Installation Instruction

Instruction Number: 412778 Rev.: J

Instruction for Microwave Parabolic Antennas 6ft diameter (1.8m)

DA, UA, SU, SD, SDF

PA, PAL, PAD, SP, PAX,
DAX, UDA, UXA, SDX, SUX
PADX, SPX
UL/ULX

These Installation Instructions are valid for antennas in the following version:

• Reflector 1.8 m diameter (6 ft)

• waveguide feed single or dual polarized
• pipe mount for installation on 115mm diameter
• antenna offset to the left or the right
• safety collar for easy installation
• 2 spindles for fine adjustment of azimuth and elevation of ± 5 degrees
• 1 sway bar
• reflector with shroud, aperture covered by a flexible planar radome, or reflector without shroud (see antenna
models above)

Taking into account a slight reduction of the operational windspeed, the antenna can be
installed without sway bar if additional fixing points for a sway bar are not available.

It is important to mount the antenna exactly as described in this installation instruction.

The installed antenna shall be inspected once per year by qualified personnel.
RFS disclaims all responsibility for antenna malfunction due to improper or unsafe installation.
This installation instruction has been written for qualified, skilled personnel.

We reserve the right to alter details, especially with respect to technical improvement.

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1. Tools required for installation
Tools are not included with antenna:

• Hoisting device for 250 daN (2500N or 250kg) • Tape-measure

• Water balance and compass • 2 ropes
•Torque wrench from 0,5 to 240Nm • Nail set or punch for Ø 6 mm
• Wrenches for hexagon bolts: • Shackle
M5(8), M6(10), M10(17), M12(19), M14(21), • Mallet
M16(24), M20(30)*
*(values in brackets=openings of spanners)

2. Antenna Offset
Hoisting eye
at the top

Offset left

Hoisting eye
at the top

Offset right

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3. Assembly of the mount
For easy operation of the bolted joints, « Anti Seize » Installation Paste must be applied to all
threads of bolts and fine adjustment spindles. After this, keep the lubricated threads free of dust
and dirt! (Fastener torque specification see table attached)

3.1 Brackets installation on Backring

After complete brackets and stiffening

plates installation, torque tightens each
M12 bolted joints.

3.2 Pre-assembly of the T-mount (example of a left offset installation)

Perpendicularity Check

90⁰

90⁰

(Rear view)
After perpendicularity check between the 3
parts of the T-Mount, torque tightens the
M12 bolts to lock the assembly. (Without
square, you can do it with a sheet of paper).

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3.3 T-Mount installation on the Backring (example of a left offset installation)

Nut M16

Put the reflector on wooden beams to

avoid distorting and dusting

4. Shroud installation (only for antennas with shroud)

4.1 Installation of the RF Gasket on the Reflector

• Dismount the Hoisting Eye located at the top of the Reflector

• The rim of the reflector must be clean and dry
• The wire mesh is directed to the center of the reflector
• Stick on the RF gasket tape 360° in a way (all the mounting holes are covered by the
tape

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 4.2 Installation of shroud panels (for antennas equipped with
shroud, except for UL6 and ULX6)

(Short shroud length)

6 hex screws M6x16
24 hex screws M6x25 12 washers 6.4Ø18 4 hex screws M6x25
48 washers 6.4Ø18 6 spring washers M6 8 washers 6.4Ø18
24 spring washers M6 6 nuts M6 4 spring washers M6
24 nuts M6 4 nuts M6
(Long shroud length)
7 hex screws M6x16
14 washers 6.4Ø18
7 spring washers M6
7 nuts M6

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 4.3 Installation of shroud panels (for UL6 and ULX6)

1. Shroud panels assembly

3x 9 hex screws M6x16

2. Put shroud panel assembly on reflector 3x 18 washers 6.4Ø18
3x 9 spring washers M6
3x 9 nuts M6

4. Reflector / shroud panel assembly 3. Shroud panel reinforcement

plate assembly x3

3x 4 hex screws M6x25

3x 8 washers 6.4Ø18
3x 4 spring washers M6
3x 4 nuts M6

24 hex screws M6x25

48 washers 6.4Ø18
24 spring washers M6
24 nuts M6

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 4.4 Hoisting Eye installation

4.5 Radome protection installation on Shroud rim (for antennas

equipped with shroud)

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5. Feed Installation (For DBUX and UL/ULX antenna, see specific feed installation
instruction)

The feed is a precision component that should be handled with special care during
installation. For instance, always carry the feed, supporting casting plate side. Any
damage may degrade the antenna’s performance. Repair of feeds is not possible in
the field.

