ASSEMBLY, TUNING AND FEEDING INSTRUCTIONS

FOR THE
GEM QUAD MULTI-BAND ANTENNA
GEM QUAD PRODUCTS
211 McCormack Road
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Canada
Phone: (306) 668-4226
Fax: (306)668-6344

4 ELEMENT GEM QUAD ANTENNA

(Drawn as a Three Band Antenna)
1

ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
Please read all the instructions before starting to assemble.
You are now the proud owner of a genuine high performance Gem Quad multi-band HF antenna. The Gem Quad has
been made for over 40 years, has had minor refinements in components and in the assembly instructions. When
assembled properly, the Gem Quad antenna should provide many years of outstanding service.
CAUTION!
When handling fiberglass spreader arms protect your hands from cuts and abrasions by wearing gloves.

TWO ELEMENT GEM QUAD INSTRUCTIONS

STEP 1: IDENTIFY AND VERIFY ALL THE PARTS FOR THE GEM QUAD ANTENNA
PARTS LIST FOR THE TWO ELEMENT GEM QUAD

8
Tridetic Fiberglass Spreader Arms
6
Fiberglass Tie Back Rods 80 Long (2 spare)
5
Spools of 18 AWG Magnet Copper wire Measured for director MDband
5
Spools of 18 AWG Magnet Copper wire Measured for reflector MRband
16
Stainless Hose Steel Clamps
50
Nylon Tension Tubes
1
1:1 Current Balun
Packet of Small Hardware Containing:
1
Spool of Wire for Tuning Stubs MS
1
Length of Black Nylon Cord
10
Plastic Stub Spacers
1
Piece of Sand Paper
1
Packet of 100 Self-Locking Nylon Straps
1
Aluminum Spider Hub
1
Stainless Steel Bolt With Nut

STEP 2: PREPERATION OF THE FIBERGLASS ARMS FOR ASSEMBLY

NYLON TENTIONING TUBE
ON SPREADER ARM

20 METER NYLON
TENTIONING TUBE

The fiberglass arms have been marked with red, blue, black, yellow and green paint to make assembly instructions
easier. Lay all fiberglass arms on flat surface, making sure that all the colors show. Attach a nylon tension tube at
each black marks on the arms, using two nylon tie raps at the 10 meter, 12 meter, 15 meter, 17 meter and 20 meter
positions. When securing the nylon tensioning tubes in cold temperature they will not collapse and the nylon tie raps
cannot be pulled as tight as required. Insert a #14 gauge solid wire in each tension tube to act as a spacer. Attach the
tension tubes with nylon tie raps and pull tight with pliers. The tension tubes should collapse slightly and tighten on
the wire spacer. After the tension tubes are secured to the spider, remove the #14 wire spacer.
The 20 meter nylon strap encircles all three fiberglass rods. These straps should be pulled tight with pliers and the
end snipped off. Make sure the position is correct before permanently attaching to each fiberglass arm. Be sure that
you affix the straps in such a manner that the tube will lay flat against the triangular arm, on the side marked at the
base with a red or blue stripe of paint. The tension tubes themselves should cover the narrow stripes of black paint
used as markers.
Place two of the large stainless steel clamps over the large end of the quad spreader arm and tighten just enough to
hold them in place, without squeezing the three small fiberglass rods. Repeat the above with each spreader arm until
all eight are complete and properly prepared for installation on the spider hub support tubes.

STEP 3: ALUMINUM SPIDER HUB ORIENTATION FOR ASSEMBLY

The first four fiberglass arms will be installed by placing the spider hub on the ground or on a 4 to 6 foot rigid post
or platform with spider hub support tubes marked with red facing upward and blue facing downward

STEP 4: ATTACH UPPER REFLECTOR FIBERGLASS ARMS TO SPIDER HUB

Find the four fiberglass arms that have red markings on the large wrapped end. Slide the fiberglass arms onto the
spider hub support tubes marked red, lining up with the red markings on the arms with the red marks on the
spider. Push each arm on as far as possible so that the aluminum spreader tube should fits into this wrapped portion
of the arm. DO NOT put the clamps over the fiberglass wrapped portion of the arm. Secure the arm by tightening
the stainless steel hose clamps over the three fiberglass rods. See the figure below. Do not over tightening the
stainless steel hose clamps because this will cause them to strip, and can crush and break the three fiberglass rods on
the end of the arm.

