Shively Labs 6822 Owner's manual

Circularly Polarized FM
Broadcast Antenna
Model 6822
Instruction Manual
Installation, Operation, &
Maintenance

Congratulations! Thank you for purchasing one of the finest FM broadcast antennas on the
market today. The Shively Labs 6822 is the top-of-the-line in its class for its
simplicity, superior performance and durability.
Your purchase is backed by the best technical support in the industry. Shively
is a leading manufacturer in the broadcast industry, providing an extensive
range of antennas, transmission line and components. Our technical staff has
a wealth of experience in the broadcast industry and is standing by to serve
you in any way.
This manual is intended to give you a good basic understanding of your
antenna: its proper and safe installation, startup, and operation, and trouble-
shooting and maintenance information to keep it working satisfactorily for
years to come.
Please have everyone involved with the antenna read this
manual carefully, and keep it handy for future reference.
Meanwhile, please feel free to contact your sales representative at Shively
Labs at any time if you need information or help. Call or write:
Publication No. im-6822 (180507)

IMPORTANT
Please read this manual in its entirety before beginning
installation of your antenna!
Failure to follow the installation and operation
instructions in this manual could lead to failure of your
equipment and might even void your warranty!

i
Table of Contents Chapter 1 Preparation........................................................................ 1
Check the shipment............................................................................... 1
Torque specifications............................................................................. 1
Table 1 Torque specifications ..................................................... 1
Check the parts..................................................................................... 1
Set up the mounting location. ................................................................ 1
Tower-leg mount.............................................................................. 2
Support-pipe mount.......................................................................... 2
Top-mounted support pipe................................................................ 2
Preparing the tower leg or mounting pipe .......................................... 2
Figure 1 Mounting options.......................................................... 3
Figure 2 Tower layout, single antenna bay .................................. 4
Figure 3 Tower layout, two-bay antenna ..................................... 5
Figure 4 Tower layout, three-bay antenna ................................... 6
Figure 5 Tower layout, four-bay antenna..................................... 7
Figure 6 Tower layout, five-bay antenna ..................................... 8
Figure 7 Tower layout, six-bay antenna....................................... 9
Figure 8 Tower layout, eight-bay antenna ................................. 10
Figure 9 Top mounted installation............................................. 11
Figure 10 Proper (and improper) securing of bay cables ............. 12
Chapter 2 Bay Assembly................................................................... 13
Attach the mount to the bay weldment................................................. 13
Mounting pipe size to 3-1/2 inches outside diameter:........................ 13
Mounting pipe size 3-1/2 inches to six inches outside diameter:......... 13
Figure 11 Mount attachment, pipe size up to 3-1/2 inches .......... 14
Table 2 Mounting U-bolt usage ................................................ 14
Figure 12 Mount attachment, pipe size 3-1/2" to 6".................... 15
Attach the bay arms. ........................................................................... 15
Figure 13 Bay arm attachment.................................................. 16
Attach the bay cable (single-bay antenna only) ..................................... 16
Attach the feedstraps to the endseal. ................................................... 16
Figure 14 Bay cable & feedstrap attachment (bay cable for single-bay
antenna only) ................................................................. 17
Chapter 3 Mounting the Antenna Bay(s) .........................................19
Tower leg or mounting pipe up to 3-1/2 inches outside diameter:........... 19
Figure 15 Bay mounting on pipe up to 3-1/2 inches OD.............. 19
Tower leg or mounting pipe 3-1/2 to 6 inches outside diameter: ............ 20
Figure 16 Bay mounting on pipe 3-1/2" - 6" OD........................ 20
Chapter 4 Connecting the Antenna (single-bay)..............................21
Connect the antenna bay..................................................................... 21
Figure 17 Single bay antenna connection .................................. 21
Chapter 5 Connecting the Antenna (2- to 6-bay) ............................ 23
Mount the power divider...................................................................... 23
Figure 18 Power divider mounting............................................. 23

