Maco Shooting_Star_10-11 User guide

®

SWITCHABLE POLARITY 8 ELEMENT

10/11 METER BEAM

SHOOTING STAR

www.macoantennas.net

[phone]

MACO Antennas, A Division of Charles Electronics, LLC

302 S. East Street, Mt. Carroll, IL 61053

Copyright © 2009 Charles Electronics LLC • All Rights Reserved

MACO SHOOTING STAR

PARTS LIST

PART QTY O.D. SIZE LENGTH DESCRIPTION CHECKLIST

T41P 1 2” .050” 72” Aluminum tubing swaged both ends _____
T51P 2 2” .050” 72” Aluminum tubing slotted one end _____
T11P 8 5/8” .050” 72” Aluminum tubing slotted both ends _____
T01 12 ½” .050” 72” Aluminum tubing _____
P02P 1 5”x1/4” 5” 2” boom to 2” mast pipe _____
W04P 1 7/14 40” Copper wire _____
FA1P 4 Fiberglass rods _____
G01P 2 Gamma matches _____
Z08P 4 Gamma straps f/coax connectors _____
S42 2 Coax connectors w/mounting nut _____

HARDWARE BAG#1

U01 14 2” Plated u-bolts _____
N03 28 5/16” Lock nuts _____

HARDWARE BAG#2

S01 14 2” Plated saddles _____

HARDWARE BAG#3

BE2P 8 2” Element to boom mounts _____

HARDWARE BAG #4

W58P 16 5/8” Aluminum clamps _____
PL2 12 .437” Plastic caps – black _____
PL5B 1 2” Plastic cap – black _____
S21 26 10-24 ½” Machine screws _____
N11 26 10-24 Square nuts _____
PL5R 1 2” Plastic caps – red _____
N12 4 #10 Lock washers _____
Z02P 4 ½” 4” Gamma straps _____
1 Fiberglass rod kit (4 screws) _____
1 Instruction sheet _____
1 Warranty sheet _____
1 Tip sheet _____

Please note: In an effort to keep the price on Maco Antennas down, we have decided not to clean up all the
burrs and rough edges on the parts. We recommend that you deburr and clean up each part with files,
sandpaper, etc. so that they go together easily. We are aware this needs to be done but have elected not to
do it to save you the money we would have to add to the price of the kit for this service.

Revised 05/09

MAC0

ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS

SHOOTING STAR

FIGURE

This drawing
assembly.
rubber sealant or a similar compound to insure that wind vibration

FIGURE

To

of the

center boom section (T41P).

detail

2A.

Next mark
hardware as shown in detail

This antenna is designed
and hardware as shown in

FIGURE 3A ELEMENT ASSEMBLY

Prior to

center section (T

Assemble
to determine dimensions for

Assemble the reflector elements in
inches
the arms will have to be adjusted after installing the reflector

into

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

1

depicts

Refer to Figures 2 thru4 for

BOOM ASSEMBLY

2

assemble

the

ends of

the

the

boom

assembling

11P).

each element as

the center sections (T

an overall view of what

boom,

slide

center and

2B.

for

mounting on a 2” O.D.

detail 2C.

elements, slide

shownusing

each element.

the

antenna

specific assembly details. All

the

slotted ends of the

Secure

both joints with 2” U-bolts,

mount

the

a boom-to-element mount (BE2P)

the clamps and

Install

a

the same

11P).

Snug

boom-to-mast plate (PO2P) using 2”

blackplastic

manner,

boom

heavy

hardware

the

clamps, but

duty mast. Mount using 2” U-bolts,

cap (PL2) onto

sliding

wire.

should

hardware

does

sections

look like upon

should be coated with a

not

cause

it to work

(T51P)

saddles

specified.

the fiberglass arms approximately

don’t

tighten them at

onto

and hardware as

onto each of the 8 element

Refer to

both

ends of each element.

completion of

loose.

both swaged

shown in

U-bolts, saddles and

the element table

this

time because

silicon

ends

saddles

6

FIGURE 3B ELEMENT MOUNTING

Mark

each element at

on the

elements before tightening hardware.

Starting 1 l/2”

boom-to-element mounts and hardware

from the

the

center and be

director

end of the

shown.

sure

that

the

boom-to-element mounts (BE2P) are

boom, mount each element using 2” U-bolts,

Refer to Figures 1

and 3B

for

element spacing instructions.

centered

saddles,

FIGURE

preliminary.
length of 9’ 6” is

3C

REFLECTOR ASSEMBLY

The

length ofthe reflector wire is very critical. REMEMBER: The Reflector

Change to get

very

critical. It
and uncoil it making sure
or

so.

