DX Engineering DXE-MBVE-5AEBRT3 Instructions manual

Multi-Band

Vertical Antenna

160 through 10 Meters

with the patented

SAF-T-TILT

™

Base

DXE-MBVE-5A Series

US Patent Nos. 654,064 and 8,686,919

DXE-MBV5AS-INS - Revision 3a

© DX Engineering 2021
1200 Southeast Ave. - Tallmadge, OH 44278 USA MBVE-5 Shown with optional UNUN
Phone: [phone] ∙ Tech Support and International: [phone]
Fax: [phone] ∙ E-mail: [e-mail]

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Table of Contents

Introduction

2

Manual Updates

2

DXE-MBVE-5A Models Available

3

DXE-MBVE-5A Remote Tuner Upgrades Available

3

Tools Required

4

Warning

5

Suggested Parts

5

Additional Material Needed, Not Supplied

6

Basics for All New Installations

7

Site Selection

7

Radial System

7

Mounting Pipe

8

Assembly

8

Radial Plate to Mounting Pipe

9

Attaching Ground Radial Wires to the Radial Plate

10

Tilt Base to Mounting Pipe

10

SAF-T-TILT™ Antenna Base Section Assembly

12

Aluminum Tubing Information

14

Assembling the Vertical Sections

15

Mating the Vertical Sections to the Tilt Base

18

Raising The Vertical

19

Assembling the Optional UNUN Mounting Bracket

20

Installation of Optional UNUN Assembly

21

Feedline Connections

22

Tuning the Vertical

22

Coaxial Cable and 160 Meter Notes

23

Guying a Vertical Antenna System

24

DXE-MBVE-5A Parts List

25

Exploded View of the DXE-MBVE-5A

26

Appendix A - Extended Base Remote Tuner Options

27

Extended Base Tube Exploded View Drawing

28

Upgrade Hardware Exploded View Drawing

29

Appendix B - MFJ-993/994BRT Remote Tuner Option

30

Appendix C - MFJ-998RT Remote Tuner Option

34

Appendix D - Bias Tee Information

37

Parts Listings for DXE-MBVE-THW and TBHW

38

Parts Listings for DXE-MBVE-5A-UGHW

39

Technical Support and Warranty

39

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Introduction

The DX Engineering DXE-MBVE-5A series of antennas are designed from the ground up to offer
ease of use, reliability and performance. The design was based on older 43 foot verticals enhanced
with the newer tilt base, the overall length has been shortened from 43 feet for optimum
performance. A fast taper multi-band vertical antenna system with the patented SAF-T-TILT™
base (US Patent Nos. 654,064 and 8,686,919). The massive 3/8” thick rugged aluminum base
allows easy, safe tilt action without unsafe removal of mounting hardware. The vertical antenna
operates from 160 meters through 10 meters using a good quality outboard customer supplied tuner.
There are also options available for remote tuners allowing operation at 200, 300, 600 or 1500 Watt
power levels. There are no traps, coils or linear loading elements. Designed with 6063 corrosion­resistant aluminum tubing and stainless steel hardware, this antenna is very durable and attractive.

NOTE: The basic DXE-MBVE-5A requires an optional DX Engineering UN-43 UNUN and
optional UNUN Bracket DXE-UN-BRKT with recommended 150 feet of RG-213 coaxial cable
and a customer supplied in-shack wide range tuner or one of the optional remote tuners with
remote tuner mounting methods as described in this manual.

If you already own a DXE-MBVE-5 or 5A, there are optional upgrades available for use with
the remote tuner options.

Basic DXE-MBVE-5A Antenna Features

 Full band coverage from 160 through 10 meters - Outboard customer supplied wide-range

tuner is required

 New massive SAF-T-TILT™ Base (US Patent Nos. 654,064 and 8,686,919) allows safe

raising and lowering of the antenna without hazardous removal of fastening hardware

 High strength Delrin® thermoplastic insulator that won’t crack, splinter, peel or fail
 Rugged structural grade type 6063-T832 drawn aluminum vertical radiator - the best alloy

for high strength, long lasting antenna applications

 Fast taper from rugged base to sleek top for the lowest wind resistance
 No coils or traps – Maximum radiation efficiency
 Power handling up to 5 kW - built to last
 All stainless steel hardware - very durable and attractive
 Free standing to 92 mph wind speeds

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.