INSTALLED SPREADER ARM (Note The Hose Clamp Position)

STEP 5: ASSEMBLE THE 5 TUNING STUBS FOR REFLECTOR ELEMENTS
From the packet of small hardware find the spool of solid bare copper wire marked MS. Cut 1 wire 45 long, 2
wires 25 long and 2 wires 21 long. Prepare each wire for soldering by cleaning the wire with sand paper. Take the
45 wire and attach it to the end of a stub spacer using of wire to do so. Thread a second spacer on the other end
of the wire looping the wire through the end holes. Attach the free end of the wire to the first spacer, opposite to the
first attachment. Adjust wire and spacers to make an open-ended loop of wire. Repeat with the remaining 4 pieces of
wire and tuning stub spacers.

Tie a piece of nylon cord to the center hole of the largest tuning stub spacer the loop end of the stub. See Figure
below. Then thread it through each successive stub putting a knot on every stub, adjusting the knot so that the proper
spacing between stubs is achieved. Proper spacing of stubs is easier to adjust if the nylon cord is installed after all the
director elements have been installed. Remember to place the stubs in the quadrant which will be nearest the ground
when the antenna is installed.

DRAWING OF TUNING TUBS

NOTE ON SOLDERING THE CONNECTIONS:
Remove tension from the wires when soldering. Be extremely careful when soldering in cold temperatures because it
will take more heat to get the solder to run properly and it is more likely that you could melt the plastic spacers.

STEP 6: THREAD WIRES THROUGH NYLON TENTIONING TUBES

If possible use two people to un-roll the element wire from the cardboard spool. The copper wire can spring loose on
the spool causing it to tangle and become kinked. Release one end of the wire from the spool and hold the spool in
both hands. Have a second person feed the wires through the tubes as it unreels. Avoid kinks and nicks in the
element wire because it can cause premature breakage.
Take the spool of wire marked 10MR attach one end to the stub with the short loop and thread the wire through the
four nylon tubes closest to the spider, attaching the other end of this wire to the opposite end of the tuning stub.
NOTE: The wire may appear short due to the arms being flexed toward the ground while in the assembly position.
Do not lengthen wire. If necessary release one tensioning tube in order to make the connection on the tuning stub,
and then re-connect the tension tube in its proper position.
Proceed to thread the next four tensioning tubes in the same manner, using the spool of wire marked 12MR.
Secure the ends of the wire loop to the other small stub at the open spacer end. These tuning stubs must all be in the
quadrant which will be closest to the ground when the antenna is installed. Continue to thread wire for the 15MR
and 17MR the same as the12MR.
The outer four tensioning tubes will be threaded with the wire from the
spool marked 2OMR. Attach the ends of the wire to the open stub spacer
of the larger stub. Solder all joints. Tie a nylon cord to the spider and adjust
till the tuning stubs are held in line an at the proper plane with the four
remaining elements.

STEP 7: CONNECT THE TIE BACK RODS TO UPPER

REFLECTOR ARMS
The four 1/4 tie back rods, 80 inches long and marked with yellow, must
now be connected to the yellow marks on the upper arms. Note that the
tie back rods have a stop washer pressed on the end to keep the rod from
sliding out of position. Connect the tie back rods to the arms using the nylon
straps, two per point of attachment. Let the tie back rods hang down
vertically at this time. These rods are an important part of the design
strength of the Gem Quad design.

