Hy-Gain TH3-MK3 Thunderbird User Manual

o
rrut
I
S6OlrNortheast
Highway
6
.
Lincoln,
Nebraska
68505 U.S.A.
Telephone:
t4O?,
467-5321 telex: Hygain
Lcn a
48-4324
EUFIOPE: 22,
rue
de la Ldgiond'Honneur
93200 Saint-Denis
-
France
Tdldohone:
820.98.46
telex:
Telcodi
630013
PN 801235
,n,electronics
DIVISION
OF TELEX
COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
,wSrRUCTtOrv
ORDER
NO.
388
TH3.
MK3
THUNDERBIRD
3-Element, Ham Antenna
MANUAL
General
DescrlPllon
$peclfications
Preparation
ol Assembly
*
{-r\i
FOR
OUR
OVERSEAS
CUSTOMERS:
The
UnitedSates
uses En0lish
units of
measurement Please
see
the last
page
of this manualSassistance
in identifying
the
hardware and
components supplied with
this
prodbct
.
:i'..
;:i
.Et
4i
s
The
Hy-Gain
TH3-Mk3
is
a
three-d.iement
tri-band beam antenna
designed for operation
on
10, 15
and
20 meters. Multi-barlding is
accomplished through
the use of Hy-Gain's
all
Hy-Q
traps.
The
antenna is desig$ed to fit
a 1s/e"
(41
mm) O.D. mast
and can
be
rotated
with
a heavy
duty TV
rotator.
F
:
t
"r
$
Ebctricat
Inputimpedance.
:.....$.........
Gain.
..::::::.::f::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::;;it,i?"l*tr
Front-to-backratio
.....ft.:
....25d8
Maximum
power
input
. .i....
.....
1 kw AM
VSWR
(at
resonance)...
... ....t
Lightning
protection
....
t:
DC
ground
f
f;n
l;
Mechanical
B::il:l#$";
::::::::::::::g::::::::::::::::::::
:::::::::::
'11,11?3,Til1
Longest
element
.....:.9....
....2i
ft.
(823.7
cm)
Maxrmum wino
survivat.......&....
..r...
.... 100 mph
(160.93
kmph)
Net
weignt.
Accepts
mast.
. .i.Fr,
.
.
.11A" lo 2V2"
O.D.
(32
mm
-
64 mm)
Wind
surface
area
.......}]
...5.10 sq.
ft.
(0.474m2)
Wind
load
at B0
mph
...#.
t
-i
I
i
ft
(.r
The
antenna site should
Oe treeiOt large
buildings, metal
objects
or
powertines.
wARNtNc
'
i1
'',-'
When Installtng
your
system,
take
extreme cara to
avold any contact wlth
overhead
powerllnes.
Fatture to
exerclse thls
care could
result
ln
serlous or
fatal
tnlury.
There
are
two methods
of installing
the TH3-Mk3
at the top
of
your
tower.
Method
1
-
Completely
assemble
the
antenna
on the
ground
then
hoist it into
position
using a block and tackle
as shown
in
Figure 1.
-.
_
Method
2
-
Assemble
the
antenna
on
the
ground
in
halves,
then hoist
each
half
up the
lower and
assemble
in the
boom-to-mast bracket
on the tower
as
shown
in Figure
2.
All tubing
supplied
with
the TH3-Mk3
telescopes
together. Make
all measurements as
accurately
as
possible
using
lhe
given
dimensions
to
gain
optimum results from
your
antenna.
n

Hy-Gain TH3-MK3 Thunderbird Specifications

General

Element Material	Aluminum
Front-to-Back Ratio	20 dB
Impedance	50 Ohms
Frequency Range	10, 15, 20 meters
Wind Surface Area	9.2 sq ft

Summary

General Description

Antenna Specifications

Electrical Specs

Details impedance, gain, power input, VSWR, and lightning protection.

Mechanical Specs

Details boom length, diameter, wind survival, weight, and wind load.

Assembly Preparation and Safety

Installation Site and Methods

Advises on site selection and outlines two methods for hoisting the antenna onto the tower.

Critical Powerline Safety Warning

Emphasizes avoiding contact with overhead powerlines during installation to prevent injury or death.

Assembly of the Boom

Boom Section Assembly

Instructions for assembling boom sections using clamps, bolts, and nuts.

Boom-to-Mast Bracket Attachment

Element-to-Boom Brackets

Attaching Element Brackets

Instructions for loosely assembling element-to-boom brackets onto the boom sections.

Compression Clamps

Using Compression Clamps

Explains the correct method for using compression clamps for tubing connections.

Clamp Usage Notes

Warns against overtightening and suggests loosely assembling clamps before further installation.

Transmission Modes and VSWR

Choosing Transmission Mode

Guides on selecting between phone and CW modes based on VSWR charts.

VSWR Curve Interpretation

Explains typical VSWR curves and advises against tuning at ground level.

Assembly of the Reflector

Reflector Element Assembly

Details attaching the R1 and R2 sections of the reflector element with traps.

Assembly of the Driven Element

Driven Element Assembly Steps

Covers assembling the DE1, DE2, DE3, and DE4 sections with traps and clamps.

Driven Element Trap Orientation

Specific guidance on installing driven element traps, ensuring correct orientation and tightening.

Assembly of the Director

Director Element Assembly Steps

Details assembling D1, D2, D3, and D4 sections with traps and clamps.

Director Trap Orientation

Specific guidance on installing director element traps, ensuring correct orientation and tightening.

Overall View and Final Checks

Final Element Measurements and Tightening

Guides rechecking all element measurements and securely tightening all clamps and screws.

Installation of the Beta Match

Beta Match Assembly

Steps for assembling beta match tubes, shorting clamps, and pigtail assemblies.

Final Assembly and RF Choke

Final Assembly Steps

Instructions for placing caplugs, installing a balun or RF choke, and weatherproofing connections.

Measurement Conversion

English to Metric Conversion Guide

Provides a scale and formulas for converting inch and foot measurements to centimeters.