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C463 Multiwire Broadband Dipole Antenna
(2–30 MHz)
Introduction
The C463 Multiwire Broadband Dipole Antenna is available in the following
power ratings:
Power rating Codan part number
250 W PEP 15-00463-001
500 W PEP 15-00463-002
1 kW PEP 15-00463-003
The antenna is designed for fixed station multi-frequency operation. These
instructions apply to all power ratings of this antenna.
There is a glossary of terms at the end of these instructions.
The C463 antenna is suitable for erection in the inverted V or horizontal
configuration. The inverted V configuration requires only one main mast,
however the horizontal configuration is more efficient. For both
configurations, a main mast height of 9 to 10 m is adequate, providing
optimal communications over a short distance (0 to 600 km). Long-distance
communications require a taller main mast of 15 m. The horizontal
configuration is recommended for this distance.
NOTE The minimum required height of the main mast is 6 m.
The C463 antenna is packed completely assembled, ready for erection. The
parallel wires of the antenna are raised in the horizontal plane, regardless of
the configuration used. In some instances, the antenna is supplied with a
coaxial cable for use with the installed antenna. If you are supplying your
own coaxial cable, the connectors must be PL259 UHF-style.
INSTALLATION
© 15-00463-901 Issue 1, September 2005 Page 1 of 11
Head office Asia Pacific EMEA Americas
Codan Limited
ABN 77 007 590 605
81 Graves Street
Newton SA 5074
AUSTRALIA
Telephone +61 8 8305 0311
Facsimile +61 8 8305 0411
www.codan.com.au
Codan Limited
81 Graves Street
Newton SA 5074
AUSTRALIA
Telephone +61 8 8305 0427
Facsimile +61 8 8305 0410
asiatech.support@codan.com.au
Codan (UK) Ltd
Gostrey House
Union Road
Farnham Surrey GU9 7PT
UNITED KINGDOM
Telephone +44 1252 717 272
Facsimile +44 1252 717 337
uktech.support@codan.com.au
Codan US, Inc.
8430 Kao Circle
Manassas VA 20110
USA
Telephone +1 703 361 2721
Facsimile +1 703 361 3812
ustech.support@codan.com.au
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C463 Multiwire Broadband Dipole Antenna (2–30 MHz)
Installing a C463 antenna in an inverted V configuration
The C463 antenna may be erected using the gibbet included with a Codan mast (mast
gibbet), or using the gibbet included with the antenna (antenna gibbet). This gibbet may
be attached to any mast.
NOTE The type of gibbet used affects the layout of the antenna prior to erection.
Figure 1: Inverted V configuration using the mast gibbet
mast
gibbet
main mast
sm (in metres)
maximum signal
spacing (in metres)
guy rope
mm (in metres)
halyard
coaxial cable
stub mast
perimeter
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C463 Multiwire Broadband Dipole Antenna (2–30 MHz)
Figure 2: Inverted V configuration using the antenna gibbet
sm (in metres)
maximum signal
spacing (in metres)
guy rope
antenna
gibbet
coaxial cable
main mast
mm (in metres)
halyard
stub mast
Spacing and height
The spacing between the main mast and the stub masts in the inverted V configuration is
determined by the following equation:
Sp ac in g 1 196 m m sm–()
–+=
2
All spacings and heights of the main mast (mm) and stub masts (sm) are in metres.
For example, an installation using a main mast height of 10 m and stub masts of 3 m
requires a spacing of 13 m between masts. Therefore, the overall installation requires
26 m, plus allowances for guy ropes.
Orientation
For effective communications, the line of the antenna wires, and therefore the masts,
should be at right angles to the preferred direction of propagation.
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C463 Multiwire Broadband Dipole Antenna (2–30 MHz)
Guy ropes
If the masts are guyed, the guys should not be located beneath the antenna, so that they
do not interfere with the raising and lowering of the antenna. If metallic guys are used, it
is recommended these be broken up with ‘egg’ insulators at regular intervals to shorten
the effective wavelength of each wire, and thus reduce any degradation to the antenna
radiation pattern.
