Model S9v 18’ Mk II Multiband Vertical Antenna Installation Guide
S9v 18’ M k II Installation Guide _____________________________________________________________________________ WARNING: INSTALLATION OF THIS PRODUCT NEAR POWERLINES IS DANGEROUS. FOR YOUR SAFETY, FOLLOW THE INSTALLATION DIRECTIONS. INTRODUCTION Thank you for purchasing the S9v 18’ Mk II multiband vertical antenna, hereinafter referred to as the S9v. We believe the S9v to be the lightest, most efficient and safest full-size vertical antenna available and we sincerely hope that you enjoy your new S9v.
S9v 18’ M k II Installation Guide _____________________________________________________________________________ Antenna Tuner Since the S9v is extremely close to ¼-wavelength on 20 meters, it can be used as a serious 20 meter monoband DX antenna using the antenna tuner inside your rig (or with an external antenna tuner). In this configuration, the coax cable can be directly connected to the S9v using the supplied ring terminal connectors.
S9v 18’ M k II Installation Guide _____________________________________________________________________________ To create a 1:1 current choke balun using your coax feed line, simply wind 18 feet of your coax feed line (outside the radial field) evenly around a 4-inch round form such as a PVC pipe. You can use zip lock cable ties to secure the windings and to maintain the coil form.
S9v 18’ M k II Installation Guide _____________________________________________________________________________ Ground or Elevated Mount A 1” OD or smaller diameter pipe is required for the S9v to be mounted on the ground or in the air. For permanent ground-mount installations, we suggest using a 2 foot length of ¾-inch galvanized plumbing pipe from a hardware store like Home DepotTM or LowesTM, as shown below.
S9v 18’ M k II Installation Guide _____________________________________________________________________________ To create a mount for the S9v, simply install a U-bolt (not supplied) around the fiberglass mast about 12” from the top of the mast. The S9v will slip over the mast and rest on the u-bolt. You can then attach the four ¼-wave radials to the u-bolt using ring terminal connectors. Then, attach your coax shield/unun ground connection to the u-bolt.
S9v 18’ M k II Installation Guide _____________________________________________________________________________ For elevated installations, use 4 radials per band, each ¼ wavelength long. Attach the radials (and your coax shield) to the mast u-bolt at the base of the antenna using ring terminal connectors. If possible position the radials equally around the S9v base. You may drop the radials away from the S9v at a 45degree angle to the base, if desired, or lay them flat on a roof.
S9v 18’ M k II Installation Guide _____________________________________________________________________________ S9v 18’ MK II – HARDWARE Hook Tool Used to Retrieve Element Wire from Antenna Spare Vinyl Cap for Antenna Tip Four Polymer Tube Rings Two Ring Terminal Connectors and Hardware for Coax Center and Shield Lower End of S9v 18’ Vertical Element Wire ________________________________________________________________________ 8
S9v 18’ M k II Installation Guide _____________________________________________________________________________ ABOUT THE TUBE RINGS… - The polymer tube rings are not clamps – they are “stops” that are used to keep the associated tube section from collapsing down into the tube immediately below it. - Slide a tube ring over the tube and use your thumb and index finger to loosely latch the ring about 15 to 20 inches above the adjoining, lower tube.
S9v 18’ M k II Installation Guide _____________________________________________________________________________ ABOUT THE TUBE RINGS (Con’t) - Next, slide the ring down the tube to see if it fits tightly against the top edge of the adjoining lower tube. - If the ring is not tight, slide the ring back up the tube, use your thumb and index finger to advance the latch ONE MORE CLICK.
S9v 18’ M k II Installation Guide _____________________________________________________________________________ HOW TO UNLATCH A TUBE RING Unlatching a tube ring is easy! Use both hands. Push forward on one tab while pulling back on the other tab to free the latching mechanism, as shown below.
S9v 18’ M k II Installation Guide _____________________________________________________________________________ INSTALLING THE S9v 1. Select the Site. Try to use as open an area as possible to deploy the S9v. Even though the S9v is completely insulated, you absolutely MUST locate the antenna site at least 27’ away from power lines (1.5x the length of the antenna). In fact, an ideal installation site would be a least 27’ away from any other large object such as a house or trees. 2. Install the Mount.
