Valcom VBBA2-30-18 User manual

TECHNICAL MANUAL
VTM-05-005/F
OPERATION AND INSTALLATION
INSTRUCTIONS
HF BROADBAND ANTENNA
MODEL VBBA2-30-18
Valcom Manufacturing Group, Inc
175 Southgate Drive, P.O.Box 603, Guelph, Ontario, Canada N1H 6L3 Tel: [phone] Fax: [phone]
Web Site: www.valcommfg.ca Email: [email protected]

VTM-05-005F
RECORD OF CHANGES
CHANGE NUMBER DATE TITLE OF BRIEF
DESCRIPTION ENTERED BY
- A - Dec 2005 Original Issue J.S.
- B - Feb 2006 Changed antenna from 18ft to 24ft J.S.
- C - Mar 2006 Added 19ft antenna information and
added performance charts J.S.
- D - Apr 2006 Changed system from separate antenna
and tuner to broadband style whip J.S.
- E - Aug 2011
Changed height from 19ft to 18ft, fixed
power rating and removed test
procedures and data for a more generic
format
J.S.
- F - Nov 2013 Complete re-format to match other
similar tech manuals J.S.

VTM-05-005F
i
Table of Contents
Section Page
1 GENERAL INFORMATION AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS ......................... 1
1-1 General Safety Precautions ............................................... 1
1-2 SpecificWarnings ...................................................... 1
1-3 Introduction ........................................................... 2
1-4 EquipmentDescription .................................................. 2
1-5 RelationshiptoOtherEquipment .......................................... 2
1-6 ReferenceData......................................................... 2
1-7 EquipmentAccessories,andDocumentsSupplied ............................. 2
2 OPERATION ................................................................ 6
2-1 Introduction ........................................................... 6
2-2 ControlsandIndicators .................................................. 6
2-3 OperatingProcedures.................................................... 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 OperatorTurn-off ................................................ 6
2-3.5 Emergency Operation ............................................. 6
2-3.6 EmergencyTurn-off .............................................. 6
3 FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION ................................................. 7
3-1 FunctionalDescription .................................................. 7
4 INSTALLATION ............................................................. 8
4-1 SiteInformation........................................................ 8
4-2 ToolsandMaterialsRequired ............................................. 8
4-3 UnpackingandRepacking................................................ 8
4-4 Foundation ............................................................ 8
4-5 Input Requirements ..................................................... 8
4-6 InstallationProcedures .................................................. 8
4-7 CablesandConnectors .................................................. 9
4-8 Installation Checkout .................................................... 9
5 MAINTENANCE ............................................................ 11
5-1 ScheduledMaintenance................................................. 11
5-2 CorrectiveMaintenance................................................. 11
5-2.1 GeneralRepairs ................................................ 11
5-2.2 CosmeticRepairs ............................................... 12
6 QUICKREFERENCEDATA .................................................. 13
6-1 General.............................................................. 13
6-2 Manufacturer’sAddress................................................. 13

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LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Figure Page
1-1 AntennaVBBA2-30 ...............................................3
4-1 Outline Drawing .................................................10
LIST OF TABLES
Table Page
1-1 ReferenceData....................................................4
1-2 PowerHandlingvsFrequencyTable...................................4
1-3 Equipment,AccessoriesandDocumentsSupplied ........................5
4-1 Cable and Connector Group Suggestions ...............................9

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SECTION 1
GENERAL INFORMATION AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
1-1 GENERAL SAFETY PRECAUTIONS. The following general safety precautions are not
related to any specific procedures and therefore do not appear elsewhere in this publication.
Thesearerecommendedprecautions that personnel mustunderstandandapplyduringmany
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 VBBA2-30-18 broadband antenna.
1-4 EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION. The VBBA2-30-18 Broadband Antenna (see figure 1-1) is
a whip antenna for general use with HF communications equipment. The antenna provides
verticallypolarized, omnidirectional azimuth radiation from5to 30 MHz whenthe 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 one piece antenna and is base mounted. The
mounting flange and insulator is a single integral part made from fibreglass.
1-5 RELATIONSHIPTO OTHER EQUIPMENT. TheVBBA2-30-18 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 1-3 lists the
equipment and documents supplied.

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Figure 1-1 Antenna VBBA2-30-18

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Table 1-1 Reference Data
PARAMETER SPECIFICATION
Nomenclature Antenna, VBBA2-30-18
Manufacturer 35736
Frequency Range 5-30 MHz
VSWR 2.0:1 Maximum
Polarization Vertical
Power Rating See Table 1-2 below
Azimuth Coverage Omnidirectional
Input Connection 7/8 EIA Flange (see Note 1)
Temperature -50ºC to 65ºC (-60ºF to 150ºF)
Wind Velocity 115 mph (185 kph) (51.4 m/s) (100 knots)
Humidity 0 - 100 %
Shock MIL-S-901D Grade A
Vibration MIL-STD-167-1A Type 1
NOTES: 1. For 1 kW operation, an 7/8 EIA to N adapter can be supplied (optional)
Table 1-2 Power Handling vs. Frequency Table
Frequency Range Maximum Power
Continuous-Duty Maximum Power Intermittent Duty1
5 to 10.999 MHz 1500 W 3000 W for 10 minutes
11 to 20.999 MHz 2000 W 3000 W for 15 minutes
21 to 29.999 MHz 2000 W 3000 W for 30 minutes
1. Duration for continuous-duty transmission, allowing antenna to cool to ambient between
transmissions
Table 1-3 Equipment, Accessories and Documents Supplied

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5
QTY NOMENCLATURE OVERALL DIMENSIONS (INCHES) WEIGHT (POUNDS)
UNCRATED
CRATED UNCRATED
HEIGHT DIA HEIGHT DIA
1 ANTENNA
VBBA2-30-18
P/N VD-11-00207-1
--- --- 216 13.0
Base 200
1 TECHNICAL
MANUAL FOR
VBBA2-30-18
ANTENNA
VTM-05-005
1 GROUND STRAP
P/N VC-97-00069-1
1 7/8-EIA to N-Type
ADAPTER
VC-06-00142-1
(NOTE: Optionally
installed for 1 kW or less
operation)
- 1/2" HELIAX CABLE
(LDF4-50A)
CONNECTOR
ANDREW P/N: L44R
(NOTE: Optionally
supplied for 1kW or
more operation)

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SECTION 2
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
operatetheantenna.However,theantennaiscoupledtoRFequipment(transmitter/receiver)
and to associated systemswhich 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 OperationUnderInterferingConditions.Noadditionaloralternateinstructionsarenecessary
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 connectedtothe antenna mayrequire 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.