ASSEMBLY AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
R7000
10, 12, 15, 17, 20, 30, 40 Meters
COMMUNICATIONS ANTENNAS
951465 (6/98)
R7000
THIS ANTENNA IS AN ELECTRICAL CONDUCTOR. CONTACT WITH POWER LINES CAN RESULT IN DEATH, OR SERIOUS INJURY. DO NOT
WARNING
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 INSTALLATIONS RECOMMENDED BY THE U.S. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION AND LISTED IN THE ENCLOSED
PAMPHLET.
Your Cushcraft R7000 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.
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 R7000 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 R7000 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 R7000 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 2.
Your mast should be rigid and pointing straight up. Always use a mast at least 1-3/4 inches (4.4 cm) but not larger than 2-1/8 inches (5.4 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 ground 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-1, LAC-2 or the LAC-4 series.
Assemble your R7000 by following steps 1 through 5. After assembling the antenna, verify all dimensions in figure F for accuracy. Then return
to the adjustment section below for final tuning.
The dimensions in figure F 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. We will begin with 10 meters since this is at the bottom of the antenna. Set your transceiver at
your favorite frequency on 10 meters. Key the rig and check your VSWR. The R7000 is extremely broadbanded on 10 meters and seldom
needs adjustment. If the VSWR is low enough (below 1.5:1) then move on to the 12 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 A (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 A (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. Adjusting Dimension A is also used to move the resonant frequency of 12m.
Continue this procedure by selecting your desired frequency on 15 meters and checking the VSWR there. Dimension B (figure F) should be
used to adjust the VSWR on 15 meters.
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 30 meters 1 inch (2.5 cm) of change in length will change the operating frequency by 50 to 100 KHz. On 30 and 40 meters the change
will be 15 to 25 KHz per inch (5 to 10 KHz/cm). 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.
Remember to shorten this dimension to raise the frequency or lengthen it to lower the frequency.
PLANNING
LOCATION
MOUNTING
SYSTEM GROUNDING
ASSEMBLY
ADJUSTMENT
1
R7000
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
final assembly and adjustment has been completed.
and the helpful hints below.
• Try to locate your R7000 as far away from TV antennas and their feedlines as possible. This will help to avoid overloading your television
with RF.
• The dimensions recommended in figure F are based on mounting the R7000 approximately 8 feet (2.4 meters) above the ground and 25
feet (7.5 meters) from surrounding objects. Antennas installed with less clearance may require additional adjustments.
• If you check the resistance across the coax connector on your R7000 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 R7000 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 1000 Watts) may damage your R7000.
INSTALLATION
after
Now connect your transceiver. If you have any difficulties, reread the information above
HELPFUL HINTS
MASTER PARTS LIST
KEY PART# DESCRIPTION QTY
BA Base assembly 1
BB 1-1/4" x 48" (3.2 x 121.9 cm) aluminum tube slotted 1
one end
BC 1" x 48" (2.5 x 121.9 cm) aluminum tube slotted one end 1
BD 7/8" x 5" (2.2 x 12.7 cm) aluminum tube slotted 1
both ends
BE 7/8" x 16" (2.2 x 40.6 cm) aluminum tube slotted both ends 2
BG 3/4" x 48" (1.9 x 121.9 cm) aluminum tube 1
BH 5/8” x 6-1/2” (1.6 x 16.5 cm) aluminum tube 1
BI 5/8” x 7-3/4” (1.6 x 19.7 cm) aluminum tube 1
CT1 10/12 meter trap assembly 1
CT2 15/17 meter trap assembly 1
CT3 20/30 meter trap assembly 1
XHR 3/16" x 36" (.48 x 91.4 cm) aluminum rod drilled center 2
MN7000 Matching network 1
12 050012 3/4" (1.9 cm) plastic cap 1
26 190026 7/8" (2.22 cm) formed aluminum bracket 2
28 190028 Aluminum halfwasher 2
32 902832 49" (124.5 cm) stainless steel radial rod 7
63 170063 2" aluminum V-block 4
73 194173 Radial ring bracket 4
KEY PART# DESCRIPTION QTY
74 194174 Radial ring 2
79 010079 #8-32 x 1/2" (1.3 cm) stainless steel machine screw 4
87 014387 #8 stainless steel/nylon lock nut 22
88 014388 #10 stainless steel/nylon lock nut 1
89 014389 5/16" (.8 cm) stainless steel/nylon lock nut 8
96 010096 #8-32 x 3/8" (.95 cm) stainless steel machine screw 4
115 050115 Connector boot 1
116 240116 Silicone package 1
120 010120 #8-32 x 2" (5.1 cm) stainless steel machine screw 1
160 190160 Matching network upper bracket 1
231 010231 #8-32 x 1-3/4" (4.4 cm) stainless steel machine screw 2
232 010232 #8-32 x 2-1/2" (6.3 cm) stainless steel machine screw 6
326 290326 Warning label 8
404 010404 2-7/16" x 3-1/4" (6.2 x 8.3 cm) stainless steel U-bolt 2
405 010405 2-7/16" x 4-1/2" (6.2 x 11.4 cm) stainless steel U-bolt 2
410 030410 1" (2.5 cm) stainless steel worm clamp 6
411 030411 1-1/4" (3.2 cm) stainless steel worm clamp 1
412 030412 1-1/2" (3.8 cm) stainless steel worm clamp 1
413 030413 1-3/4" (4.4 cm) stainless steel worm clamp 1
428 902428 Jumper strap 1
4079 194079 Aluminum mounting plate 1
2
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