DX Engineering DXE-RFS-2P Manual Download Page 1

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Receive Four Square System

DXE-RFS-2P

DXE-RFS-TS3P

DXE-RFS-TS3P-INS Revision 1

U.S. Patent No. 7,423,588

DXE-RFS-TS3P Components Shown

P.O. Box 1491 · Akron, OH 44309-1491

Phone: (800) 777-0703 · Tech Support and International: (330) 572-3200

Fax: (330) 572-3279 · E-mail: [email protected]

Summary of Contents for DXE-RFS-2P

Page 1: ...DXE RFS TS3P INS Revision 1 U S Patent No 7 423 588 DXE RFS TS3P Components Shown DX Engineering 2010 P O Box 1491 Akron OH 44309 1491 Phone 800 777 0703 Tech Support and International 330 572 3200 Fax 330 572 3279 E mail DXEngineering DXEngineering com ...

Page 2: ...l Jumper Selection 25 Default Jumper Configuration Settings 25 Powering Through the Feedline 26 Directional Control Using the Feedline 26 Optimizing the Array 26 Front to Rear Null Optimizing 27 Normal Receive Four Square Operation 28 Receive Four Square Troubleshooting 29 Additional Receive Four Square Control Troubleshooting 31 Optional Items 33 Technical Support and Warranty 36 Figures Tables a...

Page 3: ...e to lower spurious signal interference and reduced noise Finally this system offers greater reliability in receiving applications The RFS 2 uses sealed relays sized for receiving applications with silver contacts to prevent oxidation and contamination Most transmitting four square switches use large open frame relays where the contacts are exposed to air which can lead to contamination Relays wit...

Page 4: ...S Patent No 7 423 588 is a complete Receive Four Square Array Package for Close spacing to transmit antenna which includes 1 DXE ARAV3 4P Package of four Active Receive Vertical Antennas w Internal Antenna Disconnect Relays 1 DXE CC 8A 8 Position Control Console 1 DXE RFS 2 Receiving Four Square Antenna Switch 1 DXE TVSU 1A Time Variable Sequence Unit 1 DXE F6 1000 CATV F 6 Style Coax 75 Ω F6 Floo...

Page 5: ...our square system in receiving applications Most transmitting four squares use large exposed open frame relays which can become contaminated or corroded This system uses sealed relays contact size is optimized for receiving applications Features Advantages of the DXE RFS 2P Receive Four Square Antenna System over other receiving arrays include Seamless stainless steel RFS 2 enclosure for enhanced ...

Page 6: ...inimum Alternate configurations use a 1 or 2 conductor cable Economically priced DXE CW9 is a 9 conductor Shielded Control Wire which may be used Additional Parts Required Not Supplied with the DXE RFS 3P DXE CAVS 1P Mounting Clamp for RFS 2 Pre drilled mounting bracket accepts pipe sizes from 1 2 inch to 1 3 4 inches Four Conductor Power and Control Cable for RFS 2 Default Configuration 4 conduct...

Page 7: ...average gain even though front to rear ratio only changes slightly On the low bands once the receiving system limits on external noise antenna directivity F R is the only thing that affects the signal to noise ratio An average Beverage antenna exhibits about 6 dB gain You would need two reversible Beverage systems to obtain 4 direction selectivity and you still would be limited to one or two bands...

Page 8: ...tion was used below 2 MHz The highest usable frequency was 10 MHz This array also produced usable F R ratios down to the lower end of the AM broadcast band 600 kHz Increasing the array size increases its sensitivity on the lower frequencies sliding the performance curve toward the low frequencies and potentially eliminating the need for amplification ...

Page 9: ...elength at the lowest operating frequency is ideal See Figure 1 The goal is to do the best you can by balancing all the factors 1 10 wavelength is the minimum distance to any transmitting antenna from the Four Square perimeter 1 2 wavelength is the best distance to prevent coupling to other antennas Figure 1 Site Selection Clear Distance Proximity to Transmitting Antennas The DXE ARAV3 4P active e...

Page 10: ...s possible In general the system will not be affected by trees or foliage as long as the foliage does not contact the element Ideally in important receiving directions there should be a clear electrical path for at least 1 wavelength The site should allow a ground system to be evenly distributed around the antenna if one is required Site Selection in Relation to Noise Sources Because the array is ...

Page 11: ... soil Avoid ground rods less than 5 8 O D A good ground system improves the array performance and enhances lightning survivability It is important that each ground system be the same for each active antenna in the array You can test ground quality by listening to a steady local signal Attach 15 ft of wire laid in a straight line away from the coaxial feedline to the initial 4 ft to 6 ft ground rod...