5.1 Guy wire assembly and reflector hole obturation

• For feed systems without guy wires (6 ft models with frequency
codes 34-35-36-44), install the 3 obturation plugs on the reflector
• For feed systems equipped with guy wires, insert the 3 guy wires
in the mounting holes from the rear of the reflector
• Move the feed assembly partway through the reflector connecting
ring
• Hook the guy wires into rotatable ring
• Move the feed and decide the polarization (refer to next section).

• No adjustment is needed for

feed with SL guy wires Tension for feed system
Feed system
delivered with SL guy wires
without guy wires
• Adjust the MW guy wires
according to following steps
1. If the springs begin to tighten up
when the feed moves in, back off
and adjust nuts on the guy wire
assembly. The nuts should be far
enough back on the guy wire
screws to allow the feed to be Rotatable
installed without putting tension on Install the 3 plugs ring
the guy wire springs.
Ø20 mm from the
2. Fix the feed on to the reflector No
3. Bring the adjusting nut on each
rear of the reflector
adjustment
assembly up to the washer behind needed
the guy wire spring until each one
just begins to tighten (67 mm
dimension as shown).
4. Keep the length “a” of all guy wires
approximately the same by
adjusting each one a little at a time. Feed system
5. Keep the guy assembly from
twisting while tightening the
Deliveryed with MW guy wires
adjusting nut about 6 to 8 mm
forward to a dimension of 59-61
mm as shown.
6. Tighten the lock nuts onto the
backs of the adjusting nuts.

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5.2 Polarization choice and feed installation

5.1.1 Single polarization – for antennas equipped with shroud

Use following steps to choose or change feed polarization
1. Remove the screws and other hardware if feed was already installed
2. Carefully rotate the feed to choose the polarization
3. Vertical polarization: Align the scale on the feed plate to the mark on the top of the
reflector ring
4. Horizontal polarization: align the scale to the mark on the side of the reflector ring
5. Install the hardware and lock the screws

TOP Antenna TOP Antenna

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 5.1.2 Dual polarization – For antennas equipped with shroud

• Align the scale on the feed plate to the mark on the top of the reflector ring
• Install the hardware and lock the screws

5.1.3 Single polarization – For antenna not equipped with shroud

Vertical polarization Horizontal polarization

• Remove the 4 5/16 nuts

and lock washers if feed
was already installed

• Carefully rotate the feed to

choose the polarization

• Install the hardware and

lock the nuts

5.1.4 Dual polarization – For antenna not equipped with shroud

• Install the hardware and

lock the 4 5/16 nuts

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 6. Radome Installation (for antennas equipped with Shroud. See specific
installation instruction for Extreme radome)

Take care to not kinking of planar radomes during installation.

Kinking will destroy the radomes, which are non-repairable.

• Unpack the radome and carefully stretch it over the shroud aperture
• For radomes with RFS logo, align it with the vertical axis of the antenna
• For radomes without RFS logo, the central air vent mosquito net aperture must be oriented
towards the antenna top
• Attach J-bolt with springs and smooth radome down as the springs are attached, but do not
displace the edge protector on the shroud rim
• Align the length of the springs to approximately 135 mm at each J-bolt, this will provide proper
radome tension .

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7. Sway Bar assembly

Tighten the assembly,

keeping the mounting bracket
free in rotation without a gap

8. Lifting antenna and hoisting on the tower

Before antenna hoisting on the pylon, it is mandatory that all the bolted joint of the T-Mount structure have
been torque tighten, otherwise the installation on the pipe support could be problematic.