Attaching the antenna to the main mast
Figure 3: Support arrangement for the inverted V configuration
D-shackle
gibbet
pulley
halyard
U-clamp
thimble
balun
CAUTION Do not erect the main mast until the pulleys and halyard are in place.
To attach the antenna to the main mast:
D-shackle
1 If required, attach the antenna gibbet to the mast.
1 Attach a pulley using a D-shackle to the outer end of the gibbet, and another at a
point close to where the gibbet is attached to the main mast.
1 Position the pulleys so that a halyard can run from one pulley to the other, then down
the main mast.
1 Cut 2 × 3 m lengths of halyard from the main halyard.
These are used for tying the ends of the antenna to the stub masts.
1 Run the halyard from the base of the main mast to the top, through the pulleys and
back to the base again, then tie the two ends together.
1 Erect the main mast.
1 Do one of the following:
• If you are using the mast gibbet, lay the antenna outside the perimeter of any
guy ropes, on the same side as the gibbet (see Figure 1 on page 2).
• If you are using the antenna gibbet, lay the antenna within the guy ropes, on the
same side as the gibbet (see
Page 4 of 11 15-00463-901 Issue 1, September 2005
Figure 2 on page 3).
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C463 Multiwire Broadband Dipole Antenna (2–30 MHz)
1 Carefully separate the two halves of the antenna without cutting any plastic cable
ties that hold the antenna wires in place in the packaging.
1 Orient the antenna parallel to the intended line of installation.
1 Ensure that the wires connecting the balun to the centre spreaders are above the
main antenna wires.
1 Thread the halyard around the thimble, then secure the halyard with the U-clamp.
1 Connect the thimble to the balun using a D-shackle.
1 Working on one of the four antenna sections at a time, cut the plastic cable ties that
secure the section, then carefully extend each out.
CAUTION Take care not to tangle the wires. Do not cut any of the wires.
1 Raise the centre of the antenna a couple of metres off the ground, then temporarily
tie off the halyard to the mast.
Attaching the antenna to the stub masts
NOTE
Figure 4: Stub mast and antenna
eyebolt
stub mast
To attach the antenna to the stub masts:
Each stub mast should be equipped with a suitable eyebolt or similar
fixing for tensioning and tying off the short 3 m halyards.
halyard
insulator
antenna
wire rope grip
1 Pass a 3 m halyard through the insulator at each end of the antenna, then tie it off on
itself.
NOTE Ensure the knots are tight and will not come undone under tension.
1 Fit a wire rope grip to secure each knot.
1 Temporarily tie off the short halyards to the stub masts.
1 Erect the stub masts.
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C463 Multiwire Broadband Dipole Antenna (2–30 MHz)
Connecting the coaxial cable
To connect the coaxial cable:
1 Connect the coaxial cable to the balun.
NOTE
The coaxial cable may need to pass between the load and the antenna
wire nearest the mast.
1 Wrap the connector with self-amalgamating PIB (Rotunda 2501) or EPR (3M
Scotch™ 23) tape.
1 Cover the self-amalgamating tape with an overlay of high-quality electrical tape
(3M Scotch™ 33+, or similar) to minimise aging of the self-amalgamating tape.
1 Provide strain relief for the coaxial cable (see Figure 5).
Figure 5: Strain relief for the coaxial cable
RG58 coaxial cable RG8/213 coaxial cable
balun
strain relief pin
(do not
overtighten
nut)
balun
coaxial cable
strain relief 08-01233
coaxial cable
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C463 Multiwire Broadband Dipole Antenna (2–30 MHz)
Securing the antenna
To secure the antenna:
1 Carefully raise the antenna up the main mast, making sure that the terminating load
hangs below the antenna.
1 When fully raised and the halyard is tied off, attach the coaxial cable to the mast so
that it is clear of the antenna wires.
1 Tighten and tie off the halyards on each stub mast, allowing a sag of approximately
200 mm in each half.
Installing a C463 antenna in a horizontal configuration
Figure 6: Horizontal configuration
mast
guy rope
halyard
halyard
maximum signal
coaxial cable
guy rope
Spacing and height
The minimum distance between masts is 30 m.
