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Normal Receive Four Square Operation
When the Receive Four Square system is functioning properly, low or medium power daytime AM
Broadcast ground wave signals should be alternately attenuated or improved with directional
switching. However, strong sky wave signals arriving at high angles of propagation will show very
little signal level change as different directions are selected on the Receive Four Square.
Although some low band signals may be received at very low levels, they are heard more easily due
to 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 pattern is designed to enhance forward low angle signals, and reject
rearward and high angle signals. The Receive Four Square system provides superior signal-to-noise
results that allow you to hear signals that are impossible to copy on much noisier transmit antennas,
for greatly improved weak signal DX operations.
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 in an hour or so. Separate circuits
for directional switching, Active Vertical Antenna power, and antenna phasing can each be affected
by a variety of cabling, connection and or component problems. If you are troubleshooting a new
system or using a replacement
RFS-2
unit, check that the internal jumpers are set correctly for your
system control and voltage configuration.
Here are the most common causes of Receive Four Square malfunction, especially in a system that
was previously functioning properly: