ASSEMBLY AND INSTALLATION

A270-10S
2 METER/70 CM YAGI ANTENNA
144-148/430-450 MHz

C O R P O R A T I O N

951377 (1/94)
 A270-10S

WARNING
THIS ANTENNA IS AN ELECTRICAL CONDUCTOR. CONTACT WITH POWER LINES CAN RESULT IN DEATH, OR SERIOUS INJURY.
DO NOT INSTALL THIS ANTENNA WHERE THERE IS ANY POSSIBILITY OF CONTACT WITH OR HIGH VOLTAGE ARC-OVER FROM
POWER CABLES OR SERVICE DROPS TO BUILDINGS. THE ANTENNA, SUPPORTING MAST AND/OR TOWER MUST NOT BE CLOSE
TO ANY POWER LINES DURING INSTALLATION, REMOVAL OR IN THE EVENT PART OF THE SYSTEM SHOULD ACCIDENTALLY
FALL. FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES FOR ANTENNA INSTALLATIONS RECOMMENDED BY THE U.S. CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY
COMMISSION AND LISTED IN THE ENCLOSED PAMPHLET.

Your Cushcraft VHF/UHF antenna is designed and manufactured to give top performance and trouble free service. The antenna will perform as
specified if the instructions and suggestions are followed and care is used in assembly and installation. When checking the components received
in your antenna package use the parts lists in each section. It is easiest to identify the various dimensions of tubing by separating them into groups
of the same diameter and length. If you are unable to locate any tube or component, check the inside of all tubing. IMPORTANT: save the weight
label from the outside of the carton. Each antenna is weighed at the factory to verify the parts count. If you claim a missing part, you will be asked
for the weight verification label. There is a master parts list on page 2.

LOCATION
Location of the antenna is very important. Surrounding objects such as trees, power lines, other antennas, etc. will seriously reduce efficiency. To
minimize the effects of surrounding objects, mount the antenna as high and in the clear as possible. If metal guy wires are used, they should be
broken with strain insulators. YOU MUST INSURE THAT NEITHER PEOPLE NOR PETS CAN COME IN CONTACT WITH YOUR ANTENNA
WHILE IT IS IN OPERATION. DEADLY VOLTAGES AND CURRENTS MAY EXIST. ALSO, SINCE THE EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE TO RF ARE
NOT FULLY UNDERSTOOD, LONG TERM EXPOSURE TO INTENSE RF FIELDS IS NOT RECOMMENDED. THERE IS A WARNING STICKER
WHICH MUST BE ATTACHED TO THE BOOM AS SHOWN IN FIGURE F.

Plan your installation carefully. If you use volunteer helpers be sure that they are qualified to assist you. Make certain that everyone involved
understands that you are in charge and that they must follow your instructions. If you have any doubts at all employ a professional antenna
installation company to install your antenna.

MOUNTING
The A270-10S mast mount bracket will take up to a 2" (5.1 cm) O.D. mast. A 1-1/4" (3.17 cm) television type tubing is satisfactory for a single A270-
10S beam. A good heavy-duty antenna rotator will provide the best service and longest life. Often it is desirable to mount several antennas on
one mast. To keep possible interaction to minimum, place your antennas as far apart as you can. For vertical polarization (normally FM and packet),
mount the A270-10S as shown in figure G. For horizontal polarization (normally SSB and CW), mount the A270-10S with the elements parallel
to the ground.

SYSTEM GROUNDING
Direct grounding of the antenna, mast and tower is very important. This serves as protection from lightning strikes, static buildup and high voltage
which is present in the radio equipment connected to the antenna. A good electrical connection should be made to one or more ground rods (or
other extensive ground system) directly at the base of the tower or mast, using at least #10AWG ground wire and non-corrosive hardware. For
details and safety standards, consult the National Electrical Code. You should also use a coaxial lightning arrester. Cushcraft offers several different
models, such as LAC-1, LAC-2 and the LAC-4 series.

ASSEMBLY
Assemble your antenna by following the directions and illustrations in steps 1 through 6. After the antenna is completely assembled, verify
dimensions and element spacings for accuracy. Then, return to the section below for final tuning.

