SteppIR CrankIR Installation guide

CrankIR Portable Antenna System
Assembly & Instruction Manual
SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: [phone] www.steppir.com
This assembly manual is intended to be
printed in full COLOR. If the manual is
printed in black and white, many im-
portant details could be lost.
Rev 2.1b
20161121

SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: [phone] www.steppir.com
Page 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. CrankIR Introducon 6
2. Operaon Controls 8
3. Geng Started 16
4. Radial Set Up 25
5. Tuning the CrankIR 32
6. Pole Extension Kit 34
7. Taking Down the Antenna 38
8. Troubleshoong 40
9. Operaon Tips 44
10. Specicaons 46

SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: [phone] www.steppir.com
Page 3
THIS ANTENNA IS AN ELECTRICAL CONDUCTOR. CONTACT WITH POWER LINES
CAN RESULT IN DEATH, OR SERIOUS INJURY. DO NOT INSTALL THIS ANTENNA
WHERE THERE IS ANY POSSIBILITY OF CONTACT WITH HIGH VOLTAGE OR ARC-
OVER FROM POWER CABLES OR SERVICE DROPS TO BUILDINGS. THE ANTENNA
SUPPORT MAST OR RADIAL(S) MUST NOT BE CLOSE TO ANY POWER LINES
DURING INSTALLATION, REMOVAL, OR IN THE EVENT PART OF THE SYSTEM
SHOULD ACCIDENTALLY FALL. EVEN BEING CLOSE TO POWER CABLES HIGH
VOLTAGE AURALS CAN CAUSE LETHAL VOLTAGES IN THE ANTENNA.
FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES FOR ANTENNA INSTALLATIONS RECOMMENDED BY THE
U.S. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION.
EXTREME CARE MUST BE USED FOR YOUR SAFETY. YOU MUST INSURE THAT
WHILE THE CRANKIR IS IN OPERATION NEITHER PEOPLE NOR PETS CAN COME IN
CONTACT WITH ANY PORTION OF THE ANTENNA INCLUDING THE RADIALS.
DEADLY VOLTAGES AND CURRENTS MAY EXIST. ALSO, SINCE THE EFFECTS OF
EXPOSURE TO RF ARE NOT FULLY UNDERSTOOD, LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO
INTENSE RF FIELDS IS NOT RECOMMENDED.
RADIALS, BOTH ELEVATED AND GROUND MOUNTED SHOULD BE MARKED WITH
WARNING TAPE AT APPROPRIATE INTERVALS TO VISUALLY ALERT PEOPLE TO THEIR
PRESENCE.
ALL DEPLOYMENTS OF THE CRANKIR SHOULD BE GUYED TO AVOID THE RISK OF
SERIOUS INJURY FROM THE ANTENNA FALLING.
WARNINGS

SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: [phone] www.steppir.com
Page 4
STANDARD PIECES AND OPTIONS
STANDARD ITEMS
CrankIR 40m-2m Main Box:
Standard unit includes 55’ of radiator wire and 55’ of non-conducve leader.
16 foot Telescopic Pole:
10 secon pole collapses to a mere 24” for easy transport and storage.
Pole Tip Tensioner:
2x 23” Fiberglass arms with pulleys, aached to pivot block. Provides
constant tension to Vercal Radiator Wire/Cord.
Radial Lug:
For easy aachment to exisng radial eld or user-supplied cut-length radial.
OPTIONS
Tunable Radial Unit:
Provides simple “Turn the Crank Tuning” of the radial ulizing the same
tuning system as the CrankIR Antenna. The antenna can be tuned to any
band by simply seng the radial and vercal radiator to the matching
color-coded band marks. No addional tuning is normally required.
40m-2m version includes 55’ radiator wire and 80’ non-conducve leader.
80m-2m version includes 100’ radiator wire and 125’ non-conducve leader.
80m Kit:
A must for serious 80m operaons. Includes 80m-2m version Tunable Radial
Unit (above) and Pole Extension Kit (below). Connuous coverage from 80m-
2m.

SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: [phone] www.steppir.com
Page 5
OPTIONS (connued)
Pole Extension Kit:
Strongly recommended for 80m, improves 40m and 30m as well. Extends 16’
pole to 22’. Couplers and 3 pole secons t into 24” travel bag.
6  Tripod:
9-6in Tripod:
(recommended for 80m operaons)

SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: [phone] www.steppir.com
Page 6
The CrankIR is a lightweight, high
performance, extremely portable antenna
that is suitable for use both in the eld or
at home when stealth operaon is desired.
The enre antenna collapses down to less
than 24” and can be assembled and on the
air in less than ten minutes.
The basic CrankIR model covers from 40m
– 2m and has a power rang of 1500 was.
The vercal radiator is supported by the
included 16’ berglass pole consisng of
ten secons, which when collapsed is 23”
long. For 80m capability we oer the 80m
Opon Kit (PN 06415) which includes
berglass extension tubes and a longer
wire on the oponal Radial Unit (PN
06401), see previous page. The antenna
uses highly exible 18 gauge copper wire
for the radiang elements resulng in
lightweight and high eciency. This
antenna is quickly and easily manually
tuned by adjusng the hand cranked wire
reels.
The element wire is marked with color-
coded band indicators (see pg. 13), to
select a band simply run the wire in or out
unl the appropriate marker appears just
above the Wire Guide Block.
High eciency is achieved by design; there
are no coils, only capacity hat type
resonang is used. There are no matching
networks; matching is accomplished by
very low loss o-center feeding. When the
vercal radiator is shorter than 1/4
wavelength (WL) the impedance drops
signicantly which then requires some way
to match the lower antenna impedance to
the 50 ohm transmier. On the CrankIR,
matching is done by o-center feeding the
antenna. This is accomplished by
extending the radial much longer than the
normal 1/4 WL. By simply moving the
feedpoint away from the center, a higher
impedance is obtained with very lile loss.
The farther you move from the center the
higher the impedance is. This method
does result in increased imbalance so we
provide a specially designed balun to
insure the RF does not go down the
feedline. Our patented loop element
design resonates the antenna without the
use of lossy coils. This results in a higher
radiaon resistance (by a factor of up to
2:1) than the same amount of coil loading;
this, in turn, increases antenna eciency.
1. CRANKIR INTRODUCTION

SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: [phone] www.steppir.com
Page 7
Bob Fuller, W7KWS on the air with a CrankIR prototype. QTH Kauai, HI.

SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: [phone] www.steppir.com
Page 8
2. OPERATION CONTROLS
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SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: [phone] www.steppir.com
Page 9
2. OPERATING CONTROLS
REEL CRANK HANDLE
Aluminum crank handle used to reel the
wire in and out.
CORD REEL LOCK/DRAG
Drag adjustment that allows the cord reel
to slip or lock together with the wire reel.
The amount of drag is easily set by
adjusng how ght the hand knob is set.
The reels can be locked together without
undue torque on this knob. This allows
adjustment of the tension on the Wire/
Cord . To remove the cord reel unscrew
and remove this knob and pull the reel o,
being careful not to lose the two plasc
washers or cork clutch disc underneath.
RETURN SUPPORT ROD/CORD
GUIDE BLOCK
The Return Support Rod mounts on this
block by inserng and twisng the rod
clockwise unl the stop is reached. It also
helps prevent the cord from coming o of
the reel and tangling.
POLE CLAMPING WINGNUTS
Eight hand operated wingnuts that clamp
the antenna unit to the tripod or other
mounng pole, four knobs clamp the
mount pole and four clamp the vercal
berglass pole.
CLAMP SADDLES
These two saddles form the outer half of
the clamps that hold the vercal
telescoping pole and the tripod to the
antenna unit. The side of the antenna box
is formed into a V to funcon as the mang
saddle. The clamps can be ipped over to
allow mounng to a small diameter pole
WIRE GUIDE BLOCK
Guides the wire as it is adjusted to prevent
the wire from coming o the reel and
tangling.
WIRE/CORD REEL ASSEMBLY
Two reels mounted on the same
sha to allow wire and cord to be reeled
either in or out to facilitate tuning the
antenna. The Wire/Cord is wound onto
the reels so when one is winding out the
other is winding in, allowing adjustment of
the wire length over a wide range.
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SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: [phone] www.steppir.com
Page 10
9
10 11
8
2. OPERATION CONTROLS (connued)

SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: [phone] www.steppir.com
Page 11
2. OPERATING CONTROLS
(connued)
GROUND LUG/TUNABLE RADIAL
UNIT MOUNTING HOLE
The .437 dia. (7/16”) hole for either the
included Ground Lug sha with hand
locking knob or oponal Radial Reel Unit
(PN 06401) mounts here. If the oponal
Tunable Radial Unit is not used, xed
length radials must be connected to the
Ground Lug Sha.
RADIAL RELEASE KNOB
This knob has two funcons, it locks the
Radial Reel sha in any direcon allowing
you to “point” the radial in the desired
direcon and lock it. It also allows you to
remove the Radial Reel or the Ground Lug
by backing the knob out far enough to
disengage from the groove in the sha
allowing the sha to be pulled out. Make
sure the Radial Release Knob is ght during
operaon to ensure radial electrical
connecon.
WIRE REEL LOCK/DRAG
Locks the vercal radiator reel sha, this
will keep the Wire/Cord from unwinding
during transport and storage. The amount
of drag is easily controlled by this knob as
well.
CORD REEL HOOK
Allows easy aachment / detachment of
the leader cord loop.
ANTENNA CONNECTOR
Connect 50-ohm coax terminated with a
PL-259 connector to this SO-239 connector
located on back of main unit. (See picture
below)
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SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: [phone] www.steppir.com
Page 12
Pole Tip Tensioner Assembly
Main box—le side view Main box— right side view
Return ArmRadial Lug

SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: [phone] www.steppir.com
Page 13
Standard Radiator / Radial Lengths:
The vercal radiator is marked at 1/4 WL intervals with color-coded indicators
on the wire. Color-coded indicators are also included with the oponal Radial
Unit but are not permanently set to the wire to allow ne tuning or radial
lengths by the customer.
Typical radial lengths will be the
same as for the vercal radiator
but will vary based upon locaon.
BLACK 10m 99 inches
RED 12m 112.75 inches
ORANGE 15m 133 inches
YELLOW 17m 155.75 inches
GREEN 20m 199 inches
BLUE 30m 279.25 inches
VIOLET 40m 394.38 inches

SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: [phone] www.steppir.com
Page 14
Before You Begin:
Carefully choose your setup locaon
When choosing a locaon to set up the CrankIR be sure to select a space
with plenty of room to extend the vercal radiator and radial(s) to the
appropriate length for the lowest desired band of operaon. Make sure
there is adequate overhead clearance and no obstrucons where the
radial(s) will be deployed.
Be aware of possible hazards
The exposed wire is highly conducve, if there is potenal for lightning the
antenna should not be deployed.
Although the antenna has a small wind-load it can easily be blown-over by a
moderate gust. Guying the antenna is the safest, most reliable way to ensure
it does not fall over. Using weights or stakes can be a convenient strategy for
short operaons.
Always use common sense when seng up the antenna in a locaon with
other people around. Don’t risk injury to yourself or others — if the antenna
can fall over and hurt someone — guy it!

SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: [phone] www.steppir.com
Page 15
Do You Have Everything?
Make sure you have everything you need before you begin to set up the
antenna. Lay everything out at the setup locaon just to be sure.

SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: [phone] www.steppir.com
Page 16
3. GETTING STARTED
1. Set up the tripod or other mounng pole in an area that allows clearance for
the vercal radiator and the radial(s). Always either guy the tripod or put
weights on the support legs, it doesn’t take much wind to blow over a 16’
pole. (1)
2. Aach the CrankIR to the tripod (2a) or other suitable mounng pole
(1.825” max OD) and ghten the four wing nuts on the saddle clamps
(2b). Make sure the tripod pole is only inserted to the top of the lower
clamp so it doesn’t block the telescoping pole from being inserted into the
top clamp (2b).
(1)
5
4
Antenna Set Up
The following procedures are not the only way to deploy this antenna. It is in
our experience an ecient way to set up the antenna. Over me you will
likely nd a method that beer suits your use - we welcome your input.

SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: [phone] www.steppir.com
Page 17
Next Insert the Return Support Rod into the Return Support Rod
Mounng Block turn it clockwise unl the stop is reached (2c, 2d).
(2a) (2b)
(2c) (2d)
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SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: [phone] www.steppir.com
Page 18
3. Aach the Pole Tip Tensioner to the p of the telescoping pole (3a) and
ghten the four wingnuts on the saddle clamp (3b). Deploy the two
berglass arms with pulleys by loosening the two hand screws (3b) enough
to allow pulling the white plasc blocks out enough to clear the channel in
the gray plasc block. Now rotate the rods so they are extended out roughly
perpendicular to the telescoping pole (3c). Push both white plasc blocks
down into the channel so they boom out and ghten the hand screws (3d).
Next, extend the rst two or three p secons of the pole and pull them
ght enough to lock them in place during use (3f). We recommend securing
the pole joints with electrical tape to prevent inadvertent collapsing of the
pole. Taping must be done if guy ropes are aached to the pole.
Rotate the Pole and Tensioner Block so the back of the block now faces
“forward” (3e). Turning the block around greatly reduces the possibility of
the cord/wire catching on the wingnuts or hand screw heads.
(3a) (3c)
(3d) (3e)
(3b)
Hand Screws
Hand screws
Wingnuts
Pole Tension Block
Reverse Side

SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: [phone] www.steppir.com
Page 19
4. Release the Wire Reel Lock by turning the hand screw, this knob also
adjusts the spring-loaded drag on the wire reel (4a). Adjust the knob so the
wire reel has a suitable amount of drag to prevent freewheeling as the Wire/
Cord is deployed by extending each pole secon. If the wire reel is allowed
to freewheel the wire will come o the reel and tangle. Now unlock the cord
reel by turning the Cord Reel Lock/Drag Knob and turn the Cord Reel to
take tension o the cord and unhook the cord from the Cord Reel Hook
(4b, 4c). The cord should already be routed through the Wire Guide Block
(4a).
(4a)
(3f)
(4c)(4b)
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SteppIR Antennas 2112 116th Ave NE #1-5, Bellevue, WA 98004 Tel: [phone] www.steppir.com
Page 20
(5a) (5b)
(5c)
(5d) (5e)
5. Next, thread the cord through the two pulleys (5a, 5b) on the Pole Tip Ten-
sioner while holding the telescoping pole p with the bu end resng on
the ground.
Now thread the cord through the Return Support Rod and Return Support
Rod/Cord Guide Block (5d). Temporarily hook the cord loop around the
Radial Release Knob (5e). While holding the pole upright, extend each
secon and lock it in place; as you do this, the cord will be fed o the Wire
Reel. Do this smoothly to prevent the cord coming o the reel and tangling.
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