7
provide a sufficient ground system for most soil conditions. If a good ground cannot be established,
use an optional
DXE-RFCC-1
Receive Feedline Current Choke that will further decouple the
feedline from the antenna and reduce common mode current and associated noise from the feedline.
Lightning Protection
While amateur radio installations rarely suffer damage from lightning, the best protection is to
disconnect electrical devices during storms. The key to lightning survival is to properly ground
feedlines and equipment and to maintain the integrity of shield connections. A proper installation
improves lightning protection and enhances weak signal receiving performance.
Consult lightning protection and station grounding information in the ARRL handbooks, or by
referring to the NEC (National Electric Code). The DX Engineering website also has technical and
product information listed under “
Lightning Protection and Grounding
.” Use lightning surge
protectors for the coaxial feedline and control lines.
Four Square Layout
The four array antenna elements should be arranged in a 70
foot square for this multi-band system. The diagonal
corners of the square should point in the most desirable
receiving directions. Element 1 is the default forward
element, Element 3 is the rear or null element. Position 1 in
the
EC-4
Controller would switch the four square array to
the North East toward Europe (preferred direction for use in
North America).
Figure 2 - Layout of the DXE-RFS-SYS-3P Receive Four Square System