DX Engineering DXE-AOKB-12M Instructions manual

12 Meter

Add-On Kit

for the Hustler

4/5/6-BTV

Vertical

Antennas

DXE-AOKB-12M

DXE-AOKB-12M-INS Revision 0c

DXE-AOKB-12M
Installed on a BTV

 DX Engineering 2021
1200 Southeast Ave. - Tallmadge, OH 44278 USA
Phone: [phone]
Tech Support and International: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

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The DX Engineering DXE-AOKB-12M kit adds 12 meter coverage to the Hustler BTV series of
vertical antennas without giving up any existing band coverage. This kit will operate across the
entire 12 meter band, 24.890 through 24.990 MHz, with an SWR
of 1.5:1 or less. Can handle full legal limit power and adds
negligible wind loading to the antenna.

Simply install this kit, check the tuning (if needed, make some
minimal tuning adjustments to the vertical) and you're on the air
with an additional band.

If your BTV is installed on the roof or in an elevated position,
four resonant radials for 12 meters should be added (9 ft., 4-5/8
inches each).

Your BTV can have both the DXE-AOKB-12M 12 Meter add-
on-kit and the DXE-AOKB-17M 17 Meter add-on-kit installed at
the same time.

Included Materials

 Pre-assembled 12 Meter element wire with #10 soldered ring

terminals

 Four Stainless Steel Band Clamps with Threaded Studs
 Bottom Mounting Bracket
 Spring loaded End Insulator to keep the 12 Meter element

wire tight

 Upper Insulated Mounting Bracket
 Two 11-1/4” long Tuning Rods
 Scotch-Brite® Pad for cleaning the 12 Meter element

connections

 All Stainless Steel Hardware

DXE-AOKB-12M shown installed on a Hustler BTV

Also shown is the optional DXE-RLT Reinforced Lower Tube

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Parts List

DXE-AOKB-12M 12 Meter add-on Kit

Drawing Item #

Quantity

Description

1

1

12 Meter Add-on Top Bracket

2

1

12 Meter Add-on Lower Bracket

3

1

12 Meter Insulator Bracket

4

1

DX Engineering End Insulator

5

1

Element Spring

6

1

70" Ant. wire w/ #10 Ring Terminals

7

2

Tuning Rods w/large ball ends, 11-1/4"

8

4

1-1/4" Studded Band Clamp

9, 10, 11, 12

4

ECLS Hardware Pack *See Below

13

1

Aluminum Spacer, 1/4” thick

14

3

# 10-24 x 1" Stainless Steel Hex Bolt

15

8

# 10 Small Flat Washer - Stainless Steel, Thin (0.435").

16

6

# 10 Split Washer - Stainless Steel

17

3

# 10 External Star Washer - Stainless Steel

18

6

# 10-24 Hex Nut - Stainless Steel

19

2

# 10-24 Nyloc Hex Nut - Stainless Steel

20

1

# 10-24 Wing Nut - Stainless Steel

21

3

# 10-24 x 3/4" Carriage Bolt - Stainless Steel

22

1

# 10 x 1" Fender washer - Stainless Steel

23

1

Scotch-Brite® Element Cleaning Pad 3” x 3”

*ECLS Hardware Packages (4) consist of the following parts

Drawing

Item #

Quantity

per package

Description

9

2

# 10-24 External Tooth Washer, Stainless Steel

10

4

# 10-24 Flat Washer, Stainless Steel

11

2

# 10-24 Split Washer, Stainless Steel

12

2

# 10-24 Hex Nut, Stainless Steel

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Exploded Parts Drawing

BTV Base, BTV Lower Element and
DXE-RLT Reinforced Lower Tube
not included with this Add-On Kit

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Suggested Parts - Not Included

Ruggedized BTV Reinforced Lower Tube DXE-RLT

Build or refurbish any Hustler BTV antenna to be stronger with a DX Engineering Ruggedized BTV Reinforced Lower
Tube. The DXE-RLT double-wall aluminum tube is stronger than the original single-wall tube, and it works on all BTV
Series antennas, new and old. It is overall 72 in. so it is direct replacement; it takes the place of the original Hustler BTV
antenna 72 in. lower tube (HSR-4087-1).

Jet Lube SS-30 Pure Copper Anti-Seize JTL-12555

Jet-Lube SS-30 Pure Copper Anti-Seize is the top choice of engineers and technicians in government, industry and
leading Amateur Radio contest stations, for protecting mechanical assemblies of aluminum tubing, general hardware and
copper grounding systems. On bonded metal surfaces Jet-Lube SS-30 assures electrical and RF conductivity while
preventing oxidation and corrosion. Surpassing the capabilities of other aluminum anti-oxidants, the wide temperature
range of Jet-Lube SS-30 prevents long-term drying and caking, and allows easy disassembly and effortless cleaning of
parts.

