Cushcraft

Amateur Radio Antennas

LFA-2M12EL
12 Element Loop Feed Beam
For 2 Meters

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

CAUTION: Read All Instructions Before Operating Equipment

Cushcraft
Amateur Radio Antennas

308 Industrial Park Road

Starkville, MS 39759 USA
Tel: 662-323-9538 Fax: 662-323-6551
VERSION 1A
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The LFA (Loop Fed Array) Low-Noise Yagi is very different from the traditional dipole fed Yagi in many ways
with its primary benefit being unwanted noise rejection. The LFA has a rectangular shaped, full wave loop
driven element that is laid flat on the boom between and in-line with the parasitic elements . Then there is the
way in which the loop functions. The smaller end sections which run parallel to the boom, are engineered to be
180 degrees out-of-phase with each other. This provides the same effect as is seen within ladder-line feeder; each
side cancels the other out and therefore, minimum radiation occurs. In practice this translates to highly
suppressed side lobes and side-on signal rejection. This feature also plays a role in reducing F/B (Front to Back
ratio), F/R (Front to Rear ratio) and broad-banding of the antenna too. It is these attributes which help give the
LFA class-leading all-round performance at almost any boom length and for any given band.

UNPACKING
Unpack the antenna and check the parts against the Parts List and the drawings. This will simplify
the antenna assembly. Parts have been separated when possible to aid in assembly. Make sure you
have the nessessary room to assemble the antenna before unpacking. This antenna will be very long
when finished, don’t try to assemble it inside your house and then move it outside. A car garage with
a couple of saw horses or other means of support will make it easy to handle the antenna when putting
it together. Assembly over grass is not recommended. There are lots of small things that can get lost
forever in grass. Some parts may have extras included so don’t worry if you have some left over when
your done.

WARNING
WHEN INSTALLING YOUR SYSTEM, TAKE EXTREME
CARE TO AVOID ANY ACCIDENTAL CONTACT WITH
POWERLINES OR OVERHEAD OBSTRUCTIONS.
FAILURE TO EXERCISE THIS CARE COULD RESULT
IN SERIOUS OR FATAL INJURY

2
BOOM IDENTIFICATION
Here are the 5 boom sections with measurements displayed for the pre-drilled holes. You
won’t need these measurements, they are just there to identify the correct tube placement
and orientation. Identify each tube by where the holes are. Once you have identified the
tubes, determine which end of the tube will insert into the middle boom section. Mark this
side of the tube 3 inches from the end. This mark will be used to set the insertion depth
into the middle boom section. If the tubes are put together incorrectly, the elements will be
out of place and the antenna will not work properly.
MARK 3 INCHES FROM END
Rear Boom Section
2.25 8 14.5 26
Rear of antenna
(holes close together)
1-1/4 X .035 X 40 4 HOLES

Rear Mid boom section MARK 3 INCHES FROM END

4.75 17.625 43.75

1-3/8 X .058 X 72 3 HOLES

Middle Boom Section

5.75 38.75

1-1/2 X .058 X 72 WITH INSERT 2 HOLES

1-3/8 X .058 X 65

Front Mid Section

4.25 38.625

MARK 3 INCHES FROM END 1-3/8 X .058 X 72 2 HOLES

Front Boom Section

5.125 37.75
FRONT OF ANTENNA

1-1/4 X .035 X 40 2 HOLES

MARK 3 INCHES FROM END

BOOM ASSEMBLY

Place a #16 hose clamp over the tube before inserting next section
Hose clamp

Middle Boom Section

5.75 38.75

1-1/2 X .058 X 72 WITH INSERT 2 HOLES

1-3/8 X .058 X 65

Note this hole toward rear of boom

SLOT Rear Mid boom section Front Mid Boom Section SLOT
4.75 17.625 43.75 4.25 38.625

1-3/8 X .058 X 72 3 HOLES 1-3/8 X .058 X 72 2 HOLES

Rear Boom Section Front Boom Section

2.25 8 14.5 26 5.125 37.75
Rear of antenna FRONT OF ANTENNA
(holes close together) 1-1/4 X .035 X 40 4 HOLES 1-1/4 X .035 X 40 2 HOLES

Insert each tube 3 inches into the next using the marks you made. Try your best
to align the holes in each tube. Tighten the hose clamps just enough so that the
tubes do not move. Final alignment of the tubes will likely be needed later. Now
would be a good time to support the boom on a couple of saw horses or something
similar.

Loop Assembly
To assemble the feed loop onto the boom you will need the following parts.

2 feed loop ends 1 long 7/16 tube

7/16 X 30

2 short 7/16 tube

7/16 X 14-1/2

1 insulator
8-32 x 1 bolt
8-32 x 2 bolt
8-32 nuts and lock washers
 Long tube with saddle

Rear of Antenna

Element saddle and

2-1/4 IN BOLT half washer.
2 IN BOLT

short tubes with insulator

8-32 x 2

8-32 nut

#8 lock washer

7/16 X 14-1/2 7/16 X 14-1/2

Mount the insulator on the Boom at the second hole from the rear of the antenna using the 8-32 x 2
inch bolt. Attach the two short 7/16 tubes to the insulator using the 8-32 x 1 inch bolt thru the holes
in the ends of the tubes. Go ahead and tighten the nuts but do not crush the tubes.

