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WiNRADiO
DIRECTION FINDING
ANTENNA SYSTEM
AX-55D
®
Operational and Technical Manual
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WiNRADiO Direction Finding Antenna System
Introduction
The AX-55D direction finding antenna system represents a direction finding solution for frequencies
between 50 and 1000 MHz. This frequency range is expandable down to 20 MHz (option AX-55D-20).
The AX-55D antenna is supplied in an easy to assemble modular k it form, making it possible to use the
antenna in different configurations, optimised for the frequency rang e of interest, and tailored to
common application scenarios, in both stationary and mobile environment s.
Two such common configuration examples are shown below:
VHF frequency configuration
Such high modularity and flexibility is not very common with DF antennas, and this is what mak es the
AX-55D antenna so unique. In f act, the AX-55D represents six antennas in one (thr ee st at ionary and
three mobile ones).
With the AX-55D-20 low-frequency option, yet another configuration is available, which makes it
possible to operate in the low-VHF range, down to the high HF bands.
UHF frequency configuration
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WiNRADiO Direction Finding Antenna System
The AX-55D antenna is lightweight and por table. It is designed for fast hand-assembly and disassembly
without the need of any specialized tools. All parts of the ant enna fit into an inconspicuous carry bag
(supplied with the antenna) which can be easily carried by one person. One person can easily assemble
and disassemble the entire antenna within minutes.
All antenna elements fit neatly inside the supplied carry bag.
The AX-55D direction finding antenna system is ideally suited for applications in both milit ary and civilian
environments, where simplicity of operation, por t ability, flexibility and ease of deployment are required.
The complete kit includes an Antenna Control Unit, compatible with WiNRADiO WD- 3000 Direction
Finding Receiver. Together with this receiver, t his system represents a universal, reliable direction
finding solution suitable for m any demanding applications.
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WiNRADiO Direction Finding Antenna System
The following tables summarize the various standard configurations of the AX- 55D antenna:
1. VHF stationary
(using ‘long’ antenna elements)
Specifications
Frequency range 50 MHz – 250 MHz
DF accuracy 5 deg RMS typ.
Usage VHF direction finding in a stationary
environment.
2. VHF/UHF stationary
(using ‘medium’ antenna elements)
Specifications
Frequency range 200 MHz – 500 MHz
DF accuracy 5 deg RMS typ.
Usage High VHF and low UHF direction
finding in stationary environments.
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WiNRADiO Direction Finding Antenna System
3. UHF stationary
(using ‘short’ antenna elements)
Specifications
Frequency range 500 MHz – 1000MHz
DF accuracy 5 deg RMS typ.
Usage UHF frequencies in stationary
environment.
4. VHF mobile
(using ‘long’ antenna elements)
Specifications
Frequency range 50MHz – 250MHz
DF accuracy 5 deg RMS typ.
Usage VHF direction finding in mobile
applications.
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WiNRADiO Direction Finding Antenna System
5. VHF/UHF mobile
(using ‘medium’ antenna elements)
6. UHF mobile
(using ‘short’ antenna elements)
Specifications
Frequency range 200MHz – 500MHz
DF accuracy 5 deg RMS typ.
Usage High VHF and low UHF in mobile
applications.
Specifications
Frequency range 300MHz – 1000MHz
7. HF/VHF stationary
(using option AX-55D-20)
DF accuracy 5 deg RMS typ.
Usage UHF direction finding in mobile
applications.
Specifications
Frequency range 20MHz – 60MHz
DF accuracy 10 deg RMS typ.
Usage High HF and low VHF direction
finding in stationary applications.
Note: Specifications are subject t o change w ithout notice.
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WiNRADiO Direction Finding Antenna System
General View
(VHF stationary configuration)
AX-55D antenna with long elements (active and passive)
(50MHz-250MHz range)
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WiNRADiO Direction Finding Antenna System
General View
(VHF/UHF stationary configuration)
AX-55D antenna with medium elements
(200MHz-500MHz range)
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WiNRADiO Direction Finding Antenna System
General View
(UHF stationary configuration)
AX-55D antenna with short elements
(300MHz-1000MHz range)
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General View
(HF/VHF option)
WiNRADiO Direction Finding Antenna System
AX-55D antenna with AX-55D-20 option
(20MHz-60MHz range)
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AX-55D
Main Parts Identification
WiNRADiO Direction Finding Antenna System
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WiNRADiO Direction Finding Antenna System
Assembly and Installation Instructions
(using ‘long’ antenna elements)
1. If using as a stationary unit, open t r ipod legs until locking pins are f ully seated.
2. Loosen locking collar on tripod legs and extend each leg to desired height, and tighten locking
collar. Ensure all legs are separated and that the tripod is stable and level. Adjust leg leng ths
accordingly.
3. Place extension assembly on top of tripod by aligning the ¼ tur n fasteners with the mating parts.
The larger of the t wo ends of t he extension assem bly sits on t op of the tripod. Lock ¼ turn
fasteners by rotating in a clockwise motion to secur e.
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WiNRADiO Direction Finding Antenna System
4. Place ground plane centre panel on top of t he extension assembly by aligning the ¼ turn
fasteners with the mating parts. Lock ¼ turn fasteners in clockwise motion to secure.
5. Place one support bar underneath ground plane centre panel and align with mating ¼ turn
fasteners. Lock f asteners in clockwise motion to secure. Repeat for second suppor t bar .
6. Place one end panel over support bar, and align with ¼ turn fastener s and lock in place. Repeat
for second panel.
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WiNRADiO Direction Finding Antenna System
7. Secure the control unit to the extension assembly by using the thum bscr ew located in the guy
rope bracket.
8. Attach the Antenna cable (BNC) to the centr e connect or on the control unit.
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WiNRADiO Direction Finding Antenna System
9. Attach the four f ixed antenna cables to t he control unit, ensuring that each one mat ches with the
corresponding connector. (Connector cables and m ating connectors on control unit are labelled
N, E, W, S).
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WiNRADiO Direction Finding Antenna System
10. Attach serial cable to the control unit for connection to a PC system ( such as t he WiNRADiO
WD-3000 Direct ion Finding System).
11. Connect the antenna base elements to the N-type connectors on the ground plane. Ensur e that
connectors are securely tightened.
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12. Connect the passive antenna base elements to the underside of the ground plane. T hese
antenna elements are secured using two thumbscrews, which have mating fast ener s in t he
bracket under the ground plane.
13. Ensure all connections are secure, and that antenna is level.
14. The ground plane can be raised to the desired height so that the passive antenna element s ar e
clear of the tripod. T his is done by loosening the locking collar on the extension assembly, lifting
the ground plane to the desired height , and retightening the locking collar.
15. Before using the direction finding system, it is important that the antenna is properly orient ed, in
order to ensure correct readings of the signal bearing. For t his pur pose t he antenna has a
marking indicating t he or ient ation of the "mechanical North". This “mechanical North" needs to
be aligned to point to the geographical North.
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WiNRADiO Direction Finding Antenna System
16. The accuracy of such alignment will determine the bearing measurement accur acy. To position
the antenna, use a compass. The two diagonal antenna elements intersecting with the
mechanical North can be used to advantage, to alig n an im aginary connecting line with the
geographical North direction as shown by the compass.
17. If it is not convenient to physically rotate the antenna to point exactly to North, the difference
between the ideal direction and the actual direction can be entered as "offset" in the DF
software. For example, if the " mechanical North" is 5 degrees to the left (i.e. to the West) of
geographical North, the offset will be +5. In mobile applications, if the DF system is used in a
moving vehicle, the orientation of t he vehicle will be obviously changing, and it is usually
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WiNRADiO Direction Finding Antenna System
convenient to orient the antenna in the for ward direct ion of the vehicle, which the displayed
bearing will then be relative to.
18. The antenna can be stabilized by use of the guy ropes provided. Pegs have been provided for
attachment of guy ropes into t he ground.
19. For mobile antenna unit assembly, follow steps 5 and 6 to assemble the ground plane.
20. Fasten the magnet mounts to the magnetic bases with the flat sur face facing upwards. Screw
them into the holes located on the bottom of the ground plane.
21. Secure the control unit to ground plane by using the thumbscrew located in the middle of the
ground plane.
22. Connect the cables to the control unit as per steps 8-10.
23. Attach the antenna base elements to the N-type connectors on the ground plane. Ensure that
connectors are secured tightly. The antenna can now be mounted on vehicle roof.
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24. Disassembly is the reverse of these procedures.
25. When not in use store in carry bag provided.
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WiNRADiO Direction Finding Antenna System
Assembly and Installation Instructions
(using ‘medium’ or ‘short’ antenna elements)
26. Assemble tripod, extension assembly and ground plane. Then fasten control unit as per st eps
1-7.
27. There are two sets of mounting holes in the ground plane for the medium and short antenna
elements. It is important t hat the correct elements are mounted in t he m ating holes.
28. The antenna elements are attached by inserting the N-type antenna cables into the mounting
hole with the matching label (e.g., N, E, S, W). W it h t he cable in place, fasten the antenna
element by using the N-type connector. Repeat for the remaining antennas.
29. Connect the cables to the control unit as per steps 8-10, using the fixed antenna cables instead
of the N-type antenna cables.
30. Raise ground plane to desired height and align to north by following steps 14- 17.
31. The antenna can now be stabilized by using the guy ropes provided.
32. For mobile applications assemble the ground plane and attach the antenna elements as
described above.
33. Secure magnetic mounts to the ground plane and mount of vehicle roof.
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AX-55D-20 Option
Main Parts Identification
WiNRADiO Direction Finding Antenna System
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WiNRADiO Direction Finding Antenna System
AX-55D-20 Option
Assembly and Installation Instructions
34. Prepare each tripod as per instructions 1-2.
35. Attach long antenna cables to the tripods by mounting the N-type connector in t he hole provided
in the tripods. Please note that for the north tripod, the cont r ol unit attachment plate will have to
be placed on the N-type connector, with the thumbscrew pointing down, bef or e it is mounted in
the tripod.
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36. Attach one antenna base element to each tripod, then attach one antenna extension element to
each base element. Ensure that the locking pin on the base antenna is fully retracted, t hen slide
antenna extension elements into the antenna base elements. Push locking pins in place. (Note
that the antenna extension elements can only be installed in one direction).
37. Attach cables to control unit as per instructions 8-10. Do not over tight en connect ors.
38. Mount control unit to control unit attachment plate by using the thumbscr ew provided.
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39. Be sure to take note of the label on the antenna cables (e.g. N, E, W, S), and arrange the
antennas so that they correspond to the points of a com pass. Refer to instruction 15 f or how to
compensate for where it is not possible to alig n t hem to face North.
40. Position each Option tripod 1.8-2.4metres (6-8 ft ) apar t .
41. If using WD-3000 system, at tach serial and antenna cable from the control unit t o the WD-3000
system.
42. The antenna is ready for use.
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COMMUNICATIONS
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