Valcom VBBA 2-30 User manual

TECHNICAL MANUAL
VTM-98006F
OPERATION AND INSTALLATION
INSTRUCTIONS
HF BROADBAND ANTENNA
MODEL VBBA 2-30
Valcom Limited
175 Southgate Drive, P.O.Box 603, Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1H 6L3 Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
Web Site: www.valcom-guelph.com Email: e[email protected]

VTM-98006F
RECORD OF CHANGES
CHANGE NUMBER DATE TITLE OF BRIEF
DESCRIPTION
ENTERED BY
-- Jan 2001 - Original Issue H.D.
- A - May 2002
- Added additional cable and
connector information
- Fixed minor typing errors
J.S.
- B - Sept 2002
- Deleted reference to LC-N type
and 7/8" Heliax adapters as
being included
- They are options to be ordered
separately by the customer
J.S.
- C - Nov 2003 - Added detail to Figure 4-1 J.S.
- D - Aug 2006 - Change to 7/8 EIA Connector
and related parts HD..
- E - Aug 2007 Added Maintenance Section J.Soper
- F- April 2009 Fixed power rating spec from
2kW to 3kW J.Soper

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Table of Contents
Section Page
1 GENERAL INFORMATION AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ...................1
1-1 General Safety Precautions ..........................................1
1-2 Specific Warnings .................................................1
1-3 Introduction ......................................................2
1-4 Equipment Description .............................................2
1-5 Relationship to Other Equipment .....................................2
1-6 Reference Data ....................................................2
1-7 Equipment Accessories, and Documents Supplied ........................2
2OPERATION ...........................................................6
2-1 Introduction ......................................................6
2-2 Controls and Indicators .............................................6
2-3 Operating Procedures ...............................................6
2-3.1 Operator Turn-on ............................................6
2-3.2 Modes of Operation ..........................................6
2-3.3 Operation Under Interfering Conditions ..........................6
2-3.4 Operator Turn-off ............................................6
2-3.5 Emergency Operation ........................................6
2-3.6 Emergency Turn-off ..........................................6
3FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION ............................................7
3-1 Functional Description .............................................7
4INSTALLATION .......................................................8
4-1 Site Information ...................................................8
4-2 Tools and Materials Required ........................................8
4-3 Unpacking and Repacking ...........................................8
4-4 Foundation .......................................................8
4-5 Input Requirements ................................................8
4-6 Installation ......................................................8
4-7 Cables and Connectors .............................................9
4-8 Installation Checkout ..............................................10
5MAINTENANCE ......................................................11
5-1 Preventative Maintenance ..........................................11
5-2 Corrective Maintenance ............................................11

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ii
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Figure Page
1-1 Antenna VBBA 2-30 ...............................................3
4-1 Installation Data ..................................................11
LIST OF TABLES
Table Page
1-1 Reference Data ....................................................4
1-2 Equipment and Documents Supplied ...................................5
4-1 Cable and Connector Group Suggestions ..............................10

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1
SECTION 1
GENERAL INFORMATION AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
1-1 GENERAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS. The following general safety precautions are not
related to any specificprocedures and therefore do not appear elsewhere in this publication.
These are recommended precautions thatpersonnelmust understand and apply during many
phases of operation and maintenance.
WARNING
Keep away from live circuits. Operating personnel must at all times observe all safety
regulations, to prevent serious injury or death due to electrical shock.
Do not service or adjust alone. Under no circumstances should any person service or adjust
the equipment except in the presence of someone who is capable of rendering aid.
Personnel working with or near high voltages should be familiar with modern methods of
resuscitation.
1.2 SPECIFIC WARNINGS. The following specific precautions are related to inspecting and
removing the antenna.
WARNING
Ensure that the transmitting equipment is de-energized prior to inspection of the antenna.
Make sure the test equipment is properly grounded, to prevent electric shock.
CAUTION
Make sure the antenna is properly supported before removing its mounting hardware.
CAUTION
Do not coat the insulator with any substance; do not paint with lead base paints.

