Sleeve antenna instructions

Here at Bantenna we have designed the Sleeve antenna to be a novel, portable  and lightweight aerial which actiually works.  Because it is made of lightweight ripstop nylon there are some things you need to be cautious of.  Hopefully these aren't too onerous but they will extend the longevity of your Sleeve aerial and hopefully help you get many years of use from it.

Keep away from naked flames, cigarettes, soldering irons etc.  Nylon melts!

The aerial is composed of two sleeves, an inner and an outer.  In some circumstance is is possible to pull the outer sleeve over the inner (this may occur on early models, we hope we've ironed these issues out!).  If this happens the inner sleeve, which is sewn to the outer sleeve, can bunch and prevent you getting the sleeve over the mast as it should go.  To avoid this fit the sleeve like this...

• With mast extended, hold the tip end and put it into to the sleeve. 
• Lay the sleeve out on the ground running away from the mast, so they make one straight line.
• Gently pull the sleeve onto the tip using EITHER the inner skin or the pull loop fitted to later models.
• Work your way down the mast, "wiggling" the end as you go in a whipping motion, all the time pulling the sleeve on to the mast.
• The last metre or so might be done with the mast vertical, still 'wiggling' it and still pulling either the loop or the inner skin.
• DO NOT ROLL THE AERIAL SLEEVE ON.  THIS IS A CERTAIN WAY OF CREATING A 'BURRITO ROLL' AND A JAM.

we have had sleeve antennas running here for some years now and have rarely had a jam: when we have it is always, always because we roll rather than pull.  Gently does it!

Bantenna strongly recommends that you do not use the finest tip section of the fibreglass mast.  Take this out and keep it safe.  Wrap some tape round the tip of the next section to stop it cutting into the sleeve antenna. Tape the section joints to prevent a mast collapse!  Use one layer of tape: the sleeves can be tight.  DON'T worry if the last six inches of sleeve wont pull onto your mast, it just means your mast is a bit fat and the sleeve is on as far as it goes.  thats fine!

If you do retain and use the finest tip you must wrap the very tip to stop it puncturing the  inner sleeve.  We can do nothing about this if it happens!!!

 

Attatch the spade connector to the bind post on the UnUn and use the vecro strap to fasten the unun to the mast.   

Stand the mast and fasten in the vertical position.  

Job done.