OMNI-TILT™ Vertical Antenna Tilt Base DXE-OMNITILT-1P

Due to the design of the 12 meter and 17 meter add-on-kits for the BTV series antennas, the OMNI-TILTTM Base is
desired rather than the DXE-TB-3P style Tilt Base. If the DXE-TB-3P is used, the clamps holding the lower bracket
assembly must be removed to allow the tilting action to be performed. The DX Engineering OMNI-TILT™ Vertical
Antenna Tilt Bases are a completely new design that incorporates features that make this Tilt Base a 'must have' for all
types of vertical antennas. NOTE: The OMNI-TILT™ REQUIRES two (2) optional DXE-OTMC-250P clamps to attach
the non-tilt part of OMNI-TILT™ to a Mounting Pipe, 1-1/4 to 2-1/2 inches OD.

Assembly

Before you start installation, use an antenna analyzer to measure the low SWR frequencies of your Hustler
BTV on each band and record those measurements. If the antenna needs to be tuned, do it prior to installing
this add-on kit to ensure installation is not a cause of de-tuning your antenna. This will assure your antenna is
working properly before adding the 12 meter kit. When installing stainless steel hardware, it is suggested that
JTL-12555 Jet-Lube SS-30 be used to prevent thread galling on stainless steel and ensure ideal RF coupling
between parts.

When making this instruction sequence, DX Engineering decided to remove the antenna from the tilt base.
Also removed was the bottom 6 foot section with the BTV base from the upper part of the antenna. Using a
table to lay the antenna on, we found that installation of the parts was then straight forward and easy to
accomplish. The following assembly procedure is just one suggestion for the installation of the 12 meter add
on kit. You may vary from this sequence as you see fit as long as the measurements and hardware stack-ups
are followed.

The lower section of the BTV antenna and base on a flat surface.

Note, the optional DXE-RLT, Ruggedized BTV Reinforced Lower Tube has

been installed in this example.

Please refer to the over-all exploded parts drawing (page 4) for reference.

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1. Assemble the upper 12 Meter Bracket Assembly using the parts as shown below. Both ends of
the Upper Bracket (1) use the same hardware. Tighten the hardware until the carriage bolts (21)
are flush to the insulator bracket (3). Install the wire retaining hardware (14, 15, 17, 18) and
tighten against the upper bracket (1). Loosely install the other wire retaining hardware (17, 15,
16, 18) in place. This hardware will be tightened when the 12 meter wire is installed in a later
step.

2. Install two studded band clamps (8) to the upper assembly using the hardware (10, 11, 12) that
comes with the clamps as shown below.

3. Install the tuning rod holder hardware (16, 20, 21, 22) to the upper assembly as shown below.

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4. Assemble the Lower Insulator parts as shown below. Note the side of the insulator that has the

cupped area. The Spacer (13) is inserted in the large hole in the insulator. When attaching the
spring (5) and Nyloc Nut (19), allow a gap to permit the spring to swivel in place.

5. Install the two studded band clamps to the lower aluminum mounting bracket using the hardware
as shown below. Note install the Nyloc Nut (19) just snug at this point. It will be tightened after
the element wire is installed.

Note: If you are also installing the DXE-AOKB-17M 17 Meter Add-on-kit, the lower brackets

will be both mounted to the same studded band clamps. When installing the two lower
brackets add external tooth washers (9) on each studded band clamp between the mounting
brackets to ensure good electrical connection.

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6. Attach one end of the 12 meter element wire to the lower insulator assembly as shown below.

Fold the wire so there is approximately 10” of wire in a loop. Note carefully how the wire is

routed through the insulator in reference to the insulator’s cupped area. When you have

completed the wire installation, you want approximately 8” of wire as shown below. You can

make adjustments to the wire positioning as needed before continuing to the next step in the
assembly.

7 Attach the lower insulator with the wire to the lower bracket as show below. Remove the

previously installed Nyloc nut, insert the end of the spring, re-attach the Nyloc nut and tighten.
Allow a small gap so the spring can still rotate.

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8. Looking at the following pictures. Clean the BTV Base for good RF connections where the two
clamps will be positioned. Use the included Scotch-Brite® pad to clean the aluminum surface of
the BTV base. Use a small amount of Jet-Lube SS-30 over this cleaned area just prior to
installing the clamps. Position the assembly so the spacing between the lower bracket and the
BTV base bracket as shown below. Tighten the clamps in place with the bracket horizontal as
compared to the BTV base as shown.

9 Position the upper assembly on the BTV 16” below the upper end of the six foot BTV element

as shown. Use the included Scotch-Brite® pad to clean the aluminum surface of the aluminum
tube. Use a small amount of Jet-Lube SS-30 over this cleaned area just prior to installing the
clamps. The Upper and lower assemblies should be in alignment with each other.

10. Connect the 12 meter wire with terminal (6) to the upper assembly (1) using the hardware as
shown. When installed, the spring at the lower end of the 12 meter wire should be slightly
pulled. This will keep the 12 meter wire tight in place.

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11. Attach the two tuning rods (7) to the upper section between the fender washer and the upper
bracket (in the slots) allowing approximately a 3” overlap as shown. Hand tighten in place with
the wing nut. Adjustment to the tuning rods will be done during tuning.

12. Re-assemble the Lower assembly with the upper Hustler BTV assembly an re-mount the
complete antenna to the tilt base.

The photograph to the right shows the DXE-AOKB-12M
12 Meter Add-on-kit installed on a Hustler BTV Antenna
(right side of photo)

The BTV antenna is mounted to an optional DXE-
OMNITILT-1P Tilt Base.

Other options shown installed include:

 DXE-AOKC-17M 17 Meter Add-On-Kit for the BTV

antenna (left side of photo).

 DXE-VMN-1 Vertical Antenna Matching Network

used for 80 and 40 meter tuning.

 DXE-AOK-DCF Direct Coax Fee Add-on-kit for the

BTV antenna and a DX Engineering coaxial cable
jumper connected between the DXE-AOK-DCF and a
DXE-UHF-FDFB-KIT SecureMount™ Bulkhead
Connector.

 DXE-RADP-3 Radial Plate and radial wires.

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Tuning

An antenna analyzer is the best way to adjust the low SWR frequency of the antenna. Measurements
should be made at the antenna using a short (5 or 6 ft) piece of 50Ω coax between the antenna and
the analyzer. If you are too close to the antenna your presence can affect the tuning, if you are too
far, the coax length may act as a radial and resonate. Taking readings
close to the antenna also eliminates the possibility of a long or marginal
feedline influencing the tuning or causing erratic readings. If necessary,
tune the antenna for low SWR on 24.930 MHz. Normally, the SWR
readings go down somewhat and the bandwidth readings increases once
the feedline is reconnected and you measure the SWR at the operating
position.

Adjustment of the low SWR frequency is done by slightly loosening the wing nut holding the tuning
rods and adjusting the length of the tuning rods. Adjust both tuning longer to go lower in frequency
or shorter to go higher in frequency. Both tuning rods should be adjusted equally and should not
need to be adjusted more than a couple of inches. Make adjustments in small steps. 1/2 in. of
adjustment should change the resonant frequency by about 75 kHz.

Typical 12 Meter SWR after tuning

The 12m add-on kit electrically couples to
the rest of the vertical and does have some
influence on the tuning of adjacent bands. If
retuning is required make minor adjustments
as necessary. Refer to the DX Engineering
BTV Installation and Assembly Guide
available from DX Engineering.

In some installations, particularly those with
very good soil conditions or a very good
radial system, the traps themselves may have
been changed from factory dimensions

during the initial installation of the vertical to
resonate the vertical in each band. In those cases where the traps have already been adjusted, leave
them as-is for now.

Check the vertical for low SWR on each band and note those frequencies. This will help determine
what adjustments are needed. After installation and tuning of the 12m kit, the BTV will likely be
tuned to about the same frequency in the 10 meter band and a little higher in the 15 and 20 meter
bands. No difference is likely on 30, 40 or 80 meters. In most cases, re-tuning to the desired
frequencies for each band can be accomplished by adjusting the tubing dimensions of each section
as described in the DX Engineering Hustler BTV Installation and Assembly Guide.

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Manual Updates

Every effort is made to supply the latest manual revision with each product. Occasionally a manual will be
updated between the time your DX Engineering product is shipped and when you receive it. Please check the
DX Engineering web site (www.DXEngineering.com) for the latest revision manual.

Technical Support

If you have questions about this product, or if you experience difficulties during the installation,
contact DX Engineering at [phone]. You can also e-mail us at:

[e-mail]

For best service, please take a few minutes to review this manual before you call.

Warranty

All products manufactured by DX Engineering are warranted to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of one
(1) year from date of shipment. DX Engineering’s sole obligation under these warranties shall be to issue credit, repair or replace any
item or part thereof which is proved to be other than as warranted; no allowance shall be made for any labor charges of Buyer for
replacement of parts, adjustment or repairs, or any other work, unless such charges are authorized in advance by DX Engineering. If
DX Engineering’s products are claimed to be defective in material or workmanship, DX Engineering shall, upon prompt notice thereof,
issue shipping instructions for return to DX Engineering (transportation-charges prepaid by Buyer). Every such claim for breach of
these warranties shall be deemed to be waived by Buyer unless made in writing. The above warranties shall not extend to any products
or parts thereof which have been subjected to any misuse or neglect, damaged by accident, rendered defective by reason of improper
installation, damaged from severe weather including floods, or abnormal environmental conditions such as prolonged exposure to
corrosives or power surges, or by the performance of repairs or alterations outside of our plant, and shall not apply to any goods or parts

thereof furnished by Buyer or acquired from others at Buyer’s specifications. In addition, DX Engineering’s warranties do not extend
to other equipment and parts manufactured by others except to the extent of the original manufacturer’s warranty to DX Engineering.

The obligations under the foregoing warranties are limited to the precise terms thereof. These warranties provide exclusive remedies,
expressly in lieu of all other remedies including claims for special or consequential damages. SELLER NEITHER MAKES NOR
ASSUMES ANY OTHER WARRANTY WHATSOEVER, WHETHER EXPRESS, STATUTORY, OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS, AND NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO ASSUME FOR DX
ENGINEERING ANY OBLIGATION OR LIABILITY NOT STRICTLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOREGOING.

©DX Engineering 2021

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Specifications subject to change without notice.