DX Engineering DXE-VE-60-2P Instructions manual

60 Meter Mono-Band

Conversion Kit for the

DXE-MBVE-5A Multi-Band

Vertical Antenna

DXE-MBVE-5A60MCK

DXE-MBVE-5A60MCK-INS Revision 1

© DX Engineering 2020

1200 Southeast Ave. - Tallmadge, OH 44278 USA

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

Fax: [phone] ∙ E-mail: [e-mail]

Introduction

DXE-MBVE-5A60MCK - 60 Meter Conversion Kit

Qty

Description

1

1/4” OD x 36” long Aluminum Tube, 0.049” wall thickness

1

3/8” OD x 36” long Aluminum Tube, 0.058” wall thickness, Slit on one end

1

0.500” Band Clamp

1

1/4” Black Vinyl End Cap

1

7” Connection wire, 14 ga, with 1/4” Ring Terminals on each end

1

10-1/2” Connection wire, 14 ga, with 1/4” Ring Terminals on each end

2

1/4” External Tooth Stainless Steel Washer

Parts Required - Not included in the conversion kit

Qty

Part Number

Description

1

DXE-MC20-1-1

DX Engineering Maxi-Core® 20 1:1 Balun

1

DXE-UN-BRKT-5A

Mounting bracket for balun

1

JTL-12555 or JTL-12502*

Jet-Lube SS-30 Anti-Seize

This conversion kit is custom made to modify the DXE-MBVE-5A Multi-Band Vertical into a 60 Meter
Mono-Band Vertical antenna. By accomplishing this conversion, the antenna will operate with peak
performance on the 60 meter band. When properly tuned, the SWR should be under 1.5:1 across the entire 60
Meter band.

At this point in time, there are Five Channels used on 60 Meters:

Channel 1: 5330.5 kHz Channel 2: 5346.5 kHz Channel 3: 5357.0 kHz

Channel 4: 5371.5 kHz Channel 5: 5403.5 kHz

In-depth information about the use of the 60 Meter band can be found on the ARRL web site:
“60-Meters A Brief History and FAQs” - http://www.arrl.org/60-meter-faq

NOTE: The 60 Meter conversion requires the use of a 1:1 Balun and Balun Mounting Bracket.

Kits Available

There are three kits available to assemble a DX Engineering 60 Meter Mono-Band antenna.

DXE-MBVE-5A60MCK DXE-VE-60-2P DXE-VE-60-2P-RAD

If you already have a DXE-MBVE-5A Multi-band Vertical, you will need the following parts:

*Jet-Lube™ SS-30 Pure Copper Anti-Seize ensures 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

The DXE-VE-60-2P package includes the DXE-MBVE-5A Vertical Antenna, 60 Meter Conversion Kit, DX
Engineering Maxi-Core® 20 1:1 Balun and Mounting Bracket for the Balun.

The DXE-VE-60-2P-RAD package includes the DXE-MBVE-5A Vertical Antenna, 60 Meter Conversion
Kit, DX Engineering Maxi-Core® 20 1:1 Balun, Balun Mounting Kit and hardware. Also included in this kit
is the DX Engineering Radial Plate, Stainless Steel V-Clamp for the Radial Plate, Radial Wire, Lawn Staples
and 20 Ring Terminals for the Radials.

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Tools Required

The following instructions are based on an existing DXE-MBVE-5A antenna system.

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

Installation

1. Lower the antenna using the Safe-T-Tilt Base. Use supports to ensure you do not put a bend in the
antenna.

1A. Your DXE-MBVE-5A has an UNUN installed, remove it. It will be replaced with a DX

Engineering Maxi-Core® 20 1:1 BALUN.

2. Loosen the top Element Clamp and remove the top 3/8” OD element that has the black vinyl cap. Set the
element and cap aside. The 3/8” OD element and cap will be replaced with new parts.

3. Installing the new top elements:

3A. Mark the new elements as shown below.

3A. Insert the new 3/8” into the existing 1/2” element with a 4 inch overlap and the slits toward the top of

the antenna. Tighten the existing element clamp.

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3B. Install the new 1/4” OD into the new 3/8” OD element with a 2 inch overlap. Using the new 0.50”

element clamp, tighten the element in place as shown. Install the new 1/4” black vinyl cap on the top
of the 1/4” OD element.

4. The overall length of the antenna should measure 518 inches long as shown. This length may change when

you perform the antenna tuning procedure.

5. Raise the antenna to the upright position using the Safe-T-Tilt Base.

Assembling the DX Engineering Balun to the Balun Mounting Bracket

Using the #6 hex head bolts, #6 flat washers, and #6 Nyloc nuts, attach the DX Engineering Maxi-Core® 20
Balun to the patented Bracket with the SO-239 connector facing down as shown below. Tighten the Nyloc
Nuts so they are snug. Do not over tighten since the mounting tabs on the Balun are plastic.

Attach the stainless steel studded element clamps to the bracket using the Aluminum Spacers and #10 Nyloc
nuts as shown below. Snug the #10 Nyloc nuts just to the point that you can still rotate the custom studded
element clamps. The Nyloc nuts will be tightened later.

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Installation of Balun Assembly to Antenna Lower Section

The completed balun with balun mounting bracket assembly is mounted to the
antenna lower section. To allow easy installation of the UNUN Bracket to the
lower base section, open the upper and lower custom studded element clamps as
shown.

Position the balun and mounting bracket so the bottom element clamp is located
between the lower element bolt and the black insulator shown below. Tighten the
element clamps to hold the assembly in place. Also tighten the Nyloc nuts that hold the studded element
clamps to the bracket.

Clamps open, Clamp Ends inserted to go around the antenna element

Tighten in place with Balun facing outward

Balun Connections

The Balun connections are attached to the antenna connection using one 7” wire
with ring terminals and one 10.5” wire with ring terminals. Connect the 7” wire with
terminals from the antenna feedpoint located on the antenna element to the terminal
on the Balun closest to the Red "+" on the label as shown below. Do not over
tighten the wing nuts. Hand tighten them only, do not use pliers or other tools to
over tighten the wing nuts.

Connect the 10.5" wire with ring terminals from the terminal on the Balun closest to
the Black "▬" on the label to the bolt holding the angle plate as shown.

Use the two included
external tooth
washers when
installing the wires
with terminals on to
the Balun as shown.

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7” wire connected from Balun “+” to the bolt just above where the mounting clamp is located.

10.5” wire with terminals connected from the balun “-“ to the bolt holding the angle plate in place.

Move the external tooth washer previously installed on the antenna (Item 21) to the position as shown.

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Your coaxial cable from the radio connects
directly to the SO-239 connector on the bottom
of the balun. Weatherproof this coaxial
connection using Scotch® Super 33+ and 3M
Temflex™ 2155 Rubber Splicing Tape.

Tuning the 60 Meter Vertical Antenna
System

After the installation of the conversion is complete and
antenna is in the up position, use an antenna analyzer
check for the lowest SWR reading.

Adjustment to the desired channel frequency can be made
by either extending the top two elements (lowering the
frequency) or retracting the upper two elements (raising
the frequency).

When properly adjusted the SWR should be under 1.5:1
across the entire 60 Meter band.

Currently there are Five Channels used on 60 Meters:

Channel 1: 5330.5 kHz
Channel 2: 5346.5 kHz
Channel 3: 5357.0 kHz
Channel 4: 5371.5 kHz
Channel 5: 5403.5 kHz

60 Meter
Vertical Antenna
Element Assembly

(Drawing not scale)

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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 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®,
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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.

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