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR
MAST MOUNTED ANTENNAS:
1, Assemble your new antenna cn the ground at the installation site. Keep separate
assembly instructions that come with it. Large CB and Amateur beams may have
to be finally assembled on the tower or mast.
2. On the ground, clamp the antenna to mast and connect the coaxial cable to the
antenna,
3. To insure that the mast does not fal the "wrong way" iit should get away during
the installation or takecown, durable non-conductive rope should be secured at
each two foot level as the mast is raised. The boss stands in a position where he
can yank or pull the rapes if the need arise to deflect the falling mast away from
hazards (such as power lines) into a "safe fall" (such 2s a yard or driveway). The
ropes are tied taut at the base of the mast after installation and in place at the
vanous levels.
4. install selected mounting bracket
5. If you are going to use quy wire installation instead of a mounting bracket
+ instal guy anchor Dols
“estimate length of guy wire and out
+ attach a mast using guy ring
6. Carefully take antenna and mast assembly to mounting bracket and insert.
Tighten camp bolts. In case of guyed installation, it wil be necessary to have at
least z second person hold the mast upnght while the guy wites are attached and
tightened to the anchor bolts.
7. Install ca adhoring "DANGER’ label packaged in antenna hardware kit at eye
level on your mast.
8. JInstall ground rod to drain off static electricity build-up and connect ground wire
to mast and ground rod. Use special ground rods, not a spare piece of pipe.
EXAMPLE OF ANTENNA GROUNDING
AS PER NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE
INSTRUCTIONS.
1. Use No.10 AWG copper or No. 8 AWG or larger copper-clad steel or bronze wire,
as ground wires for both mast and lead-in. Securely ciamp the wire to the bottom
of the mast.
2. Secure lead-in wire from antenna to antenna discharge unit and mast ground wire:
to house with stand-off insulators spaced from 4 jeet (1.2 meters) to 6 feet (1.8
meters) apart.
3. Mount antenna discharge unit 2s close as possible to where the lead-in wire
ceniors the house.
4. Drill a hole in wall (CAREFUL'There are wires in that wall. near your set just large
enough to permt entry of cable.
5. Push cable through hole and form a rain drip loop cose to where it enters the
house.
6, Put small amount of caulking around cable where it enters house to keep out
drafts.
7. Install static electricity discharge unt.
8. Connect antenna cable to the set
‘You should not attempt to raise
a mast in excess of 30 feet in
heightlength (not including the
antenna proper) in a fully-ex-
tended condition. Thirty to fity
foot tubular masts must be el-
evated, a section at a time, with
the base or outer section se-
cured in place with guy wires.
GET PROFESSIONAL HELP.
WARNING
INSTALLATION OF THIS PRODUCT NEAR POWER
LINES IS DANGEROUS. FOR YOUR SAFETY, FOL-
LOW THE ENCLOSED INSTALLATION DIRECTIONS.
HOW TO INSTALL YOUR OUTDOOR ANTENNA SAFELY IN AC-
CORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE U.S. CON-
SUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION
YOU, YOUR ANTENNA, AND SAFETY
Each year hundreds of people are Killed, mutilated or receive severe
permanent injuries when attempting to install an antenna, In many of
these cases, the victim was aware of the danger of electrocution, but did
not take adequate steps to avoid the hazard
For your safety, and to help you achieve a good installation, please
READ and FOLLOW the safety precautions below. THEY MAY SAVE
YOUR LIFE!
1, Ifyou are installing an antenna for the first time, please, for your own
safety as well as others, seek PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE. Con-
sult your dealer. He can explain which mounting method to use for the
size and type antenna you are about to install
2. Select your installation site with safety, as well as performance, in mind
(Detailed information on Site Selection appears in a separate section
ofthis booklet.) REMEMBER: ELECTRIC POWER LINES AND
PHONE LINES LOOK ALIKE. FOR YOUR SAFETY, ASSUME THAT
ANY OVERHEAD LINES CAN KILL YOU.
3. Calll your electric power company. Tell them your pians and ask them
to come look at your proposed installation. This is a small inconve-
nience considering YOUR LIFE IS AT STAKE.
4. Plan your installation procedure carefully and completely before you
begin, Successful raising of a mast or tower is largely a matter of
coordination. Fach person should be assigned to a specific task, and
should know what to do and when to do it. One person should be
designated as the "boss" of the operation to call out instructions and
watch for signs of trouble.
5. When installing your antenna, REMEMBER:
DO NOT use a metal ladder. DO NOT work on a wet or windy day.
DO dress properly -shoes with rubber soles and heels, rubber gloves,
Jong sleeve shirt or jacket.
6. Ifthe assembly starts to drop, get away from it and let itfall, Remember,
the antenna, mast, cable and metal guy wires are all excellent conduc-
tors of electrical current. Even the slightest touch of any of these parts
to @ power line complete an electrical path through the antenna and the
installer-THAT’S YOU!
7. Ifany part of the antenna system should come in contact with a power
line-DON'T
TOUGH
IT
OR
TRY
TO
REMOVE
IT
YOUR
SELF.
CALL
YOUR LOCAL POWER COMPANY. They will remove it safely.
f an accident should occur with the power lines call for qualified
emergency help immediately.
931525 _AB

Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the MFJ-1886 receive loop antenna. You new antenna is composed of
High strength material for excellent rigidly and light weight. The MFJ-1886 is compact and excellent
for restricted space or portable installations. The MFJ-1886 antenna frequency range extends from 30Mhz.
all the way down into the 500 Khz AM Broadcast bands The antenna has strong null points and a rotator is
recommended for seeking out weak stations by eliminating noise or other stations. It can be mounted on
a tripod for temporary locations or any mast 1-3/4 diameter or smaller for permanent installation
Preparation
This antenna is fully assembled and ready to mount. Pick a mounting location well away from any
other transmitting antennas. Transmitting signals close to the MFJ-1886 will damage the internal
amplifier. This antenna can be used indoors if desired. Rotating the antenna by hand is a good way
to null noise or other broadcast stations in the area. Indoor locations tend to have more noise sources
than outdoor locations so keep that in mind if you decide to use the antenna inside.
In the box
1. Loop Antenna =———————>
2. Bias Tee ——»
3. Power Supply ——> Sam Fi
4. U-bolts ry ry
WARNIN
KEEP THIS ANTENNA
AWAY FROM POWER LINES
Never mount or move any antenna where it can come into contact
with power lines. If this antenna comes into contact with power
lines, it can KILL you. Never mount any antenna where if it falls
it could come into contact with power lines.

What you will need
1. Coax jumper for connecting bias tee to radio.
2. Coax cable for connecting bias tee to loop antenna
3. This antenna uses SO-239 connectors. If your
receiver uses BNC or other connectors, you will
need an adaptor.
on™ coax Cable
os)
DC PASS —> 3
DC BLOCK —> TOP P eee eee eee
12 VDC @ DO NOT Transmit into the MFJ-1886 ©
™ Transmitting into the Loop will cause :
) i permanent damage. |
BEEBE BRB RRP eee
Receiver
Mounting
Use the two supplied u-bolts
to secure the loop to your
mast as shown. Your mast
should be no more than
1-3/4 in diameter and should
be sturdy enough to support Side view
the MFJ-1886 antenna.
Customer supplied tripod or mast

