CUSHCRAFT R7 - Preparation and Safety Guidelines; WARNING; PLANNING AND LOCATION; MOUNTING AND GROUNDING

R7
WARNING
THIS ANTENNA IS AN ELECTRICAL CONDUCTOR. CONTACT WITH POWER LINES CAN RESULT IN DEATH, OR SERIOUS INJURY. DO
NOT INSTALL THIS ANTENNA WHERE THERE IS ANY POSSIBILITY OF CONTACT WITH OR HIGH VOLTAGE ARC-OVER FROM POWER
CABLES OR SERVICE DROPS TO BUILDINGS. THE ANTENNA, SUPPORTING MAST AND/OR TOWER MUST NOT BE CLOSE TO ANY
POWER LINES DURING INSTALLATION, REMOVAL ORIN THE EVENT PART OF THE SYSTEM SHOULD ACCIDENTALLY FALL. FOLLOW
THE GUIDELINES FOR ANTENNA INSTALLATIONS RECOMMENDED BY THE U.S. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION AND
LISTED IN THE ENCLOSED PAMPHLET.
Your Cushcraft R7 vertical antenna is designed and manufactured to give trouble free service. This antenna will perform as specified if the instructions
and suggestions in this manual are followed and care is used in the assembly and installation. When checking the components received in your antenna
package use the parts listed beside each diagram. There is a master parts list on page 2. If you are unable to locate any tube or component, check
the inside of all tubing. IMPORTANT: Save the weight label from the outside of the carton. Each antenna is weighed at the factory to verify the parts
count. If you claim a missing part, you will be asked for the weight verification label.
PLANNING
Plan your installation carefully. If you use volunteer helpers be sure that they are qualified to assistyou. Make certain that everyone involved understands
that you are the boss and that they must follow your instructions. If you have any doubts at all, employ a professional antenna installation company to
install your antenna.
LOCATION
Although the R7 will operate in almost any location, it will perform best if it is mounted vertically and located in the clear away from surrounding objects
such as buildings, trees, power lines, towers, guy wires, antennas and metallic objects. The R7 should not be attached to aground radial system. Failure
to heed these points will possibly degrade performance, detune the antenna and increase VSWR.
EXTREME CARE MUST BE USED FOR YOUR SAFETY. YOU MUST INSURE THAT WHILE THE R7|ISINOPERATION NEITHER PEOPLE ORPETS
CAN COME IN CONTACT WITH ANY PORTION OF YOUR ANTENNA INCLUDING THE COUNTERPOISE RODS. DEADLY VOLTAGES AND
CURRENTS MAY EXIST. ALSO, SINCE THE EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE TO RF ARE NOT FULLY UNDERSTOOD, LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO
INTENSE RF FIELDS IS NOT RECOMMENDED. THERE ARE SEVEN WARNING STICKERS WHICH MUST BE ATTACHED TO THE ENDS OF THE
COUNTERPOISE RODS AS SHOWN IN FIGURE 3.
MOUNTING
Your mast should be rigid and pointing straight up. Always use a mast at least 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) but not larger than 1.75 inches (4.5 cm) in diameter.
If you guy the mast, use non-conducting guy wires.
SYSTEM GROUNDING
Direct grounding of the antenna mastis very important. This serves as protection from lightning strikes and static buildup, and from high voltages which
may be present in the equipment attached to the antenna. A good electrical connection should be made to one or more ground rods directly at the base
of the antenna or mast using a least #10 AWG ground wire and non-corrosive hardware. For details and safety standards, consult the National Electrical
Code. You should also use a coaxial lightning arrestor. Cushcraft offers several different models, such as the LAC-1, LAC-2 or the LAC-4 series.
ASSEMBLY
Assemble your R7 by following steps 1 through 6. After assembling the antenna, verify all dimensions in figure 5 for accuracy. Then return to the
adjustment section below for final tuning.
ADJUSTMENT
The dimensions in figure 5 normally allow proper operation on all the bands. However, some variations may occur from one location to another.
Adjustments must be made from the bottom of the antenna to the top. Adjusting the antenna from top to bottom will not work. This is because the
settings at the top are severely affected by the adjustments at the bottom. The bottom section A of the antenna covers 10 meters, the next sections
cover 12, 15, 17, 20, and 30 meters while the top section F covers 40 meters.
We suggest measuring the VSWR of your antenna by using the SWR meter in your tranceiver. If your tranceiver does not have one, use a good
quality VSWR bridge for this application. We will begin with 10 meters since this is at the bottom of the antenna. Set your tranceiver at your favorite
frequency on 10 meters. Key the rig and check your VSWR. The R7 is extremely broadbanded on 10 meters and this section seldom needs
adjustment. If the VSWR is low enough (below 1.5:1) then move on to the 15 meter section B (12 meters is not adjustable). If the 10 meter VSWR is
not low enough, adjust the antenna as follows: Check several frequencies on 10 meters to find the frequency of lowest VSWR. If the frequency of
lowest VSWR is above your favorite frequency, lengthen dimension A (figure 5) by 1 inch (2.5 cm). This should lower the frequency of lowest VSWR
by 50 to 100 KHz. If the frequency of lowest VSWR is below your desired frequency, shorten dimension A (figure 5) by 1 inch (2.5 cm). Check your
desired 10 meter operating frequency again to see if the VSWR is less than 1.5:1. Repeat this procedure until the VSWR at your desired frequency
is low enough.
Continue this procedure by selecting your desired frequency on 15 meters and checking the VSWR there. Dimension B (figure 5) should be used to
adjust the VSWR on 15 meters. Remember to shorten this dimension to raise the frequency or lengthen it to lower the frequency.
The balance of the antenna should be adjusted in a like manner. The dimensions and the bands that they effect are shown in figure 5. On 10
through 20 meters 1 inch (2.5 cm) of change in length will change the operating frequency by 50 to 100 KHz. On 30 and 40 meters the change will