VHF Vehicle Roof-Top Antennas: Installation Manual

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The manual provides instructions for installing vehicle roof-top antennas and includes safety information.

The two types of antennas described are the HAD4022A 3dB 5/8th wave gain antenna and the HAD4021A unity gain quarter-wave antenna.

The rod of the HAD4022A antenna needs to be trimmed according to the tuning chart to cover 132-174MHz frequency range.

M

Title Page

VHF Vehicle Roof-Top Antennas


HAD4021A
HAD4022A

Installation Manual

Motorola, Inc.
8000 West Sunrise Boulevard 68007024095-P
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33322
Foreword
This manual applies to mobile radios, unless otherwise specified. It includes instructions for installing antennas in a vehicle
roof-top configuration.

Product Safety and RF Exposure Compliance

Before using this product, read the operating instructions


for safe usage contained in the Product Safety and RF
Caution Exposure booklet enclosed with your radio.

ATTENTION!

This radio is restricted to occupational use only to satisfy FCC RF energy exposure requirements.
Before using this product, read the RF energy awareness information and operating instructions in the
Product Safety and RF Exposure booklet enclosed with your radio (Motorola Publication part number
6881095C99) to ensure compliance with RF energy exposure limits.

For a list of Motorola-approved antennas, batteries, and other accessories, visit the following website:
http://www.motorola.com/governmentandenterprise

Document Copyrights
No duplication or distribution of this document or any portion thereof shall take place without the express written permission
of Motorola. No part of this manual may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic
or mechanical, for any purpose without the express written permission of Motorola.

Disclaimer
The information in this document is carefully examined, and is believed to be entirely reliable. However, no responsibility is
assumed for inaccuracies. Furthermore, Motorola reserves the right to make changes to any products herein to improve
readability, function, or design. Motorola does not assume any liability arising out of the applications or use of any product
or circuit described herein; nor does it cover any license under its patent rights nor the rights of others.

Trademarks
MOTOROLA, the Stylized M logo, and ASTRO are registered in the US Patent & Trademark Office. All other products or
service names are the property of their respective owners.
© Motorola, Inc. 2009, 2010.
Introduction
The vehicle roof-top antennas are each supplied with a coaxial lead-in cable and connector. In the
completed installation, the cable is concealed between the headlining and the roof of the vehicle,
with minimum disturbance to the headlining and the upholstery. Figure 1 shows the two roof-top
antennas.

HAD4021A HAD4022A *
Unity Gain Quarter-Wave 3 dB 5/8th Wave
136-174 MHz 132-174 MHz

* Requires tuning in the field as per the tuning instructions.

Figure 1. VHF Roof-Top Antennas


2 Tuning Instructions for the HAD4022A Gain Antenna

Tuning Instructions for the HAD4022A Gain Antenna


The HAD4022A antenna must be trimmed in order to tune the antenna to cover the 132 – 174 MHz
frequency range. Perform the following to trim the antenna:
1. Remove the rod from the base of the antenna by unscrewing the two setscrews.
2. Cut the bottom portion of the rod, located below the ferrule, as per “ Tuning Chart for
HAD4022A” on page 12.
3. Re-insert the rod into the base of the antenna and secure by tightening the two setscrews.
4. Check the antenna and fine-tune it with an in-line watt meter, if a problem is suspected. Tune
for minimum reflected power at the frequency of interest and ensure the VSWR is less than
1.5:1.

FCC Requirements

To comply with FCC regulations when installing the antenna


lead-in cable, DO NOT shorten the cable.
Caution

Advise the radio owner to unscrew the upper antenna assembly from the
base before entering an automatic car wash to prevent damage to the
antenna or roof of the vehicle. When unscrewing the antenna, be sure only
the upper section, not the locking nut, is removed. If the locking nut
Caution
becomes loose, retighten it securely against the mounting surface.

Motorola Recommendations for Vehicle Roof-Top Antenna Locations


Recommended vehicle roof-top antenna installations are limited to metal body vehicles at the center
of the roof and center of the trunk deck locations. Refer to Table 1.
Additionally, the antenna installation must be in accordance with the following:
• Requirements of the antenna manufacturer/supplier
• Instructions in the radio installation manual
NOTE: To comply with RF Safety standards, the 1/4-wave whip antenna, HAD4021A must only be
mounted on the roof.
Table 1. Recommended Antenna Installation Locations

Vehicle Type Recommended Location

Standard metal passenger vehicles Center roof or center trunk lid

Vans, pickups, and other light trucks Center roof


(metal roofs)

Heavy duty equipment with metal roofs Center cab roof


(heavy duty trucks, semi-tractors, heavy
refuse trucks, cement mixer trucks)

Specialty vehicles (such as T-roofs, sun Center trunk lid–recommended only for transmitter
roofs, or convertibles) output of less than 7 W
Motorola Recommendations for Vehicle Roof-Top Antenna Locations 3

Table 1. Recommended Antenna Installation Locations (Continued)

Vehicle Type Recommended Location

Other vehicles Contact your Motorola Field Technical


Representative. Do not install closer than the
distances stated in the safety publication
referenced in the section, “ Product Safety and RF
Exposure Compliance” on page ii, for the relevant
transmitter output power, from occupants or without
proper antenna ground plane.

