Outbacker JOEY - Manual

QUTBACKER JOEY MANUAL
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing the OUTBACKER Joey- Please take a few moments and carefully read these instructions before
installing your antenna. This will ensure your mobile setup works and works well!
Like all OUTBACKER antenna, the Joey is constructed of a very tough yet flexible, fiberglass core. This core is then helically
wound with copper wire, which is hand-tuned to the various "tap" points. A coating of dear epoxy resin is then applied. Finally
a layer of colored polyurethane is applied as a protection against the elements. All fittings on the antenna are solid brass and
nickel-plated, including the PL259 mounting socket.
DESCRIPTION OF COMPONENTS
1. FIBERGLASS MAIN SHAFT - Location of helical coils. Base mounting PL259 brass nickel-plated.
2. BAND SOCKETS - Non-corrosive and silver-piated sockets are clearly engraved with band markings. These sockets are
used for selecting a band of operation.
3. WANDER LEAD - Insulated 32" length of stranded wire with banana plug on each end. Used for 80m through to 2m
operations. One end should be plugged into the WL-32 socket and the other into the desired band socket. Must be wound
(counter/clockwise) from the bottom up, with coils evenly spaced and neither taut, nor hanging loosely. Remove completely
from antenna for 75m operation.
4 STINGER/ TIP/ TUNING ROD or SPIKE - Steel rod which extends up to 15" out of antenna shaft. Used for fine tuning
SWR.
5 KNURLED LOCKING NUT - Located at the top of the antenna shaft. Used for holding STINGER in place - finger tighten
only.
TUNE-UP AND OPERATION
The Outbacker Joey antenna is designed to be used in conjunction with low power portable transceivers (20 Watts PEP
Max). On most transceivers a right angle PL259 adapter to mount the antenna on the rear of the transceiver is
recommended. It is not recommended that the antenna be used portable when connected to front mounted BNC type
sockets. Physical damage to the front panel may occur
Best results will be obtained when the transceiver is placed on the ground with the antenna placed vertical to the ground and
a 12 foot counterpoise wire is connected the earth tag on the transceiver.
1 . When attempting to tune the antenna, stand as far away from the unit as possible as the proximity of the human body
to the antenna will alter antenna resonance. NB. When using an antenna such as the Outbacker Joey on a portable
above ground type transceiver it is always difficult to obtain constant resonance. All measurements at manufacture
were achieved with the unit placed on dry-hard ground with a 12' counterpoise attached.
2. Set the STINGER to the scribe point which is marked on the STINGER (length from scribe point to tip of STINGER
is 13"). This position (length) stays the same for all bands other than 6m. When using the Outbacker Joey on 6m
it is necessary to lower the tuning stinger down into the mainshaft until only 4" of stinger remains out A
scribe mark indicates this position as well.
a. For operation on 40m, tune your transmitter to 7,250MHz.
b. Key the transmitter and read the SWR measured at the transmitter. If SWR reads greater than 2:1, go to Step
C. If less than 2:1, go to Step D.
c. If SWR is greater than 2:1, tune your transmitter to 7.295MHz and check the SWR there. If the SWR
increases at this frequency, this indicates the anlenna is too long and is resonating "low." You will want to
shorten the STINGER about 1/4 inch, by loosening the KNURLED LOCKING NUT and making the
adjustment. Then re-tighten with fingers only. If the SWR decreases at this frequency, your antenna is too
short and you will need to lengthen the STINGER by following the same procedures as for shortening.
Continue this process until the SWR, as measured at the transmitter, is as low as passible at your desired
operating frequency on 40m.
d Provided your SWR is sufficiently low (less than 2:1 at the middle of the 40m phone band), in most cases all
that is necessary to do when changing bands, is lo move the top banana plug on the WANDER LEAD into the
desired socket for 20m, 17m, 15m etc. Be sure to wrap the WANDER LEAD evenly and counter clockwise,
but not too tightly against the shaft. You can make fine-tuning adjustments by moving the STINGER up or
down.