STEP 8: ATTACHING LOWER DRIVEN ARMS

It will be necessary to raise the spider to height of about 5 feet, maintaining the red marks upward and the blue
marks down. Place spider on a 4 to 6 foot rigid post or platform with the square central tube of the spider in a vertical
position. A short stepladder makes a good stand. If you are using a tilting tower, then the spider can be attached to
this for assembly with orientation matching the assembly instructions. Slide the fiberglass arms onto the spider stubs
marked blue, lining up with the blue markings on the arms so that the blue marks face downward in the same
manner as in STEP 4.
NOTE: The wires may appear slack. Do not cut wires as the slackness will be eliminated when the antenna is in its
operational position and the tie rods and tensioning cords are in place.

STEP 9: THREAD WIRE THROUGH NYLON TENTIONING TUBES

Take the spool of wire marked 10 MD and beginning from the area opposite the stubs, thread the wire through the
four nylon tubes closest to the spider. Thread the wires so that they will be in the quadrant nearest the ground when
antenna is in operating position. Proceed to thread the remaining four elements in their appropriate positions, using
the 12MD, 15MD, 17MD and 2OMD spools.

STEP 10: INSTALL AND SODER THE 1:1 CURRENT BALUN

Due to the interaction of band elements the 1:1 balun is the best impedance match for common feed multi-element
Gem Quad. Prepare the driven element wires for soldering by using sand paper to remove the enamel at the end of
each wire for a length of about 3 inches. Twist the driven element band wires from one side together for about 2
inches. Cut the extra nylon
tensioning tube in half. As a strain
relief from bending, feed the driven
element wires through the nylon
tubing before looping the wires
through the eye loop on one side of
the balun. See the drawing. Use a
short piece of flexible multi-strand
wire to solder a jumper from the
balun connector and band wires.
Support the balun in the middle of
the driven element wires by tying a
nylon cord from the balun to the
spider hub or spreader arms. Make
sure the nylon cord and
transmission line will clear the top
of the tower when the antenna is
rotated. To prevent melting of the
nylon strain relief, temporarily
slide it few inches up the wires
before soldering the jumper
connections.

BALUN INSTALLED WITH NYLON TUBE STRAIN REFIEFS

STEP 11: CONNECT TIE BACK RODS TO LOWER ARMS

The tie back rods will give strength to the antenna assembly and keep the wire elements in a state of tension. The tie
back rods must now be connected to the four lower arms in the same manner as in STEP 7. The tie back rods can be
adjusted to begin to cause a slight bow to the tips of the arms.

STEP 12: (OPTIONAL) TYING THE REFECTOR AND DRIVEN ARM TIPS TOGETHER
This step is optional. It is recommended that when the antenna is installed in a windy area to tie the tips of the
reflector and driven element together at each end of the fiberglass arms. The reflector and driven spreaders pair in the
same way as the tied back rods in STEP 11. Cut off 4 lengths of nylon cord about 10 feet long. Tie the cord at each
end of the spreader arms at the point where the 20 meter tensioning tubes for the reflector and director are attached to
the spreader. Tighten and tie the nylon cord at the antennas corners so that the 20 meter element wires start to
become tight. Do not over tighten the nylon cord. The distance between each 20 meter elements should remain equal
at about 8.5 to 9.

THIRD DRIVEN ELEMENT INSTRUCTIONS

PARTS LIST FOR THE THIRD ELEMENT OF THE GEM QUAD

4
Tridetic Fiberglass Spreader Arms
6
Fiberglass Tie Back Rods 80 Long (2 spare)
5
Spools of 18 AWG Magnet Copper wire measured for director MDIR
8
Stainless Hose Steel Clamps
20
Nylon Tensioning Tubes
1
Boom-To-Mast Mounting Stub (Aluminum)
1
Boom 6 6 long for 3 element Gem Quad only
Packet of Small Hardware Containing:
1
Spool of Wire for Tuning Stubs MS
1
Length of Black Nylon Cord
10
Plastic Stub Spacers
1
Piece of Sand Paper
1
Packet of 50 Self-Locking Nylon Straps
1
Third Element Aluminum Director Spider Hub
4
Stainless Steel Bolt With Nut

STEP 1: PREPERATION OF FIBERGLASS SPREADER ARMS

On a flat surface, prepare the four fiberglass arms same as in STEP 2 of the Two Element Gem Quad instructions.
Lay arms on a flat surface, making sure all marked colors show. Attach a nylon tension tube at each black mark on
the arms by using two nylon straps each band wire positions. The 20 meter nylon strap encircles all three fiberglass
rods. These straps should be pulled tight with pliers and the end snipped off.