ii
Table of Contents Install the slugged line section (if applicable). ....................................... 24
Figure 19 Slugged line section installation (if applicable)............. 25
Install the optional fine-matching transformer (if applicable) .................. 26
Figure 20 Fine-matching transformer installation........................ 27
Connect the antenna bay cables........................................................... 28
Figure 21 Antenna bay cable connection ................................... 28
Connect the tower transmission line. .................................................... 29
Figure 22 Tower transmission line connection............................ 29
Chapter 6 Connecting the Antenna (8-bay) .....................................31
Mount the power dividers. ................................................................... 31
Install the slugged line section (if applicable). ....................................... 31
Figure 23 Power divider mounting for 8-bay antenna ................. 32
Figure 24 Slugged line section installation (if applicable)............. 33
Install the optional fine-matching transformer (if applicable) .................. 34
Figure 25 Fine-matching transformer installation........................ 35
Connect the antenna bay cables........................................................... 36
Figure 26 Antenna bay cable connection ................................... 36
Connect the tower transmission line. .................................................... 37
Figure 27 Tower transmission line connection............................ 38
Chapter 7 Installing the De-icer System (if applicable)...................39
Precautions......................................................................................... 39
De-icer system description ................................................................... 39
Dual-setting thermostat .................................................................. 39
Electric power ................................................................................ 39
Table 3 De-icer specifications .................................................. 39
De-icer installation .............................................................................. 40
Installing the de-icer junction boxes. ............................................... 40
Figure 28 De-icer junction box installation ................................. 40
Figure 29 Junction box installed on antenna bay ........................ 41
Installing the interbay cables.......................................................... 41
Figure 30 Interbay cable section, bottom end ............................ 41
Figure 31 Sheath cut back........................................................ 42
Figure 32 Sheath bent back over the grommet .......................... 42
Figure 33 Final assembly, top of second junction box ................. 42
Figure 34 De-icer electrical schematic diagram........................... 43
Installing the tower junction box ..................................................... 44
Installing the thermostat (if applicable) ............................................ 44
Table 4 Thermostat readings .................................................... 44
Chapter 8 Retuning ..........................................................................45
Before beginning retuning: .................................................................. 45
Setup ................................................................................................. 45
Tuning ............................................................................................... 46
Figure 35 Arm length vs. frequency .......................................... 46
Figure 36 Feed strap angle vs. frequency .................................. 46
Figure 37 Optimal VSWR at 108 MHz, narrow feedstrap ............. 47

iii
Table of Contents
Figure 38 Optimal VSWR at 108 MHz, wide feedstrap................. 48
Figure 39 Optimal VSWR at 88 MHz, wide feedstrap................... 49
Chapter 9 Startup............................................................................. 51
Initial characterization ......................................................................... 51
Before beginning initial characterization: .......................................... 51
Read transmission line VSWR. ......................................................... 51
Read transmission line TDR............................................................. 51
Read system VSWR. ....................................................................... 51
Impedance trimming. .......................................................................... 52
Figure 40 Impedance-matching transformer .............................. 52
Checkout. ........................................................................................... 53
Operation. .......................................................................................... 53
Figure 41 Apply the signal. ....................................................... 54
Chapter 10 Maintenance ..................................................................55
Log .................................................................................................... 55
Inspection .......................................................................................... 55
Paint .................................................................................................. 55
Return policy ...................................................................................... 55
Troubleshooting .................................................................................. 55
Broad spectrum RF noise. ............................................................... 55
High VSWR .................................................................................... 55
Change in coverage........................................................................ 55
Chapter 11 Parts ..............................................................................57
Bay components
(without de-icers) ............................................................ 57
Table 5 Components, antenna bay without de-icer (per bay) .....57
Figure 42 Components, 6822 bay (without de-icers)................... 58
De-Icer Components ........................................................................... 59
Table 6 Components, de-icer (per bay) ..................................... 59
Figure 43 Components, 6822 de-icer......................................... 59
Mounting system components .............................................................. 60
Up to 3-1/2" mounting pipe OD:...................................................... 60
Table 7 Components, mounts for up to 3-1/2" mounting pipe
(per antenna bay) .......................................................... 60
Figure 44 Components, mounts for up to 3-1/2" mounting pipe .. 60
3-1/2" - 6" mounting pipe OD: ........................................................ 61
Table 8 Components, mounts for 3-1/2" to 6" mounting pipe
(per antenna bay) .......................................................... 61
Figure 45 Components, mounts for 3-1/2" to 6" mounting pipe... 62
Feed system components .................................................................... 63
Table 9 Components, feed system for single-bay antenna ....... 63
Table 10 Components, feed system for 2-bay antenna 
(per array) .................................................................. 63
Table 11 Components, feed system for 3-bay antenna 
(per array) .................................................................. 63
Figure 46 Feed system components for 2- to 6-bay antennas......64

iv
Table of Contents
Table 12 Components, feed system for 4-bay antenna 
(per array) .................................................................. 65
Table 13 Components, feed system for 5-bay antenna 
(per array) .................................................................. 65
Table 14 Components, feed system for 6-bay antenna 
(per array) .................................................................... 65
Table 15 Components, feed system for 8-bay antenna 
(per array) .................................................................. 66
Figure 47 Feed system components, 8-bay antenna ................... 67
Accessories and optional items............................................................. 68
Table 16 Accessories and optional items ................................... 68
Figure 48 Slugged line section (if applicable) components .......... 69
Figure 49 Fine-matching transformer (optional) components ......70

