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The feedline connectors must remain dry. Do not place any intentional DC shorts or opens on the
feedline between the
FVI-1
and the
AVA-2
. This includes lightning arrestors, splitters, or any other
accessory not intended for feedlines that carry power or control voltages.
The included
DXE-PSW-12D1A
120 Vac 60 Hz, to 12 Vdc, 1000
mA wall mounted transformer DC power supply connects to the
+12 Vdc input. The center of the 2.1mm power plug is positive.
Larger power supplies or station power may also be used provided
there is an in-line 1 ampere fast-blow fuse. The RCA phono-style
plug on the
DXE-FVI-1
connects to the receiver input of your radio.
The
DXE-FVI-1
is not included or used in the
ARAV3-2P
or
ARAV3-4P
Vertical Array Packages
which obtain their power from a controller unit such as the
DXE-NCC-1
or
DXE-RFS-3P
.
See
Appendix A
for Radio Interface Options
Control lines (usually BCD ) can normally use good quality CAT5e cable (4 twisted pairs of 24
AWG wire) for runs up to 1000 feet. Typical DX Engineering BCD control lines requirements are
+12 VDC at 25 milliamps.
Depending on the number of control lines needed (usually 3 or 4) you can double up the twisted
pairs of CAT5e cable, or use control wire that is at least 22 AWG, allowing runs up to 1500 feet. If
you use a cable with more conductors, it is a good idea to tie the unused conductors to ground.
For longer runs of control cable, use a line loss calculator to ensure you supply the proper control
levels needed.
Approximate BCD Control Line Lengths.
Minimum Copper
Wire Gage (AWG)
Length
24
1,000 feet
22
1,500 feet
20
2,000 feet
Active antenna circuitry needs a good voltage supply to operate properly. When supplying power to
an active antenna, you want to have +12 VDC, 60 milliamps at each active (under load).
CAT5e cable is not recommended when making long runs to power an active antenna since the line
loss in CAT5e cable may not supply the proper operational voltages required for active antennas.
Depending on the required length of your power wire, you will want to use a line loss calculator
(voltage drop with various wire gages) to ensure your power supply (no13.6 well filtered
DC) will supply a minimum of +12 VDC, 60 milliamps at each active antenna (under load).
A DX Engineering 4 Square or 8 Circle will require approximately 250 milliamps (only 4 actives
are powered at any one time).
