Maco Y-Quad User guide

®

4 ELEMENT SWITCHABLE POLARITY

10/11 METER QUAD BEAM

Y-QUAD

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 Y QUAD

PACKING LIST

PART QTY O.D. SIZE LENGTH DESCRIPTION CHECKLIST

T11P 4 5/8” .050” 72” ALUM TUBING SBE ____
T01 4 ½” .050” 72” ALUM TUBING ____
T28 1 1 ½” .050” 72” ALUM TUBING ____
P01P 1 ¼” x 5” x 5” 1 ½” BOOM TO 1 ½” MAST ____
W04P 1 7/14 40’ BARE COPPER WIRE ____
FA1P 4 48” FIBERGLAS RODS ____
G01 2 GAMMA MATCHES ____
Z08 4 GAMMA STRAPS F/COAX CONN ____
S42 2 FEM COAX CONN W/MNTG NTS ____

HARDWARE BAG 1

U02 8 1 ½” PLATED U-BOLTS ____
S02 8 1 ½” PLATED SADDLES ____
N03 16 5/16” LOCK NUTS ____

HARDWARE BAG #2

BE1P 4 BOOM TO ELEMENT MOUNT ____
W58 8 5/8” EXTRUDED ALUM CLAMPS ____
S21 14 10-24 x ½” MACHINE SCREWS ____
N11 16 10-24 SQUARE NUTS ____
N12 8 #10 LOCKWASHERS ____
PL2 4 .437 PLASTIC CAPS – BLACK ____
Z02 4 ½” GAMMA STRAPS ____
PL4 1 1 ½” PLASTIC CAP – BLACK ____
PL4R 1 1 ½” PLASTIC CAP – RED ____

1 TIP SHEET ____
1 WARRANTY SHEET ____
1 SET OF INSTRUCTIONS ____

FIBERGLASS HARDWARE BAG

4 8-32 X 3/4” MACHINE SCREWS ____
4 #8 FLAT WASHERS ____
4 #8-32 NUTS ____

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 Y

ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS

FIGURE 1. BOOM-TO-MAST PLATE & ELEMENT ASSEMBLY

Mark the centers of the l-1/2” O.D. x 72” boom (T28) and the boom-to-mast plate (PO3P). Attach
the plate to the boom as shown in Detail 1A using l-1/2” U-Bolts (UOZ), Saddles (SO2), and
Lk. Washers (NOl, N02). Do not over-tighten the U-Bolt as doing so may crush and weaken the boom.

Next mark the centers of the (4)
mount onto each piece of tubing to the center. Now assemble these onto
the boom as shown in Detail

Make a mark 3-l/2” from one end of each of the
with

#lo-24

to the mark and tighten the screws. (Ref. Detail 1C - Driven Element) Now check the overall length of both
elements for

the mark into the
in the same manner as above. (Ref. Detail

FIGURE 2. REFLECTOR ASSEMBLY & MAST MOUNTING

screws & sq. nuts (S21,

17’-5”

and then place the plastic end caps (PL2) on each element tip.

Make a mark 2” from the plain end of each of the (4) fiberglass arms (FAlP). No insert the arms to

5/8”

tubing on the reflector end using the clamps

lB,

paying particular attention to the element spacing.

5/8”

Nil),

insert the

O.D. x 72” slotted tubing

1D)

QUAD

(TllP)

and slide a boom-to-element

l/2”

O.D. x 72” tubing (TOl). Using clamps (W58P)

l/2”

tubing into the slotted ends of the

5/16”

5/8”

tubing (TIlP)

Nuts

&

The length of the reflector wire is critical. The easy way to get it right is to drive two nails in
a board exactly 19 ft. 6 in. apart. Stretch the wire around the nails to the tightness desired when installed
on the spreaders. Then splice the wire and solder. When installed the exact length of each side is important.

