SPIDERBEAM CONSTRUCTION TIPS

Building a Spiderbeam is really QUITE EASY, but there is a lot of repetitive work.  

 

As a result, it usually takes you about 20 to 25 hours to build the beam if you work slowly and double-check your work as you go.  

 

The Portable version takes a couple of hours more because you have to glue the Velcro strips onto the fiberglass spreaders and wait for them to dry.

 

The three steps which require a little bit of caution and skill are:

  1.  Building the driven elements and feedlines
  2.  Building the balun.
  3.  Proper adjustment of the center-hub to the mast.

 

Here are more detailed instructions  plus lots of additional tips:

 

PAGE CONTENTS:

  1. READ ME FIRST:  CENTER HUB
  2. WIRE ELEMENT CONSTRUCTION
  3. BALUN CONSTRUCTION
  4. MOUNTING HD WIRE ELEMENTS TO SPREADERS
  5. FINAL ASSEMBLY OF THE SPIDERBEAM
  6. INSTALLATION OF FIBERGLASS SPREADERS
  7. GUY ROPES
  8. MOUNTING THE BALUN
  9. POSITIONING ELEMENTS
  10. PVDF MONOFIL HORIZONTAL GUY LINES
  11. WORKING WITH KEVLAR ROPE
  12. CAUTION: TRANSPOSED DRIVEN ELEMENT FEEDLINES
  13. INSTALLATION IN HIGH-WIND LOCATIONS
  14. FINDING ROTATION ON MASTS
  15. PREVENTING WATER FROM STANDING ON TOP OF BALUN

​

1)  READ ME FIRST:  CENTER HUB

 

This is  the MOST CRITICAL step in the assembly process:

 

Page 18, paragraph 3.1.1 :   Mounting the Vertical Mast.

 

This step is the one that users get wrong the most often!

 

 

Here is a file the clearly shows how to do it right and what many users get wrong when assembling their Spiderbeam:

 

Download
Mounting the Center Hub to the Mast
This files shows you THE MOST IMPORTANT step in assembling and erecting a Spiderbeam.
Center Hub.pdf
PDF-Dokument [196.3 KB]

2)  Wire Element Construction

Note:  Wire elements should not be measured when the elements are mounted on the fiberglass spreaders.  Lay the element to be measured on the ground in a straight line, and then use a long tape measure to measure the lengths.  Measuring with a short "yard-stick" or "ruler" will result in inacurate measurements.   It is best to do this with 2 people.

 

Download
Spiderbeam Driven Element Construction
This file contains step-by-step instructions (with pictures) for constructing the driven elements of the Spiderbeam.
DE-Construction-EN.pdf
PDF-Dokument [1.0 MB]
Download
Instructions for building the Parasitic Elements
These are step-by-step instructions including pictures, for building the parasitic elements.
Constructing the Parasitic Elements 5-Ba[...]
PDF-Dokument [775.5 KB]
Download
Picture-Instructions for building Elements
This file contains drawings showing how to build all 14 elements of a 5-Band Spiderbeam. Elements for other versions of the Spiderbeam are built in exactly the same way, but have different lengths. (See tables of lengths for other models in the Construction Guide.)
5-Band Spiderbeam Element Lengths.pdf
PDF-Dokument [410.0 KB]

3)  BALUN CONSTRUCTION

Download
Spiderbeam Balun Construction Guide - English
This file gives you step-by-step instructions for building the special Spiderbeam Balun.
Spiderbeam Balun Construction_Eng.pdf
PDF-Dokument [904.7 KB]
Download
Spiderbeam Balun Bauanleitung (Deutsch)
This file contains step-by-step instructions for constructing the special Spiderbeam balun. This is the German version of this file.
Spiderbeam Balun Bauanleitung.pdf
PDF-Dokument [744.0 KB]
Download
Typical Balun SWR Curves
This chart shows the SWR curve of a typical Spiderbeam Balun across the HF Spectrum.
Typical Spiderbeam Balun SWR Curve.jpg
JPG-Datei [90.2 KB]

4)  Mounting HD Wire Elements to Spreaders

Download
Mounting HD Wire Elements to Spreaders
The instruction manual is a bit confusing on this. It shows you how to mount the elements to the Portable Yagi using Velcro, but how to mount the elements to the HD Yagi is much farther in the back of the manual. This document is an excerpt from the book, showing details for the 5 Band HD Yagi.
Mounting HD Elements to Spreaders.pdf
PDF-Dokument [250.9 KB]

5)  FINAL ASSEMBLY OF THE SPIDERBEAM

Download
FINAL ASSEMBLY OF THE SPIDERBEAM
This documents give additional information for mounting the fiberglass spreaders onto the pole and mounting the wire elements onto the spreaders. It may also be used as a guide for the 3-Band Yagi; the procedure is the same.
Final Assembly 5-Band Spiderbeam.pdf
PDF-Dokument [293.9 KB]

6)  INSTALLATION OF FIBERGLASS SPREADERS

Download
Proper Installation of Fiberglass Spreaders
This document show how to install the spreaders and why we do it that way.
Proper Installation of the Fiberglass Sp[...]
PDF-Dokument [202.1 KB]
Download
Mounting Rubber Rings
This drawing shows exactly where to place the Rubber Rings.
Mounting Rubber Rings.pdf
PDF-Dokument [211.8 KB]

