TenTec DIRECT UK

Aerials supplied by TenTec USA

TenTec provide a number of transmit aerials for the HF/6m bands, a selection is stocked in the UK:

3003 ACRO-BAT aerial centre piece for dipoles
3402 VEE-BEAM 1.8 - 54MHz, 200 feet long
3403 VEE-BEAM 3.5 - 54MHz, 100 feet long
R1130 80/40/20 triband wire aerial, 68 feet long

3003 ACRO-BAT aerial centre piece for dipoles

The Ten-Tec model 3003 Acro-Bat antenna hanger is constructed from UV resistant, high-stability Trirex polycarbonate plastic to endure years of outdoor use. This virtually unbreakable plastic is the same as used by electric companies for covering outdoor electric power meters. Hit it with a hammer - it won't break (but don't try 'too' hard!). All hardware included with the Acro-Bat is stainless steel for rust inhibition.

Acro-Bat can be used to suspend either a ladder line-fed or small gauge RG-58 or RG8X coax-fed wire antenna. It will also accommodate ladder line itself to be used as antenna wire if desired. Pegs internal to the Acro-Bat will hold the ladder line securely in place. Internal screw connections allow solid clamping of the wire antenna to the coax or ladder line feedline itself - no soldering of ladder line or coax feedline to a wire antenna is needed. (Ladder line feed to ladder line used for antenna wire may require this).

Simply attach wire and coax to the screw terminals, and clamp the two sides of Acro-Bat together and you are ready to hoist your antenna. A large hole at the top of Acro-Bat allows easy hoisting of wire antennas by rope. RTV or other sealant (not included) can be applied internally or externally to Acro-Bat for weather-proofing if desired.

To view the Acro-Bat manual in PDF format (104kb) - click here

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3402 VEE-BEAM 1.8 - 54MHz, 200 feet long

Models 3402 and 3403 are broadband terminated vee beam wire antennas. These broadband HF antennas are small size and offer continuous coverage from 1.8 to 54 MHz (model 3402) or 3.5 to 54 MHz (model 3403) with VSWR of below 2:1 up to 30 MHz and below 2.5:1 from 30 to 54 MHz (typical VSWR on HF frequencies is 1.4:1). Well-suited to the amateur who has a small lot and needs a broadband antenna for full frequency coverage!

In the vee-beam configuration, the antenna is unidirectional and offers significant gain at higher frequencies. In the broadside/end-fire configuration (installed similar to a traditional inverted-V dipole) the antenna is bi-directional or multi-directional, depending on frequency of operation.

The Ten-Tec broadband vee-beam offers a number of advantages over a typical flat-top multiband dipole or windom. First, continuous frequency coverage presenting a low VSWR to your transceiver. Other multiband wire dipole antennas will require the use of an antenna tuner on one or more HF bands - Ten-Tec's broadband vee-beam does not. Second, MARS operators do not need to employ another antenna for ham bands vs. MARS coverage; the vee-beam will cover both. Third, because the antenna does not require a traditional flat-top dipole or inverted-V style installation, a more limited space can be utilized for installation of the antenna in the vee-beam configuration.

Model 3402 covers 1.8-54 MHz and is 100' per side. Model 3403 covers 3.5-54 MHz and is only 50' per side! The antenna is delivered assembled and ready to install. All the user needs to add are rope for support, a coax feedline, and either two ground rods or two radials depending on the desired installation configuration (see operation manual for details).

Power rating for CW and SSB operation, 250 watts. 100 watts for continuous keydown digital modes like PSK31 and RTTY.

To view the 3402/3403 manual in PDF format (380kb) - click here

Technical specifications
Input power rating	250 watts ICAS, 100 watts continuous duty.
Feedpoint impedance	50 ohms nominal
Feedpoint VSWR	Model 3402, less than 2:1typical 1.8-30 MHz, 2.5:1 30-54 MHz. Model 3403 less than 2:1 typical 3.5-30 MHz, 2.5:1 30-54 MHz.
Feedpoint connector	SO-239
Transformer impedances	50 ohms feed point, 800 ohms antenna.
Termination impedance	400 ohms typical
Element length	100 ft (200ft total), model 3402 50 ft (100 feet total), model 3403
Wire type	14 AWG 7/22 stranded copper-clad steel.

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This limited-space antenna for the 75, 40, and 20 meter amateur bands requires no tuning and occupies less than 68 feet of space. The system consists of a half-wave 40 meter dipole, a half-wave 20 meter dipole, and an inductively shortened 75 meter dipole fed at a common centre insulator with 52 ohm coax.

Bandwidths with less than 2:1 VSWR are as follows: 40 meters.....300 KHz 20 meters.....350 KHz 75 meters.....20 KHz.

All components of this antenna system have been carefully selected for optimum electrical characteristics, physical strength, lightness, and resistance to corrosion. All hardware is stainless steel.

This antenna may be used with maximum amateur power. A good grade of RG-8, RG-X, or RG-58 coax cable is recommended. If desired, an antenna tuner may be used, especially on 75/80 meters. Element lengths for 75 meters (dimension "X") should be trimmed per the chart below. The 40 and 20 meter elements have been pre-set for the centre of those bands. If you wish to lower the resonant frequency on 20, attach the enclosed "lengtheners" to the bolts at "A" and trim to suit.

After unpacking, attach the centre insulator to a tree or building and carefully uncoil each section. Pull hard to straighten. Since this copper-coated steel wire has been annealed, it has a tendency to re-coil. However, kinks must be avoided. The ends of this antenna MUST be suspended with rope as they contain HIGH R.F. VOLTAGES. Close proximity to other antennas may affect resonance and VSWR. Loading coils must be kept in the clear. Use the heat-shrinkable tubing provided for weather-proofing your PL-259 coax connector.