STEP 2: ORIENTATION OF ALUMINUM DIRECTOR SPIDER HUB

Place the shortened director spider hub on a 6 foot post or platform with the square central tube of the spider in a
vertical position and the aluminum stub arms with green markings facing downward.

STEP 3: ATTACH ARMS TO SPIDER

The four fiberglass arms have green markings and will be installed with the green marks facing and angled
downward. Slide and secure the fiberglass arms the spider hub in the same manner as describe in STEP 4 and STEP
8 of the Two Element Gem Quad Instructions.

STEP 4: THREAD WIRES THROUGH NYLON TENTIONING TUBES

Having made up the tuning stubs as directed in STEP 6 of Two Element Gem Quad instructions, take the spool of
wire marked 10 MDIR and begin by attaching the wire to one side of the open end of one of the smaller stubs.
Thread the wire through the four tubes closest the spider and attach the wire to the opposite side of the same stub.
Proceed to thread the four other spools of wire in the same manner, through the appropriate band tubes. Solder all
joints. The stubs are then suspended by the nylon cord provided.

STEP 5: TWO ELEMENT GEM QUAD AND BOOM ASSEMBLY

Take the 6.5 boom that is supplied and insert it into the square opening at the center spider of the assembled two
element gem quad so that reflector element is at the one end of the boom. When the boom is flush with the end of the
spider hub, drill a hole through the middle of the spider hub and boom, and insert the supplied stainless steal
bolt and locking nut. Tighten until nut until the hub begins to deform and starts to clamp spider up to the boom.
Slide the boom to mask support the boom. Center the support stub so that it is 18 inches form the inside of the two
element spider hub on the driven element end. Turn the boom to mask support until it is in the same orientation as
the Two Element Gem Quad. Drill a hole through the middle of the spider hub and boom, and insert the supplied
stainless steal bolt and locking nut. Tighten until nut until the hub begins to deform and starts to clamp spider up to
the boom.

STEP 6: INSTALLAION OF DIRECTOR ELEMENT ON BOOM

POSTION OF SPIDER HUBS AND BOOM TO MASK FOR 3 ELEMENT GEM QUAD
Insert the unused end of the boom into the square opening of the director spider hub with the fiber glass arms sloping
outward from the boom and the rotational orientation the same as the Two Element Gem Quad. When the boom is
flush with the end of the spider hub, drill a hole through the middle of the spider hub and boom, and insert the
supplied stainless steal bolt and locking nut. Tighten until nut until the hub begins to deform and starts to clamp
spider up to the boom.

STEP 7: ATTACH TIE BACK RODS

The tie back rods should be positioned close to those on the original two element antenna at the yellow marks,
maintaining an attitude parallel to the ground. See the instruction for STEP 7 of the Two Element Gem Quad
Instructions. This is important both from a structural point of view, and to keep the third element at the correct
electrical spacing. If the tie back rods make antenna installation difficult, the last couple of bottom tie back rods can
be installed when the antenna is on the tower.

STEP 8: (OPTIONAL) TYING THE DRIVEN AND DIRECTOR ARM TIPS TOGETHER
It is optional to tie the driven and director fiberglass arms tips together like describe in STEP 12 of the Two Element
Gem Quad Instructions.