TUNING PROCEDURE
The A270-10S does not normally require tuning after assembly. Due to the difficulty in adjusting the tuning without the proper test equipment,
we do not advise adjusting either of the Reddi-Match straps. Please use the factory specified settings. An VSWR of 2:1 or less is sufficient.
However, if you wish to check the VSWR before installation, please observe the following procedures. To prevent detuning the antenna, it should
be tuned in place or at least 7 feet (2.1 m) above ground and clear of surrounding objects. Keep all metal obstructions such as guy wires and other
antennas at least 7 feet (2.1 m) away since they will nullify any adjustment and degraded performance will result.

Run the coax cable from your transmitter to the area in which the antenna is going to be tested. The length of this cable or your feedline is not critical.
Connect a good quality VSWR bridge to the end of this cable. Connect a short length of cable [10 ft (3 m) or less] from the VSWR bridge to the
antenna. Set the transmitter to your center operating frequency. When you read VSWR, be sure you move far enough away from the antenna
so that your body does not effect the reading. Note: The feedline harness (FL) must be connected to both driven elements for proper match.
Do not attempt to match separately since the two driven elements interact.

Measure the VSWR. If it is greater than 2:1, move the tuning strap for that band by 1/8" (.3 cm) in one direction and check the VSWR. If the VSWR
improves, continue moving the tuning strap in the same direction. If the VSWR deteriorates then move the tuning strap in the opposite direction.
Repeat this procedure until no further improvement can be made. Alternate between adjusting both 2m and 70cm until an SWR of 2:1 or better
is achieved on both bands. You have matched your antenna to 50 Ohms. Note that both driven elements will have a slight interaction when adjusted
for best match. Very little improvement in performance will result from a match better than 2:1 VSWR. Tighten all connections making sure to keep
the Reddi-Match assembly parallel to the elements (EC & ED). Tape the feedlineharness to the boom and mast (figure G).

1
 A270-10S

MASTER PARTS LIST

KEY PART # DESCRIPTION QUANTITY KEY PART # DESCRIPTION QUANTITY
9 010009 8-32 x 5/8" (1.6 cm) stainless steel machine screw 2 401 010401 3" x 1-3/4" (7.6 x 4.4 cm) stainless steel U-bolt 2
11 010011 8-32 stainless steel hex nut 14 404 010404 3-1/4 x 2-7/16 (8.3 x 6.2 cm) stainless steel U-bolt 2
23 190023 Connector bracket 2 410 030410 1" (2.5 cm) stainless steel worm clamp 1
26 190026 7/8" x 1-1/2" (2.2 x 3.8 cm) mounting bracket 10 921 200921 Reddi-Match clamp 4
28 190028 Aluminum half washer 8 941 360941 #8 aluminum flat washer 4
38 050038 1" (2.5 cm) black plastic cap 1
41 011941 #8 stainless steel lock washer 16 BA 1" x 32" (2.5 x 81.3 cm) aluminum tubing slotted one end 1
45 321045 Aluminum spacer 4 BB 7/8" x 48" (2.2 x 122 cm) aluminum tubing 1
53 050053 1/2" (1.3 cm) black plastic cap 4
61 050061 7/8" (2.2 cm) black plastic cap 1 EA 40-3/4" (103.5 cm) element rod 1
70 190070 4" x 6" (10.2 x 15.2 cm) formed mast plate 1 EB 14-15/16" (37.9 cm) element rod 1
84 010084 1/4" (.63 cm) stainless steel split lock washer 4 EC 1/2" x 37-1/4" (1.3 x 94.6 cm) element tube, drilled in ctr 1
85 010085 1/4" (.63 cm) stainless steel hex nut 4 ED 1/2" x 12-7/16" (1.3 x 31.6 cm) element tube, drilled in ctr 1
104 010104 1/4" (.63 cm) stainless steel flat washer 4 EE 12-7/16" (31.6 cm) element rod 1
109 103109 UHF female T-connector 1 EF 12-3/16" (30.9 cm) element rod 1
115 050115 Connector boot 1 EG 12-1/16" (30.6 cm) element rod 1
116 240116 Silicone package 2 EH 36-3/8" (92.4 cm) element rod 1
118 010118 5/16" (.8 cm) stainless steel hex nut 4 EI 35-13/16" (91 cm) element rod 1
119 010119 5/16" (.8 cm) stainless lock washer 4 EJ 34-13/16" (88.4 cm) element rod 1
120 010120 8-32 x 2" (5.1 cm) stainless steel machine screw 2 RM1 5-1/2" (14 cm) Reddi-Match assembly for 2 meters 1
231 010231 8-32 x 1-3/4" (4.4 cm) stainless steel machine screw 8 RM2 3-3/8" (8.6 cm) Reddi-Match assembly for 70 cm 1
326 290326 Danger label 1 FL Feedline harness 1

