Valcom VTM-00-009 User manual

VTM-00-009
Rev C
TECHNICAL MANUAL
and
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
SLOPING VEE
ANTENNA SYSTEM
VD-99-00182-1
Designed and Manufactured by:
Valcom Manufacturing Group, Inc.
Guelph, Ontario, Canada

Valcom Manufacturing Group, Inc. i
Sloping Vee Antenna System Manual
REVISION SHEET
Revision Description Date
A Original Issue October 30, 2000
B - Added mast kit details
- Minor formatting changes July 11, 2011
C - Revised details on improved mast kit August 23, 2011

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Sloping Vee Antenna System Manual
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 INFORMATION
1.1 General Description ...................................................1
1.2 Technical Reference Data ..............................................1
1.3 Electrical Description .................................................2
1.4 Mechanical Description ................................................2
1.5 Scheduled Maintenance ................................................2
1.6 Corrective Maintenance ................................................2
2.0 INSTALLATION
2.1 Unpacking ..........................................................3
2.2 NewSitePreparation ..................................................3
2.3 AssemblyandRaising .................................................4
2.3.1 Directional Setup ............................................4
2.3.2 Omni-Directional Setup .......................................6
3.0 PARTS LIST
3.1General................................................................8
3.2AdditionalMaterialsRequired..............................................8
4.0 QUICK REFERENCE DATA
4.1General...............................................................10
4.2Manufacturer’sAddress..................................................10
LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES
1. Table 1.1 : Electrical Properties .............................................1
2. Table 1.2 : Mechanical Properties ...........................................1
3. Figure2-1:Drain-holelocation ............................................4
4. Table 3.1 : List of parts for the Sloping Vee Antenna System .....................8
5. Figure3-1:IllustrationofitemsinTable3.1 ..................................9
6. Figure4-1:RecommendedDirectionalConfiguration..........................11
7. Figure4-2:DetailofLoadConnection......................................12
8. Figure4-3:DetailofBalunConnection .....................................12
9. Figure4-4:DetailofMastAssembly .......................................12
10.Figure4-5:RecommendedOmni-DirectionalConfiguration.....................13
11.Figure4-6:DetailofInsulatorConnection...................................14
12.Figure4-7:DetailofBalunConnection .....................................14
13.Figure4-8:DetailofLoadConnection......................................14
14.Figure4-9:TypicalVSWRplot ...........................................15

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1ICAS - International Commercial and Amateur Service
Sloping Vee Antenna System Manual
1.0 INFORMATION
1.1 General Description
The Valcom Model VD-99-00182-1 Sloping Vee Broadband Antenna is designed for
operation from 1.8 MHz to 30 MHz. The antenna comes fully assembled and pre-tuned,
no measuring or cutting is required. A counterpoise wire is supplied for employment
where ground conditions are poor (see installation instructions for details). This antenna
is all weather rated at 500W, 1 kW PEP CW/SSB ICAS1, and permits full use of the
capabilities of today’s continuous coverage transceivers. An added feature is single
feedline operation for the entire band.
1.2 Technical Reference Data
Table 1.1 Electrical Properties
Frequency Range 1.8 MHz to 30 MHz
Power Rating 500 W Average, 1 kW Peak
Polarization Horizontal and Vertical Simultaneously
Radiation Pattern, Azimuth Bi-directional or Omni-directional
Input Impedance 50 ohm (nominal)
VSWR < 2 : 1
Feedpoint Connector Female N-type
Table 1.2 Mechanical Properties
Typical Assembled Height 25 feet (7.6 metre)
Typical Assembled Dimensions 105 ft x 25 ft x 25 ft (32 m x 7.6 m x 7.6 m)
Weight 43 lbs (19.5 kg)
Erection Time 20 minutes, two persons
Volume (for storage) 3.4 cu ft (0.10 m3)

