Array Solutions Four Square Controller
4
www.arraysolutions.com
Array Solutions
Ofc: 972 203 2008
350 Gloria Rd.
Fax: 972 203 8811
Sunnyvale, TX 75182
Setting up the system
The best book on the subject of setting up a four-square antenna array is written by John
Devoldere, ON4UN and is entitled “Low-Band DXing”. If you do not have a copy of this book,
Array Solutions recommends that you obtain a copy of it to learn more about these and other
types of antenna systems. It is available from the ARRL bookstore.
Place the relay box in the center of the array. Use the U-bolt provided to mount the box on a
ground rod, pipe, or tower leg. Feed each vertical with ¼ wavelength of 50 or 75 ohm feed line
(
75 ohm feed line will give a little wider bandwidth
). The feed lines are not matched for SWR, they
are impedance transformers. Make sure you cut four feedlines to exact quarter-wave lengths for
the frequency you want to operate!
Attach the 180 degree long phasing line to the appropriate ports as well as the input feedline, and
the four ¼ wavelength antenna feed lines. Make sure the delay line is exactly 180 degrees on
your favorite operating portion of the band! Be sure to weather-proof the connectors. There is a
ground lug on the side of the box, use it to secure a good ground connection such as a ground
rod or any other ground system like your tower ground or a radial ground plane.
Note:
Do not
attach this ground to a raised radial system which must remain floating above ground.
You have set up your verticals into a square; we will define the square as follows for North
America. The antennas are marked from 1 to 4
D A
o 2
o 4
o 1 o 3
C
B
The above diagram indicates verticals (o), Antenna number (1-4), and Direction (A-D)
Connect the antennas from the antenna output ports that coincide with the above diagram.
Switching the array pattern is done with the control switch. Position
1
is the default position. It is
not supplying any voltage to the switching system. Configure your antennas so that this is your
most important direction. In North America, you probably will want to have this position be North
East towards Europe.
Position two is SE
Position three is SW
Position four is NW
Position five is again NE
Position six is the OMNI directional position