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DXE-MBVE-5A Models Available

DX Engineering

MBVE-5A

Model Numbers

SAF

-T-TILT

™ Base

DXE

-MBVE

-5A with

Short Base Tube

DXE

-MBVE

-5AE

with

Long Base Tu

be

DXE

-RADP

-3 Radial Plate

DXE

-UN-43 UNUN

and

DXE

-UN-BRKT

Mounting Bracket

and

DXE

-UNFK

-5 UNUN to

MBVE

-5 Feedpoint

Connection Kit

MFJ

-993/4

BRT Brackets

MFJ

-993

BRT Tuner

300 Watt

MFJ

-994

BRT Tuner

600 Watt

MFJ

-998RT

Brackets

MFJ

-998RT

Tuner

1500 Watt

DXE-MBVE-5A

X X Req’d

DXE-MBVE-5A-4P

X X X Req’d

DXE-MBVE-5A-4UP

X X X

DXE-MBVE-5A-4UPR

X X X X

DXE-MBVE-5AE-BRT

X X

optional

not applicable

X

DXE-MBVE-5AEBRT3

X X X not applicable

X X

DXE-MBVE-5AEBRT4

X X X not applicable

X X

DXE-MBVE-5AE-RT

X X

optional

not applicable

X

DXE-MBVE-5AERT8

X X X not applicable

X X

X = Included Reqd = Required (see text) optional = Purchase is optional (see text explaining the importance of a radial system)

DXE-MBVE-5A60MCK: Also available is a conversion kit to change the MBVE-5A Multi­Band antenna into a 60 meter Mono-Band Antenna

DXE-MBVE-5 or 5A Remote Tuner Upgrade Models Available

If you are upgrading from an existing DXE-MBVE-5 or 5A system with the original short
base tube to a MBVE-5A with a MFJ-993BRT, MFJ-994BRT or MFJ-998RT remote tuner,
the following upgrade kit options are available.

Upgrade kits include new longer base tube, brackets, remote tuners as selected below.

DX Engineering

Upgrade Model

Numbers

DXE

-MBVE

-5AEBASE

-

Long Base

DXE

-RADP

-3 Radial Plate

DXE

-MBVE

-THW

Hardware Kit

DXE

-MBVE

-TBHW

Hardware Kit

DXE

-MBVE

-5A-UGHW

Hardware Kit

MFJ

-993/4

BRT - Brackets

MFJ

-993

BRT - Tuner

300 Watt

MFJ

-994

BRT - Tuner

600 Watt

MFJ

-998RT

- Brackets

MFJ

-998RT

- Tuner

1500 Watt

DXE-MBVE-5UG-BRT

X

optional

X X X DXE-MBVE-5UGBRT3

X

optional

X X X X DXE-MBVE-5UGBRT4

X

optional

X X X X

DXE-MBVE-5UG-RT

X

optional

X X X

DXE-MBVE-5UGRT8

X

optional

X X X

X

X = Included optional = Purchase is optional (see text explaining the importance of a radial system)

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PLEASE - Read the entire manual to be familiar with the various options

available. Some of the assembly steps are common for all models.

This manual describes in detail the DXE-MBVE-5A-4UPR antenna package
which includes the basic antenna with the DXE-RADP-3 Radial Plate, DXE-

43 UNUN and DXE-UN-BRKT.

Other sections in this manual describe the models using the remote tuner

options.

Refer to the DXE-MBVE-5A60MCK if you are converting the MBVE-5A to a

Mono-Band 60 Meter Antenna

Upgrade kits for existing MBVE-5/5A systems use the kit parts for MFJ-

993/994BRT or MFJ-998RT remote tuner option installations.

The vertical elements for all models are the same.

The SAF-T-TILT™ Base is the same for all models with one exception. The

thick wall base tube is longer for the tube mounted remote tuner options.

This manual describes in detail the DXE-MBVE-5A-4UPR antenna package which includes
the basic antenna with the DXE-RADP-3 Radial Plate, DXE-43 UNUN and DXE-UN-

BRKT.

Tools Required

Two 7/16” wrenches, (one of them should be open-end)
5/16”, 3/8”, 9/16”, and 3/4” wrenches or
5/16”, 3/8”, 9/16”, and 3/4” sockets and drive

Medium size flat blade screwdriver or 5/16” nut driver for the element clamps
Medium size flat blade screwdriver or 1/4” nut driver for the smaller element clamps
Tape measure
Black Felt-tip marker or pencil

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WARNING!