Consider the following factors when installing an antenna.


• Install the vehicle antenna external to the vehicle and in accordance with the requirements
contained in this manual.
• The best mounting location for the antenna is in the center of a large, flat, conductive surface.
In almost all vehicles, mounting the antenna in the center of the roof will satisfy these
requirements. A good alternative location is in the center of the trunk lid. If you choose to use
the trunk lid, ensure that the trunk lid is grounded by connecting grounding straps between the
trunk lid and the vehicle chassis.
NOTE: The antenna should be mounted on a flat metal roof with a thickness of 0.020 to 0.040
inches.
• Ensure the antenna cable can be easily routed to the radio.
• Ensure that the antenna cable is routed separately and not in parallel to any other vehicle wiring
or mobile radio cable wiring.
• Check the antenna location for any electrical interference.
NOTE: Any two metal pieces rubbing against each other (such as seat springs, shift levers,
trunk and hood lids, exhaust pipes, etc.) in close proximity to the antenna can cause
severe receiver interference.
• If the vehicle is equipped with an electronic anti-lock braking system (ABS), mount the antenna
at the center of the roof or trunk lid and do not route the antenna cable near the ABS modulator
box. Mount the radio as far away from the modulator box as physically possible. This minimizes
radio interference to the modulator box from the radio.
• Make sure the mobile radio antenna is installed at least one foot (30.48 cm) away from any
other antenna on the vehicle.
4 Required Tools and Materials

Required Tools and Materials


The following tools and materials are needed to properly install the motorcycle radio antennas:
• 10-inch adjustable wrench, or 1-inch open-end wrench
• 15/16-inch open-end wrench
• Antenna hole-cutting tool, Motorola RPX-4378A
• Center punch
• Crimping tool 66-80388A26
• Hammer
• Large hand drill
• Pliers
• Round file
• Side cutters
• Soldering station & solder

Installation Procedure
The installation procedure that follows is for a typical passenger car. The procedure may vary slightly
with the type of vehicle on which the antenna is to be installed. Generally, however, the procedure
outlined below is universal in nature.

Antenna Installation
To install an antenna, do the following:

Observe the safety precautions given in this instruction


manual. Do not adjust the whip length of any of the antennas,
except the HAD4022A as previously described. These
antennas have wideband performance and do not require any
Caution
tuning.

1. Select a location for the antenna as near the center of the roof as possible. Probe the
headlining with your fingers to make sure that all points of obstruction are avoided.
2. Drill a pilot hole at selected location, and then drill a 3/4-inch hole from the top (outside the
vehicle only) with the Motorola 01-80382A25 holecutting saw (or equivalent) until it bottoms.
3. Clean the roof metal in a neat circle to ensure good contact with the bushing assembly and its
locking nut.
NOTE: In installations involving a double roof with no dome light, a second 3/4-inch hole must
be drilled. However, a deepwell type of 3/4-inch hole saw (with pilot drill bit) must be
used to cut the second (or bottom) roof section. This provides access to the area where
the coaxial cable is routed between the second roof section and the headlining.
4. Drill the second 3/4-inch hole if required. Be very careful, though, to prevent puncturing the
headlining.
Installation Procedure 5

5. For proper seating of the bushing assembly and locking nut, remove any burrs and/or foreign
matter from above and below the (top) 3/4-inch mounting hole. This should be done for at
least 1/8 inch out from the hole edge. For double-roof construction vehicles (without dome
light), also be sure to clear the second (or bottom) 3/4-inch hole of any burrs.

When installing the lead-in cable, the cable should not be


shortened.
Caution

6. Determine the routing of the cable from the antenna bushing assembly to the radio set, and
then remove the molding and trim necessary to facilitate pulling the cable through.
NOTE: To ensure ease of assembly, thread the locking nut on the end of the bushing assembly
a few times before installing. This removes any burrs that might be present.
7. Insert the end of the coaxial cable into the mounting hole, and then route the cable between
the roof and headlining to the radio.
NOTE: If you experience difficulty with cable routing, use an electrician's fishtape to perform
this step.
8. Refer to Figure 2 on page 5. Apply a generous amount of silicone grease (supplied) to the
inner and outer threads of the locking nut. In addition, be sure to apply some silicone grease
to the rubber "O" ring washer and the groove in the locking nut in which the “O” ring washer is
seated.

Rubber
Seal

Locking
Nut

O-Ring

Bushing
Assembly

MAEPF-27636-O

Figure 2. Bushing Assembly Parts


6 Installation Procedure

9. Refer to Figure 3. Insert the bushing assembly into the mounting hole as shown, tilted slightly.
Be sure that all of the cable has been pulled through to the radio. The threaded portion of the
bushing assembly will not fall through the mounting hole.