1
Preparation
1Preparation
Check the shipment. As soon as you receive your antenna, BEFORE signing for the shipment:
a. Check to be sure all the material has arrived.
b. Check for evident damage to any of the boxes.
c. If any boxes are missing, or if any are obviously damaged, describe the
problem in a WRITTEN note on the shipping papers BEFORE signing them.
Then call Shively right away, and we’ll do everything we can to correct the
situation.
Important!
Never store the antenna system outdoors, boxed or otherwise. Take
pains to keep the antenna components dry. You will need to purge mois-
ture from the interior of the antenna components if they get wet.
Torque specifications. NOTE
Use an anti-seize compound to minimize galling on stainless steel
threads.
Check the parts. Check to be sure all the parts listed in Chapter 11, as applicable, have arrived
in good condition.
NOTE
Item callouts are consistent across all the illustrations in this manual.
Set up the mounting
location.
Remember!
It is YOUR responsibility to ensure that your installation meets all appli-
cable codes and the centerline-of-radiation requirements of your FCC
construction permit.
CAUTION
Before attaching the pipe mounts to the tower, scrape away tower paint
to ensure good electrical contact. If you don’t, the antenna may gener-
ate unwanted electrical signals, and performance may be degraded.
CAUTION
Watch for tower components that might interfere with your installation.
Mounting is a little different for tower-leg mounting, support-pipe mount, and
top-mounted poles.
Table 1. Torque specifications
Hardware size Torque (dry) Torque (lubricated)
5/16-18 (1-5/8" EIA flanges) 132 in-lbf (14.9 N-m) 112 in-lbf (12.7 N-m)
3/8-16 (2-1/8", 3-1/8" EIA
flanges)
236 in-lbf (26.7 N-m) 201 in-lbf (22.7 N-m)
7/16 DIN (antenna input fit-
ting)
18 - 22 lb-in (21 - 25
cm-kg)
n/a
Important
Improper antenna mount-
ing is a leading cause of
poor performance in 6822
antennas. It is very
important to install the
antenna as indicated and
to position it away from
other metallic structures.

Preparation
2
Tower-leg mount The 6822 antenna may be mounted on a tower leg if the tower has at least
18" face width. The width is necessary to allow separation between the
antenna and the power divider, as shown in Figure 1a.
The tower leg must extend at least five feet (1500 mm) above the top bay
and five feet below the bottom bay.
Figure 2 shows the mounting, cable run of a typical side-mounted single-bay
antenna.
Support-pipe mount An alternative is to mount to a customer-supplied vertical pipe (Figure 1b),
which in turn is mounted on the tower. The pipe must be between 2-3/8” and
3-1/2” (60 and 89 mm) nominal outside diameter and mounted at least 16" off
the tower.
The mounting pipe must extend at least five feet (1500 mm) above the top
bay and five feet below the bottom bay.
Figure 3 through Figure 8 show support-pipe mounting for two- through eight-
bay antennas.
NOTE
Shively can accommodate other pipe sizes if necessary by special order.
Top-mounted support pipe NOTE
This mounting method can only be used for a single-bay antenna,
because it allows no location to mount a power divider.
If your support pipe is mounted on top of a tower or building (Figure 9),
locate the antenna with at least ten feet (3.1 m) of vertical clearance between
the bottom antenna bay and the top of the tower or building. Then mount the
pipe in accordance with the guidelines above.
Preparing the tower leg or
mounting pipe
Prepare the mounting location as follows (see Figure 10):
a. Starting at the top of the support pipe, mark the location of each bay in
accordance with the installation drawing.
b. Also, mark the specified location of any accessory mounts (eg: de-icer box
mounts), to make sure they will fit as planned.
c. To ensure good electrical contact between the support pipe and the tower,
remove the tower paint and any rust at the support pipe mount locations
before installing the mounts. After installing the mounts, be sure to touch up
the paint where you removed it.
CAUTION
If you don't get good elec-
trical contact between the
mounts, the support pipe,
and the tower, the
antenna may not perform
as designed and may pro-
duce stray signals that will
interfere with other ser-
vices on the tower.

3
Preparation
Figure 1. Mounting options

Preparation
4
Figure 2. Tower layout, single
antenna bay

5
Preparation
Figure 3. Tower layout, two-bay
antenna
IMPORTANT!
If you ordered a custom-
spaced antenna, please
refer to your antenna
test data sheet for bay-
to-bay spacing.

Preparation
6
Figure 4. Tower layout, three-
bay antenna
IMPORTANT!
If you ordered a custom-
spaced antenna, please
refer to your antenna
test data sheet for bay-
to-bay spacing.

7
Preparation
Figure 5. Tower layout, four-bay
antenna
IMPORTANT!
If you ordered a custom-
spaced antenna, please
refer to your antenna
test data sheet for bay-
to-bay spacing.

Preparation
8
Figure 6. Tower layout, five-bay
antenna
IMPORTANT!
If you ordered a custom-
spaced antenna, please
refer to your antenna
test data sheet for bay-
to-bay spacing.

9
Preparation
Figure 7. Tower layout, six-bay
antenna
IMPORTANT!
If you ordered a custom-
spaced antenna, please
refer to your antenna
test data sheet for bay-
to-bay spacing.

Preparation
10
Figure 8. Tower layout, eight-
bay antenna
IMPORTANT!
If you ordered a custom-
spaced antenna, please
refer to your antenna
test data sheet for bay-
to-bay spacing.

11
Preparation
Figure 9. Top mounted
installation

Preparation
12
Figure 10. Proper (and
improper) securing of bay cables