SITE SELECTION
Before attempting to install your antenna, think where you can best
place your antenna for safety and performance.
To determine a safe distance from wires, power lines and trees:
1, Measure the height of your antenna.
2. Add this length to the length of your tower or mast, and then
3. Double this total for the minimum recommended safe distance.
f you are unable to maintain this safe distance, STOP! GET PROFES-
SIONAL HELP. Many antennas are supported by pipe masts attached
to the chimney, roof or side of the house. Generally, the higher the
antenna is above the ground, the better it performs. Good practice is
to install your antenna about 5 to 10 feet above the roof line and away
from power lines and obstructions. Remember that FCC limits your
antenna height to 60 feet. If possible, find a
mounting place directly above your set, where
the antenna wire can take a short, vertical drop
on the outside of the house for entry through @
wall or window near the set. Your dealer carries
@ complete line of installation hardware.
AVOIDTHIS LOCATION
power lines should be
at least twice the height
of the antenna and
mast combined.
CHOOSE A PROPER SUPPORT AND
MOUNTING METHOD
However you decide to mount and support your antenna always make
‘sure that safety is your first concern. Some of the more common
installation methods are illustrated below.
ROOF MOUNTED
ROOF MOUNTING
The swivel feature of "universal" type mounting brackets makes a conve ~
nient antenna mount for flat or peaked roofs. One clamp type brackat is
used with 3 or 4 guy wires equally spaced around the mast and anchored
to the roof or eaves by eyebolts. Apply roofing compound around the base
of the bracket, screws and eyebolts for moisture sealing.
TELESCOPING MAST
Guy wires should be equally spaced in at least three directions. Use at
least three guy wires for each 10 foot section of mast.
SIDE OF HOUSE MOUNTING
The safe distance from power lines is at least twice the height of antenna
and mast combined. Where roof overhang is not excessive, the side of the
house provides a convenient mounting, Position the brackets over a stud
if possible, one above the other, and space two or three feet apart. For
metal siding, first mark mounting holes, then drill pilot holes through the
siding to accept mounting screws.
TOWER
Tower safety is paramount to a good installation and requires that you take
location, tree growth, soil depth and proximity to buildings into consider-
ation, Tower foundations must be securely based on a solid concrete/
tower mounting plate, An alternative is to sink a 4-6 foot section of tower
into a concrete base for an extremely rugged mount. Proper guying is
essential to a safe weather-resistant installation that must handle severe
wind loading and is best accomplished with preformed uy arips, torque
brackets and tumbuckles. When working on
towers always use a safety belt made of
high quality web-type material
CHIMNEY MOUNTING
The chimney is often an easy and conve-
nient mounting piace. But the chimney
must be strong enough to support the
antenna in high winds. Do not use a
chimney that has loose bricks or mortar. A
good chimney mount makes use of a 5 or
10 foot, 1-114" diameter steel mast, and a
heavy duty two strap clamp-type bracket.
Install the upper bracket just below the top
course of bricks, and the lower bracket
two or three feet below the upper bracket.
For maximum strength, space the brack-
ets as far apart as possible,

Operation
NULL
MAX MAX
NULL
View from top side of loop
Inside or outside the operation of the antenna is basically the same. Rotation of the
antenna is important so turning it by hand or with a rotator will increase the effectiveness
of receiving distant stations.
Two null points on the antenna will allow directional receiving. This means
noise or other interference can be reduced by placing the noise source in the
direction of the null point. It is not necessary for you to know which direction the antenna
is pointed, simply rotate the antenna until you hear the noise go away or it is greatly reduced.
You may not be able to null close or very strong stations because their signal may be coming
from multiple directions ( bouncing around ). When you null a station, it allows you to
hear other signals that are on or close to the same frequency as the nulled station. You
may be able to hear stations that you were not able to hear before.

Notes

12 MONTH LIMITED WARRANTY
MFJ Enterprises, Inc. Warrants to the original owner of this product, if manufactured by MFJ
Enterprises, Inc. and purchased from an authorized dealer or directly from MFJ Enterprises, Inc. to be
free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of 12 months from date of purchase
provided the following terms of this warranty 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 MFJ Enterprises,
Inc. at the time of warranty service. MFJ Enterprises, Inc. 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. MF Enterprises, Inc. agrees to repair or replace at MFJ’s option without charge to the original
owner any defective product under warranty, provided the product is returned postage prepaid to
MFI Enterprises, Inc. with a personal check, cashiers check, or money order for $7.00 covering
postage and handling.
3. MFI Enterprises, Inc. will supply replacement parts free of charge for any MFJ product under
warranty upon request. A dated proof-of-purchase and a $5.00 personal check, cashiers check, or
money order must be provided to cover postage and handling.
4. This warranty is NOT void for owners who attempt to repair defective units. Technical
consultation is available by calling [phone].
5. This warranty does not apply to kits sold by or manufactured by MFJ Enterprises, Inc.
6. Wired and tested PC board products are covered by this warranty provided only the wired and
tested PC board product is returned. Wired and tested PC boards installed in the owner’s cabinet
or connected to switches, jacks, or cables, etc. sent to MFJ Enterprises, Inc. will be returned at the
owner’s expense unrepaired.
7. Under no circumstances is MFJ Enterprises, Inc. liable for consequential damages to person or
property by the use of any MFJ products.
8. Out-of-warranty Service: MFJ Enterprises, Inc. 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 arrangements are made.
9. This warranty is given in lieu of any other warranty expressed or implied.
10. MFJ Enterprises, Inc. 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.
11. All MFJ products to be serviced in-warranty or out-of-warranty should be addressed to MFJ
Enterprises, Inc., 300 Industrial Park Road, Starkville, 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.
12. This warranty gives you specific rights, and you may also have other rights, which vary from state
to state.