ASSEMBLY AND INSTALLATION
INSTRUCTIONS
6,10, 12, 15, 17, 20, 30, 40, Meters
951489 (9/01)
R8
WARNING
THIS ANTENNA IS AN ELECTRICAL CONDUCTOR. CONTACT WITH POWER LINES CAN RESULT IN DEATH, OR SERIOUS INJURY.
DO NOT INST ALL 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 R8 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.
PLANNING
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.
LOCATION
Although the R8 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.
EXTREME CARE MUST BE USED FOR YOUR SAFETY. YOU MUST INSURE THAT WHILE THE R8
IS IN OPERATION NEITHER PEOPLE NOR 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.
MOUNTING
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 nonconducting guy wires.
SYSTEM GROUNDING
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 noncorrosive 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.
ASSEMBLY
Assemble your R8 by following steps 1 through 12. After assembling the antenna, verify all dimensions
for accuracy.
1
R8
MASTER PARTS LIST
KEY PART# DESCRIPTION QTY
BA Base assembly 1
BB R8 Tube BB 1-1/4” x 72”( 3.17 x 182.9cm) 1
BC R8 Tube BC 1-1/8” x 72”(2.9 x 182.9cm) 1
BD R8 Tube BD 1” x 36” (2.5 x 91cm) 1
BE R8 Tube BE 7/8” x 16” (2.3 x 40.5cm) 1
BF R8 Tube BF 7/8” Swedged x 10-3/4” (2.3 x 27.3cm) 1
BG R8 Tube BG 1/2” x 24” (1.2 x 61cm) 1
BH R8 Tube BH 3/8” x 24” (0.9 x 61cm) 1
SA R8 Stub SA 3/8” x 52” (0.9 x 132cm) 1
SB R8 Stub SB 1/4” x 6” (0.6 x 15cm) 6
SC R8 Stub SC 3/8” x 48” (0.9 x 121.9cm) 1
SD R8 Stub SD 1/4” x 48” (0.6 x 121.9cm) 1
SE R8 Stub SE 1/4” x 12” (0.6 x 30cm) 1
SF R8 Stub SF 3/8” x 72” (0.9 x 182.8cm) 2
SG R8 Stub SG 3/8” x 43-1/2” (0.9 x 110.5cm) 1
SH R8 Stub SH 3/8” x 68” (0.9 x 173cm) 1
BT1 BT1 Trap 17 / 20 Meter 1
BT2 BT2 Trap 30 Meter 1
MN8 R8 Matching Network 1
XHR32 32” X-Hat Rod 2
XHR40 40” X-Hat Rod 2
09 010009 # 8-32 x 5/8” SS RH MS 12
11 010011 # 8-32 SS Hex Nut 18
26 190026 Aluminum Bracket 4
28 190028 Aluminum Half Washer 4
32 902832 49” Whip & Tip Assembly 7
63 170063 Extruded Aluminum V-Block 4
64 014764 # 8-32 x 2-1/4” SS Machine Screw 2
73 194173 Radial Ring Bracket 4
74 194174 Radial Ring 2
76 054276 3/8” x 7/8” Black plastic Cap 1
79 010079 # 8-32” x 1/2” SS RH MS 4
87 014387 # 8-32 x SS/Nylon Hex Nut 21
96 010096 # 8-32 x 3/8” SS RH MS 4
99 205099 Aluminum Stub Clamp 2
105 055105 1/4” Black Plastic Cap 4
115 050115 Connector Boot 1
116 240116 Silicone Package 1
120 010120 # 8-32 x 2” SS RH MS 1
160 190160 Matching Network Bracket 1
220 010220 # 10-24 SS Hex Nut 1
231 010231 # 8-32 x 1-3/4” SS RH MS 7
232 010232 # 8-32 x 2-1/2” SS RH MS 6
233 010233 # 10 SS Split Lock Washer 1
326 290326 Danger Label 8
389 014389 5/16-18 SS/Nylon Hex Nut 8
404 010404 U-Bolt SS 5/16-18 3-1/4 (2-7/16 C-C) 2
405 010405 U-bolt SS 5/16-18 4-1/2 (2-7/16 C-C) 2
407 030407 Worm Clamp SS 7/32” - 5/8” 10
409 030409 Worm Clamp SS 3/8” - 7/8” 2
410 030410 Worm Clamp SS 7/16” - 1” 3
411 030411 Worm Clamp SS 9/16” - 1-1/4” 2
412 030412 Worm Clamp SS 11/16” - 1-1/2” 1
413 030413 Worm Clamp SS 3/4” - 1-3/4” 1
428 902428 Ground Strap 1
657 194657 Aluminum L Bracket 6
