Cushcraft R6000 Instructions

ASSEMBLY AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

R6000

6, 10, 12, 15, 17, 20 Meters

COMMUNICATIONS ANTENNAS

951472 (2/99)

R6000

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 HIGH VOLTAGE OR ARC-OVER FROM POWER CABLES
OR SERVICE DROPS TO BUILDINGS. 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. FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES
FOR ANTENNA INST ALLATIONS RECOMMENDED BY THE U.S. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION AND LISTED IN THE ENCLOSED
PAMPHLET.

Your Cushcraft R6000 vertical antenna is designed and manufactured to give trouble free service. This antenna will perform as specified if
the instructions and suggestions in this manual are followed and care is used in the assembly and installation. When checking the components
received in your antenna package use the parts listed beside each diagram. There is a master parts list on page 2. If you are unable to locate
any tube or component, check the inside of all tubing. IMPORTANT: Save the weight label from the outside of the carton. Each antenna is
weighed at the factory to verify the parts count. If you claim a missing part, you will be asked for the weight verification label.

If you have technical questions and have access to the World Wide Web you can visit Cushcraft’s
(http://www.cushcraft.com). The site enables the user to place parts orders, ask technical questions, locate part numbers, initiate warranty
inquires and review
time or voice mail after hours), faxed at [phone] or can be e-mailed at

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.

Although the R6000 will operate in almost any location, it will perform best if it is mounted vertically and located in the clear away from surrounding
objects such as buildings, trees, power lines, towers, guy wires, antennas and metallic objects. The R6000 should not be attached to a ground
radial system. Failure to heed these points will possibly degrade performance, detune the antenna and increase VSWR.

EXTREME CARE MUST BE USED FOR YOUR SAFETY. YOU MUST INSURE THAT WHILE THE R6000 IS IN OPERATION NEITHER
PEOPLE OR PETS CAN COME IN CONTACT WITH ANY PORTION OF YOUR ANTENNA INCLUDING THE COUNTERPOISE RODS.
DEADLY VOLTAGES AND CURRENTS MAY EXIST. ALSO, SINCE THE EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE TO RF ARE NOT FULLY UNDERSTOOD,
LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO INTENSE RF FIELDS IS NOT RECOMMENDED. THERE ARE SEVEN WARNING STICKERS WHICH MUST
BE ATTACHED TO THE ENDS OF THE COUNTERPOISE RODS AS SHOWN IN FIGURE E.

Your mast should be rigid and pointing straight up. Always use a mast at least 1-1/2 inches (3.8 cm) but not larger than 1-3/4 inches (4.4 cm)
in diameter. If you guy the mast, use non-conducting guy wires.

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

Assemble your R6000 by following steps 1 through 5. After assembling the antenna, verify all dimensions in Chart A for accuracy. Then return
to the adjustment section below for final tuning.

Frequently Asked Questions

. Our technical support staff can be reached by phone at [phone] (8 AM to 5 PM Eastern

[e-mail].

PLANNING

LOCATION

MOUNTING

SYSTEM GROUNDING

ASSEMBLY

TECHEXPRESS

support service

The dimensions in Chart A normally allow proper operation on all the bands. However, some variations may occur from one location to another.
Adjustments must be made from the bottom of the antenna to the top. Adjusting the antenna from top to bottom will not work. This is because
the settings at the top are severely affected by the adjustments at the bottom.

We suggest measuring the VSWR of your antenna by using the SWR meter in your transceiver. If your transceiver does not have one, use a
good quality VSWR bridge for this application. Begin with 6 meters since this is at the bottom of the antenna. Set your transceiver at your
favorite frequency on 6 meters. Key the rig and check your VSWR. The R6000 is extremely broadbanded on 6 meters and seldom needs
adjustment. If the VSWR is low enough (below 1.5:1) then move on to the 10 meter band. If the 10 meter VSWR is not low enough, adjust
the antenna as follows: Check several frequencies on 10 meters to find the frequency of lowest VSWR. If the frequency of lowest VSWR is
above your favorite frequency, lengthen dimension D (figure F) by 1 inch (2.5 cm). This should lower the frequency of lowest VSWR by 50 to
100 KHz. If the frequency of lowest VSWR is below your desired frequency, shorten dimension D (figure F) by 1 inch (2.5 cm). Check your
desired 10 meter operating frequency again to see if the VSWR is less than 1.5:1. Repeat this procedure until the VSWR at your desired
frequency is low enough.

Continue this procedure by selecting your desired frequency on 12 meters and checking the VSWR there. Dimension E (figure F) should be
used to adjust the VSWR on 15 meters.

Remember to shorten this dimension to raise the frequency or lengthen it to lower the frequency.

ADJUSTMENT

1

R6000

The balance of the antenna should be adjusted in a like manner. The dimensions and the bands that they effect are shown in figure F. On 10
through 20 meters 1 inch (2.5 cm) of change in length will change the operating frequency by 50 to 100 KHz. When the antenna is completely
adjusted, check all fasteners to be sure they are tight. Improving VSWR's that are less than 2:1 will not noticeably improve station performance.

