DX DXE-TFS4-160B Manual

Transmit four square system phasing unit and four square control console dxe-tfs series for 160, 80 or 40 meters

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Transmit Four Square System

Phasing Unit and Four Square Control Console

DXE-TFS Series for 160, 80 or 40 Meters

DXE-TFS4-160B, DXE-TFS4-80B, DXE-TFS4-40B

DXE-TFSB-INS Revision 1a

1200 Southeast Ave. - Tallmadge, OH 44278 USA

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

Fax: (330) 572-3279 ∙ E-mail: DXEngineering@DXEngineering.com

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Page 1 Transmit Four Square System Phasing Unit and Four Square Control Console DXE-TFS Series for 160, 80 or 40 Meters DXE-TFS4-160B, DXE-TFS4-80B, DXE-TFS4-40B DXE-TFSB-INS Revision 1a © DX Engineering 2013 1200 Southeast Ave. - Tallmadge, OH 44278 USA Phone: (800) 777-0703 ∙ Tech Support and International: (330) 572-3200...
Page 2: Table Of Contents
Manual Updates Optional Items Technical Support and Warranty Tables and Figures Table 1 DX Engineering Monoband Vertical Antennas Table 2 Four Square Vertical Antenna Spacing Chart Table 3 Radial Wire Lengths for 160, 80, 75, and 40 Meters Table 4...
Page 3: Introduction
DXE-TFS4-40B 40 Meters The DX Engineering Transmit Four Square series System Phasing Unit is easily dropped into your quarter-wave spaced vertical 4-square array to provide optimum directional control. The system will allow the operator to receive or transmit with gain in any one of four directions with good front-to-back ratio, or in a single high efficiency omni-directional pattern with a push of a single button.
Page 4: Features
If you already have a four square array with a Comtek or similar hybrid controller and would like to improve overall performance, add the power handling capability and Omni feature of the DX Engineering TFS4 Transmit Four Square Series, which is essentially a direct replacement system. A slight shift downwards in optimum performance frequency may result from this substitution.
Page 5: Required Parts Not Included
DC to 650 MHz. Handles short-term RF power up to 1500 watts. Dummy Load coaxial cable is available in any custom length with PL-259 connectors attached. Call DX Engineering for custom lengths of either RG-8X or RG-8U System Discussion A four-square antenna array is a single band directional antenna system.
Page 6 The SWR bandwidth and directional performance bandwidth of this system is highly dependent upon the characteristics of the vertical elements used in the array. The Four Square System Phasing Unit is a switchable modified hybrid coupler. It provides proper currents and phase at each antenna element when the correct electrical length 75 Ω...
Page 7: Vertical Antenna Selection
Slow Taper uses larger diameter aluminum elements for sturdy construction and wider bandwidth. For those that want to design and build their own vertical antennas, DX Engineering also has the parts needed to accomplish this task. The DXE-ATK65 Telescopic 65 Foot Aluminum Antenna Kit comes with 11 slow taper, 6 foot sections, and one 3 foot section of DX Engineering rugged 6063-T832 aluminum tubing and all- stainless steel element clamps.
Page 8: Warning
service the antenna. No more climbing ladders or removing brackets. Easily make repairs, tune your vertical or lay your antenna down before bad weather hits. The Tilt Base may be bolted to a secure flat mounting surface, or to the recommended galvanized steel mounting pipe described in the installation instructions with two optional DXE-SSVC-2P Stainless Steel V-Clamps.
Page 9: Installation
SWR. When using the DX Engineering Tilt Base, determine the direction you want the antenna to tilt down and make sure there is adequate clearance. There should also be a clear area for guying and radial systems extending away from the four antennas.
Page 10 The following chart shows various calculations depending on the desired center frequency. The frequencies shown here are various CW, DX, and SSB frequencies used in the American Radio Relay League Band Plan: Distance between antennas Typical Center Band (1/4-wavelength) Frequency...
Page 11: Figure 1 Four Square Antenna System Layout
Looking at the bottom of the Four Square System Phasing Unit Antenna Layout - Top View The four vertical antennas are arranged in a square 1/4-wavelength on a side. The four square array is directional across its diagonals. The Four Square System Phasing Unit is located in the center of the square.
Page 12: Topographical Considerations
Topographical Considerations Flat or gradually sloped land is best. Erecting the transmitting array on steeply sloped land or uneven terrain might degrade performance. To avoid pattern degradation, antenna elements should have reasonably similar elevations. It's recommended the maximum ground height difference between any of the vertical antennas in the array should be less than 20% of the array diameter.
Page 13: Mounting The Four Square System Phasing Unit
Figure 2 shows a typical connection scheme for the copper buss or straps. DXE-CS2-100 Copper strap and clamps are available from DX Engineering. The length of the Four Square System Phasing Unit's mounting pipe is dependant on your location.
Page 14: Antenna Feedline
The Four Square System Phasing Unit should be mounted as shown in Figure 2 with cover upward and the control and coaxial cable connections downward to prevent water from entering the box. The stainless steel base of the Four Square System Controller has weep holes to allow condensation that may build up inside the unit to leave.
Page 15: Figure 3 Electrical Length Feedlines
Additionally, the 50 Ω dummy load uses 50 Ω coaxial cable. Coaxial cable connections to the DX Engineering Transmit Four Square System Phasing Unit When placing the coaxial cable, it is suggested that each line be labeled so there is no confusion determining which vertical antenna is number 1, 2, 3, or 4.
