Assembly and Installation Instructions
Cushcraft MA160V Vertical DX Antenna
160-Meter Vertical Monopole Antenna
956895_GF_AB
General Description: The MA160V is a compact efficient vertical especially designed for working top-band
DX from an average-size house lot. A low launch angle and deep overhead null combine to pull in distant
stations while rejecting local QRM. The MA160V features a heavy-duty high-Q copper loading coil plus a
wide 100-inch diameter stainless capacitive hat for high efficiency, resiliency and 1500-Watt PEP power
handling. An adjustable stinger provides coverage on any 40-kHz segment across the 1.8 – 2.0 MHz band.
Weighing only 12-pounds, the MA160V installs easily and blends in with backyard trees and vegetation.
Each antenna comes with a 400-foot spool of ground-radial wire plus a Danscord™ insulated guying kit.
Parts List: Before assembling, read manual thoroughly and check contents against the parts list below:
X Quan. Part # Description
Hardware and Parts
[ ] 16 010009 5/8” x 8-32 screw
[ ] 2 010123 1-1/2” x 8-32 screw
[ ] 2 010231 1-3/4” x 8-32 screw
[ ] 2 010120 2” x 8-32 screw
[ ] 1 010232 2-1/2” x 8-32 screw
[ ] 25 010011 Hex nut, 8-32
[ ] 19 011941 Split lock washer, #8
[ ] 14 100449 Star-locking solder lug
[ ] 4 360941 Alum flat washer, #10
[ ] 2 320056 Alum Spacer, 1/4” x 5/16”
[ ] 2 105630 1/2” x 1/4” OD loading coil standoff spacer.
[ ] 2 194173 Small 90-degree aluminum bracket
[ ] 7 030412 Large worm clamp
[ ] 3 030407 Small worm clamp
[ ] 1 902428 Braid strap
[ ] 8 056249 Vinyl radial-rod cap
[ ] 1 055105 1/4” ID black vinyl tip cap
[ ] 3 193631 Aluminum guy-line bracket
[ ] 3 024259 Guy-line thimble
[ ] 3 195179 steel guy-line anchor stake
[ ] 1 MA160VGW 100-foot roll, Danscord-D30
[ ] 1 156336 1/2” ID tuning stub bushing
[ ] 1 MA160VCA1 160-meter loading coil assembly
[ ] 8 221186 Stainless steel radial-rod stock, 0.1” X 48”
[ ] 3 194174 8-hole radial ring
[ ] 2 196242 Upper radial ring support bracket
[ ] 1 096359 Radial wire kit (400’ spool, #18 solid enamel)
Tubes:
[ ] 1 126854 Fiberglass resonator support tube, 1” OD x 16”
[ ] 1 126241 Fiberglass base insulator tube, 1.25” OD x 16”
[ ] 1 MA8040VBAB Aluminum base section, 12” x 1-3/8” OD (NS/2SH)
[ ] 1 MA8040VBAT Aluminum radiator section, 1-3/8” OD x 36” tube (2SH/4S)
[ ] 2 MA8040VBB Aluminum radiator splice, 1-1/4” OD x 12” tube (NS/NS)
[ ] 2 MA8040VBC Aluminum radiator section, 1-3/8” OD x 72” tube (42/4S)
[ ] 1 MA8040VBD Aluminum radiator section, 1-1/4” OD x 72” tube (NS/4S)
[ ] 1 MA8040VBE Aluminum radiator section, 1-1/8” OD x 72” tube (NS/2SH)
[ ] 1 MA160VBI Aluminum resonator section, 1/2” OD x 36” tube (H/2S)
[ ] 1 MA160VBJ Aluminum resonator section, 3/8” OD x 36” tube (NS/2S)
[ ] 1 MA160VBK Aluminum resonator section, 1/4” OD x 41” aluminum rod
Tube Identification Code: Describes how tube ends are prepared to aid identification.
NS = no compression slots, 2S = 2 compression slots, 4S = 4 compression slots, H = screw hole.
Example: the MA8040VBAT is coded 2SH/4S. Code means base end has 2 slots plus a screw hole and top
end has 4 compression slots. Tubes with MA8040V part numbers are interchangeable with the MA160V.
Assembly Instructions- MA160V
Step 1: Using the items listed below, install aluminum tubes on base insulator.
