DX Engineering DXE-BN86-20UP200 Instructions manual

BN-86 Upgrade Balun

for Yagi Antennas

DXE-BN86-20UP150 and DXE-BN86-20UP200

DXE-BN8620UP-INS Revision 0

© DX Engineering 2020

1200 Southeast Ave. - Tallmadge, OH 44278 USA

Phone: [phone] ∙ Tech Support and International: [phone]

Fax: [phone] ∙ E-mail: [e-mail]

Introduction

DX Engineering Part Number

Description

DXE-BN86-20UP150

BN-86 Balun Upgrade for 1.5” Boom Diameter

DXE-BN86-20UP200

BN-86 Balun Upgrade for 2” Boom Diameter

The use of JTL-12555 - Jet-Lube™ Anti-Seize compound on the threads of all Stainless Steel Hardware is highly

recommended to prevent galling and aid in proper tightening torque.

Qty

Description

1

DX Engineering Maxi-Core® 20 1:1 Balun

1

Balun Mounting Plate (US Patent No. D597,086) & Hardware

2

Studded Band Clamp, Stainless Steel & Hardware

1

DX Engineering Balun Wiring Kit

The DXE-BN86-UPG Balun upgrade kits for Yagi antennas are deigned for antennas that use the BN-86 type balun. This kit
can also be used with other Yagi antennas that have either a 1-1/2” or 2” diameter boom. Included in this upgrade kit is the
high quality DX Engineering Maxi-Core® 20 balun and specialized (patented) mounting system. The proven performance of
the DX Engineering Maxi-Core® 20 1:1 balun will provide long term performance to ensure you are getting the best
performance from your Yagi antenna.

The DXE-BN86-UPG kit comes with a DX Engineering Maxi-Core® 20 1:1 Balun with weep holes drilled in the Balun
enclosure, a patented Poly Resin Balun Mounting Plate, Feedline Connection Wire, Ring Terminals, two Stainless Steel
Studded Band Clamps to fit the existing antenna boom and all Stainless Steel Hardware.

There are two BN-86 Balun Upgrade Kits available:

Features

DX Engineering Maxi-Core® 20 1:1 Current Balun, Single Core

 Power handling from 3 kW CW to 5 kW SSB
 Typical insertion loss is less than 0.2 dB
 Unique high-voltage compensating capacitor for unequaled SWR bandwidth
 Outstanding ferrite mix coated toroid core with special design to accommodate close coupling without excessive

stress

 Special wire size selection and Teflon-insulated wire sleeves provide exact impedance matching and superb

insulation, unlike common Thermaleze wire

 Gasketed SO-239 connectors are silver plated and have PTFE insulation
 Sealed in a weatherproof 4 in. x 4 in. x 2-1/2 in. NEMA box with 4 weep holes to help remove any condensation

(weep holes positioned on the top or bottom depending on the kit specified)

 Stainless steel hardware

 DX Engineering Balun Mounting Plate

 Custom DX Engineering design (US Patent No D597,086)
 UV resistant Poly-Resin
 Two Stainless Steel Studded Band Clamps for attachment to a 1.5” or 2” diameter Yagi Boom (depending on the

kit specified) with Nyloc hex nuts added to the kit

 All Stainless Steel Hardware for mounting the custom DX Engineering Balun

 DX Engineering Balun Wiring Kit

 For connecting the custom DX Engineering Balun to the Yagi feedpoints for long-term reliability
 Comes with stainless steel hardware and choice of two different sized Ring Terminals
 The custom DX Engineering Balun Wiring Kit includes Nyloc hex nuts and external tooth washers that ensure

excellent electrical and RF contact of the feedline wires even on a vibrating Yagi system.

DXE-BAL-YAGI-UPG Parts List

Differences between the kits available are the sizes of the studded band clamps included (1-1/2” or 2”).

Balun Mounting Plate Assembly

Attach the DX Engineering Balun to the Balun Mounting Plate using the hardware as shown below. Tighten the hardware in
place.

Mount the two Studded Band Clamps in place as shown below. Note - Use the included Nyloc hex nuts in this kit instead of
the regular hex nuts that are with the studded band clamps. Tighten the hardware in place.

Balun Wiring Kit

Determine the lengths for the feedline from the balun to your antenna connections required for your installation. Once
confirmed, cut the wire to length, crimp and solder the appropriate ring terminals in place.

The larger Ring Terminals fit the balun connections.
Attach the two balun feedline wires to the balun feedline connections using the hardware as shown below. Leave this hardware

slightly loose so you can adjust the fit after the Balun is mounted in place on your antenna.

Attaching the BN86 Balun assembly to your existing Yagi antenna

Remove the existing balun from your antenna and replace with the new Balun bracket assembly.
Open the two studded band clamps and place them around the antenna boom. Just slightly snug the band clamps so you can

adjust the Balun position. The two feedline wires previously made are connected to the antenna feedline connections. Avoid
areas that may short the connection wires.

Connect the PL-259 from your coaxial cable to the balun. Once everything is in place, tighten all of the hardware.
In the photos below are examples showing the DX Engineering Balun mounted in various positions. Other Yagi antennas

would be similar.

(Feed wires are shown as red for visibility in this manual)

The coaxial cable connection should be weather proofed using 3M Temflex Rubber Splicing Tape with an overwrap of 3M
Super 33+ Premium Vinyl Electrical Tape for UV protection.

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 2020

DX Engineering®, DXE®, DX Engineering, Inc.®, Hot Rodz®, Maxi-Core®, DX Engineering THUNDERBOLT®, DX Engineering Yagi
Mechanical®, EZ-BUILD®, TELREX®, Gorilla Grip® Stainless Steel Boom Clamps, Butternut
OMNI-TILT™, RF-PRO-1B®, AFHD-4® are trademarks of PDS Electronics, Inc. No license to use or reproduce any of these trademarks or
other trademarks is given or implied. All other brands and product names are the trademarks of their respective owners.

Specifications subject to change without notice.

®

, SkyHawk™, SkyLark™, SecureMount™,