FOURTH DIRECTOR ELEMENT INSTRUCTIONS

PARTS LIST FOR FOURTH ELEMENT FOR GEM QUAD

4
Tridetic Fiberglass Spreader Arms
6
Fiberglass Tie Back Rods 80 Long (2 spare)
5
Spools of 18 AWG Magnet Copper wire measured for director MDIR
8
Stainless Hose Steel Clamps
20
Nylon Tensioning Tubes
1
Aluminum Boom-To-Mast Mounting Stub
1
Boom 13 long for 4 element Gem Quad only
Packet of Small Hardware Containing:
1
Spool of Wire for Tuning Stubs MS
1
Length of Black Nylon Cord
10
Plastic Stub Spacers
1
Piece of Sand Paper
1
Packet of 50 Self-Locking Nylon Straps
1
Forth Element Director Spider Hub (Aluminum)
5
Stainless Steel Bolt With Nut

The following instructions are based on the fact that a Third Element Quad has already been assembled and installed,
and that a fourth element is now to be added. It will be necessary to remove the boom from the three element
assembly and to use the boom in the fourth element kit.

STEP 1: PREPARATION OF FIBERGLASS ARMS

Prepare the four arms as described in STEP 2 of the Two Element Gem Quad Instructions.

STEP 2: ORIENTATION OF ALUMINUM DIRECTOR SPIDER HUB

Place the shortened director spider hub on a 6 post or platform with the square central tubes of the spider in a
vertical position and the aluminum stub arms with green markings facing downward.

STEP 3: ATTACH FIBERGLASS ARMS TO SPIDER HUB

The four fiberglass arms have green markings and will be installed with the green marks facing and angled
downward. Slide and secure the fiberglass arms the spider hub in the same manner as describe in STEP 4 and STEP
8 of the Two Element Gem Quad Instructions.

STEP 4: THREAD WIRES THROUGH NYLON TENTIONING TUBES

Having made up the tuning stubs as directed in STEP 6 Two Element Gem Quad Instructions, take the spool of wire
marked 10 MDIR and begin by attaching the wire to one side of the open end of one of the smaller stubs. Thread
the wire through the four tubes closest the spider and attach the wire to the opposite side of the same stub.
Proceed to thread the four other spools of wire in the same manner, through the appropriate band tubes. Solder all
joints. The stubs are then suspended by the nylon cord provided.

STEP 5: BOOM ASSEMBLY

Boom assembly is like the three element Gem Quad with an additional length to accommodate the second director
element. Take the 13 foot boom supplied with the kit and centre the third element exactly 6 feet 1/2 inches from the
fourth element, with the third element arms leaning toward the fourth element. Drill a hole and bolt the suport
hub, making sure that stubs and arms are lined up.

Both third and fourth element arms will incline away from the presently unused end of the boom. Tie wrap the tie
back rods at the yellow marked positions, linking the third and fourth elements like in STEP 11 of the Two
Element Gem Quad Instructions. It is optional to tie the element spreader tips together like described in STEP 12 of
the Two Element Gem Quad Instructions.
Put the mast to boom support on the boom, making sure that the stubs line up with the tuning stubs of the
elements. The mask to boom mounting bracket will be positioned at the side of the third element, but can be adjusted
for optimum balance and least weather cock effect. The proper element positions are with the two element spider
fitted to the boom at the end, the driven element is closest to the third element, and the reflector at the outside end of
the boom.

TUNING THE GEM QUAD ANTENNA

FOR BEST FRONT TO BACK RATIO (F/B)
AND DIRECTOR TUNING
The Gem Quad antenna driven elements lengths are pre-tuned for a common feed through a 1:1 balun. The reflector
element requires tuning due to changes in the installation operating height, proximity ground effects, and
surrounding metal structures. Front to back tuning is very important step because it does help tune the antenna for
good SWR, gain and F/B on each band.

