Tactical Whip Antenna
Quick Reference Card
Requirements for deployment
• 3 m (10 ft) collapsible whip antenna, tape
whip antenna, or knock-down whip antenna
• earth lead with clip and plug, or counterpoise
Antenna selection
The tape and knock-down whip antennas are
suitable for communication over short distances
up to 100 km (60 mi), using frequencies of
3–30 MHz.
The 3 m (10 ft) collapsible whip antenna is
suitable for communication over short to
medium distances up to 500 km (300 mi), using
frequencies of 2–30 MHz.
Deploying a tactical whip antenna
To ensure optimal transceiver performance and
to avoid exposure to excessive electromagnetic
fields, the antenna system must be deployed
according to the instructions provided.
To deploy a tactical whip antenna:
Select a site that is clear of
NOTE
WARNING
1 Straighten the antenna.
1 Switch off the transceiver.
1 Screw the antenna onto the antenna stud ( )
on the front panel.
WARNING
1 Orient the antenna vertically for medium-
distance communication on any suitable
frequency, or horizontally for short-distance
communication on frequencies less than
approximately 6 MHz.
overhead power lines and other
electrical interference.
Do not deploy or use the antenna if
there is lightning in the area.
Take care not to cross the
thread on the antenna stud.
1 To use an earth lead:
1 To use a counterpoise:
1 Switch on the transceiver.
1 Select a channel, then press PTT to tune.
1 Ensure that the internal antenna tuner is
WARNING
WARNING
• Plug the earth lead into the earth terminal
( ) on the front panel.
• Clip the other end of the earth lead to a
large metal object, e.g. shed, vehicle,
fence post.
• Lay out the counterpoise, forming a
cross.
• Prop the transceiver against a suitable
support in the centre of the counterpoise.
• Plug the wire from the counterpoise into
the earth terminal ( ) on the front panel.
activated ( AT U /50 or ATU).
High RF voltages are present
during transmission and tuning. Do
not touch the antenna during these
activities.
You should not transmit from your
transceiver or tune the antenna
unless people are standing beyond
the safe working distance of 0.6 m
(2 ft) from the antenna.
© Codan Limited 2004 06-02289-EN Issue 1
Packing up a tactical whip antenna
To pack up a tactical whip antenna:
1 Switch off the transceiver.
1 Unplug the earth lead or counterpoise from
the earth terminal, wind up, then stow.
1 Unscrew the antenna from the antenna stud.
1 Fold the antenna, secure with velcro (if
fitted), then stow.