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Using the Active Receive Verticals with the DXE-NCC-1
ARAV3-2P
Active Receive Vertical Antenna System (two
ARAV3
Receivers) using a DX
Engineering
NCC-1
Noise Canceling Receive Antenna Controller.
ARAV3
Active Receive
Verticals must be at least 1/10-wavelength away from any transmit antenna. The
NCC-1
switches
the power off during transmit. This configuration allows the operator to selectively null out
interference, and thereby enhance the desired received signal direction ability. Every radio
manufacturer and every amateur radio operator's location is different. Refer to the
DXE-NCC-1
manual for details. Also, you should consult your radio manufacturer's manual for details and
further requirements.
Troubleshooting Information
When using the
DXE-ARAV3-1P
Active Receive Vertical antenna, the actual received signal level
will be lower than a transmit antenna. Depending upon a few variables, including the frequency of
the measured signal, your
DXE-ARAV3-1P
Active Receive Vertical is probably operating
normally.
The
DXE-ARAV3-1P
is designed to be a very low to no gain, low noise system for greatly
improved signal-to-noise performance over a very wide range of frequencies.
The installation location should be away from towers, transmitting antennas, metal structures and
metal fencing in order to take advantage of the
DXE-ARAV3-1P
Active Receive Vertical antenna
capabilities.
Normally the Active Receive Vertical antenna will properly reject high angle sky wave signals,
which is the goal for a low band DXing receive antenna. Low angle, long range DX signals are
easier to copy using an Active Receive Vertical antenna system.
Here are a few things that you may check to be sure that the Active Receive Vertical antenna is
operating normally:
1) Measure the voltage arriving at the antenna end of the feedline. The
DXE-FVI-1
Feedline
Voltage Injector unit should be providing in excess of +13.5 Vdc, and the Active is expecting
11 Vdc or more for proper function. Bench tests on the
DXE-ARAV3-1P
are normally
about 60 mA, so with some voltage drop on the line, 40 to 50 mA should be okay. If the
measured voltage at the end of the line is under +11 Vdc, then there may be a resistive
connection along the feedline being used. As a point of reference, DX Engineering has many
customers using the
DXE-F6-CTL/1000
high quality 75 Ω “flooded” F6 type coax. Flooded
style cables have the distinct advantage of automatically sealing small accidental cuts or
lacerations of the jacket. Flooding also prevents shield contamination and can be direct-buried.
This low-loss cable features dual shields and an 85% Velocity Factor and is ideal for long runs
on four and two antenna arrays without trouble.
2) Double check the jumpers inside the
AVA-2
unit at the base of the Active Receive Vertical
antenna. As shown in the manual, for full range coverage, a default condition of no jumpers