1 MA8040VBAB 12” x 1-3/8” OD aluminum base section (NS/2SH)
1 MA8040VBAT 36” x 1-3/8” OD aluminum antenna section (2SH/4S)
1 126241 16” x 1-1/4” OD fiberglass base insulator
2 010231 1-3/4” x 8-32 screw
2 010011 8-32 nut
2 011941 #8 lock washer
[ ] Identify lower end of the base insulator (two thru-holes offset by 90°).
[ ] Install 2-slot end of 12” base section over insulator and align screw holes.
[ ] Insert 1-3/4” screw at A. Secure with lock washer and nut.
[ ] Install 2-slot end of 36” radiator section over opposite end of the insulator and align screw hole.
[ ] Insert a 1-3/4” screw at B. Secure with a lock washer and nut.
Split LW
Nut
Split LW
Nut
A
#8 nut
lockwasher
Middle
BAT
Antenna
Tube
Insulator
BAB
Base
Tube
Align
Holes
1" Gap
Align
Holes
B
1-3/4" x 8-32
1-3/4" x 8-32
Top
Bottom
FIG-1: Base Insulator Assembly
Step-2: Assemble and install ground-radial attachment ring on base assembly.
1 010232 2-1/2” x 8-32 SS screw
8 010009 5/8” x 8-32 SS screw
9 011941 #8 lock washer
9 010011 8-32 nut
2 360941 #10 Flat aluminum spacer washer
2 320056 1/4” spacer
1 194174 8-hole radial ring
2 194173 Small 90-degree aluminum bracket
[ ] Find the 2-1/2” screw, two small 90° angle brackets, and two 1/4” spacers.
[ ] Note that the angle brackets have unequal sides. Identify long side of each.
[ ] On the 2-1/2” screw, install the bracket (long side), a #10 aluminum spacer washer, and a 1/4” spacer.
[ ] Insert screw through base tube as shown at A.
[ ] Install other 1/4” spacer, #10 spacer washer, and bracket (long side) on protruding end of screw.
[ ] Position brackets as shown and secure firmly using a lock washer and nut.
[ ] Insert two (2) 5/8” screws through angle brackets and place radial ring on top (B).
[ ] Secure radial ring in place with lock washers and nuts (2 places)
[ ] Install six 5/8” screws in open holes, secure with lock washers and nuts (C).
Small 90-deree Bracket
A
#10 flat washer
1/4" spacer
2-1/2" x 8-32
#8 nut
lockwasher
Radial Ring
5/8" x 8-32
#8 nut
#8 lockwasher
B
C
5/8" x 8-32
(x6)
Base Tube
FIG-2: Ground Radial Ring Assembly
Step-3: Assemble the capacitive-hat support ring.
2 194174 8-hole radial ring
2 196242 Upper radial-ring support bracket (do not confuse with set of 3 guy brackets)
8 010009 5/8” x 8-32 screw
2 360941 #10 aluminum spacer washer
8 011941 #8 lock washer
8 010011 8-32 nut
[ ] Locate the two radial rings and place together so cupped grooves oppose.
[ ] Install two 5/8” screws from top, as shown.
[ ] From bottom side, install a #10 spacer washer and a support bracket on each screw.
[ ] Secure assembly using lock washers and nuts (finger-tighten only for now).
[ ] Install six 5/8” screws in remaining holes, securing with lock washers and nuts.
[ ] Set assembly aside for later installation on resonator assembly.
5/8" x 8-32 (x2)
radial ring (x2)
#10 aluminum
washer (x2)
lockwasher (x2)
nut (x2)
Note: cups oppossing
lockwasher (x6)
support bracket (x2)
nut (x6)
5/8" x 8-32 (x6)
FIG-3: Assembly Detail, Capacitive Hat
Step-4: Install the 160-meter loading coil on the insulated resonator tube.
1 126854 Fiberglass resonator support tube
1 MA160VCA1 160-meter loading coil
2 105630 Loading coil standoff spacer
2 010120 2” x 8-32 screw
4 010011 8-32 nut
[ ] On the insulator tube, identify the two coil-mounting hole locations (middle holes at A, B).
[ ] Install a 2” screw in each coil-mount hole and secure with a nut.
[ ] Install a spacer on each of the two mounting studs.
[ ] Find the loading coil and identify end with self-tapping screw securing the last turn (bottom of coil).
[ ] Orienting as shown at C, slide coil over tube and drop onto mounting studs. Secure with nuts.
Low end
spacer
nut
A
Insulator Tube
40-meter coil
location
B
2" x 8-32 screw
Top End
Drop 160-meter coil onto
mounting studs
lug
nut
C
screw
FIG-4: Mounting Loading Coil
lug
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