Page 12: ...or 160m Band Freq MHz Optimal Side Length in Ft Min Side Length in Ft Max Side Length in Ft 160 1 83 135 54 270 80 3 60 70 28 140 40 7 10 35 14 70 160 80 1 83 3 60 98 40 192 80 40 3 60 7 10 50 20 98 160 80 40 1 83 3 60 7 10 70 28 137 Table 2 Array Side Lengths If you have limited space a carefully installed and amplified DXE RFS 3 can be used on multiple bands with very small side lengths At small...

Page 13: ...e with the connector side facing down The placement of the RFS 2 unit is not critical however the feedlines to each of the active elements must be equal If you mount the RFS 2 on a wood post it should be grounded to a separate ground rod System Operational Overview The DXE RFS 3P system is comprised of the DXE CC 8A Control Console and the DXE RFS 2 Control Unit These units interconnect and work t...

Page 14: ... and 12 Vac The DXE FVC 1 Voltage Coupler can be used to supply these voltages Operational voltage is a nominal 12 Vdc which can be provided by station power if a 1A in line fuse is used In any alternate configuration do not use coax or other conductor for more than one simultaneous use Refer to Diagram 2 for connection details of one of several alternate configurations Installation The DXE RFS 2 ...

Page 15: ...can affect the signal to noise ratio and the directivity of the array In addition the DXE RFS 2 uses the shield as a ground return path for the active element power Note The total loop resistance of the ground path must be under 30 Ω for reliable operation If the resistance of the shield increases due to contamination the active elements may not function properly Any splices in the feedline should...

Page 16: ...d DLY1 DLY2 and DLY3 Each of these connection pairs will have a specific length of coax acting as a jumper between the two connectors Jumper electrical length is critical Careful measurements and the use of 75 Ω coax with a known Velocity Factor VF is very important Solid Teflon or polyethylene dielectric coax cable has a VF of approximately 0 66 Foamed coax cables typically range anywhere between...

Page 17: ...physical length The diagonal length is first multiplied by 0 95 This gives the factored electrical length for DLY3 Next multiply the DLY3 electrical length by the VF of the delay line coax The result is the correct physical length for DLY3 Figure 4 Diagonal Dimension For Example An array with 90 foot side spacing the diagonal length is 127 3 feet The 0 95 factored physical length for DLY3 electric...

Page 18: ...ptions need to be considered before installation J12 is the 5 terminal connector plug on the front panel of the DXE RFS 2 It is labeled G A B C G G Ground Both G terminals are common ground A B 2 bit BCD directional control inputs C Operational power from the DXE RFS 2 and active elements Depending on jumper configuration terminal C can also be used for directional control using differential volta...

Page 19: ... 8A Choose a 4 conductor cable 3 ground of at least 22 gauge for lengths up to 1500 feet If you use a cable with more conductors it is a good idea to tie the unused conductors to ground Use point to point wiring matching the terminal labels at each end Economically priced DXE CW9 is a 9 conductor Shielded Control Wire which may be used DXE CW9 is made of 24 AWG wire Since the DXE RFS 2 needs four ...

Page 20: ...E RFS TS3P Default Connection Diagram Using Factory Jumper Settings Shown with optional DC Pass Through Lightning Protection optional DXE RFCC 1 Feedline Current Choke and optional DXE RPA 1 HF Preamplifier ...

Page 21: ...l voltage using terminals A B See Table 4 This requires at least a 2 conductor cable Economically priced DXE CW9 is a 9 conductor Shielded Control Wire which may be used The feedline shield can be used for the ground return provided it is grounded at the common power source If you choose to use the feedline to provide power to the DXE RFS 2 you will have to supply your own coupling circuit to inse...

Page 22: ...e Configuration Requires Internal Jumper Changes Uses Optional DXE FVC 1 to control direction using the feedline Uses DXE CC 8A BCD interface to control the FVC 1 may also use ground closure Power to the RFS 2 uses terminal C of the CC 8A switch positions 5 to 8 Route power from the TVSU 1A Pre Amp Power IN jack from CC 8A Terminal C Connect the TVSU 1A Pre Amp Power OUT jack to the power wire for...

Page 23: ... 75 Ω coaxial cable Element feedlines can be any length but must be equal Not drawn to scale RFS 2 Alternate Configuration Requires Internal Jumper Changes Uses optional DXE FVC 1 to control direction using feedline Uses Ground Closure Interface to control the FVC 1 DXE TVSU 1A used with station power ...