The minimum height of the installed antenna is 6 m. Heights of 9 to 15 m provide better
communications; the higher the antenna, the longer the communication range.
mast
Orientation
For effective communications, the line of the antenna wires, and therefore the masts,
should be at right angles to the preferred direction of propagation.
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C463 Multiwire Broadband Dipole Antenna (2–30 MHz)
Guy ropes
If the masts are guyed, the guys should not be located beneath the antenna, so that they
do not interfere with the raising and lowering of the antenna. If metallic guys are used, it
is recommended these be broken up with ‘egg’ insulators at regular intervals to shorten
the effective wavelength of each wire, and thus reduce any degradation to the antenna
radiation pattern.
Attaching the antenna to the masts
CAUTION Do not erect the masts until the pulleys and halyards are in place.
To attach the antenna to the masts:
1 Attach a pulley using a D-shackle to the top of each mast.
1 Cut the main halyard into two equal lengths.
1 Run one length of the halyard from the base of the mast to the top, through the
pulley and back to the base again, then tie the two ends together.
1 Erect the mast.
1 Repeat this procedure for the second mast.
1 Lay the antenna midway between the masts.
1 Carefully separate the two halves of the antenna without cutting any plastic cable
ties that hold the antenna wires in place in the packaging.
1 Orient the antenna parallel to the intended line of installation.
1 Ensure that the wires connecting the balun to the centre spreaders are below the
main antenna wires, and that the terminating load will hang above the balun when
the antenna is installed.
1 Working on one of the four antenna sections at a time, cut the plastic cable ties that
secure the section, then carefully extend each out.
CAUTION Take care not to tangle the wires. Do not cut any of the wires.
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Attaching the antenna to the masts
Figure 7: Masts and antenna
D-shackle
halyard
insulator
antenna
mast
wire rope grip
pulley
C463 Multiwire Broadband Dipole Antenna (2–30 MHz)
To attach the antenna to the masts:
1 Pass a halyard through the insulator at each end of the antenna, then tie it off on
itself.
NOTE Ensure each knot is tight and will not come undone under tension.
1 Fit a wire rope grip to secure each knot.
1 Raise both ends of the antenna approximately 1.5 m above the ground.
Connecting the coaxial cable
To connect the coaxial cable:
1 Connect the coaxial cable to the balun.
NOTE The coaxial cable should hang clear of the antenna.
1 Wrap the connector with self-amalgamating PIB (Rotunda 2501) or EPR (3M
Scotch™ 23) tape.
1 Cover the self-amalgamating tape with an overlay of high-quality electrical tape
(3M Scotch™ 33+, or similar) to minimise aging of the self-amalgamating tape.
1 Provide strain relief for the coaxial cable (see Figure 8).
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C463 Multiwire Broadband Dipole Antenna (2–30 MHz)
Figure 8: Strain relief for the coaxial cable
RG58 coaxial cable RG8/213 coaxial cable
balun
strain relief pin
(do not
overtighten
nut)
coaxial cable
balun
strain relief 08-01233
coaxial cable
Securing the antenna
To secure the antenna:
1 Raise the antenna to the top of the masts, then adjust the halyards so that the antenna
is equidistant between the masts, allowing a sag of approximately 400 mm in the
centre.
NOTE Tie off the halyards each time to minimise problems.
Reasonable tension needs to be applied to the halyards to level the antenna between
the masts and account for flexing of the mast.
1 Tie off the halyards at completion.
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Maintenance
The antenna should be checked every six months for wear and tear. In particular, the
condition of the rope halyards should be inspected, especially in areas where the rope
may have moved on the pulley. This will involve lowering the antenna. All terminations
should also be checked as well as the condition of the coaxial cable.
Glossary
This term... Means...
PEP peak envelope power
terminating load A device used to dissipate RF energy that is not radiated during
balun A device that connects a coaxial cable to an antenna.
C463 Multiwire Broadband Dipole Antenna (2–30 MHz)
communications.
broadband antenna An antenna that covers a range of frequencies and that does not
require tuning.
15-00463-901 Issue 1, September 2005 Page 11 of 11
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