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the control line or in the RFS relay unit or antenna feedlines. Normal voltages on the connected
control line will cause relays to switch inside the RFS unit. If switching voltages are correct,
lack of system directivity or gaps in reception may be due to antenna, feedline or delay line
issues.
7) Test the Active Antennas by feeding a voltage on the tested control line A and/or B
conductor(s) to select one direction of RFS unit operation. Simultaneously feed normal
operating voltage on the tested conductor that powers the Active Verticals for reception. If a
low value fuse blows, then a short circuit may be isolated by disconnecting antennas and
reconnecting them one at a time.
If no fuses have blown and connected voltages stay near the n12 Vdc levels, then:
8) Test for active operating voltage at the end of each antenna feedline. If all are good, proceed. If
not, repair feedlines and/or connectors. If voltage is present on the power line to the RFS relay
unit, but is not measured at the end of good feedlines, inspect inside RFS-2 relay unit to
determine if there is an obvious reason that Active Vertical Antenna power is not making it out
the antenna ports. A bad connection outside of the RFS relay unit is usually the problem, and
rarely has a component failure inside the RFS relay unit been discovered. If the system
previously functioned properly, then the internal jumpers would have been previously set in
their proper positions for your system configuration. If you are troubleshooting a new system
or using a replacement unit, check that the internal jumpers in 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 high in the band, or another
constant signal source on 160 or 80 meters, well away from the array, to test that each Active
Vertical receives the same signal level. Do not use sky wave or night signals for these signal
level tests.
9) Test reception of each Active Vertical Antenna by connecting each antenna feedline, one at a
time, to an activated port on the RFS-2. This assumes that a good port has been identified and
is functioning properly. Normal reception must be confirmed from each antenna. If any antenna
is not providing the proper RF signal level, move the AVA unit to a known good feedline
position to rule out the possibility that a bad feedline is attenuating the RF. If one or more
Active Receive Verticals produce a low or no signal, then the AVA unit at the base of that
antenna may not be receiving power. Retest for DC power at the antenna end of that feedline. If
+ 10 to 18 Vdc is found, then the Active unit may need to be serviced or replaced. New DXE-
AVA-2 units are available separately by calling DX Engineering.
10) If all Active Verticals tested provide the same signal level, then change switching voltages to
activate the other ports, one at a time, and test each RFS unit port, using one of the good
antennas, testing for the same level of reception. If one or more ports is dead or has diminished
reception, there may be a problem in a delay line or in the RFS unit.