#1 - BOOM ASSEMBLY
Assemble the boom as shown below. Slide the appropriate end of BB (figure A) into the slotted end of BA until the first holes align. Pin these aligned
holes temporarily with a machine screw (231) and slide worm clamp (410) over BB onto the slotted end of tube BA and tighten. Push the end caps
(61 & 38) onto the ends of the boom. Tighten clamp 410, remove temporary screw (231) and return it to the parts bag.

FIGURE A
1" 3-3/8" 2-1/2" 8"
(2.5 cm) (8.6 cm) (6.3 cm) (20.3 cm)
BB BA

231

FRONT 410 BACK

61 38
5-1/4"
(13.3 cm)
74"
(188 cm)

KEY P/N DISPLAY DESC SIZE QTY KEY P/N DISPLAY DESC SIZE QTY

BA ALUM 1" x 32" 1 61 050061 PLASTIC 7/8" 1

TUBE (2.5 x 81.3 cm) CAP (2.2 cm)

BB ALUM 7/8" x 48" 1 231 010231 SS MACHINE 8-32 x 1-3/4" 1

TUBE (2.2 x 122 cm) SCREW (4.4 cm)

38 050038 PLASTIC 1" 1 410 030410 WORM 1" 1

CAP (2.5 cm) CLAMP (2.5 cm)

2
 A270-10S

#2 - REDDI-MATCH ASSEMBLY

Assemble the driven element tubes (EC &

ED) and connector brackets (23) to the
boom at the positions shown in figure D 53 Back
using the hardware shown in figure B. Note
EC
that both connectors point towards the back FIGURE B
of the boom. Attach the Reddi-Match sub-
assemblies starting with element EC. 53
Loosely attach the Reddi-Match straps
(921) to the driven element (EC) as shown.
Slide the longer Reddi-Match sub-assem- 23 ED
bly (RM1) through the Reddi-Match straps
120
and secure to the connector using washer
26 11
(41) and nut (11). Set the distance between 41
the connector bracket (23) and the straps 41
11
(921) as shown in figure B and tighten the 941
hardware. Attach the other Reddi Match
sub-assembly (RM2) to the other driven 11 921
RM1
element (ED) using washer (41) and nut 41
(11). Be sure to set the Reddi-Match strap 941 11 41 1-1/8"
dimension shown in figure B. Install end 41 11 (2.86 cm)
caps (53) on ends of elements EC and ED.
3-1/16" 120 RM2
921
(7.78 cm)
26
941 921
23
41 941 41
11
41

9 9

53
53
70 cm
2m

KEY P/N DISPLAY DESC SIZE QTY KEY P/N DISPLAY DESC SIZE QTY

9 010009 SS MACHINE 8-32 x 5/8" 2 921 200921 TUNING 4

SCREW (1.6 cm) STRAP

11 010011 SS 8-32 6 941 360941 FLAT #8 4

HEX NUT WASHER

23 190023 CONNECTOR 2 EC ALUMINUM 1/2" x 38" 1

BRACKET TUBE (1.3 x 96.5 cm)

26 190026 ALUMINUM 7/8" 2 ED ALUMINUM 1/2" x 12-7/16" 1

BRACKET (2.2 cm) TUBE (1.3 x 31.6 cm)