The

easy

way

to get the correct

1.

Drive 2

nails in

a board or

them.

2.

Stretch the wire around the

the

splice.

Remove

3.

Loosely

4.

Tighten 3 of the 4

5.

Install the wire as

6.

Tighten

assemble

(NO6)

onto the

the wire by

around the

the

clamps

shown.

nails.

is critical, and also is

equal side of 9’ 6”. Fiberglass length is

must be the correct

that there

are no kinks; secure it to a

length for

fence l/2

nails

one nail and

the

by

hand as tightly as possible and splice ends

remove the

machine screws (S21),

lugs of

pulling

the

that

the fourth

The

wire

the

fiberglass arms, adjusting

hold

the

fiberglass

loop is

now the correct

length of each side.

length of

fiberglass rods.

length

the reflector

the

loop.

flatwashers

rod

to operate

nail.

loop is as follows

loop

apart

Cut

any excess

(N26),

the

length as shown.

until

the wire is the

length. Note

dimensions are

not

critical,

correctly.

Pull

the wire until it stretches an

however, the

Take

the wire

--which is 228” (5.79Om)

together.

wire

off.

lo&washers

(N12), and

same

tightness as it was

the total length of the

equal

(WO4P)

between

Solder

hex

nuts

loop

only

wire

inch

FIGURE

gamma straps (ZO2P, ZO8P)

connectors (S42)

4

GAMMA MATCH MOUNTING

Mount the (2) gamma

and attaching

and

dress

along

matches

boom

(GOlP) to the

hardware as

and

down the

horizontal and

shown.

mast.

ADJUSTING STANDING WAVE RATIO

Refer to Figure 4.

The

following instructions

simply

repeat

this

The gamma matchhas 2

procedure.

The dimensions given

cover

the adjustment

are approximate

ofone

gamma

adjustments. First is the capacitor

match. To

Connect a S.W.R bridge to the coax between your transmitter
adjustment is required loosen the

Straps ZO2P).
S.W.R.

Ifthe

reading is

reading has gone

readjust the
the slider.

Next move the capacitor

obtained.If S.W.R. is not yet satisfactory, move the

up,

move the

capacitor for

Repeat

the above

minimum S.W.R. you

reading is obtained. Tighten

clamp

on the gamma match
adjustment first in one direction then

slider back

procedure

all

hardware. Disconnect the S. W.R. bridge

moving the

to the

should

slider in

original

position

now be

smaller increments

vertical

Attach your 52

and should be

adjust the

adjust and

and

the antenna

and

the screws

slider

and

then 2”

able to

determine which direction to move

and

driven elements, using

ohm coaxial cables to the

used as a starting

second

the

second is the slider adjust.

and
holding
the other

out 2”

away from

toward

until

a satisfactory S.W.R.

reconnect

gamma

check the

the

slider

until a minimum

the boom.

the boom.

your

coaxial

the

point.

match,

S.W.R.

(Gamma

Now

cable.

If

3

SHOOTING STAR

REFLECTOR
(SEE FIG.

3B)

PL5 - BLACW

PLASTIC CA

/

/

/

DRIVEN ELEMENTS
17’ - 5” ‘2

GAMMA MATCHES

(SEE FIG. 4)

NOTES:
* 1. For details of boom assembly and mast mounting see figure 2.

*2.

For details of element assembly and mounting see figure 3.

*3.

Horizontal and vertical element spacing dimensions are
identical with l/4” gap between boom-to-element mounts.

-

1st DIRECTORS

17’

‘2

2nd DIRECTORS

16’ - 6” “2

I//--

DIRECTION

OF

RADIATION

PL2 -

PLASTIC-CAP

(TYP. 12 PLACES)

SHOOTING STAR

QsEETJ

SHOOTLNG

STAR

4

/------w-----v-----

PO2P -

PLA

1

CB ’

I

I
I

I

!
I
I

,

T51P

, BOOM
, SECTION

I
I

L-----------------A

LUOI. SOI, NOI.

2” U-BOLT & SADDLE

51i6**

NUTS a

DETAIL 2A

NO2

WSHRS.

BOOM

I
I

I

I

I

\

L---------e-

DETAIL

l-

UOI, SO-l, NOI,

2” U-BOLTS 8 SADDLES

5/16”

NUTS 8 WASHERS

(TYPICAL 2 PLACES)

28

------------J

NO2

-

h

/--------------------------

I

I
I

I

I
I
I
I

I

I

UOI, SOI, NOI,

2” U-BOLTS 8 SADDLES

5116”

L-BOOM

WITH
BOOM-TO-MAST
PLATE ATTACHED

6’

-

O”---.---e-m

N02,

NUTS 8. WSHRS.