Page 24: ...nit uses a 2 bit 12 Vdc BCD interface scheme to switch directions through a user supplied 4 conductor cable connected to the DXE CC 8 The default direction without applied control voltage is in the direction of Element 1 Element 3 is the default rear or null direction Table 4 shows the array direction the truth table for the BCD interface A B and the status of the LED indicators on the DXE CC 8A f...

Page 25: ... separate it from the enclosure The jumper blocks should be visible and oriented as shown in Figure 5 Important Note You cannot use coax or any other conductor for multiple functions If you are going to use the coax for directional control then you cannot use the coax for power a separate cable must be used We recommend using the default configuration Default Jumper Configuration Settings Figure 5...

Page 26: ...feedline for directional control you must also set both JMP3 and JMP4 to use differential voltage by moving the jumper blocks to the top and middle positions Jumper blocks must be moved together as a pair A suitable controller such as the DXE FVC 1 must be used to couple the directional control voltages onto the coax as shown in Diagram 2 Optimizing the Array To determine if the antenna system out...

Page 27: ...epth may need to be adjusted to compensate for inaccurate delay line lengths To adjust the null depth tune to a strong steady signal off the back of the antenna s selected direction and adjust R4 and R8 for the deepest null weakest signal off the back Use Figure 5 to locate R4 and R8 near the center of the circuit board Operation When using the DXE RFS 2 positions 5 though 8 on the CC 8A Control B...

Page 28: ...far less noise received by the non resonant array If necessary the use the DXE RPA 1 Receiver Preamplifier an in shack pre amplifier with exceptionally low noise and high dynamic range characteristics The DXE RPA 1 will enhance the intelligibility of the weak DX signals without adding the noise that plagues many of the pre amps that are built into modern transceivers The Receive Four Square array ...

Page 29: ... can happen F Damaged by animals insects Animals have been known to relieve them selves on the units and the urine will corrode and damage electronics Insects getting inside units and shorting out electronics Receive Four Square Troubleshooting There are several possible causes for a malfunction of a DX Engineering Receive Four Square System Testing the system is not difficult and can be completed...

Page 30: ...r 80 of all Receive Four Square 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 RFS troubles Here are a few other causes for RFS malfunction D One or more burned out Active Vertical Antenna units model AVA 2 or AVA 1 due to lightning pulse or high p...

Page 31: ...igh as 18 Vdc unloaded The CC8 A uses an external 12 volt DC input therefore the output will be 12 Vdc 3 If the voltages are not normal less than 10 to 18 Vdc with the control line connected then disconnect the control line and retest the Control Console If voltages that were not correct are now okay that indicates a short in the control line or a problem in or beyond the RFS 2 Receive Four Square...

Page 32: ...n the RFS 2 unit are set correctly for your system control and voltage configuration Proper Receive Four Square phasing requires that each Active Vertical Antenna and its respective equal length feedline actually provides the same signal level to the RFS unit Use a steady non fading ground wave signal from a low or medium power daytime AM Broadcast station that is over 10 miles away on a frequency...

Page 33: ...eedline radiation and improve reception a Feedline Current Choke is recommended if your SWR is already low Adding a DX Engineering Feedline Current Choke at the point where the feedline exits the area of the antenna will substantially reduce unwanted feedline radiation or reception without the need for improved station grounding The advantages of using an FCC Prevents unwanted RFI by eliminating f...

Page 34: ... one size that fits tubing from 1 2 to 1 3 4 O D as used in antenna construction The supplied V bolt is long enough to attach tubing to thick plates and is made with anti corrosive properties The cast rippled surface of the saddle will clamp the tubing securely to a flat surface however for high torque applications please use our standard U Bolt Saddle Clamps Used to clamp 1 2 to 1 3 4 O D tubing ...

Page 35: ...degree radial compression provides superior RF integrity 95 dB typical 60 bonded foil cable Easy cable preparation Connector to cable retention of 40 lbs minimum Superb impedance match to 1 GHz Manufactured of high quality 360 brass cadmium plated with yellow chromate coating for maximum corrosion resistance UV resistant plastic and O rings provide a reliable environmentally sealed connector An in...

Page 36: ...nce by DX Engineering If DX Engineering s products are claimed to be defective in material or workmanship DX Engineering shall upon prompt notice thereof issue shipping instructions for return to DX Engineering transportation charges prepaid by Buyer Every such claim for breach of these warranties shall be deemed to be waived by Buyer unless made in writing The above warranties shall not extend to...

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