Following the guidelines in the location and adjustment sections above, place the antenna on its mast in its final operating location. If you plan to
install the antenna in a salty or corrosive environment, you may want to consider coating it with a clear marine varnish or equivalent

and adjustment has been completed.

below.

These Installation Recommendations and Operating Tips are offered to help you enjoy the use of your antenna to the fullest. In our estimation, your
system will work "optimally", while achieving the longest service life if they are followed.

• Horizontally space your antenna sixty-six (66) feet from any surrounding metal.

• When considering height above ground, achieving "line of sight" is most desirable for optimal performance. It is recommended that you
achieve line of sight and be at least ten (10) feet above ground.

• Do not use vinyl tape on SO-239 or PL-259 connectors.

• Use Phillystran for top guying.

• Use liquid soap on the threads of Nylock washers to prevent friction and galling of stainless steel parts.

• Try to locate your R6000 as far away from TV antennas and their feedlines as possible. This will help to avoid overloading your television with RF.

• If you check the resistance across the coax connector on your R6000 you will find a DC short. This is normal. It does not mean that the RF path

is short circuited. It is approximately 50 Ohms at your operating frequencies.

• High VSWR is sometimes caused by poor contact between the matching network and the counterpoise rods. Make sure that corrosion has not

formed on the jumper strap terminals. Check to insure the hardware is tight.

• If your R6000 is very close to your shack you may experience RF on the feedline. Try lengthening your feedline several feet, placing an RF ferrite

bead on the coax, winding the feedline on a toroid or winding the coax in a 10 turn coil 8 inches (20 cm) in diameter.

• Weather sealing the matching network is not necessary. We have provided a large hole near the coax connector to allow air to circulate through

the box and to keep it dry. Keep this hole clear to avoid difficulties caused by humidity and condensation.

• Long periods (2 minutes or longer) of key down operation, such as RTTY, at high power (over 1500 Watts) may damage your R6000.

• Anti-oxidation compound can be used on aluminum tubing connections, but NOT on electrical/RF connections on the Matching Network.

• For improved waterproofing, you may apply an RTV® type sealant on the top plastic caps of CS1 and CS2.

• When measuring SWR do not rely only on readings from “Antenna Analyzers”. They are subject to incorrect readings due to nearby RF fields.

This is due to a lack of input filtering. Verify readings with your transceiver and an SWR bridge.

Now connect your transceiver. If you have any difficulties, reread the information above and the helpful hints

INSTALLATION RECOMMENDATIONS AND OPERATING TIPS

MASTER PARTS LIST

INSTALLATION

after final assembly

PART# QTY DESCRIPTION PART# QTY DESCRIPTION

010079 8 #8-32 x 1/2" (1.3cm) SS Machine Screw
010082 4 1/4-20 x 1" (2.5cm) SS Hex Head Bolt
010084 4 1/4" SS Lock Washer
010085 4 1/4-20 SS Nut
010232 3 #8-32 x 2 1/2" (6.3cm) SS Machine Screw
014387 28 #8-32 SS Lock Nut
014388 1 10-24 SS Lock Nut
014764 14 #8-32 x 2 1/4" (5.7cm) SS Machine Screw
030407 9 5/8" (1.6cm) SS Worm Clamp
030409 1 15/16" ( 2.4cm) SS Worm Clamp
030411 4 1 1/4" (3.2cm) SS Worm Clamp
030412 2 1 1/2" (3.8cm) SS Worm Clamp
050053 1 1/2" (1.3cm) Plastic Cap
050077 3 3/8" (1.0 cm) Plastic Cap
050115 1 Connector Boot
194173 4 Radial Ring Bracket
194174 2 Radial Ring
194748 1 Upper Matching Network Bracket
203110 2 Mast Mount Clamp
204727 2 Plastic Clamp
204728 2 Plastic Clamp
204729 1 Aluminum Clamp Assembly

204813 2 Plastic Clamp
204814 1 Aluminum Clamp Assembly
204923 1 Plastic Clamp
240116 1 Silicone Package
290326 7 Warning Label
902428 1 Jumper Strap
902832 7 49" (124.5 cm) SS Radial Rod
MN6000 1 Matching Network
BA 1 Base Assembly
BB 1 1 1/4" x 48" (3.2cm x 122cm) aluminum tube slotted one end
BC 1 1 1/8" x 48" (2.8cm x 122cm) aluminum tube slotted one end
BD 1 1" x 48" (2.5cm x 122cm) aluminum tube slotted one end
BE 1 1" x 12" (2.5cm x 30.5 cm) aluminum tube slotted both ends
BF 1 1/2" x 21" (1.3cm x 53.3cm) aluminum tube
BG 3 1/2" x 48" (1.3cm x 122cm) aluminum tube slotted one end
BH 2 1/2" x 48" (1.3cm x 122cm) aluminum tube slotted both ends
BJ 1 1/2" x 36" (1.3cm x 122cm) aluminum tube slotted 1 end
BK 2 3/8" x 18" (1.0cm x 45.7cm) aluminum tube
BL 3 3/8" x 6" (1.0cm x 15.2cm) aluminum tube
BM 1 3/8” x 12” (.9 x 30.5 cm) aluminum tube
CS1 1 12 Meter Trap
CS2 1 17 Meter Trap

2