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Shively Labs has won a techINK 2010 Innovation Award for our Graphical Power Meter system!
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Our Model 6020 antenna brings home the Radio World Coolstuff Award!
Articles

May-June 2008 Radio Guide article:
"Shively Labs Meets the Very Windy Mountain"

September 2007
Radio Guide articles:
"Shively Labs: Antennas That Work!" [279 kB]

"Shively 6014 Dual Hybrid Antenna Solves a Dilemma" [232 kB]
6020 picture
Figure 1. Model 6020 FM antenna bay

Installing a Model 6020 FM Antenna

Installation of the Shively Labs Model 6020-1 antenna is straightforward. This instruction sheet contains all the information you will need. If you have any problems, call Shively and talk with your Sales representative.

Check Shipment

Before beginning, check your shipment to be sure all the parts are there. The parts are listed on the installation drawing.

Installation

Whenever personnel are on the tower in the area of the antenna, shut off the signal and lock it off so that it cannot be turned on accidentally. RF emissions at close range are hazardous.
CAUTION Do not overtighten hardware and flange connections. Overtightening them may damage components or affect your signal.
CAUTION Do not alter the length of the horizontal member from the mounting pole to the arms (32-1/4 inches in Figure 2). Doing so will affect tuning and antenna performance.
  1. Mark the tower at the location where the antenna bay will be mounted, in accordance with the installation drawing. Watch for tower components that might interfere with your installation. Verify this location is free of tower paint and that a good ground contact with be made between the mount and the tower.
  2. Assemble the antenna bay (Figure 3).
    3. NOTES Your antenna may vary slightly from the illustrations. For example, assembly may require nuts and bolts in bolt holes, or nuts on studs. Also, your antenna may include a pinch plate clamp for mounting, rather than the U-bolts shown.
    Arm "A" and arm "B" have different hole patterns to prevent confusion. Be sure to install them correctly - then be sure to install the antenna with arm "A" pointing upward.
  3. Using the hardware provided, attach the antenna arms to the mounting stubs. Tighten the nuts snug on the bolt or stud threads, but do not overtighten.
    4. CAUTION Before attaching the mounts to the tower, ensure good electrical contact in accordance with (b) above. If you do not, the antenna may generate unwanted electrical signals.
  4. Mount the antenna bay on the tower at the location you marked (step a).
  5. Be sure the tower transmission cable flange contains an inner conductor connector. Install a -215 O-ring in the flange, Carefully insert the inner conductor connector into the inner conductor in the antenna, then attach the cable flange to the flange at the rear of the antenna bay as shown in the installation drawing. Tighten the flange bolts finger-tight, then another 1/8 - 1/4 turn with a wrench.
    6. CAUTION DO NOT COIL any excess cable.
  6. Dress up any excess cable and tie-wrap it to the tower leg, as shown in Figure 4, to prevent wind damage to the cable or the antenna. When feasible, route the cables to take advantage of shielding from tower members to minimize added windload.
    7. NOTE The Model 6020-1 does not require pressurization or purging.
6020 dimensions
Figure 2. Dimensions
6020 exploded
Figure 3. Exploded view
cable layout

Figure 4. Cable layouts, good and bad

Startup

  1. When all personnel are clear of the tower, apply a low-power signal to the antenna and read the VSWR. The VSWR should be below 1.5: 1. If it is not, call Shively and speak with a designer or Sales.

Operation

  1. Once the antenna has been installed and VSWR has been confirmed, simply apply the transmitter signal. Don’t exceed the rated power of the antenna.

Troubleshooting

Broad Spectrum RF Noise:

This indicates that some component is not in good electrical contact with the tower. Make sure mounts are tight, that tower paint has been removed from under the mounts, and that components of other systems are likewise in good contact with the tower.

High VSWR:

This is caused by any factor that changes the impedance match between the antenna and the transmitter. Look for:

Change in Coverage:

This may be caused by the same factors that can cause high VSWR. Look for VSWR changes as well.

Do recognize, however, that apparent changes in coverage may be due to subjective factors or faults of the receiving equipment. Before doing more than checking the VSWR, be sure that an actual coverage change has occurred.

Maintenance Recommendations

Whenever personnel are on the tower in the area of the antenna, shut off the signal and lock it off so that it cannot be turned on accidentally. RF emissions at close range are hazardous.

Log:

We recommend that you keep a log of VSWR readings and any other performance notes and maintenance history for your antenna. Such a log can be invaluable for troubleshooting.

Inspection:

Whenever a rigger is on the tower for any reason, it is a good idea to have him check your antenna for general condition, looseness of connectors and mounts, and electrical damage.

Paint:

The radiator should never be painted; this will affect the VSWR.

Return Policy:

When returning any material to the factory, be sure to call your salesperson and obtain an returned materials authorization (RMA) number first. Material may not be recognized and may be refused if you don’t do this.

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Last updated: 07/23/2010
Webmaster: Al Friend
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