,“-

CUSTOMER FURNISHED
2” O.D. MAST

DETAIL 2C

17,-o”

-

\

7

/

SHOOTING

STAR

BOOM ASSEMBLY

I

SHOOTING STAR

W58P,

S21,

TllPl
518”

0. D

TUBING

Nil

#10-24x

CLAMP WITH

\

SCREW 8 SQ. NUT

112’

W58P.

S21.
CLAMP WITH
SCREW 8 SQ. NUT

Nil

TUBING

#IO-24 x 112”

ELEMENT
DRIVEN

1ST

DIRECTOR 17’

2ND DIRECTOR

REFLECTOR

A

17’ 5”

16’

6” 5’

13’ 2”

B

5’ 8

5’ 6”

3’ 7”

l/2”

3”

The Reflector dimensions are only

preliminary. Change to get equal

side of 9’ 6”.

Fiberglass length is
not critical, however, the equal wire
length of 9’ 6” is very critical.

PLZ

------------__

-----------------------------_-_______

TllP 7

UOl, Sol,
2”
5/16” NUTS 8 WASHERS

NOl. NO2

U-BOLT 8 SADDLE

VERTICAL ELEMENT MOUNTING

ELEMEN I ASSEMBLY (FIGURE 3A)

HORIZONTAL

ELEMENT

UOl. s

01. NOl. NO2

2”

U-BOLT 8.

5/16” NUTS 8 WASHERS

S’ADDLE

u

HORIZONTAL ELEMENT MOUNTING

(FIGURE 3B)

The Reflector dimensions are only preliminary.

tical, however, the equal wire length of 9’ 6” is

Troubleshooting Tips

-4

b--1/4-

ELEMFNT SPACING

Change to get equal side of 9’

at the end o

:RITICAL

SHOOTING STAR

6

* NOTE. THESE DIMENSONS ARE APPROXI-

MATE.iEFER
ADJUSTINNG THE S.W.R.

ACT SETTINGS. THI:Rt:
GAMMA ADJIJSI‘MtiNl‘S, I C‘Al’A(‘I’I‘OR AD-

JlJSTMEN’t‘,

DO NOT MOVE BOTH AT THE SAME TIME.

MOVE

TtHl: CAPA~‘I’I‘OK
t:SSAKY

THE CAPACITOR.

MOVI;‘l‘lIl:

TO THE lNSTRUCTIONS ON

-1‘0

DETERMfNE EX-

AKI:.

2 SEPARATE

2.

SLIDEI<

POSl’fION.

FIRST, THEN,

Sl.ll>l;l~, ANI) GO

II: NE(‘-

BACKTO

Z08P-GAM

(INSTALL FLUSH AGAINST
BOOM-TO-ELEMENT MOUNT)

MA STRAPS

USTOMER FURNISHED

OAXIAL

CABLES

GAMMA STRAPS

(SI IrxR)

\

\

\

/

I

.
:

I

#10-24x112”
~:‘w”,‘:~~:s~>

IHORIZONTAL
DRIVEN
ELEMENT

I

//

SCREW

3/Y” 24 NU I

\

‘\

‘\

s42

\

f@

3/R” STARWASHER

FLATWASHER SHOULDER

1

“&I _ ’

PLASTIC

WASHER

L-

GOlP

HORIZONTAL
GAMMA MATCH

SHOOTING STAR

GAMMA MATCH MOUNTING

VERTICAL

GAMMA MATCH

Q?GizE3

SHOOTING STAR

Installing and rigging towers, masts and antennas require specialized skills and experience. Information

ACO

supplied by M
similar products before. No one should attempt to install towers or masts without these knowledgeable skills.

MACO assumes no liability if faulty or dangerous installation practices are used. There are available, trained
and experienced personnel to assist in installation, maintenance, or disassembly. Contact your local installer if
consultation or assistance is required.

All tower and antenna installations should be thoroughly inspected at least twice a year by qualified,
experienced, and trained personnel to insure proper performance and safety standards.

An additional warning precaution is given to be careful of surrounding high voltage power wires and other
electrical hazards during installation of your tower, rotor, or antenna.

assumes that all products will be installed by personnel having these skills and have installed

Do not erect a tower, rotor, or antenna during an electrical
storm, rainstorm, or when lightning is a possibility.

www.macoantennas.net

[phone]

MACO Antennas is a Division of Charles Electronics, LLC

Revised 09/12/10