INSTALLATION OF ANY ANTENNA NEAR POWER LINES IS DANGEROUS

Warning: Do not locate the antenna near overhead power lines or other electric light or power

circuits, or where it can come into contact with such circuits. When installing the antenna, take
extreme care not to come into contact with such circuits, because they may cause serious injury or
death.

Overhead Power Line Safety

Before you begin working, check carefully for overhead power lines in the area you will be
working. Don't assume that wires are telephone or cable lines: check with your electric utility for
advice. Although overhead power lines may appear to be insulated, often these coverings are
intended only to protect metal wires from weather conditions and may not protect you from electric
shock. Keep your distance! Remember the 10-foot rule: When carrying and using ladders and other
long tools, keep them at least 10 feet away from all overhead lines - including any lines from the
power pole to your home.

Suggested Parts

DXE-RADP-3 - Radial Plate, Stainless Steel with 20 Sets of SS Radial Attachment Hardware

The patented DX Engineering Radial Plate is meant for those of you that have or are
building a quarter wave vertical antenna and who want an easy, neat and effective
way to connect those essential radial wires and the coax to your vertical antenna for
the lowest takeoff angle and strongest signals. DX Engineering Radial Plate is laser

cut from tough stainless steel so that it has smooth edges, won’t corrode and will

always look good. You will be proud of how good your installation looks. This plate
will work perfectly with most commercially available vertical antennas.

DXE-SSVC-2P - Stainless Steel V-Clamp for steel pipe, 2 inch V-bolt
This V-Clamp is made in one size that fits Steel tubing or pipe from 1" to 2'' OD as used in antenna
construction. The supplied V-bolt is long enough to attach tubing to thick plates and is
made with anti-corrosive properties. The special Stainless Steel saddle has serrated teeth
will clamp to the pipe securely by biting into the surface. For this reason, it is not
recommended for softer aluminum tubing or pipe. Ideal for fastening a radial plate and
antenna mounting to a steel pipe.

 Used to clamp 1 to 2'' (OD) steel tubing or pipe
 Designed for attachments that don't require resistance to torque
 V-bolt and saddle made from high-strength 18-8* stainless steel

*The use of an anti-seize compound is HIGHLY recommended to
achieve proper torque and prevent galling.

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DXE-RADW Radial Wire Kits and Components
There are optional DX Engineering Radial Wire Kits available. DXE-RADW-500K/BD contains a
500 foot spool of 14 gauge copper stranded wire with black relaxed PVC insulation, 20 Terminal
Lugs and 100 Steel or Biodegradable Lawn Staples. The DXE-RADW-1000K/BD Radial Wire Kit
contains a 1,000 foot spool of 14 gauge copper stranded wire with black relaxed PVC insulation, 40
Terminal Lugs and 200 Steel or Biodegradable Lawn Staples. RADW-20RT, -32RT or -65RT
contain 20 each radial wires with 1/4" terminal attached. These kits come in 20 Ft, 32 Ft, or 65 Ft
lengths.

DXE-GUY-200 Guying Kit for Vertical Antennas
Some vertical antenna manufacturers indicate their antennas do not need guying. During times of
high winds or ice loading, some of these vertical antennas may sustain damage or fail altogether.
With the small amount of effort needed to install a four point guying system, the risk hardly seems
worth taking. A four-point guying scheme provides the best mechanical advantage to reduce wind
stress, regardless of direction. A four point guying system is recommended for use with the DX
Engineering SAF-T-TILT™ Base, because just one of the guy ropes has to be loosened when you
tilt the vertical antenna down. The remaining guys help stabilize the vertical antenna in three
directions when being raised. For details on guying this antenna, refer to the Guying a Vertical

Antenna System page.

Additional Material Needed but not Supplied:

 JTL-12555 Jet-Lube™ SS-30 Pure Copper Anti-Seize 12555 - To ensure good electrical

and RF connection for Aluminum Element Sections and also used on the threads of Stainless
Steel Hardware to prevent galling (seizing) and aid in proper tightening.

 For a new installation: Antenna Mounting - Steel mounting pipe, up to 2.0" OD, 0.25"

wall thickness. A standard 1-1/2" galvanized water pipe (with its 1.9" OD) will work for this
application and can usually be found at your local home building supply store. DX
Engineering also has the DXE-VGMT-2CG Steel tubing for ground mount antennas made
from high strength Chromoly: 2 inch OD x .25 wall thickness x 5 foot 4 inch length.