7)  GUY ROPES

Download
Guy Rope Placement
This Tip shows exactly where the Guy Ropes attach.
Guy Rope Placement.pdf
PDF-Dokument [137.4 KB]
Download
Guy Rope Supports
This document describes an "OPTIONAL" additional support for fastening the Top Kevlar Guy Ropes of the Spiderbeam. It is not necessary for the Bottom Kevlar Rope Supports
Guy Rope Supports.pdf
PDF-Dokument [294.5 KB]

8)  MOUNTING THE BALUN

Download
Mounting the Balun
This is additional information showing where the balun is located.
Mounting the Balun.pdf
PDF-Dokument [164.1 KB]
Download
Balun Connections to Driven Elements
This document shows how to connect the 5 driven elements to the balun.
BalunConnect.pdf
PDF-Dokument [91.6 KB]

9)  POSITIONING ELEMENTS

Download
Element Placement on 5-Band Spiderbeam
This drawing shows exact element placement onto the fiberglass spreaders, assuming the use of a 45mm Standpipe. If you use your own center mast with a diameter of 40 to 50mm, you may use these instructions. If you use the 35mm Standpipe, the first element will be 1 cm closer to the center of the mast.
5-Band Element Placement on FG Tubes.pdf
PDF-Dokument [258.4 KB]
Download
Position of Driven Elements
This is additional information showing how the driven element is mounted to the fiberglass spreaders. This shows the portable version with Velcro securing the elements. The position is the same for the HD version, but hose clamps secure the elements.
Position of Driven Elements.pdf
PDF-Dokument [111.6 KB]
Download
Position of 15m Driven Element
Although very simple, this is often misunderstood. This drawing helps to understand exactly how to mount the 15m driven Element.
15m Driven Element.pdf
PDF-Dokument [243.8 KB]
Download
Position of Elements when Using spiderbeam Standpipes
These two drawings help explain how to position the first driven element when using the 45mm or the 35mm Spiderbeam Standpipe for the center mast.
Element Spacing.pdf
PDF-Dokument [155.2 KB]

10)  PVDF MONOFIL  HORIZONTAL GUY LINES

Download
Step 3.1.2 - PVDF Horizontal Guy Lines
This is additional information showing how to string the PVDF horizontal guy lines.
Step 3.1.2 - PVDF Guy Loop.pdf
PDF-Dokument [149.8 KB]

11)  WORKING WITH KEVLAR ROPE

Download
Working with Kevlar Rope
This is additional information showing how to prepare the ends of Kevlar Rope before using it.
Working with Kevlar.pdf
PDF-Dokument [404.7 KB]

12)  CAUTION:  DO NOT TRANSPOSE DRIVEN ELEMENT FEEDLINES

Download
Transposed Connections to Spiderbeam Balun
This describes a common mistake many people make when attaching the Driven Element feedlines to the balun.
SPIDERBEAM PROBLEMS - Transposed.pdf
PDF-Dokument [77.7 KB]

13)  INSTALLATION IN HIGH-WIND LOCATIONS

Download
Clamp Mod for Installations with High Winds
Clamp Mod.pdf
PDF-Dokument [287.0 KB]
Download
Clamp Mod for Reducing Lateral Motion in High Winds
This explains the mod in the file above.
Reducing Spiderbeams Lateral Motion in t[...]
PDF-Dokument [283.1 KB]
Download
Top-Stay Mod for Reducing Arm-Movement in High Winds
This Mod was proposed by Tino Pavic, VK3EGN. It is a simple, low-cost mod that will significantly reduce the fiberglass arm movement in strong winds.
Top-Stay Mechanical Mod.pdf
PDF-Dokument [252.1 KB]

14)  FINDING UNWANTED ROTATION ON MASTS

 

If you suspect two or more of your mast's segments are rotating within each other, but don't know which ones, here is a method to find out.

 

Place strips of electrical tape above and below each clamp, making sure they are lined up vertically.

 

Then if the segments rotate within each other, you can easily spot which ones are rotating.

 

If it is just one or two joints, try placing a second clamp at that position.

 

CAUTION:  NEVER put oil on the aluminum mast segments for the purpose of making them telescope easier.  They will telescope easier with oil, but they will be constantly rotating between segments!

15)  PREVENTING WATER FROM STANDING ON TOP OF BALUN

 

When it rains, water can sometimes accumulate on the top of the balun, causing a high-impedance short between the top two connection bolts.  This can result in high SWR.  This tip shows how to prevent this.

 

CAUTION:  Do not replace the PVDF monofil lines with other types of rope.  Rope will also soak up water and detune the antenna.   Use only PVDF monofil for this.

 

Download
PREVENTING WATER FROM STANDING ON TOP OF BALUN
This tip shows 2 steps for preventing water from accumulating on top of the balun when it rains. Standing water can cause the SWR of the antenna to rise.
Prevent Water Standing on Balun.pdf
PDF-Dokument [89.1 KB]