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1-3 INTRODUCTION. This manual provides general information, operating and functional
description, and installation data for Valcom's VBBA 2-30 broadband antenna.
1-4 EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION. The VBBA 2-30 Broadband Antenna (see figure 1-1) is a
whip antenna for general use with HF communications equipment. The antenna provides
vertically polarized, omnidirectional azimuth radiation from 2 to 30 MHz when the antenna
is operated with a HF transceiver. It is designed for use under the severe environmental
conditions encountered aboard Naval vessels. It is used for either receiving or transmitting
high frequency signals. The antenna is a two section antenna and is base mounted. The
mounting flange and insulator is a single integral part made from fibreglass.
1-5 RELATIONSHIPTO OTHER EQUIPMENT. The VBBA 2-30 Antenna interfaces with the
HF receiving and transmitting equipment.
1-6 REFERENCE DATA. Table 1-1 lists the reference data for the antenna.
1-7 EQUIPMENT ACCESSORIES, AND DOCUMENTS SUPPLIED. Table 1-2 lists the
equipment and documents supplied.

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Figure 1-1 Antenna VBBA 2-30

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Table 1-1 Reference Data
PARAMETER SPECIFICATION
Nomenclature Antenna, VBBA 2-30
Manufacturer 35736
Frequency Range 2-30 MHz
VSWR 2.0:1 Maximum
Polarization Vertical
Power Rating 3 kW
Azimuth Coverage Omnidirectional
Input Connection 7/8 EIA Flange (see Note 1)
Temperature -50ºC to 65ºC (-60ºF to 150ºF)
Wind Velocity 140 mph (224 kph)
Humidity 0 - 100 %
Shock MIL-S-901C Grade A
Vibration MIL-STD-167-1 Type 1
NOTES: 1. For 1 kW operation, an 7/8 EIA to N adapter can be supplied (optional)
Table 1-2 Equipment, Accessories and Documents Supplied

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QTY
NOMENCLATURE OVERALL DIMENSIONS (INCHES) WEIGHT
(POUNDS)
UNCRATED
CRATED UNCRATED
HEIGHT DIA HEIGHT DIA
1 ANTENNA
VBBA 2-30
P/N VD-97-00061-1
--- --- 421 13.0
Base
260
1 TECHNICAL
MANUAL FOR
VBBA 2-30 ANTENNA
VTM-98006
1 DC-4 ELECTRICAL
INSULATING
COMPOUND
9 MS24693-C140
3/8-16 X .75 L
FLAT HD SCREW
1 MIL-T-22361
ANTI-SEIZE
COMPOUND
1 GROUND STRAP
P/N VC-97-00069-1
1 7/8 EIA to N Type
ADAPTER (ANDREW
PN: 2260B )
(NOTE: Optionally
supplied for 1 kW or less
operation)
1 1/2" HELIAX CABLE
(LDF4-50A)
CONNECTOR
ANDREW P/N: L44R
(NOTE: Optionally
supplied for 1kW or
more operation)
SECTION 2

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OPERATION
2-1 INTRODUCTION. This chapter provides operating instructions for the antenna.
2-2 CONTROLS AND INDICATORS. The antenna contains no controls or indicators.
2-3 OPERATING PROCEDURES.
2-3.1 Operator Turn-On. No operator turn-on procedures apply since no power is required to
operate the antenna. However, the antenna is coupled to RF equipment
(transmitter/receiver) and to associated systems which may require energizing. For
operating instructions, consult the appropriate technical manuals.
2-3.2 Modes of Operation. The antenna operates automatically, and no operator intervention is
required other than interconnecting the associated transmitter or receiver with the
antenna.
2-3.3 Operation Under Interfering Conditions. No additional or alternate instructions are
necessary to operate the antenna under interfering conditions.
2-3.4 Operator Turn-off. Since no power is required to operate the antenna, no operator turn-
off is required. However, the specific equipment connected to the antenna may require
operator turn-off. Consult the associated technical manuals for turn-off procedures.
2-3.5 Emergency Operation. No additional or alternate steps are necessary to operate the
antenna under emergency conditions.
2-3.6 Emergency Turn-off. The antenna requires no emergency turn-off. For emergency turn-
off of specific equipment connected to the antenna, consult the associated technical
manuals.