Page 16: Control Wire Connections
Four Square Phasing Unit to the Vertical Antennas. Control Wire Connections Good quality DXE-CW9 CAT5 control cable is available from DX Engineering (or equivalent) is recommended for connection between the Four Square Control Console and the Four Square System Phasing Unit.
Page 17: Radial System
Radials greatly influence radiation efficiency of a ground-mounted vertical antenna system. Use of the DX Engineering DXE-RADP-3 Stainless Steel Radial Plate is an ideal solution to having a symmetric and well designed radial system. Mount a DXE-RADP-3 to the 2" OD mounting pipe at each of the vertical antennas using a DXE-CAVS-2P V-Bolt Clamp.
Page 18: Figure 5 Typical Radial Field
An article describing this process is available on the DX Engineering website. Radials can also be buried just under the surface by using a power edger or single blade plow to make a slit in the soil.
Page 19: Tuning The Vertical Antennas Radial System
When the radial field is set up for the four vertical antennas, copper strap or heavy solid buss wire should be used to provide cross bonding of the radials that meet each other. See Figure 6. Figure 6 Tuning the Vertical Antennas for the Four Square Array Impedance measurements are to be taken with only the one antenna installed, using an analyzer which displays complex impedance.
Page 20: Four Square Control Console Front Panel
Four Square Control Console Front Panel Figure 7   Toggle Switch to turn power on and off.  Antenna pattern directional selection switches and indicators  One green LED illuminates to indicate which single direction has been selected. All four LEDs are illuminated when OMNI is selected.
Page 21 in peak operating performance. During this routine, if any position push-button switch is pressed, the routine will stop and the system will return to the last position that was selected prior to the system being turned off. The operator can manually turn this routine on or off by pressing a sequence of front panel buttons. To turn the factory default OFF: 1.
Page 22: Four Square Control Console Direction Label
Four Square Control Console Direction Label A custom label with various compass directions is included for the Four Square Control Console. You may either write the directions on the white blocks that are on the face of the Four Square Control Console, or you can use the custom label that is included.
Page 23: Four Square Control Console Rear Panel
Four Square Control Console Rear Panel Figure 8  12 VDC A standard 2.1 mm plug connection for 12 Vdc. The current draw ranges from 30 mA to 700 mA depending on the direction selected. If station power is used, it must be well filtered and regulated +13.8 to +15 Vdc @ 1 A (minimum) power source.
Page 24  RADIO RCA type connector. Connect this jack to your transceiver's amplifier keying, TX, or relay (RLY) output even if you are not using an amplifier. This is a normally open connection that must be pulled to ground. It accepts any open voltage up to 20 volts positive and sources 15 mA when pulled to ground.
Page 25: Four Square System Phasing Unit Connections
Four Square System Phasing Unit Connections Figure 9 ANT 1, ANT 4, ANT 3, ANT 2 Set of four DXE-11U RG-11/U 75 Ω, 1/4 electrical wavelength pre-tuned coaxial cables with PL- 259 connectors installed for connections from the Four Square System Phasing Unit to the four vertical antennas.
Page 26: Typical Transceiver / Amplifier Connections
Typical Transceiver / Amplifier Connections Figure 10 Figure 10 shows a typical connection scheme for a tuned monoband DX Engineering Transmit Four Square system connected to a transceiver and amplifier. Always check your transceiver and amplifier manuals to verify proper connections. Your set up may look different than the depiction...
Page 27: Lightning Protection
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 available from DX Engineering for the coax feedline and control lines.
Page 28: Led Brightness
15 dB or more. A contest station or DX’er intent on making the maximum number of contacts in one general direction finds it useful to sit on a frequency and run contacts using a single direction. This will maximize contacts from a specific direction.
Page 29: Manual Updates
Every effort is made to supply the latest manual revision with each product. Occasionally a manual will be updated between the time your DX Engineering product is shipped and when you receive it. Please check the DX Engineering web site (www.dxengineering.com) for the latest revision manual.
Page 30 DXE-RADP-3 - Radial Plate, Stainless Steel with 20 Sets of SS Radial Attachment Hardware The patented DX Engineering Radial Plate is meant for those of you that have or are building a quarter wave vertical antenna and who want an easy, neat and effective way to connect those essential radial wires and the coax to your vertical antenna for the lowest takeoff angle and strongest signals.
Page 31 SUM-900031 - Automatic Wire Stripper/Crimper/Cutter, 24-10 Ga. Our DX Engineering wire stripper uses a spring-loaded design to make quick work of wires ranging from 24 to 10 gauge. Just insert the wire, squeeze the handle, and listen for the click. That’s the sound of another perfect wire stripping job performed in about 2 seconds- a fraction of the time it takes your pocket knife to do the same job.
Page 32: Technical Support And Warranty
Warranty All products manufactured by DX Engineering are warranted to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of one (1) year from date of shipment. DX Engineering’s sole obligation under these warranties shall be to issue credit, repair or replace any item or part thereof which is proved to be other than as warranted;...

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Dxe-tfs4-80b Dxe-tfs4-40b