REMEMBER: The Reflector dimensions are only preliminary. Change to get equal sides of 9’ 9”. Fiberglass
length is not critical, however the equal wire length of 9” 9” is very critical. Remember the tightness when
installed should be the same as when stretched and spliced

Next loosely assemble the #lo-24 x l/2” screws, flt. washers, lk. washers &nuts (S2 1, Nl 1, N12, N26)

onto the lugs of the (4) fiberglass arms as shown in Detail 2A.

String the wire around the arms so that it is caught between the lugs and the flatwasher at the
marks, with the loose ends at the bottom as shown and tighten the screws. Bring the ends together and line
up the marks that are 2” from each end. Now twist the loose ends together & solder as shown. (Ref. Detail

2N

Adjust each fiberglass arm so that the reflector wire becomes taut and each leg of the square is

9”. A slight natural bowing of the fiberglass arms is normal. This will not affect normal operation of the

antenna as long as the lengths of wire are correct. (Ref. Detail 2A)

The Y-Quad may be mounted on a l-1/2” O.D. mast using U-Bolts, Saddles & Hardware as shown
in Detail 28.
line for the top 20 feet of the guy cables. Also, the guys should be located at least 12 feet below the level

of the boom. Although it is very desirable to mount the antenna on a mast so that the elements clear the top

of the tower, this should not be attempted unless you are certain that your installation is sturdy enough.
Experimentation has shown little, if any, affect on the operation of the antenna by mounting it 2 feet above
the top of the tower, or by mounting a rotator so that it lies between the vertical elements. The first

consideration should always be the mechanical stability of the antenna.

If mounted on a guyed tower break up the guys every 3 feet by using egg insulators in the guy

9’-9”

9’-

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2

FIGURE 3. GAMMA MATCH MOUNTING

Mount the (2) gamma matches
using the gamma straps (ZO2P,
cables to the connectors (S42) and dress along boom and down the mast.

Refer to Figure 3. The dimensions given are approximate and should be used as a
starting point. The following instruction covers the adjustment of one gamma match. To adjust the
second gamma match simply repeat this procedure. The gamma match has (2) adjustments. First is the
capacitor adjust and second is the slider adjust. First connect a S.W.R. bridge to the coax. between your
transmitter and the antenna and check the S.W.R. If adjustment is required first loosen the clamp on the
gamma match and the screws holding the slider (Gamma straps
adjustment first one direction then the other until a minimum S.W.R. reading is obtained. If S.W.R. is
not yet satisfactory, first move the slider out 2” away from the boom.
the slider back to the original position and the 2” towards the boom. Now readjust the capacitor for
minimum S. W.R. You should now be able to determine which direction to move the slider. Repeat the
above procedure moving the slider in smaller increments until a satisfactory S.W.R. reading is obtained.
Tighten all hardware.

NOTE:

Upon completion of assembly place the Red Plastic Cap
Element end of the boom and the Black Plastic Cap on the Reflector end of the boom. This will allow

you to determine at a glance the direction of transmit & receive.

Disconnect the S.W.R. bridge & reconnect your coax. cable.

ZO8P)

ADJUSTING STANDING WAVE RATIO

(GOIP)

and attaching hardware as shown. Attach your 52 ohm

to the horizontal and vertical driven elements,

202P).

(PL4R)

Next move the capacitor

I-f

the reading has gone up move

on the Driven

coaxial

Take care to avoid an
antenna.

Serious or

CAUTION

contact

fatal injury could result.

with overhead powerlines when

DRIVEN ELEMENT DETAIL

raising

your

Y QUAD

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I

IT28

- l-112”

l

ALUM. TUBING

(BOOM CENTER)

I
/

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I

\

L

------

0.D

-----------------4

U02, S02,

l-l/2”
S/16”

(TYPICAL 2 PLACES)

DETAIL IA

NOI,

U-BOLTS &

NUTS & WSHRS.

c

\ (17’-

NO2

HORIZONTAL

?IVEN

5”)

I
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I

SAD0

ILE

1

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ELEMENT

rVERT,CAL

REFLECTOR ELEMENT
(13’ - 10” APPROX.)

REFLECTOR

ELEMENT

(13’-IO”

APPROX.)

T28- l-l/2”

ALUM. TUBING

I l-112” U-BOLTS & SADDLE

15116” NUTS & WSHRS.

I

f

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UO2, S02.

’

l-112” U-BOLTS & SADDLE

;

5/16”

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VERTICAL ELEMENT MOUNTING

TllP--\
5/8”

O.D.

TUBING

NOI,

NUTS & WSHRS.

HORIZONTAL ELEMENT MOUNTING

HORIZONTAL

(BOOM END)

L-l 14”

O.D.

/---------a----

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1

I
I

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I

(TYP. 4 PLACES)

\

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

Please

read

the Assembly

and

Troub eshooting Tips at the

end of this instruction booklet before assembling elements.

DETAIL

___-_

W58P.

CLAMP WITH #I
SCREW & SQ. NUT I

1C

521, Nl 1,

TllP

5/8”

O.D.

TUBING

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0-24’~ l/2”

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-FAl

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\ FIBERGLASS

^ -_.

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\AKM

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-----w------w-----/

P

&.r(

DETAIL 1 D

(TYP. 4 PLACES)

/

5/8”

O.D.

TUBING

BOOM TO MAST PLATE & ELEMENT ASSEMBLY

Y QUAD

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ELEMENT SPACING

DETAIL 1 B

(TYP. 2 PLACES)

4

KtiFLkC’l‘~l~
EQUAI.

S11)13

l1-11:

~:Qll/\l.

DIMENSIONS AKE ONLY PRELIMINARY. CHANGE TO GET

OF9

9’.

WIKI: I.l:N(n’fIi ()I:‘>’

I~IBEKGIASS

LENGTH IS NOTCRITICAL. HOWEVER

9’ IS

VIKY

CKl-IlCAI..

DETAIL 2A

fl-------4----w

)---‘----------------------

11’1/2”

-----------w---r-d

SOI,

S02,

NOI,

N02,

U-BOLTS & SADDLES

5116”

NUTS & WSHRS.

-

i

\

PL4R -

RED

PLASTIC CAP

DIRECTION

CUSTOMER

l-1/2”

O.D.

FURNISHE

MA$T

REFLECTOR ASSEMBLY & MAST MOUNTING

REFLECTOR WIRE

.--PL4 -

BLACK

PLASTIC CAP

@-jsiisa

Y QUAD

*

NOTE.

-.

THESE DIMENSONS ARE

APPROXI-

MATE. REFER TO THE INSTRUCTIONS Of;

ADJUSTINNG

THE S.W.R. TO DETERMINE EX­ACT SETTINGS. THERE ARE 2 SEPARATE
GAMMA ADJUSTMENTS, 1. CAPACITOR AD­JUSTMENT, 2. SLIDER POSITION.

DO NOT MOVE BOTH AT THE SAME TIME.

MOVE THE CAPACITOR FIRST, THEN, IF NEC­ESSARY MOVE THE SLIDER, AND GO BACK TO
THE CAPACITOR.

B. -

ZOBP-GAMMA

(INSTALL FLUSH AGAINST
BOOM-TO-ELEMENT MOUNT)

//A -

S21.

Nil.
#10-24x1/2”
1-K

I

-1

LK. WSHR. B SC!. NUT

/

N12

WSHR. B SQ NUT

SCREW

3/8”

24 NUT

318” STARWASHER

\

S42

\

\

///

STRAPS

CUSTOMER FURNISHED
COAXIAL CABLES

GAMMA
(SLIDER)

-

STRAk

Y QUAD

1

i

L-

GOIP

HORIZONTAL
GAMMA MATCH

V

c

-.-

FLATWASHER

VERTICAL/
DRIVEN ELEMENT

SHOULDER

WASHER

LGOIP

VERTICAL
GAMMA MATCH

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