41 011941 SS LOCK #8 8 RM1 REDDI-MATCH 5-1/2" 1

WASHER (2 Meter) (14.0 cm))

53 050053 PLASTIC 1/2" 4 RM2 REDDI-MATCH 3-3/8" 1

CAP (1.3 cm) (70 cm) (8.6 cm)

120 010120 SS MACHINE 8-32 x 2" 2

SCREW (5.1 cm)

3
 A270-10S

FIGURE C #3 - ELEMENT ASSEMBLY

2 Meter
Element 70 cm Sort the elements by size using Table A. (EC and ED have already
Element been installed.) The cutting tolerance on these elements is ±1/16" (.16
Back cm). Attach each element to the boom per figure C referring to figure
D for proper location.
NOTE: Placement of
70cm and 2m elements
are on opposite sides of KEY P/N DISPLAY DESC SIZE QTY
the boom. 11 010011 SS 8-32 8
BOOM HEX NUT
28 11
231 41 26 190026 ALUMINUM 7/8" 8
BRACKET (2.2 cm)

26 28
28 190028 ALUMINUM 8
231 HALF WASHER

26 41 011941 SS LOCK #8 8
WASHER

231 010231 SS MACHINE 8-32 x 1-3/4" 8

41 SCREW (4.4 cm)
11

TABLE A
ELEMENTS
ELEMENT LENGTH
KEY NO. INCHES CM
EA 1 40-3/4 103.5
EB 2 14-15/16 37.9
EC 3 37-1/4 94.6
ED 4 12-7/16 31.6
EE 5 12-7/16 31.6
EF 6 12-3/16 30.9
EG 7 12-1/16 30.6
EH 8 36-3/8 92.4
EI 9 35-13/16 91.0
IMPORTANT: Placement of 70cm and 2m elements and driven EJ 10 34-13/16 88.4
elements are on opposite sides of the boom.

END
VIEW
EJ EI EH EC EA

FIGURE
D
EG EF EE ED EB

FRONT BACK 2 Meters

70 cm

70cm

2m
15" 14-1/4" 11-3/4"
(38.1 cm) (36.2 cm) (29.84 cm)
6-13/16" 4-3/16" 3-3/4"
(17.3 cm) (10.6 cm) (9.5 cm)
2-5/16" 5-1/4" 1-13/16"
(5.9 cm) (13.3 cm) (4.6 cm)

4
 A270-10S

#4 - FEEDLINE HARNESS
Slide back all four vinyl boots on the feedline harness (FL) to expose
the male PL-259 coaxial connectors. Unthread both connectors from
the coaxial T-connector. Apply silicone grease (116) to the outer FIGURE E
threads of the in-line connectors on the T-connector and re-attach Back
both coaxial male connectors to the T-connector. Apply silicone
grease to the outer shells of both male PL-259 connectors. Do not Tape
coat the center pin or socket of the PL-259! Slide both vinyl boots
over the connectors until they butt against the T-connector to create
a waterproof seal. Coat the outer threads of both Reddi-Match
connectors located on dipoles EC and ED. Do not coat the center
pin or socket of the PL-259! Thread on both free ends of the feedline
FL
harness (FL). Note that both lengths of cable are equal. Coat outer
shells of connectors with silicone grease (116). Slide both vinyl boots FL
over the PL-259 male connectors. Make sure the boots butt against
the connector brackets. Tape the feedline harness as shown (fig. E).

KEY P/N DISPLAY DESC SIZE QTY

FL FEEDLINE 1 Vinyl
HARNESS T-Connector Boot

116 240116 SILICONE GREASE SILICONE 1

PACKAGE
Connector
Bracket

cushcraft cushcraft

COAT WITH SILICONE GREASE

(DO NOT coat the center pin or socket!)