In double-roof vehicles, which have no dome light, DO NOT


attempt to secure the base mount to both roof layers. Secure
Caution it to the top, outer roof layer only.

MAEPF-27628-O

Figure 3. Inserting the Bushing Assembly


10. Refer to Figure 4. While holding the bushing assembly down, thread the locking nut onto it.
.

MAEPF-27629-O

Figure 4. Threading the Locking Nut


11. When the nut is well onto the bushing assembly, pull upward on the entire assembly as
shown in Figure 5.
Make sure the bushing assembly is centered in the hole and seated properly with both
shoulders inside the mounting hole.
Installation Procedure 7

MAEPF-27630-O

Figure 5. Pulling Upward on the Bushing Assembly

The locking nut must come into contact with the vehicle roof
to ensure the proper antenna radiation pattern is created. This
can only be accomplished when the rubber O-ring is fully
Caution
compressed.

12. Using a 15/16-inch open-end wrench, tighten the locking nut until it bottoms firmly against the
roof top.
Figure 6 shows how the base mount should be installed in a vehicle with double-roof construction
and a dome light. Figure 7 shows how the base mount should be installed in a vehicle with double-
roof construction and no dome light. Single-roof installations are similar to Figure 6, except there is
no second roof layer present.

MAEPF-27631-O

Figure 6. Double-Roof (With Dome Light) Installation

MAEPF-27632-O

Figure 7. Double-Roof (Without Dome Light) Installation


8 Installation Procedure

13. Apply silicone grease to the weatherproof rubber seal (see Figure 2).
14. Slide the rubber seal down and around the locking nut so that it sits immediately on top of the
roof.
15. Refer to Figure 8. Position the antenna over the locking nut, and secure the metal cap to the
external threads of the locking nut.

MAEPF-27626-O

Figure 8. Attaching the Antenna


16. With the antenna rod in a perfectly vertical position, tighten the metal cap by hand as much as
possible.
17. With a 10-inch adjustable wrench or a 1-inch open-end wrench, tighten the metal cap no
more than an additional 1/2 turn.
18. Replace the headlining and dome light, if removed.
Connector Fabrication (Mini-UHF) 9

Connector Fabrication (Mini-UHF)


Refer to Figure 9. Use the Motorola crimping tool (part number 66-80388A26) in the following
procedure.

FIVE CRIMP AREAS


A
.256
B
.319

C .051
.068

D .213

Figure 9. Motorola Crimping Tool 66-80388A26


10 Connector Fabrication (Mini-UHF)

Figure 10 illustrates the order in which the mini-UHF connector items must be assembled on the
antenna cable.
Center Braided
Wires Shielding

Connector Gold-Plated Shell Crimp Dielectric Jacket


Body Center Pin

Figure 10. Mini-UHF Connector Components


To assemble the mini-UHF cable connector, do the following:

1. Trim the jacket, the braided shielding,


and the dielectric of the cable to 6 mm
(0.24 in.) from the end of the cable in
order to expose the center wires.

2. Trim the jacket back an additional


10 mm (0.4 in.)

3. Insert the cable into the crimp making


sure that the flange of the crimp is
facing towards the end of the cable,
and then insert the cable into the
shell. Be sure that the shell end with
the larger diameter opening is facing
towards the end of the cable.

4. Solder the gold-plated center pin to


the center wires by adding solder to
the hole in the back of the pin. Then,
while heating the center pin so that
the solder remains melted, insert the
wires fully into the pin.
Note: Ensure that no solder is
allowed to adhere to the outside of the
center pin.

5. Insert the cable into the connector


body while ensuring that the center
pin is pushed as far forward as
possible and allowing the braided
shielding to extend on the outside of
the connector body.
Connector Fabrication (Mini-UHF) 11

6. Push the shell forward until it rests on


the connector body, and then push
the crimp forward allowing the braided
shielding to be compressed between
the crimp and the body of the
connector.

7. Use crimp area E of the crimping tool


shown in Figure 9 on page 9 to form
the crimp into place.
12 Tuning Chart for HAD4022A

Tuning Chart for HAD4022A

HAD4022A
50
49
48
47
46
45
44
43
Rod Length (inches)

42
41
40
39
38
37
36
35
34
33
32
31
30
132 134 136 138 140 142 144 146 148 150 152 154 156 158 160 162 164 166 168 170 172 174
Frequency (MHz)

Figure 11. Rod Cutting Chart


M
Motorola Technology Sdn Bhd (Co. No. 455657-H)
Plot 2 Bayan Lepas Technoplex Industrial Park
Mukim 12 S.W.D.
11900 Penang, Malaysia

MOTOROLA, the Stylized M Logo, and ASTRO are registered in the


U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. All other product or service names
are the property of their respective owners.
© 2009, 2010 Motorola, Inc.
All rights reserved.

*68007024095*
68007024095-P

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