STEP 1: SETING UP ANTENNA F/B REFERANCE SIGNAL

The antenna requires a final tuning of the front to back ratio by adjusting the tuning stub length for each band
reflector element. Reflector stub tuning is done by directing the assembly away from a local low power transmitting
signal on the desired optimum frequency for each band. (Some examples; 14.2 Mhz, 21.2 Mhz, 29.0 Mhz) Make
arrangements with a local radio armature to transmit the low power signal. Another way to tune the antenna is using
a DX signal with a known direction, but it may not be as directional.
The antenna can be pre-tuned and tested at ground level by putting the antenna in the vertical operating position by
attaching at 12-15 support mask to the spider hub. The proximal ground effects will cause the tuning frequency of
the entire antenna to be slightly lower and will affect the SWR. The antenna SWR and F/B tuning will change
slightly when installed on the tower. If pre-tuning and testing is being done then a final adjustment at the operation
height is recommended.

STEP 2: SHORT OUT POSTION ON TUNING STUB FOR MINIMUM SGINAL

To make a good temporary short for adjusting the tuning stub use alligator clips on a 2 piece of wire. Adjust the
short out position on the tuning stub for each band you are receiving until the receiver S meter shows a minimum
signal. This position will tune for the best front to back ratio. The best forward gain will be at a slightly higher
frequency. This procedure should be repeated for all 5 bands, with a final check on the first one. It has been found
that interaction between bands during reflector tuning appears to be virtually non-existent, or minimal.

STEP 3: SODERING
Permanently solder a shorting wire across all the stubs when tuning position has been determined.

HOW TO TUNE THE DIRECTOR

Tuning a the director of 3 or 4 element Gem Quad is done by aiming the front of the Gem Quad toward a low power
local transmit signal and tuning the director stub for the strongest signal on the receiver S meter.

GEM QUAD WIRE LENGHTS AND TENTIONG TUBE POSTIONS

BAND
FREQ
29.00
24.94
21.20
18.118
14.20

ELEMENT LENGTH
DRIVEN
3410
406
482
5511
707

REF
3510
4010
481
547
7211

TENTIONING TUBE ON ARM**

DIR*
32
373
44
506
66

DRIVEN
74
87
105
121
153

REF
78
90
107
119
161

DIR*
70
80.5
90
112
148

STUB
8
8
10
10
20

The Gem Quad wire lengths are designed for a one balun, common feed antenna using solid 18 AWG laminated
copper wires. The wire lengths were verified by experimentation, and may fluctuate by variables like wire size, type
of wire, number of elements, method of feeding the director elements, and the proximal effects on antenna due to the
installation location.
NOTE: TIE BACK RODS POSTION ARE MARKED WITH YELLOW PAINT AT 108
DIR*:

DIRECTOR LENGTHS ARE THE SAME FOR ALL DIRECTORS

**

ARM POSTION LENGTHS ARE MEASURE FROM THE TIP OF THE LARGE END OF THE
FIBERGLASS SPREADER ARM TOWARD THE TAPPERED END.

ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO FEED YOUR GEM QUAD ANTENNA

It has been found that all five bands terminated into one 50 ohm coax balun have resulted in satisfactory antenna
performance. The simplicity and convince of one feed line does seem to outweigh the slightly improved performance
by separately feeding each driven element. Ultimately you
are free to experiment with alternate feeds and antenna band
grouping. One good example of alternate feeding is feeding
all five bands with one ladder line and matching the feed
through an antenna tuner to the radio.
Other examples of Alternate Feeds are;
10 & 12 meter - one feed line and 15, 17 & 20 meter - one
feed line.
OR
10, 12& l5meter-onefeedline and 17 & 20 meter - one feed
line.
OR
10, 15 & 20 meter- one feed line with balun and 12 & 17
meter - feed each with 1/4 wave of 75 ohm coax.
OR
Each band fed separately through a tuned gamma match on
each driven element.
OR
Feeding the antenna elements at the corner.
Note: When using alternate ways of feeding the Gem Quad the tensioning tube positions, driven element lengths and
feed line matching may have to be adjusted for the best performance.

An additional or replacement balun can be order from Gem Quad Products.

10