S9v 18’ M k II Installation Guide _____________________________________________________________________________ Drive the 1” max OD pipe into ground leaving a maximum of 12 inches above the ground NOTE: Use a level while you are installing the pipe to ensure that it is as straight as possible in the vertical plane. Drive the 1 inch max OD pipe into the ground leaving 12 INCHES MAXIMUM above the ground. 3. Install the Radial Plate. After you have installed the pipe, install the S9 Radial Plate.
S9v 18’ M k II Installation Guide _____________________________________________________________________________ Unwind wire straight out from base tube until it is fully extended along the ground b. Next, remove the TOP cap plug (pulls off). Do NOT unscrew the BOTTOM end cap where the wire exits. Put the top cap plug in your pocket so that it will not be lost in the grass. c. We are ready to extend the antenna sections. The S9v should still be laying flat on the ground.
S9v 18’ M k II Installation Guide _____________________________________________________________________________ d. Gently pull the top, thinnest section straight out of the base tube (pull the section, not the cap) until it catches and pulls the next, lower section out. Gently twist the top section to lock it into the lower section. Now, pull the lower section straight out until the next section appears. Repeat this you have extended all the sections EXCEPT FOR THE SECTION ABOVE THE BOTTOM BASE TUBE.
S9v 18’ M k II Installation Guide _____________________________________________________________________________ g. Next, slide the ring down the tube toward the lower, larger tube section. All tube diameters are tapered, so the goal is to have the ring fit tightly against the top of the adjoining lower tube section.
S9v 18’ M k II Installation Guide _____________________________________________________________________________ j. Note how the rubber band is looped around itself on the tip of the connector. Now, remove the rubber band from the connector and unscrew the black plastic cap from the bottom of the S9v base tube. Next, poke the bare connector through the hole near the center of the black plastic cap and remove the cap. Hang on to the cap as we will screw it back on in a few steps. k.
S9v 18’ M k II Installation Guide _____________________________________________________________________________ n. To retrieve the vertical element wire from the antenna, use the hook tool to fish the rubber band loop out of the exit hole in the side of the base tube (as shown below). Once the tip of the connector is close to the exit hole, remove the hook tool and use your fingers to bring the connector through the hole. o.
S9v 18’ M k II Installation Guide _____________________________________________________________________________ 5. Raise the S9v. This is the fun part! To raise the S9v, simply grab it and lower it down over the ground pipe. 6. Connect Feed Line (or Unun) to Antenna. If you are using the S9v as a 20 meter monoband vertical, proceed with step “a”, below. If you are using the S9v as a multi-band antenna (20 – 6 meters), skip to step “b” on the next page now. a.
S9v 18’ M k II Installation Guide _____________________________________________________________________________ Connect coax center to S9v vertical element wire Connect coax shield to any convenient point on the radial plate Coax to 1:1 choke balun Wrap electrical tape around coax center lead to secure it to the base tube b.
S9v 18’ M k II Installation Guide _____________________________________________________________________________ NOTE: It is not necessary to weatherproof the ring terminal connections on the radial plate. 7. Install Ground Radials. For ground-mount installations, we suggest a minimum of 16 radials, each at least 13 feet, 5 inches long spaced as evenly as possible around the S9v base. For best performance, use 32 (or more) radials.
S9v 18’ M k II Installation Guide _____________________________________________________________________________ LOWERING THE S9v The antenna should perform in winds up to around 50 MPH. Ice is definitely a concern for any antenna. If winds above 50 MPH and/or ice are expected, you should lower the antenna to protect it from becoming damaged.
S9v 18’ M k II Installation Guide _____________________________________________________________________________ 6. Now, collapse the antenna sections. Hold the base tube firmly in one hand and twist section above the base tube while pushing it down slightly toward the base tube until the tube collapses into the base tube. 7. Before collapsing any other sections, if required, pull any slack in the vertical element wire out from the bottom of the base tube. 8.
S9v 18’ M k II Installation Guide _____________________________________________________________________________ SUPPORT If you have any questions or problems installing your S9v, please contact us. You can reach us via: Email - support@ldgelectronics.com Phone - 410-586-2177. Web – www.ldgelectronics.com Our mailing address is: LDG Electronics 1445 Parran Road St.
