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Troubleshooting
There are several possible causes for a malfunction. Testing the system is not difficult. Directional switching
and antenna phasing can each be affected by a variety of cabling, connection and or component problems. If
you are troubleshooting a new system check that the wiring from the Control Console to the Array Relay
Unit is correct and no damage has been done to the lines.
Here are the most common causes of malfunction, especially in a system that was previously functioning
properly:
START
80% of all malfunctions are caused by
A, B
or
C
A
Broken/Shorted
Conductors
Animals, Chewed,
Punctured, Stretched,
or Broken
Green Connector may have
broken wire or is tightened
against insulation - not bare wire
B
PL-259 is loose
Check all connectors
They may be loose.
C
Shorted/Open
conductors due to
water
Check feedlines and
control cable.
D
RF overload
Make sure antennas are at least 1/2-
wavelength, on the lowest frequency,
away from any other transmit
antennas.
E
Damaged due to
lightning
Rare, but it can happen.
F
Damaged by animals
or insects
Animals and insects have been known
to relieve themselves on and in the
relay unit and their urine will corrode
and damage electronics
Insects getting inside the unit and
shorting out electronics
A) Broken and/or shorted conductors due to animal, weather or other damage, including chewed,
punctured, stretched and broken control and power lines and/or feedlines for the system and each
antenna. Also, screws in the green removable connector at the DVA Phasing Relay Unit can
inadvertently be tightened onto the insulation of control or power conductors.
B) Loose PL-259 connector causing disengagement from the female pin of the SO-239 connector. This can
happen on feedlines to/from the vertical elements and the DVA Phasing Relay Unit as well as the main
feedline from DVA Phasing Relay Unit to the transceiver.
C) Shorted or opened conductors caused by water migration into a control line or a feedline.
Over 80% of all phased array malfunctions have been caused by the above system problems. A
thorough inspection and subsequent testing of each control cable, RF cable, and their respective
connections, will uncover the cause of most phased array system troubles.
