Cushcraft AR270 Instructions

ASSEMBLY AND INST ALLA TION

AR-270

DUAL BAND RINGO

2 METER / 70 CM

C O R P O R A T I O N

951375 (2/95)

AR-270

WARNING: THIS ANTENNA IS AN ELECTRICAL CONDUCTOR. CONTACT WITH POWER LINES CAN RESULT
IN DEATH, OR SERIOUS INJURY. DO NOT INSTALL THIS ANTENNA WHERE THERE IS ANY POSSIBILITY OF
CONTACT WITH OR HIGH VOLTAGE ARC-OVER FROM POWER CABLES OR SERVICE DROPS TO BUILDINGS.
THE ANTENNA SHOULD NOT BE LOCATED WHERE PEOPLE OR PETS CAN COME IN CONTACT WITH IT. THE
ANTENNA, SUPPORTING MAST AND/OR TOWER MUST NOT BE CLOSE TO ANY POWER LINES DURING
INSTALLATION, REMOVAL OR IN THE EVENT PART OF THE SYSTEM SHOULD ACCIDENTALLY FALL. APPLY THE
ELECTRICAL SHOCK WARNING LABEL (326) TO A PROMINENT LOCATION ON THE ANTENNA BASE AS SHOWN
ON FIGURE 1. FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES FOR ANTENNA INSTALLATIONS RECOMMENDED BY THE U.S.
CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION AND LISTED IN THE ENCLOSED PAMPHLET.

Your Cushcraft dual band vertical is designed to give top performance and trouble free service. This antenna will
perform as specified if the suggestions are followed and care is used in assembly and installation.

LOCATION

Location of the antenna is very important. Surrounding objects such as trees, power lines, other antennas, etc. will
seriously reduce efficiency. To minimize the effects of surrounding objects, mount the antenna as high and in the clear
as possible. If metal guy wires are used, they should be broken with strain insulators.

Plan your installation carefully. If you use volunteer helpers be sure that they are qualified to assist you. Make certain
that everyone involved understands that you are the boss and that they must follow your instructions. If you have any
doubts at all, employ a professional antenna installation company to install your antenna.

MOUNTING

The AR-270 will take up to a 2" (5.1 cm) OD mast. For all installations the antenna must be mounted on the top 6 inches
(15 cm) of a mast. It should be mounted above horizontally polarized beam antennas. If you side mount this antenna on
a tower it will require a short mast, secured at two points. The mast should be kept at least 1/4 wavelength or 20 inches
(50 cm) away from the tower.

SYSTEM GROUNDING

Direct grounding of the antenna, mast and tower is very important. This serves as protection from lightning strikes and
static buildup, and from high voltage which is present in the radio equipment connected to the antenna. A good electrical
connection should be made to one or more ground rods (or other extensive ground system) directly at the base of the tower
or mast, using at least #10AWG ground wire and non-corrosive hardware. For details and safety standards, consult the
National Electrical Code. You should also use a coaxial lightning arrester. Cushcraft offers several different models, such
as LAC-1, LAC-2 and the LAC-4 series.

ASSEMBLY

Assemble your antenna by following the directions and illustrations in steps #1 through #3. After the antenna is
completely assembled, verify the dimensions for accuracy. Return to the section below for final tuning.

TUNING PROCEDURE

With the dimensions shown in figure 2, the antenna should not require any tuning. If you decide to minimize the VSWR
at your favorite operating frequency, insert a good quality 50 Ohm standing wave bridge as close to the antenna as
possible. First check the forward power and then the reverse power. Keep away from the antenna when making these
tests.

If the VSWR is higher than desired, loosen clamp #407 on the lower section and increase or decrease the length of
dimension "A" by 1/4" (.64 cm). If the VSWR increases, reverse direction. If the VSWR decreased, continue in this
direction until there is little or no reflected power at the bridge. Remember that both frequency bands will be affected by
this adjustment so some compromise may be required.

A VSWR of 1.5:1 meets commercial standards. Even if the VSWR is less then 2:1 this antenna will still radiate an
optimum signal and meet all specifications.