 For a new installation: Quick-Set or other type of Concrete - Mounting pipe installation

(type depends on your particular conditions and landscape).

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Basics for All New Installations

Site Selection

Select a mounting location clear from power lines, structures and other antennas by a minimum of
55 feet. Consider overhead power lines, utility cables and wires. The vertical should be mounted
away from local noise sources or other metallic objects which can re-radiate noise and affect the
tuning, radiation pattern and SWR. Determine the direction you want the antenna to tilt down and
make sure there is adequate clearance (at least 55 feet). There should also be a clear diameter of 70
to 130 feet from the antenna for the guying and radial systems that will extend away from the
antenna.

Radial System

The use of a radial system is a key requirement for any high performance quarter wave vertical
antenna system. With a vertical antenna system, the radials are the second half of the antenna. The
radials contribute to the radiation efficiency of the entire vertical antenna system.

At a minimum, 20 radials, each 32 feet long, should be used with this antenna. Using 32 radials at
65 feet long is preferred and highly recommended. The extra radials help overcome unknown poor­soil conditions, improve bandwidth, and ensure the best performance possible from the vertical
antenna. DXE-RADW Radial Wire, a 14 gauge stranded copper with black relaxed PVC insulation
wire is suggested for the best results.

The wire radials should placed as symmetrically as
possible straight from the feedpoint around the
vertical antenna and spaced evenly, regardless of
how many radials are used. Do not cross or bunch
any radial wires as this nullifies their effectiveness.
If you have limited space, put in as many straight
radials as you can. The radials must be connected
to the shield of your feedline. The DXE-RADP-3
Stainless Steel Radial Plate is the ideal optional
item which provides an excellent system for
attaching radial wires to your vertical antenna
system.

Radial wires can be laid on the roots of the grass
using DXE-STPL Radial Wire Anchor Pins to
hold them down. Using enough staples will ensure
the wires will not be snagged by mowers, people,
or animals. Grass will quickly overgrow the radials and it will be virtually impossible to see them.
An article describing this process is available on the DX Engineering website. Radials can also be
buried just under the surface by using a power edger to make a slit in the soil.

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Mounting Pipe

Use a customer supplied thick-walled galvanized steel mounting pipe at
least 4 feet long. This will allow approximately 2 feet or more to be below

ground and 20 inches above ground. A thick-walled steel pipe 1-3/4" OD
to 2" OD maximum is recommended with a minimum thickness of 1/8"
(1/4" preferred) should be used. A steel mounting pipe, up to 2.0" OD,

0.25" wall thickness. A standard 1-1/2" galvanized water pipe (with
its 1.9" OD) will work for this application and can usually be found at
your local home building supply store. DX Engineering also has the
DXE-VGMT-2CG Steel tubing for ground mount antennas made
from high strength Chromoly: 2 inch OD x .25 wall thickness x 5 foot
4 inch length. For permanent mounting, use a post-hole digger to make

the hole deep enough to accommodate at least 2 feet of pipe and a couple
inches of gravel at the bottom for drainage. Set the mounting pipe on the
gravel, use the pre-mix concrete to fill around the pipe, adding water and
mixing as you fill or mix the concrete first, then pour in the hole (depends
on the type of quick concrete you purchase). Fill the hole until the
concrete is level with the ground around it. Use a level on the mounting
pipe as you fill the hole to be sure it is vertically straight. Allow to set
overnight or per the concrete manufacturer’s recommendations. Your location, landscape and
ground conditions may require different mounting solutions in order to have the steel mounting pipe
and the vertical antenna in a secure position. A black vinyl cap (DXE-VC-2000, for 2” pipe) can be
used to cap the top of the mounting pipe to prevent water and debris from getting into the pipe.

Note: Galvanized steel, rather than aluminum, is much more suitable for mounting in concrete.

Aluminum will quickly corrode due to incompatibility with the materials used to make
concrete.

Assembly

Carefully un-box the antenna and separate the various parts. All of the element sections are 36"
long. The 2-1/8" OD antenna element is slit on one end and drilled on the other end. All the other
sections are slit on one end except for the top 3/8” OD element.

Note: JTL-12555 Jet-Lube™ SS-30 Anti-Oxidant must be used between all antenna element

sections. Jet-Lube™ SS-30 is an electrical joint compound to affect a substantial
electrical connection between metal parts such as aluminum tubing or other antenna
pieces. It ensures high conductivity at all voltage levels by displacing moisture and
preventing corrosion or oxidation. Jet-Lube™ SS-30 must be used on all element
clamps and stainless steel threaded hardware to provide good electrical contact,
prevent galling, allowing easier disassembly and to ensure proper tightening.

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Note: The following assembly instructions are based on the MBVE-5A-4UPR

which includes the DXE-RADP-3 Radial Plate and the DXE-UN-43
UNUN, DXE-UN-BRKT Bracket with hardware using a customer
supplied 2" OD Mounting Pipe.

Note: For reference purposes, an exploded drawing of the completed SAF-T-TILT™

base is show in Figure 21.

Radial Plate to Mounting Pipe

Install the patented DXE-RADP-3 Radial Plate on the 2" OD customer supplied mounting pipe
using the DXE-SSVC-2P V-Bolt Saddle Clamp as shown in Figure 1. A steel mounting pipe, up to

2.0" OD, 0.25" wall thickness. A standard 1-1/2" galvanized water pipe (with its 1.9" OD) will
work for this application and can usually be found at your local home building supply store. DX
Engineering also has the DXE-VGMT-2CG Steel tubing for ground mount antennas made from
high strength Chromoly: 2 inch OD x .25 wall thickness x 5 foot 4 inch length. Mount the Radial
Plate so you have approximately 1" of space between the bottom of the plate and the ground level.
This will allow easy access to install the radial wire hardware. The DXE-RADP-3 Radial Plate
comes with 20 sets of stainless steel hardware for mounting the radial wires. Additional hardware
kits are available from DX Engineering: DXE-RADP-1HWK contains 20 sets of Radial Plate
Hardware. Check which direction you want the antenna to tilt. Mount the radial plate as shown in
relation to the SAF-T-TILT™ Tilt Base. For reference, Figure 19 shows a completed installation.

Figure 1 - DXE-RADP-3 Radial Plate Installation on customer supplied mounting pipe

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Attaching the optional Ground Radial Wires to the Radial Plate

Using the 20 sets of supplied 1/4" stainless steel hardware (Bolt, Star Washer, Flat Washer, Split
Washer, Nut) connect the optional ground radial wires to the DXE-RADP-3 Radial Plate as shown
in Figure 2. Additional hardware kits are available from DX Engineering: DXE-RADP-1HWK
includes 20 sets of Radial Plate Hardware.

There are optional DX Engineering Radial Wire Kits available. DXE-RADW-500K/BD contains a
500 foot spool of 14 gauge copper stranded wire with relaxed black PVC insulation, 20 Terminal
Lugs and 100 Steel or Biodegradable Lawn Staples. The DXE-RADW-1000K/BD Radial Wire Kit
contains a 1,000 foot spool of 14 gauge copper stranded wire with relaxed black PVC insulation, 40
Terminal Lugs and 200 Steel or Biodegradable Lawn Staples. RADW-20RT, -32RT or -65RT
contain 20 each radial wires with 1/4" terminal attached. These kits come in 20 Ft, 32 Ft, or 65Ft
lengths. See these and other options available listed at the end of this manual.

Depending on the number of radial wires used, space them out evenly around the Radial Plate like
the spokes on a wheel. The Radial Plate will accommodate up to 60 radial wires (60 laser drilled
holes), or up to 120 radials if doubled up.

Radial Wire Pattern

Figure 2 - Radial Wire Hardware Installation

Tilt Base to Mounting Pipe

Install the SAF-T-TILT™ Tilt Base to the 2" OD mounting pipe using the two 3/8” SSVC V-Bolt
Saddle Clamps allowing approximately 3-1/2" clearance between the bottom of the tilt base plate, to
the top of the DXE-RADP-3 Radial Plate as shown in Figure 3.

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Make sure the Tilt Base and DXE-RADP-3 Radial Plate are oriented correctly for the direction you
wish to tilt the antenna. See Figure 11 which shows the tilt action.

Tighten the V-clamps evenly so the length of the exposed threads is approximately equal. Any
clamp should be tightened evenly from side-to-side with an equal amount of thread above each nut.
Once tight, place a Black Vinyl Cap on the threaded ends of the V-Clamps as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3