940 360940 # 8 Aluminum Flat Washer 12
941 011941 # 8 SS Split Lock Washer 18
4079 194079 Aluminum Mounting Plate 1
5072 205072 4-Hole Insulator 1
5096 205096 3-Hole Insulator 1
5097 205097 2-Hole Insulator 1
2
R8
#1 - ASSEMBLE RADIAL
RINGS
Figures A through D show the steps for radial ring assembly. Refer
to the parts table below for the parts required in this step. Slide
the two radial rings (74) onto the base assembly (BA). Note the
orientation of the ring slots. Attach the rings to the base using the
radial ring brackets (73), 2 1/2" screws (232), 1/2" screws (79)
and lock nuts (87). Leave hardware loose until Step #2. Note the
proper orientation of the radial ring brackets in Figure A. Install
ground strap (428) as shown in Figure D.
NOTE: Do not accidentally use the #10-24 nut in
this step.
Insert four 2 1/2" screws (232) into the base assembly (BA) as
shown in Figure D. Secure with nuts (87).
KEY P/N DISPLAY DESC SIZE QTY
BA BASE 1
73 194173 RADIAL RING 4
74 194174 RADIAL RING 2
79 010079 SS MACHINE # 8-32 x 1/2 4
87 014387 SS LOCK # 8-32 14
96 010096 SS MACHINE #8-32 x 3/8” 4
232 010232 SS MACHINE # 8-32 x 2-1/2" 6
428 902428 GROUND STRAP 1
ASSEMBLY
BRACKET
SCREW (1.3 cm)
NUT
SCREW (.95 cm)
SCREW (6.35 cm)
FIGURE
A
FIGURE
B
FIGURE
C
FIGURE
232
D
Longer dimension
attaches to base.
79
73
87
96
87
Shorter
dimension
attaches to
radial ring.
73
73
73
79
428
74
73
87
96
87
232
232
87
87
232
232
3
87
87
BA
87
232
87
R8
#2 - ATTACH MATCHING
NETWORK AND RADIALS
Slide upper matching network bracket (160) onto base section
(BA). Place it tight against the fiberglass insulator. Insert one
2" screw (120) into bracket (160) and attach nut (87) as
shown in Figure E. Slide Matching Network screws into holes
on upper matching network bracket (160). Position bottom MN
bracket over captive screw in base section (BA) and secure
with #10 nut (220) and a #10 lock washer (233).
Secure MN to upper MN bracket (160) with two nuts (11) and
lock washer (941). Tighten screw in upper MN bracket (160).
The radial rods may be inserted into the base section at any
time in the assembly process.
One at a time, place the stainless radial rods (32) into the
slots in the radial rings. Tighten the corresponding ring screws
as you work your way around the rings. The radial rings do
not have to touch each other to secure the radial rods properly.
Do not overtighten the screws. When all rods are secure,
tighten all hardware on the base section. Attach jumper strap
(428) to MN screw with nut (11) and lock washer (941).
Attach warning labels (326) as shown.
FIGURE E
KEY P/N DISPLAY DESC SIZE QTY
11 010011 SS HEX NUT #8-32 3
32 902832 SS RADIAL 49" 7
190160160
87 014387 SS LOCK #8-32 4
120 010120 SS MACHINE # 8-32 x 2” 1
326 290326 WARNING 7
MN MN8 MATCHING 1
220 010220 SS HEX NUT #10-24 1
233 010233 SS SPLIT #10 1
941 011941 SS SPLIT #8 3
MN8
BRACKET
NUT
SCREW (5.1 cm)
LABEL
NETWORK
LOCK WASHER
LOCK WASHER
(124.5 cm)
1
326
326
326
32
32
120
32
32
233
87
220
11
941
160
11
941
MN8
32
941
11
326
326
4
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