J-Pole for VHF Marine Band - Designed by Ed Fong WB6IQN

This antenna is specifically optimized for the Marine Band (156-162 MHz) including NOAA WX.

You will need 5 ft of ¾ inch 200 psi pvc pipe. Each antenna is custom tuned to the frequency requested. It is therefore important that you use 5 ft of ¾ inch 200 psi pvc pipe.

The antennas were tuned using Class 200/SDR21/200PSI PVC pipe. Do not substitute or use Schedule 40 pipe.

At Lowe’s it is ITEM# 23990. At Menards, it is SKU# 6899684. If the specified PVC pipe is not available locally, then it must be ordered.

The SWR will not be guaranteed using any pipe other than Class 200/SDR21 200PSI PVC. Hand tighten end caps to the PVC pipe. Please do not glue the end caps to the PVC pipe as doing so will void the warranty.

The MB-1 self-supporting inside the tube when installed as directed. There is no need to anchor it down.

The antenna is enclosed in fully UV protected Class 200 PVC pipe. This makes it completely waterproof and thus ideal for

marine use. The only requirement is that one uses waterproof tape (such as rescue tape) to cover the PL-259 connector since

it will corrode if not protected. The antenna can be strapped onto any pole by using hose clamps or U-clamps. The bottom 8

inches is simply coax inside the PVC pipe. Hose clamps will not degrade the performance of the antenna if it is mount on

the bottom 8 inches of the antenna. We recommend 2 hose clamps.

Warranty: The manufacturer (Ed Fong Antennas) offers a LIFETIME warranty on this antenna. Simply return it and a new one will be sent to you. However, we cannot guarantee that it will function if improperly installed. Our liability is limited to the antenna's purchase price and conditioned upon the purchaser assuming return postage cost to the manufacturer.

Basic Specifications:

Overall Length: 5 feet, 50 ohm feed impedance, no ground radials. Antenna feedpoint is 10 inches above the connector.

Thus U clamps, hose clamps, etc. can be used for mounting up to the first 12 inches of the antenna without affecting performance. Antenna offers “true” ½ wavelength radiator without ground or ground radials.

VHF (156-162 MHz)

Configuration: 1/2 wave radiating element

Maximum power: 75 watts

SWR: less than 1.5 to 1 over a 3 MHz bandwidth and less than 1.7 :1 over 4 MHz bandwidth. 1.2 to 1 at resonance.

Less than 1.3 to 1 156.275 MHz to 157.4 MHz for transmitting

Matching system: 1/4 wave matching stub

Gain: 2.1 dBi

Impedance: 50 ohms

Installation Tips:

IMPORTANT: Only hand tighten the coax to the connector. Remember that although PVC piping is rugged, it is not indestructible. Over tightening could break the bottom cap. Installing the antenna is straightforward. It can be clamped using hose clamps since it is very light weight. It can be mounted on the side of a chimney or roof with no degradation in performance. The only criterion is that it should be mounted as high as possible and away from large objects. The bottom 10 inches of the antenna is coaxial feedline so this bottom portion can be touching metal, wood, brick, etc, without affecting the performance of the antenna. Since the antenna has no ground radials, its wind load is far less than that of a ground plane antenna. For this reason, no guide wires are needed unless it is used under extreme wind conditions.

The MB-1 (Marine Band – 1) J-pole antenna will provide years of service when properly installed.