Mount the long 7/16 tube to the third hole from the rear of the boom using a longer 8-32 x 2-1/4
bolt, half washer and element saddle.

8-32 x 2-1/4 half washer

7/16 X 30

element saddle

#8 lock washer

8-32 nut
 Put one hose clamp over each end of each tube. Insert the loop ends into the 7/16 tubes.
Don’t force them. Keep them straight as they go in. Leave them loose for tunning the
SWR later. The tubes will have enough friction to stay without the hose clamps being
tightened.

Here is how the elements line up. Notice element R3 is

shorter. This is by design. Each element is marked with
a color band. These color bands follow resistor color
INSTAL THE ELEMENTS code numbers. A chart is provided and the element bands
are shown for each element. Install them on the boom in
the proper location using the half washer, saddle and
8-32 x 2 inch bolts nuts and lock washers. Because of
different size boom sections, some bolts need to be longer
to mount the element. These bolt lengths are listed on the
R1 next page.
R2
R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 R11
8-32 x 2 half washer
8-32 x 2-1/4
8-32 x 2-1/2

element saddle
R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 R11
2-1/4 IN
2 IN

2-1/4 IN

2-1/2 IN
2-1/4 IN

2-1/2 IN
2-1/4 IN
2 IN

2 IN

2-1/4 IN
2-1/4 IN

2 IN

2 IN
Color code chart 3/16 ELEMENT ROD LENGTHS
AND COLORS
BLACK 0
BROWN 1 R1 41 INCH BROWN
RED 2 R2 38.15 INCH RED
ORANGE 3 R3 35.54 INCH ORANGE
YELLOW 4 R4 36.79 INCH YELLOW
GREEN 5 R5 36.54 INCH GREEN
BLUE 6 R6 36.08 INCH BLUE
VILOET 7 R7 35.33 INCH VIOLET
GREY 8 R8 34.79 INCH GREY
WHITE 9 R9 34.54 INCH WHITE
R10 33.75 INCH BROWN BLACK
R11 33.5 INCH BROWN BROWN

Once you have all the elements on in the correct location, check the alignment of the elements on the
boom sections. Check the distance between the elements that have boom joints between them. If the
insertion depth is not correct then move the boom to make these measurements correct.
Rotate the sections to align the elements if needed and retighen the clamps.

Boom to Mast
Select the parts shown and install the mast plate onto the boom. You may balance the boom
by installing the plate at the center of gravity of the antenna. You can determine this point
by simply holding the antenna and balancing it in your hand. The other option is to put the
plate in the physical middle of the boom. This will balance the wind load on the antenna.
Make sure the elements are in correct orientation before tightening the U-bolts.

84 010084

85 010085

104 010104

118 010118
70
119 010119
404
401 010401
401
84 85 104 119 118 404 010404

70 190070
119 118
401
326 290326
326
Attach your coax to the feed loop using the remaining 8-32 nuts and lock washers.
Make the distance of the exposed conductors as short as possible. Seal this connection
using a appropriate sealant to prevent water from entering the coax. Wind a choke balun
into the coax using a household cleaner or spray paint can. Put 3 turns around the can and
secure the coax together using cable ties. Attach the balun to the boom with tape and route
the coax along the boom to the mast and go down from there.

Move out to shift frequency down

Tuning
Your antenna is now ready for tuning. Remove it from your assembly area and mount it on a temporary
mast at least 8 feet off the ground. Using a SWR analyzer or radio and SWR meter, check for
a dip in swr at or about 144.300 MHZ. You should see a dip in the SWR. If not, Check all connections
and retest. If the dip is too low in frequency, move the loop ends in toward the boom. Move each side the
same and keep them both the same distance from the boom. If the dip is too high in frequency, move the
loop ends out away from the boom. It is not necessary to tighten the clamps each time for tuning. Once
the dip is centered where you want it, tighten the clamps on the tubes. Do not use a wrench or powered
device to tighten the clamps. A nut driver or screwdriver is plenty to do the job.
 Antenna shown in vertical position
for Illustration only.

Tape coax to boom

and mast when mounted
at its final loacation

The antenna is now ready for mounting on your pole or tower. Route the coax along the boom
and mast. Secure it using cable ties or electrical tape. Check the antenna over one last time to
make sure everything is in place and secure. If you haven’t already, Place the plastic end caps
over the end of the booms.

ALWAYS have a friend over to help you install the antenna. The antenna is very lightweight
but it is awkward to handle.

NEVER try to install this antenna near power lines or place it anywhere that it can contact
power lines if it were to fall.