This page should answer most of the common questions asked:
SRC X80.
Q: Is this a converted CB aerial?
A: NO... The X80 certainly may have the look of an old gp CB antenna but thats as similar as it gets. The antenna is made from a high marine grade aluminium called Memory Flex which is light and very strong, the cradle is also made from a very strong durable aluminium. The antenna is individually hand made and tested here on the premises along with the transformer at its base.
Q: What height do they need to be?
A: Clearly this differs from each individual situation. Depending on preference of the bands of the user the antenna efficiency will vary, for example: If the user wishes to use 10 meters more often then the antenna should be as high as possible, but if the preference is 80/40 meters we are looking for a much lower angle of radiation for DX so mounted at ground level would be preferable. The trick is to find that happy middle ground, users of 300 plus of the X80 have reported that the antenna works great at many different heights so 10 to 20 feet in height seems to be the most common for best results.
Q: Does it need ground planes?
A: No... The Unun transformer at its base is DC grounded, therefore a counterpoise will do nothing for the tuning ratios and in fact will make the antenna malfunction.
Q: Does it need earthing?
A: In order for the antenna to function best an earth it the feed point isn't advised, we recommend for safety and electrical interference reasons that the shack have a good RF earth. If however it isn't possible for an RF earth in the shack a short as possible wire into a grounding system is ok attached to the cradle of the antenna.
Q: Will this work with an Auto ATU?
A: Yes... As with all the end fed systems SRC produce the aim of the transformer is to reduce the high impedances down to a much more manageable and more efficient level. This allows most auto atu systems to cope with the different impedance swings, typically 90 - 10 ohm's.
Q: What is its size and weight?
A: The antenna at full height is 5.80 meters tall and when telescoped down or in its packaged state is 1.50 meters. Its weight is 1.800 kgs.
Q: Will it survive strong winds?
A: It has a wind resistance of 60/70 mph. Due to the type of aluminium used it is designed to flex and then go back to its original shape. Customers have reported back to SRC telling us of there delight that the antenna has survived different storms in the past year.
SRC X65.
Q: Does it need earthing?
A: In order for the antenna to function best an earth it the feed point isn't advised, we recommend for safety and electrical interference reasons that the shack have a good RF earth. If however it isn't possible for an RF earth in the shack a short as possible wire into a grounding system is ok attached to the convenient earthing point on the transformer box.
Q: Does it need ground planes?
A: No... The Unun transformer is DC grounded, therefore a counterpoise will do nothing for the tuning ratios and in fact will make the antenna malfunction.
Q: Will this work with an Auto ATU?
A: Yes... As with all the end fed systems SRC produce the aim of the transformer is to reduce the high impedances down to a much more manageable and more efficient level. This allows most auto atu systems to cope with the different impedance swings.
Q: Can the antenna be mounted near a house or other structure?
A: The transformer part of the antenna can be mounted anywhere convenient without any real effects to the efficiency of the antenna.
Q: Can the wire be inverted / doglegged / L-shaped?
A: Yes... As with all end fed wire's, they have good property's to them and do not mind being put up in many different configurations without much loss of efficiency. The main rules to remember is that none of the angle's on the wire are less than 45 degrees and that any parallel lines is less than a quarter wave length of the lowest band of operation.
Q: What height do they need to be?
A: Clearly this differs from each individual situation. A simple way to answer is as high as you can get the wire element. Although this antenna has proven to work very efficiently at lower levels, and the transformer box CAN be mounted at ground level.
SRC X130.
Q: Does it need ground planes?
A: No... The Unun transformer is DC grounded, therefore a counterpoise will do nothing for the tuning ratios and in fact will make the antenna malfunction.
Q: Will this work with an Auto ATU?
A: Yes... As with all the end fed systems SRC produce the aim of the transformer is to reduce the high impedances down to a much more manageable and more efficient level. This allows most auto atu systems to cope with the different impedance swings.
Q: Does it need earthing?
A: In order for the antenna to function best an earth it the feed point isn't advised, we recommend for safety and electrical interference reasons that the shack have a good RF earth. If however it isn't possible for an RF earth in the shack a short as possible wire into a grounding system is ok attached to the convenient earthing point on the transformer box.
Q: Can the antenna be mounted near a house or other structure?
A: The transformer part of the antenna can be mounted anywhere convenient without any real effects to the efficiency of the antenna.
Q: Can the wire be inverted / doglegged / L-shaped?
A: Yes... As with all end fed wire's, they have good property's to them and do not mind being put up in many different configurations without much loss of efficiency. The main rules to remember is that none of the angle's on the wire are less than 45 degrees and that any parallel lines is less than a quarter wave length of the lowest band of operation.
Q: What height do they need to be?
A: Clearly this differs from each individual situation. A simple way to answer is as high as you can get the wire element. Although this antenna has proven to work very efficiently at lower levels, and the transformer box CAN be mounted at ground level.
9:1 Unun / (HP).
Q: Why hasn't the standard Unun or HP version of the Unun got a ground point?
A: The transformer in its self is DC grounded so therefore does not need a ground point. As this is what we call a vanilla system meaning it is designed for the experimenters and quick portable use and over the years many of customers have said that the ground on the box isn't required. So to keep costs down to the customer and to stop another point of water ingression we have omitted this ground point.
Q: Can I or will you put a ground point on the UNUN's?
A: Yes... There is enough space in the box for the user to place there own grounding point on the box. All that is required is to place a small fly lead onto the ground terminal of the SO239 socket. Or if required a quick phone call to SRC and we will do it for you.
Misc:
Q: Are the antenna systems you manufacture weatherproof?
A: Yes... The ABS boxes used in all of our systems are IP54 weatherproof plastic boxes and all metal components are anti oxidising components.
Q: Is the X80 weatherproof?
A: Yes... The transformer housing is an IP54 abs box and all wire entry points have been rubber sealed.
Q: Can I order and pay over the phone?
A: Yes... Call SRC during office hours and we can take your order and accept most credit/debt cards.
Q: Can you give me names of other people who have your products?
A: NO... Due to the data protection act of Great Britain, SRC will not pass on or sell customer details in any form. On a lighter note, pictures and reviews are on the net and in most amateur publications.
Q: Is SRC environmentally Friendly?
A: SRC try our best to be as green as possible, e.g. we try and re-use packaging as much as possible and wear woolly jumpers when required. Our wastage is minimal and switch off our lights when not in use. When at rallies our batteries have been charged using solar energy. (we are not being flippant by the way, we really have been asked several times)
Postage.
Q: Do you use any other methods of postage other than Royal Mail?
A: At the moment No. We are currently negotiating with a local courier firm about this but we feel to keep with the minimal cost to the customer ethos of the company we shall for the time being still use Royal Mail.
Q: Do you post to other country's other than the United Kingdom?
A: Yes... Please ring or email for postage costs.
We hope this page helps in some way - If not please call or drop us an email.
