RAMM Integrated Antenna Mast System User Guide Components Overview Item Description 1 1 x Antenna Mast 1 9 2 1 X Top Collar (with Location Lugs) 3 1 x Secondary Cuff (with Orange 4 3 2 Rubber Inserts) 4 1 x End Cap 7 5 6 5 6 x Guys 6 Cable(s) with Adaptors (x1 for VHF or UHF) (x2 for Dual Band) 7 9 x Rock Pegs 8 User Guide 9 Bag Higher Connector is UHF 225-512MHz and has a TNC connector Lower Connector is VHF 30-108MHz and has a BNC connector Mallet not supplied with kit Page 01
Deployment Instructions 4 Person Deployment* Person 1 At base of Mast: Deployment Lead and responsible for deploying Mast from the roll. Persons 2, 3, 4 At Guy Pegs: Maintaining tension during deployment to keep Mast central. *Unless purchased with Central Guy Control System (CGC) accessory, which reduces deployment requirement to 2 persons. Basic Deployment Process Step 1 Position RAMM where you wish to deploy the Mast. Step 2 Pace out position of various Guy Rope Pegs and drive Pegs into ground. Step 3 Unwind all Guy Ropes, connect to Pegs and lay the Snap Hooks next to the rolled Mast, ready for attachment to Mast components as it is deployed. Step 4 Arrange Top Collar, Secondary Cuff and End Cap in an easy to reach position from the deployment point. Step 5 Start deploying Mast using Top Collar Guy Ropes to support Mast centrally at all times. Step 6 When fully deployed, fit the End Cap and correctly tension all Guy Ropes. Top Tips For Successful mast deployments Make yourself familiar with the function of all components before starting deployment. Deploy the Mast very slowly and smoothly so that the Guy Rope handlers can easily maintain the central position. Do not start deploying Mast until all Pegs, Guy Ropes, top load and Cuffs have been properly set out and prepared for deployment to commence. Continued on next page > Page 02
Deployment Instructions Continued 1. Select a clear and level area of at least 8m diameter. Unpack the RAMM Mast System components and check that they are all present and in good condition. 2. Person 1 places the End Cap in the centre of the deployment area. Taking three Pegs and using the Guy Rope slots in the End Cap as a guide for direction, fully drive one Peg into the ground at 6 paces from the End Cap for the Top Collar Guys. This is repeated for the other two Top Collar Guy Rope directions. Person 1 then takes a further 3 Pegs for the Secondary Cuff Guy Lines and drives them fully into the ground at 4 paces from the End Cap and in a position between the Top Collar Guys. The orientation of the Guys should be directionally similar to the drawing shown. 3. Person 1 then unwinds the Secondary Cuff Guys (identified by the orange tag on the Guy Tidy) and leaves them laid out on the ground easily accessible during deployment. 3m 4m Peg Top Cap Guy Ropes Secondary Cuff Guy Ropes Continued on next page > Page 03
Deployment Instructions Continued 4. Person 1 places the RAMM onto the ground beside the End Cap, ideally ensuring that the slot gap in the deployed Mast faces towards any prevailing wind. Arrange the Top Collar, Secondary Cuff (fully opened), Secondary Cuff Guy Ropes, End Cap and mallet beside the RAMM in easy reach. With one foot either side of the rolled RAMM to hold it in position as it unrolls, Person 1 then deploys the RAMM to eye level such that the holes for the Top Collar are exposed. Person 1 remains with the RAMM at all times during deployment and is responsible for controlling the deployment team. 5. Person 1 now fits the Top Collar onto the Mast by inserting the inner ring of the Collar inside the Mast by ensuring that the location lugs on the Top Collar fit into the holes drilled in the Mast. Once the inner ring has been correctly located, the outer arms can be closed and held in place by the rubber toggle. Ensure that the Perlon Guy Rope Loops are on the lower edge of the Collar once it has been fitted. Continued on next page > Page 04
Deployment Instructions Continued 6. Persons 2, 3, 4 each take a Top Collar Guy Rope (without orange tag on Guy Tidy) and unwind fully from the plastic Guy Tidy. They then fit their Snap Hook onto the Top Collar Perlon Loop, walk the Guy Rope back to their outer Peg and loop the Guy over the Peg, ensuring that the Line-Lok is positioned close to the end of the Guy Rope to ensure there is plenty of length free during deployment. Persons 2, 3, 4 then grasp their Top Collar Guy Rope (in front of the Line-Lok) and stand ready for deployment. 7. With feet either side of the rolled Mast, Person 1 deploys the Mast slowly and steadily upward while Persons 2, 3, 4 pay out the Top Collar Guy Ropes keeping even tension in order to ensure the Mast deploys as close to vertical as possible. If the Mast starts to go off vertical, Person 1 must immediately stop the deployment and instruct Persons 2, 3, 4 to adjust their Guy tensions until the Mast is returned to the vertical position. Continue to deploy the Mast upwards until the Secondary Cuff Marker (orange band inside the Mast) is at eye level and then stop. Persons 2, 3, 4 must continue to manually control Guy tension at all times in order to hold the Mast central. Continued on next page > Page 05
Deployment Instructions Continued 8. Person 1 picks up the opened Secondary Cuff, and attaches it by turning it sideways and opening the Mast slot to allow it to be inserted. Once inserted, the Cuff is twisted back into position, the arms closed and the Thumbscrew tightened to create a friction grip. Do not over tighten the Thumbscrew or damage may occur. 9. Person 1 picks up the Snap Hooks of the Secondary Cuff Guy Ropes and attaches one onto each Perlon Loop of the Secondary Cuff. They do not need to be attached to the Guy Pegs at this stage. 10. Person 1 then continues to deploy the Mast slowly and steadily upward until it is fully deployed and the base of the Mast snaps into its circular shape. Once the Mast is fully deployed Person 1 can reach down and raise the Mast by 150mm in order to fit the End Cap. During deployment Persons 2, 3, 4 continue to pay out the Top Collar Guy Ropes always keeping tension in order to ensure the Mast deploys as close to vertical as possible. The End Cap can be secured to the ground by Person 1 using the Pegs supplied. Continued on next page > Page 06
Deployment Instructions Continued 11. Persons 2,3, 4 set the Top Collar Guy Rope tensions permanently by pulling the Guy Rope through the Line- Lok. This needs to be done carefully such that tension to the Top Collar is maintained at all times. Person 1 is now available to help with this process by standing away from the Mast and observing its verticality. 12. Person 1 takes the Secondary Cuff Guys, walks them to the appropriate Guy Peg, attaches and tensions them up in logical order, ensuring the Mast remains vertical and straight. 13. Person 1 inspects the deployment and instructs Persons 2, 3, 4 on any final Guy adjustments needed (for verticality and straightness of the Mast), the correct Guy Rope tensions and the firmness of the Pegs in the ground. Guy Rope tension should be set as firm, but not excessive. Person 1 signs off the deployment as safe and complete. Continued on next page > Page 07
Deployment Instructions Continued 14. Identify the appropriate Connection Cable (one cable for VHF & UHF versions and two cables for Dual Band version). First attach the Connection Cable Snap Hook to the Perlon Loop (this prevents weight strain on the RF connector). Then connect the Cable to the appropriate RF connector on the RAMM Mast. Higher Connector is UHF 225-512MHz and has a TNC connector Lower Connector is VHF 30-108MHz and has a BNC connector 15. TNC to N-Type and BNC to N-Type adaptors are supplied with the Connection Cables to allow a variety of equipment to be used. Page 08
Recovery Instructions 1. To disconnect the cables begin by first removing the connectors, and then the Snap Hooks from the Perlon Loops. 2. Loosen off the Guys slightly. 3. Remove the Pegs, remove Mast from End Cap, and move End Cap to one side. 4. Remove all the Secondary Cuff Guy Ropes from the Pegs. Take control of the up wind Top Collar Guy Rope, unpeg, and use the Guy Rope to control the descent, gradually allowing the Mast to descend horizontally to the ground (one person to guide the Mast and second person to feed out the Guy Rope). Do not allow the Mast to topple uncontrolled during recovery. 5. Unclip all 6 Guy Ropes from the Perlon Loops and wind them up. Unclip the Top Collar and the Secondary Cuff. 6. Place the top of the Mast against something firm to prevent it slipping. Continued on next page > Page 09
Recovery Instructions Continued 7. Lift the bottom of the Mast and roll it by hand from the base of the Mast. Note: Rolling up must be from the base of the Mast (there is a label which indicates the bottom). 8. Return all the components to the bag. Page 10
VHF 30-108MHz RAMM Systems Product Components System RolaTube Part Number NATO Stock Number 7m 3 VHF 30-108MHz 952-307000-1-1 5985-99-172-2274 RAMM Multicam 7m 3 VHF 30-108MHz 952-307000-3-1 5985-99-476-7057 RAMM Black Components RolaTube Part Number NATO Stock Number Qty Weight (kg) 7m 3 VHF 30-108MHz RAMM 902-307000-1-0 5985-99-172-2274 1 5.3 Multicam Mast Only 7m 3 VHF 30-108MHz RAMM 902-307000-3-0 5985-99-476-7057 1 5.3 Black Mast Only Top Collar with locating lugs 800-000098 5985-99-391-8483 1 0.16 Secondary Cuff 800-000105 1 0.16 3 Base Cap 800-001051 5985-99-981-0444 1 0.3 Set of 3 7.5m Guys (with plastic clips) 207-004108 1 0.15 Set of 3 5.5m Guys (with plastic clips) 207-004006 1 0.15 (orange tags) Rock Pegs 207-002001 4030-99-160-7145 9 0.72 Mast Bag 502-003050 1 0.6 Total packed weight: 8.2kg Dimensions: 11 x 13 x 10 Cables Type RolaTube Part Number NATO Stock Number VHF Cable: 3m Ferrite Cable 108-000014 5995-99-157-7917 BNC(m) to BNC(m) (with adaptors for TNC and N-Type) Page 11
UHF 225-512MHz RAMM Systems Product Components System RolaTube Part Number NATO Stock Number 7m 3 UHF 225-512MHz 952-307001-1-1 5985-99-474-7984 RAMM Multicam 7m 3 UHF 225-512MHz 952-307001-3-1 5985-99-878-8970 RAMM Black Components RolaTube Part Number NATO Stock Number Qty Weight (kg) 7m 3 UHF 225-512MHz RAMM 902-307001-1-0 5985-99-474-7984 1 5.3 Multicam Mast Only 7m 3 UHF 225-512MHz RAMM 902-307001-3-0 5985-99-878-8970 1 5.3 Black Mast Only Top Collar with locating lugs 800-000098 5985-99-391-8483 1 0.16 Secondary Cuff 800-000105 1 0.16 3 Base Cap 800-001051 5985-99-981-0444 1 0.3 Set of 3 7.5m Guys (with plastic clips) 207-004108 1 0.15 Set of 3 5.5m Guys (with plastic clips) 207-004006 1 0.15 (orange tags) Rock Pegs 207-002001 4030-99-160-7145 9 0.72 Mast Bag 502-003050 1 0.6 Total packed weight: 8.2kg Dimensions: 11 x 13 x 10 Cables Type RolaTube Part Number NATO Stock Number UHF Cable: 3m Ferrite Cable 108-000016 5995-99-568-6388 TNC(m) to TNC(m) (with adaptors for BNC and N Type) Page 12
VHF/UHF RAMM Systems Product Components System RolaTube Part Number NATO Stock Number 7m 3 VHF/UHF RAMM Multicam 952-307002-1-1 5985-99-975-6968 7m 3 VHF/UHF RAMM Black 952-307002-3-1 5985-99-669-2328 Components RolaTube Part Number NATO Stock Number Qty Weight (kg) 7m 3 VHF/UHF RAMM Multicam 902-307002-1-0 5985-99-975-6968 1 Mast Only 7m 3 VHF/UHF RAMM Black 902-307002-3-0 5985-99-669-2328 1 Mast Only Top Collar with locating lugs 800-000098 5985-99-391-8483 1 0.16 Secondary Cuff 800-000105 1 0.16 3 Base Cap 800-001051 5985-99-981-0444 1 0.3 Set of 3 7.5m Guys (with plastic clips) 207-004108 1 0.15 Set of 3 5.5m Guys (with plastic clips) 207-004006 1 0.15 (orange tags) Rock Pegs 207-002001 4030-99-160-7145 9 0.72 Mast Bag 502-003050 1 0.6 Total packed weight: Dimensions: 11 x 13 x 10 Cables Type RolaTube Part Number NATO Stock Number VHF Cable: 3m Ferrite Cable 108-000014 5995-99-157-7917 BNC(m) to BNC(m) (with adaptors for TNC and N-Type) UHF Cable: 3m Ferrite Cable 108-000016 5995-99-568-6388 TNC(m) to TNC(m) (with adaptors for BNC and N Type) Page 13
RAMM Systems Optional Accessories System RolaTube Part Number NATO Stock Number Conversion Kit to Double RAMM Multicam 952-307010-1-1 Conversion Kit to Double RAMM Black 952-307010-3-1 Component Qty 7m 3 Mast Multicam 900-307000-1-0 1 7m 3 Mast Black 900-307000-3-0 5985-99-976-0916 1 Top Cap 800-001055 1 Hinged Base 800-001061 1 Double Secondary Cuff 800-000123 2 Set of 3 10m Heavy Duty Guys (with plastic clips) 207-004114 1 Set of 3 7.5m Guys (with plastic clips) 207-004108 1 Set of 3 5.5m Guys (with plastic clips) 207-004006 1 Rock Pegs 207-002001 4030-99-160-7145 7 Soft Ground Pegs 207-002005 6 Mast Bag 502-003046 1 Component RolaTube Part Number NATO Stock Number L-Band Ancillary Kit 207-900001 Page 14