KEY P/N DISPLAY DESC SIZE QTY #5 - MAST MOUNT

45 321045 ALUMINUM 1/2" x 1/2" 4
Mount the antenna to your mast using the mounting plate (70) and
SPACER (1.3 x 1.3 cm)
the hardware provided per figure F. Refer to figure D for the mount-
70 190070 FORMED 4" x 6" 1 ing point. Tighten the U-bolts taking care not to crush the boom.
MAST PLATE (10.1 x 15.2 cm) See "MOUNTING" on page 1 concerning orientation of mast mount,
elements and Reddi-Match. Affix danger label (326) onto the boom
84 010084 SS LOCK 1/4" 4 at a location that is clearly visible.
WASHER (.63 cm)

85 010085 SS HEX 1/4" 4

NUT (.63 cm) FIGURE F
104 010104 SS FLAT 1/4" 4 EA
WASHER (.63 cm)

118 010118 SS HEX 5/16" 4 70

NUT (.8 cm) MAST
401
119 010119 SS LOCK 5/16" 4 404
WASHER (.8 cm)
85 104
326 290326 DANGER 1
LABEL AA
119
84 45
401 010401 SS 3" x 1-3/4" 2 BOOM
U-BOLT (7.6 x 4.4 cm)
118
404 010404 SS 3-1/4" x 2-7/16" 2 119
401
U-BOLT (8.3 x 6.2 cm)

326

5
 A270-10S

TAPE

FIGURE G

#6 - FEEDLINE
Tape your feedline down the mast (figure G). Any TAPE
FL FL
length of feedline can be used with your A270-10S. cushcraft cushcraft
The shortest length cable will have the least loss.
Before installing your connector, slide boot (115) over Do NOT coat
your feedline. Now, coat the outer threads of the T- center pin SILICONE GREASE
or socket!!
connector with silicone grease (116). Do not coat
center pin. Thread PL-259 connector onto T-connec- Your PL-259 115 TAPE
cushcraft

tor. Apply silicone grease over outside shell of PL- connector

259. Slide boot over PL-259 until it butts against the Your
T-connector for a waterproof seal. feedline

KEY P/N DISPLAY DESC SIZE QTY

115 050115 cushcraft

CONN 1
BOOT

116 240116 SILICONE GREASE SILICONE 1

PACKAGE

SPECIFICATIONS
MODEL A270-10S Boom Length, ft (m) 6.17 (1.9)
Frequency, MHz 144-148 Longest Element, in(cm) 40.3 (102.4)
430-450 Turning Radius, ft (m) 6 (1.8)
No. Elements 5/5 Mast Size Range, in 1.25-2.0
Forward Gain, dBd 10/10 (cm) (3.2-5.1)
Front to Back Ratio, dB 20/18 Wind Load, ft2 (m2) .725 (.07)
SWR 1.2:1 Typical Weight, lb (kg) 1.8 (.81)
2:1 Bandwidth MHz ≥4 / ≥10 Hardware Stainless steel
Power Rating, Watts PEP 350 / 350
3 dB Beamwidth, Degrees
E Plane 52 / 52
H Plane 60 / 60

6
 LIMITED WARRANTY
Cushcraft Corporation, P.O. Box 4680, Manchester, New Hampshire 03108, warrants to the original consumer purchaser for one year from date
of purchase that each Cushcraft antenna is free of defects in material or workmanship. If, in the judgement of Cushcraft, any such antenna is
defective, then Cushcraft Corporation will, at its option, repair or replace the antenna at its expense within thirty days of the date the antenna is
returned (at purchasers expense) to Cushcraft or one of its authorized representatives. This warranty is in lieu of all other expressed warranties,
any implied warranty is limited in duration to one year. Cushcraft Corporation shall not be liable for any incidental or consequential damages which
may result from a defect. Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts or exclusions or limitations of incidental or
consequential damages, so the above limitation and exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may
also have other rights which vary from state to state. This warranty does not extend to any products which have been subject to misuse, neglect,
accident or improper installation. Any repairs or alterations outside of the Cushcraft factory will nullify this warranty.

COMMUNICATIONS ANTENNAS

48 PERIMETER ROAD, MANCHESTER, NH 03108

603-627-7877 / FAX 603-627-1764

SPECIFICATIONS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE