MFJ-1778M G5RV JR.
40m through 10m Antenna
INTRODUCTION
The MFJ-1778M antenna is a multi-band center-fed dipole antenna capable of
1500 Watts. The MFJ-1778M consists of 52 feet flat-top fed with 17 feet of 450
ohm matching section ending in an SO-239 coaxial connector.
This antenna generally requires the use of a suitable matching network (antenna
tuner) since the SWR of the G5RV JR is almost certainly not 1:1 on any band.
The use of a tuner will guarantee maximum performance from solid-state
exciters.
The MFJ-1778M is a balanced antenna that is fed by an unbalanced coaxial line.
This feed system causes unwanted parallel RF currents to appear on the shield of
the coaxial feedline. A choke type balun such as the MFJ-915 should be used
with this antenna to eliminate or reduce the undesirable parallel feed line
currents. Failure to use a choke balun may result in RFI, RF feedback, or other
symptoms of RF "in the shack". The Balun Requirement section describes how
to construct a choke balun for this antenna.
WARNING: Always mount this antenna so that it is out of the reach
of adults and children. Contact with any part of this
antenna can cause RF burns or other injuries.
TOOLS AND TIME REQUIREMENTS
This antenna requires no assembly. The time needed for installation will vary
with your skill and equipment.
No special tools are required to install this antenna. Nylon ropes are needed to
support the ends of the antenna from a suitable structure or tree. If a tree is
used, you will need a way to get ropes over it. The most common method is to
use a weighted arrow or a fishing rod and a heavy sinker to place a small line
over a tree. A larger line is then pulled up and used to pull the support rope over
the tree. The ARRL Antenna Handbook
wire antennas.
has detailed suggestions for installing
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SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
WARNING:
- This antenna is an electrical conductor. Contact with power lines
can result in death or serious injuries. Do not install this antenna
where there is any possibility of contact with power cables or the
service drop. The antenna should not be close to power lines
during installation, operation, or removal.
- Keep this antenna out of reach of adults, children, and animals.
- Any contact with this antenna while transmitting can cause RF
burns.
- Never place this antenna close to electric power lines or utility
wires.
INSTALLING THE ANTENNA
Please read the following suggestions and examples.
The best location for this antenna is as high and far away as possible from utility
wires, other antennas, and other structures. It is difficult to find a perfect
location, so the best compromise usually must be accepted.
The antenna can be installed in three basic ways:
Horizontal Antenna
This method requires two tall supports separated by at least 52 feet. Suspend the
antenna with at least a 50-pound working load nylon rope or another equivalent
strength weather resistant non-metallic rope. Never use wire or wire core rope
to support the ends of the antenna. Attach the rope to the end insulators through
the empty holes.
Important: Use weather resistant rope rated at a minimum of 50 pounds
working load to support this antenna.
Inverted "V" Antenna
This method requires only one tall support and also places the least strain on the
antenna. Hang the antenna from the support using a nylon rope or other non-
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conductive rope tied to the center hole of the center insulator. The center
insulator should be the highest point of the antenna.
The ladder line should drop vertically from the center insulator for at least 10
feet and kept away from conductive objects. If the antenna's ladder line has to
be installed near conductive objects, space the line at least 6" from the object
with non-conductive supports (for example: PVC pipe standoff supports 6"
long). Use nylon cable ties to secure the feed line to the insulated supports.
Sloper Antenna
This antenna can also be used as a sloping dipole. This requires one tall support
and one short support. The center of the antenna must be at least 30 feet above
the ground in this configuration. The antenna radiates mainly in the direction of
the downward slope. The optimum angle of "slope" will varying with the
desired coverage distance and the frequency of operation, but will almost always
be somewhere between 45 degrees and almost vertical.
BALUN REQUIREMENT
The G5RV is a balanced antenna fed with a balanced 450 ohm line that
terminates in a SO-239 connector. When feeding this antenna with an
unbalanced line (such as coaxial cable), it is a good idea to use a 1:1 choke
BALUN at the coax to feed point connection. The balun will reduce or
eliminate parallel currents on the outside of the coax shield. This will prevent or
reduce RFI, RF feedback, RF burns, and other effects of excessive RF in the
station.
The best balun for this antenna is an air-core choke balun. Avoid using other
types of baluns, such as ferrite sleeve or transformer type baluns. This antenna
has a high reactive component at the feed point SWR of more than 2:1. The
high SWR increases loss in ferrites and may cause excessive core heating, core
saturation, or arcing in the windings.
AIR WOUND BALUN CONSTRUCTION
The air wound balun required for this antenna can be constructed by winding the
coaxial feed line cable in a single layer solenoid coil with at least 10 turns of 4
to 6 inch diameter. The turns can be taped or secured by nylon cable ties. The
balun can be wound on PVC pipe or any other non-metallic form. Place the
balun immediately at the feed point connection. The feed line shield should not
be grounded on the antenna side of the balun.
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WARNING: The balun should be kept away from any conductive
material!
TUNING THE ANTENNA
The MFJ-17778M requires a tuner to match it to the transmitter impedance.
Operating this antenna without a tuner is not recommended. The use of a tuner
like the MFJ-962D or MFJ-986 will provide proper matching on all HF bands.
Important: If you have a problem tuning this antenna on any band, try
changing the length of the coax (by 3-6 feet) from the tuner to
the antenna.
GROUNDING CONSIDERATIONS
This antenna requires a good earth ground connection to reduce the risk of
lightning damage to the station equipment and to improve operator safety.
Adequate protection can be obtained by burying the coaxial feedline directly in
the ground for 20 feet (or more) before the feedline enters the building. The
feedline's shield should be grounded to the station ground at the entrance point
of the building before reaching the operating position. Failure to follow these
precautions will increase the risk of lightning damage to equipment and reduce
safety.
The earth ground should consist of at least one copper ground rod driven into the
earth a minimum of 6 feet. Multiple ground rods and buried wires are superior
to a single rod for lightning and RF protection.
Never use woven flexible braiding for ground connections unless absolutely
necessary. Braiding has high resistance to RF and lightning. Copper flashing,
wide copper foil, or large gauge solid copper wires are the proper materials for
use in RF and lightning grounding applications. Never ground the feedline on
the antenna side of the balun.
In-line coaxial lightning arrestors offer a minimal improvement in lightning
protection. The best method of protecting station equipment is to disconnect the
feedline outside the building.
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MAINTENANCE
This antenna is constructed of heavy duty materials and should withstand
normal climates for many years. The use of some type of coaxial connector
moisture protection is recommended at the bottom coax connection. This is
especially true in coastal areas where salty mist is commonplace.
E makes a pure silicone grease called "silicone dielectric compound" that can be
applied sparingly to the threaded area of the female connector. This compound,
or even a clear silicone heat sink compound, will prevent moisture from entering
the connector through the threads and protect the connectors from corrosion.
This is the same type of sealer that commercial antenna installers and CATV
companies use with great success.
A less desirable but adequate sealer is the automobile seam sealer commonly
marketed as "coax seal". This is a pliable black sealing compound.
When installing any coax sealer, never completely cover the barrel of the coax
connector. The sealer should only be placed near the junction of the threaded
part of the connector and the knurled area of the male connector. The bottom of
the male connector's outer sleeve should be left open to permit the connector to
"breathe". Mount the connector vertically with the unsealed barrel end down so
it does NOT collect moisture!
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE
If you have any problem with this unit first check the appropriate section of this
manual. If the manual does not reference your problem or your problem is not
solved by reading the manual you may call MFJ Technical Service at 662-323-
0549 or the MFJ Factory at 662-323-5869. You will be best helped if you have
your unit, manual and all information on your station handy so you can answer
any questions the technicians may ask.
You can also send questions by mail to MFJ Enterprises, Inc., 300 Industrial
Park Road, Starkville, MS 39759; by Facsimile to 662-323-6551; or by email to
techinfo@mfjenterprises.com. Send a complete description of your problem, an
explanation of exactly how you are using your unit, and a complete description
of your station.
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