RAMM Systems Weights, Top Loads and Electrical Capabilities System RolaTube Part Number Max Top Weight Of Load (kg) System (kg) 7m 3 VHF 30-108MHz RAMM Multicam 952-307000-1-1 N/A 8.2 7m 3 VHF 30-108MHz RAMM Black 952-307000-3-1 N/A 8.2 7m 3 UHF 225-512MHz RAMM Multicam 952-307001-1-1 N/A 8.2 7m 3 UHF 225-512MHz RAMM Black 952-307001-3-1 N/A 8.2 7m 3 VHF/UHF RAMM Multicam 952-307002-1-1 N/A 7m 3 VHF/UHF RAMM Black 952-307002-3-1 N/A Conversion Kit to Double RAMM Multicam 952-307010-1-1 12 Conversion Kit to Double RAMM Black 952-307010-3-1 12 Electrical Capabilities Frequency VHF 30 to 108MHz UHF 225 to 512MHz VSWR VHF < 3.5 : 1 UHF < 3.5 : 1 Maximum Power UHF 50W VHF 25W Nominal impedance 50Ω Polarisation Linear vertical Page 15
Safety Instructions The system is not rated to support top loads and the end user is responsible for ensuring that user guides are followed and that any loads are secured to the mast in a fashion that is safe and does not compromise the mast itself. RolaTube Expeditionary Systems does not accept liability or provide any warranty for usage not covered in this document. 1.1 Before unrolling a mast ensure that the area is clear of people and objects. 1.2 RolaTube masts are made from robust materials and are designed to withstand normal field operation conditions. However, they can be damaged by heavy &/or sharp objects. To prevent damage, items should not be placed on top of stored RolaTube masts, in either reeled or unreeled states. 1.3 Once the RolaTube mast has been unrolled ensure the surface is free from visible damage. Do not use the mast if there is visible damage. 1.4 If damage does occur, masts should be replaced as soon as possible, since the load carrying capacity can be reduced. 1.5 Ensure RF cables are not kinked, cut or otherwise damaged. Check RF connectors making sure they are free from moisture, dirt and debris, and are not damaged. Products have been designed and tested to be compliant with the relevant aspects of MIL-STD-810G WARNINGS 1. electric shock. Make sure that the proposed deployment site for the mast is free of overhead wires, which must be considered as dangerous electrical shock hazards. Make sure that no overhead wires are present within 50 metres of the mast. 2. Mast deployment. During mast deployment, minimise the risk of injury by taking the following precautions: 2.1 Do not deploy the mast near power lines or in thunderstorms. 2.2 Do not allow the mast to bend. 2.3 Make sure the ground is clear of underground hazards prior to guy peg insertion. 2.4 Use the guy ropes provided and make sure that the guy ropes are tensioned correctly and ground pegs deployed and secure. 2.6 If the mast is leant against a wall, the guy ropes must be in line and placed at the base of the wall to prevent the mast from toppling backwards. 2.7 Consideration must be given to deployment when in close proximity to a helicopter landing site. Notice and recording of the mast site shall be issued to the temporary site / locn commander to ensure that planning considerations for aircraft approach and downwash effects are acknowledged and catered for. 2.8 Only use the mast in the vertical axis. 3 Wind. Ensure that the spine of the mast is oriented to face into wind, make sure the guys are securely pegged down, ensure the system is used within windspeed advice / parameters. 2.5 Consideration must be given to the routing of the coax between the mast and equipment in addition to the guy rope placement so as not to cause a trip hazard. Developed with the support of Leonardo Company RolaTube Expeditionary Systems Ltd 130 Wellworthy Road, Ampress Park, Lymington Hampshire SO41 8JY, UK t: 01590 688019 e: info@rolatube.com www.rolatube-expeditionary-systems.com www.facebook.com/rolatubeexpeditionary Registered in England & Wales No. 8833973 VAT Reg 181 483 204 Page 16