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Sloping Vee Antenna System Manual
1.3 Electrical Description
The Sloping Vee Antenna is fabricated with #14 AWG stranded copper-clad stainless
steel wire. It features a high impact resistant balun and matching network. The feedline
impedance of the antenna is 50 ohm and comes equipped with an N-type (female) coax
cable connector.
The antenna is generally mounted in an inverted vee configuration. With the centre of
the antenna rising up to 25 feet off the ground, approximately 100 linear feet of space and
a 50 foot diameter area around the mast, is all that is required for installation. With the
balun at one end of the wire, close to ground level and the terminating resistor at the
other end of the wire, close to ground, a slightly bi-directional radiation pattern results.
An alternative installation method is to mount the balun at the top of the mast with the
terminating resistor centred near the mast and close to ground level. An omni-directional
radiation pattern results from this setup.
1.4 Mechanical Description
The antenna is comprised of 112 feet of antenna wire, 112 feet of counterpoise, a high-
impact resistant balun and a rugged terminating resistor. When assembled in the
recommended fashion, the antenna has a 25 foot height and runs about 105 feet long.
The mast is guyed with 3 ropes located at two locations along the mast and spans out 25
feet from the mast to create a 50 foot installation diameter.
1.5 Scheduled Maintenance
The antenna is virtually maintenance free. Care should be taken not to bend or kink the
antenna wire or counterpoise when installing or packing antenna.
1.6 Corrective Maintenance
Generally, no corrective maintenance is possible or required. If one of the components of
the antenna are severely damaged, it must be replaced by a new component or have the
antenna replaced completely.

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Sloping Vee Antenna System Manual
WARNING
Outdoor antennas and lead-in conductors from antenna to building shall
not cross over electric light or power circuits and shall be kept well away
from all such circuits so as to avoid the possibility of accidental contact.
Where proximity to electric light or power service conductors of less than
250 volts can not be avoided, the installation shall be such so as to provide
a clearance of at least 2 feet. Where practical, antenna conductors shall be
installed so as to not cross under electric light or power conductors.
2.0 INSTALLATION
2.1 Unpacking
The Sloping Vee antenna is packaged within a series of plastic bags all contained within
a canvas duffel bag. Remove all items from the bags and ensure all items are present and
in good condition. A list of supplied materials is found in Table 3.1.
2.2 New Site Preparation
Determine how and where the antenna will be installed. Study all of the illustrations
(Figures 4-1 to 4-8) to determine which installation best fits your individual requirements.
Trees, sides of buildings, utility poles, etc. make good supports. Supports may be
conductive such as a metal pole, but be certain to use insulators to keep the antenna wire
from making contact.
The antenna may be set up in shapes other than those shown, or shortened, with minimal
effect on the bandwidth. However, the radiation efficiency at the lower frequencies will
be reduced somewhat.
DO NOT INSTALL PARALLEL TO POWER LINES.
For directional applications, the maximum gain of the antenna will generally be in the
direction from the balun to the resistor. When the bearing of the intended receiver is
known, care should be taken to orient the antenna in this direction this is me.

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Sloping Vee Antenna System Manual
Figure 2-1
2.3 Assembly and Raising
When installing the antenna, ensure that the drain holes of the balun and matching
network are facing down. Refer to Figure 2-1.
The antenna is comprised of the parts listed in Section 3. In summary, there is a mast
assembly, two guy rope assemblies, a balun, a load, an element wire, a counterpoise wire
and three ground stakes. Mechanical connections of the mast are made through
aluminum sleeve and pins. Mechanical connections of the antenna wires are made with
fireman snap type connectors. Electrical connections of the antenna are made with wing
nut type fasteners.
2.3.1 Directional Setup
Step 1. Find a suitable centre point for the base of the mast. Thread the Ground Stake
Ferrule Adaptor onto one of the Ground Rods. Ensure the 3/4-10 stainless
steel bolt is fully threaded into the other end of the Adaptor. Drive the stake,
approximately 1-1/2 feet into the ground using the supplied Club Hammer.
Remove the Adaptor and thread on the Stake Mount Insulator.
Step 2. Walk out roughly 25 feet from the stake into any direction. Hammer a plastic
peg into the ground at this point.
Step 3. Walk back to the stake and walk out another 25 feet in the opposite direction
as the first time. Turn to the right by about 60 degrees and walk another 25
feet. Hammer the next peg into the ground at this point, ensuring it is still 25
feet from the stake.
Step 4. Repeat step 3 but turn to the left this time. There should now be three pegs
located 120 degrees from each other on a 50 foot diameter circle.
Step 5. Determine the general direction the antenna needs to face. Walk out roughly
50 feet in this direction. Drive another Ground Stake into the ground at this
point, using the Club Hammer and the Ground Stake Ferrule Adaptor.
Remove the Adaptor and thread on a Ground Rod Ferrule Assembly. Clip the
ground side of the Termination Load Resistor onto the insulator loop. The
ground side is the side with two lead wires protruding from it. Insert the fork
terminal under the thumb screw on top of the Ground Stake Ferrule and
tighten.
Step 6. Clip one end of the “Element” wire onto the free side of the Termination Load
Resistor. Join the fork terminal of the Element wire to the thumbscrew

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assembly of the Load Resistor and tighten. Carefully unravel the spool of
“Element” wire to its end, while passing across the centre stake.
Step 7. Place the 6th Mast Section onto the Stake Mount Insulator as a temporary
holder. Thread the “Element” wire onto the loop at the top of this Mast
Section. Clip the 3 Upper Guy Rope Assemblies onto the triangular Guy
Rope Collar found on the 6th Mast Section. Unravel the 3 Upper Guy Rope
Assemblies towards the pegs hammered into the ground in steps 2-4. Cinch
the rope assemblies up about 7 feet and hook onto the pegs.
Step 8. Lift the 6th Mast Section off the Insulator Mount and slide the 5th Mast Section
into the bottom of the 6th Section. Secure the two together with the pin.
Step 9. Lift the 5th/ 6th Mast assembly and insert the 4th Mast Section into the bottom
of the 5th Mast Section and secure with the pin. Repeat for the 3rd Mast
Section.
Step 10. Clip the 3 Lower Guy Rope Assemblies onto the triangular Guy Rope Collar
found on the 3rd Mast Section. Unravel the 3 Lower Guy Rope Assemblies
towards the pegs hammered into the ground in steps 2-4. Cinch the rope
assemblies up about 7 feet and hook onto the pegs with the Upper Ropes.
Step 11. Carefully lift the 6th/ 5th/ 4th/ 3rd Mast assembly and insert the 2nd Mast Section
into the bottom of the 3rd Mast Section. Secure the two tegether with the pin.
Repeat for the 1st Mast Section.
Step 12. Place the 6 Mast Sections onto the Stake Mount Insulator and cinch up the six
guy ropes until the mast sits tight and straight.
Step 13. Pull the Element Wire taught and repeat Step 5 except with the Balun
Assembly. The ground side is the side with two lead wires protruding from it.
Set the stake location so that the element wire is not under stress but is not
drooping loose.
Step 14. In areas of poor or no ground, the “Counterpoise” wire may be necessary.
This would be connected to the Fork Terminals found on the ground sides of
the Termination Load Resistor and the balun. The antenna may work best
with the one end of the counterpoise not connected to the ground side of the
Termination Load Resistor. Try both to determine the best results for the
specific installation. The counterpoise is essential in poor ground, dry soil, or
above ground installations. Its length is not critical, and does not have to run
directly under the antenna wire.
Step 15. Connect a suitable coaxial cable to the input connector of the Balun. Length
is not critical, but it should be rated to easily handle the amount of power to
be used and mate with a female N-type cable connector. The antenna is pre-
tuned at the factory for an average VSWR of 1.4:1 with a maximum of 2.0:1,
depending upon the frequency used and surrounding objects, ground
conditions, etc. If you wish to optimize performance, experiment with the
counterpoise and the grounds, taking VSWR readings as a guide.

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Sloping Vee Antenna System Manual
2.3.2 Omni-Directional Setup
Step 1. Find a suitable centre point for the base of the mast. Thread the Ground Stake
Ferrule Adaptor onto one of the Ground Rods. Ensure the 3/4-10 stainless
steel bolt is fully threaded into the other end of the Adaptor. Drive the stake,
approximately 1-1/2 feet into the ground using the supplied Club Hammer.
Remove the Adaptor and thread on the Stake Mount Insulator.
Step 2. Walk out roughly 25 feet from the stake into any direction. Hammer a plastic
peg into the ground at this point.
Step 3. Walk back to the stake and walk out another 25 feet in the opposite direction
as the first time. Turn to the right by about 60 degrees and walk another 25
feet. Hammer the next peg into the ground at this point, ensuring it is still 25
feet from the stake.
Step 4. Repeat step 3 but turn to the left this time. There should now be three pegs
located 120 degrees from each other on a 50 foot diameter circle.
Step 5. Walk out roughly 50 feet in any direction. Drive another Ground Stake into
the ground at this point, using the Club Hammer and the Ground Stake Ferrule
Adaptor. Remove the Adaptor and thread on a Ground Rod Ferrule
Assembly.
Step 6. Place the 6th Mast Section onto the Stake Mount Insulator as a temporary
holder. Hook one of the eyebolts from the Balun onto the Loop at the top of
the 6th Mast Section so that the balun sits with the connector pointing
downward. Clip the 3 Upper Guy Rope Assemblies onto the triangular Guy
Rope Collar found on the 6th Mast Section. Unravel the 3 Upper Guy Rope
Assemblies towards the pegs hammered into the ground in steps 2-4. Cinch
the rope assemblies up about 7 feet and hook onto the pegs.
Step 7. Hook one end of the “Element” Wire to the free eyebolt of the Balun. Join the
Fork Terminal to the Thumb Screw Assembly and tighten. Unravel the
Element wire carefully towards the ground stake installed in Step 5. Install the
Element Wire into the snap found on the end of the insulator assembly of the
Ground Stake and continue unravelling the Element wire back towards the
centre Stake Mount.
Step 8. Hook one end of the “Counterpoise” Wire to the loop at the top of the 6th Mast
Section. Join the Fork Terminal to the Thumb Screw Assembly. Unravel the
Counterpoise wire carefully in the opposite direction as the Element wire,
roughly 50 feet. Temporarily drive the last Ground Stake into the ground and
again loop the Wire through the snap on the end of the Insulator found on the
Stake Mount Ferrule Assembly. Continue unravelling the Counterpoise wire
back towards the centre Stake Mount.
Step 9. Join the two Wires with the Termination Load Resistor between them.
Connect the fork Terminals on the wires to the Thumbscrew Assemblies on
the Load Resistor.
Step 10. Connect the RF feed cable to the input connector of the Balun.
Step 11. Lift the 6th Mast Section off the Insulator Mount and slide the 5th Mast Section

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Sloping Vee Antenna System Manual
into the bottom of the 6th Section. Secure the two together with the pin. Also,
secure the coax cable to the mast with the attached “Hook & Loop” strap.
Step 12. Lift the 5th/ 6th Mast assembly and insert the 4th Mast Section into the bottom
of the 5th Mast Section and secure with the pin. Repeat for the 3rd Mast
Section.
Step 13. Clip the 3 Lower Guy Rope Assemblies onto the triangular Guy Rope Collar
found on the 3rd Mast Section. Unravel the 3 Lower Guy Rope Assemblies
towards the pegs hammered into the ground in steps 2-4. Cinch the rope
assemblies up about 7 feet and hook onto the pegs with the Upper Ropes.
Step 14. Carefully lift the 6th/ 5th/ 4th/ 3rd Mast assembly and insert the 2nd Mast Section
into the bottom of the 3rd Mast Section. Secure the two tegether with the pin.
Repeat for the 1st Mast Section.
Step 15. Place the 6 Mast Sections onto the Stake Mount Insulator and cinch up the six
guy ropes until the mast sits tight and straight.
Step 16. Return to the temporary Ground Stake and remove from the ground while all
wires are still attached. Pull the Counterpoise Wire taught and re-drive the
Ground Stake into the ground in such a way that the wires are tight enough to
keep the Load Resistor off the ground but not so tight that the Mast is
stressed.
Step 17. Connect a suitable coaxial cable to the input connector of the Balun. Length
is not critical, but it should be rated to easily handle the amount of power to
be used and mate with a female N-type cable connector. The antenna is pre-
tuned at the factory for an average VSWR of 1.4:1 with a maximum of 2.0:1,
depending upon the frequency used and surrounding objects, ground
conditions, etc. If you wish to optimize performance, experiment with the
counterpoise and the grounds, taking VSWR readings as a guide.

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Sloping Vee Antenna System Manual
3.0 PARTS LIST
3.1 General
A list of parts as supplied with the Sloping Vee Antenna System appears in Table 3.1.
Corresponding Illustrations can be found on the following page in Figure 3-1.
Table 3.1 - List of Parts for the Sloping Vee Antenna System
Item Part Number Description Qty
1 VD-99-00192-1 Balun 1 ea
2 VD-99-00190-1 Resistive Load 1 ea
3 VC-11-00185-1 Element Wire 1 ea
4 VC-11-00185-2 Counterpoise 1 ea
5 VC-95-00008-1 Ground Stake 3 ea
6 VC-11-00177-1 Stake Mount Insulator 1 ea
7 VC-11-00183-1 Ferrule/Insulator Assy 2 ea
8 VB-95-00005-1 Hammer Adaptor with 3/4-10 SST Bolt 1 ea
9 VD-11-00175-1 Mast Section #1 1 ea
10 VD-11-00175-2 Mast Section #2 1 ea
11 VD-11-00175-3 Mast Section #3 1 ea
12 VD-11-00175-4 Mast Section #4 1 ea
13 VD-11-00175-5 Mast Section #5 1 ea
14 VD-11-00175-6 Mast Section #6 1 ea
15 VD-11-00180-1 Lower Guy Rope Assy 3 ea
16 VD-11-00181-1 Upper Guy Rope Assy 3 ea
17 VD-11-00172-11 Peg 3 ea
18 VD-11-00172-12 2 lb Club Hammer 1 ea
19 VTM-00-009C Technical Manual 1 ea

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Sloping Vee Antenna System Manual
632514
Figure 3-1 Illustration of items in Table 3.1

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Sloping Vee Antenna System Manual
4.0 QUICK REFERENCE DATA
4.1 General
Quick reference engineering data and illustrations for use during planning and installation
of the Sloping Vee Antenna are presented on the following pages.
Figure 4.1 - 4.4; Recommended Directional Installation scheme.
Figure 4.5 - 4.8; Recommended Omni-Directional Installation scheme.
Figure 4.9; Typical VSWR plot.
4.2 Manufacturer's Address
Postal address: Shipping address:
Valcom Manufacturing Group, Inc
P.O. Box 603
Guelph, Ontario
Canada
N1H 6L3
Valcom Manufacturing Group, Inc
175 Southgate Drive
Hanlon Industrial Park
Guelph, Ontario
Canada
N1G 3M5
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
e-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.valcommfg.ca

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1 2 3 4 5 6
Figure 4-1 Recommended Directional Configuration

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Sloping Vee Antenna System Manual
Figure 4-3 Detail of Balun Connection
Figure 4-2 Detail of Load Connection
Figure 4-4 Detail of Mast Assembly

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Sloping Vee Antenna System Manual
1
2 3
4
5 6
Figure 4-5 Recommended Omni-Directional Construction

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Sloping Vee Antenna System Manual
Figure 4-6 Detail of Insulator Connection
1
Figure 4-8 Detail of Load Connection
Figure 4-7 Detail of balun Connection

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Sloping Vee Antenna System Manual
Figure 4-9