Antenna Antenna
equipped not equipped
with shroud with shroud

2 ropes fixed on the mount for optimal balance to avoid

antenna collision with tower structure
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9. Safety collar installation on pipe support

10. Antenna installation on pipe

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 10.1 Azimuth spindle installation

2 brass nuts M8
2 spherical washers C8.4
2 conical seats D9.6

Screws M8x30
Washer 8.4
SL nut M8

Azimuth
spindle
M8x200

11. Elevation adjustment

Loosen M20
nuts of the
elevation
pivots

Loosen or tighten M16

brass nuts on the elevation
spindle to adjust elevation

After elevation adjustment, torque tighten the 2 M20 and 2 M16 nuts

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12. Azimuth adjustment
If the 1/2 nuts of the U-Bolts are already torque tighten, loosen each nut by 1 turn

Loosen or tighten M8 brass nuts

on the azimuth spindle to adjust Loosen 1/2 nuts of the
azimuth U-bolts, except the U-
Bolt of the safety collar

After azimuth adjustment, lock the first nut on the U-bolt with the torque value specified on the
torque table (the U-bolt threads must have been greased before torque tightening), then fix the
second nut against the first one. Do not use two wrenches to fix the second nut.

13. Sway Bar positioning and attachment

• After complete azimuth and

elevation adjustment, angle
the sway bar respecting the
max angle indicated.

• Fix the sway bar fixing

clamp on the tower
structure (see figures
below).

• Then torque tighten each

bolted joints of the sway bar
articulation to suppress
residual gap.
Max
+/-25°

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 Sway bar installation on tower without optional Sway bar installation on tower with optional kit :
sway bar fixing kit SMA-SKO-UNIVERSAL-L

Screw M20x60 Angle tower structure

Washer 21 (to drill Ø21 for attachment) Refer to install. Instruction provided with this sway bar fixing kit

Nut M20
SL washer 20
Fixing clamp Washer 21
sway bar
(L-Profile
60x60)

Washer 21
SL washer 20
Nut M20
Screw M20x60 Pipe Ø 60 up to 114 mm or L-profile 60x60 up to
Washer 21 110x110 mm

14. Polarization fine adjustment

After adjustment, torque tighten the feed screws or nuts

14.1 Polarization adjustment – for antennas with shroud, 120mm feed system

Loosen the 4 M5 screws and carefully rotate feed to adjust polarization

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 14.2 Polarization adjustment – for antennas with shroud, 9 inch feed system

Loosen the 4 M6 screws and carefully rotate feed to adjust polarization

14.3 Polarization adjustment – for antennas with shroud, 14.5 inch feed system

Loosen the 8 M6 screws and carefully rotate feed to adjust polarization

14.4 Polarization adjustment – for antennas not equipped with shroud

Loosen the 4 5/16 nuts & lock washers and carefully rotate feed to adjust polarization

15. Final Check

When the installation of the antenna has been completed, it is necessary to make
sure that the installation instructions have been followed in all aspects.

It is especially important to check that all bolted joints are torque tightly locked.

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Installation Paste for Threads
Installation Paste <<Anti-seize>> is provided with the antenna.

It is used for lubricating and corrosion preventing on all threads of stainless-steel bolts, U-bolts, and spindles.

The installation paste must be applied to all threads

of bolts and fine adjustment spindles. After this, keep the
lubricated threads free of dust and dirt!

Fastener torque specifications are valid for bolts with

installation paste only.

Example: Casting-mount Example: Steel-mount

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Table of Torques
For final Nut and Bolt joints tightening
On Microwave Parabolic Antennas
Attention: The values in the following table are valid for nuts and bolts which
have been greased according to the paste installation instructions.

Torques to apply on GREASED hardware

Main nuts & bolts, tie-bolts with clamps M5 5 Nm
M6 8 Nm
M8 17 Nm
M10 35 Nm
M12 50 Nm
M16 140 Nm
M20 / 24 240 Nm
U-Bolt and V-Bolt M6 8 Nm
M8 17 Nm
M10 20 Nm
M12 50 Nm
M14 95 Nm
M16 125 Nm
M20 210 Nm
1/2 - 13 75 Nm
Brass Nut of fine adjustment M8 5 Nm
(Azimuth and Elevation fine adjustment) M10 10 Nm
M12 17 Nm
M16 50 Nm
M20 80 Nm
M24 115 Nm
Feed fixing screws M3 1 Nm
M4 2.5 Nm
M5 5 Nm
M6 8 Nm
Torques to apply on NON-GREASED hardware
Nuts with self-locking compound M8 17 Nm
M10 35 Nm
Screws to fix plastic radome B4.2 3 Nm

We reserve the right to alter details, especially with respect to technical improvement.

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