1. Manuals
  2. Brands
  3. DX Engineering Manuals
  4. Controller
  5. DXE-RCA8B-SYS-2P
  6. Manual

DX Engineering DXE-RCA8B-SYS-2P Manual

Receive eight circle controller and switch package
Hide thumbs
Table of Contents

Advertisement

Quick Links

Download this manual
Receive Eight Circle
Controller and Switch Package
DXE-RCA8B-SYS-2P
DXE-RCA8B-SYS-2P-INS Revision 3
© DX Engineering 2013
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

Advertisement

Table of Contents
loading
Need help?

Need help?

Do you have a question about the DXE-RCA8B-SYS-2P and is the answer not in the manual?

Questions and answers

Subscribe to Our Youtube Channel

Related Manuals for DX Engineering DXE-RCA8B-SYS-2P

Summary of Contents for DX Engineering DXE-RCA8B-SYS-2P

  • Page 1 Receive Eight Circle Controller and Switch Package DXE-RCA8B-SYS-2P DXE-RCA8B-SYS-2P-INS Revision 3 © DX Engineering 2013 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...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    Table of Contents Introduction DXE-RCA8B-SYS-2P – Receive Eight Circle Array Are you ready to build your Eight Circle Array? DXE-RCA8B-SYS-2P Package Additional Parts Required, Not Supplied with the DXE-RCA8B-SYS-2P Eight Circle Layout System Overview Installation Control and Power Connections Receive Eight Circle Passive Vertical Elements...

  • Page 3: Introduction

    Introduction Congratulations on your purchase of the DX Engineering Receive Eight Circle Array System designed by W8JI, which offers the best directional receiving performance in proportion to the space required. Advanced design, with a stable, clean, narrow and low-angle pattern in eight selectable directions, makes the DX Engineering Eight Circle Array the ultimate receiving antenna.

  • Page 4: Dxe-Rca8B-Sys-2P Package

    2P described in this manual? See the section Receive Eight Circle Passive Vertical Elements. 4. Are you ready to build your system? Proceed to the following pages! The DXE-RCA8B-SYS-2P Receive Eight Circle Array Package includes:  DXE-RCA8B-1 Receive Eight Circle Array Controller  DXE-CC-8A Special eight position Receive Eight Circle Control Console modified to provide +12 Vdc for powering the active antennas.

  • Page 5: System Overview

    Figure 1 - Typical Diagram of the DXE-RCA8B-SYS-2P Receive Eight Circle Array System System Overview The heart of the DXE-RCA8B-SYS-2P system is comprised of the modified DXE-CC-8A Eight Position Control Console and the RCA8B-1 Receive Eight Circle Array Controller. These units interconnect and work together using factory default settings to control the Receive Eight Circle Array.

  • Page 6: Installation

    Installation The RCA8B-1 Receive Eight Circle Array Controller can be mounted to a customer supplied galvanized steel pipe driven into the ground at the center of the array. A galvanized pipe ranging from 1 inch OD to 2 inches OD may be used. The length of the controller unit's mounting pipe is dependant on your location.

  • Page 7: Control And Power Connections

    Control and Power Connections 1. Locate the removable green connector on the rear of the modified CC-8A labeled "G A B C D”. The green connector is a two part connector as shown and the top part can be removed by pulling it straight off.
  • Page 8 Table 1 - Modified DXE-CC-8A Output Truth Table 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.

  • Page 9: Receive Eight Circle Passive Vertical Elements

    2,000 feet Receive Eight Circle Passive Vertical Elements The DXE-RCA8B-SYS-2P Eight Circle Array is intended to be used with eight customer supplied passive vertical elements designed for single band operation. Elements should be installed with ground radials with their feedpoints as close to the ground as possible but above any standing water.

  • Page 10: Typical Receive Eight Circle Configuration

    Typical DXE-RCA8B-SYS-2P Receive Eight Circle Configuration Figure 6 Coaxial Cables are shown in various colors for clarity. Shown with optional DXE-RPA-1 HF Preamplifier, optional DXE-RFCC-1 Receive Feedline Current Choke and optional DXE-CW9S Control Cable.

  • Page 11: Station And Active Antenna Feedline And Delay Line

    Feedline connections must have good integrity and be weather resistant. Highly recommended for any DX Engineering array, and specifically designed for the DXE-F6-1000 flooded cable is the Snap-N-Seal® F connectors, model DXE-SNS6-25 which contains 25 connectors; enough for the entire array plus spares.

  • Page 12: Vertical Element Feedlines

    RCA8B-1 Delay Line The DX Engineering DXE-RCA8B-1 uses a time delay system, not a traditional phasing system. The delay line length is dictated by array dimensions rather than operating frequency, allowing for the use of a single delay line for optimum directivity over a very wide frequency range. This results in phase being correct for a rearward null at any frequency.

  • Page 13: Lightning Protection

    .327-wavelength radius dimension of 175.64 feet, and Endfire Cell adjacent element spacing of 134.43 feet. The 0.95 factored electrical length is 127.71 feet. Multiply 127.71 by 0.85 (the VF of DX Engineering 75Ω coaxial cable) to determine the physical length of the delay line.

  • Page 14: Optimizing The Array

    Consult lightning protection and station grounding information in the ARRL handbooks, or by referring to the NEC (National Electric Code). The DX Engineering website has technical and product information listed under “Lightning Protection and Grounding”. Use lightning surge protectors for the coax feedline and control lines such as the DXE-RLP-75FF Lightning Protector, Receive 75Ω, DC Pass, with F Connectors, for the array feedline at the station end ground.

  • Page 15: Frequency Coverage -Vs.- Element Type

    The rearward null is frequency independent up to element-to-element spacings of just over 1/4- wavelength. The DX Engineering RCA8B-1 Receive Eight Circle Array Controller uses sealed relays sized for receiving applications. (High current contacts, suitable for transmitting, commonly have unreliable contact connections at low currents.

  • Page 16: Receive Antennas - Gain And Efficiency

    DC power, similar to a very long Reversible Beverage. However, this end-fire/broadside array alternative to building a phased Beverage array requires a lot less space and a lot less maintenance! Contact DX Engineering for more details on the use of the DXE-RCA8B for a four element system.
  • Page 17 once the receiving system, including the antenna system and the receiver, are hearing the lowest possible level of local and propagated ambient noise, antenna directivity (F/R) is the only thing that affects the signal-to-noise ratio. The default direction of the array with no voltage (BCD 000) places elements 1 and 6 in front and elements 2 and 5 at the rear.

  • Page 18: Effects On Patterns

    Effects On Pattern As far as pattern goes every directional array, no matter how constructed or designed, will always interact with surrounding conductors. Adequate spacing is almost entirely dependent on electrical characteristics of the surrounding conductors for a given style of receiving array. For example, a given style array of similar dimensions from one company will be similarly affected by surrounding conductors regardless of element design, for a given style of element.

  • Page 19: Proximity To Transmitting Antennas

    The ability of passive vertical element matching system components to survive high RF fields depends on component ratings. The DX Engineering Active Matching Units with customer supplied vertical elements, or the DXE- ARAV3-8P Receive Antenna Active Vertical with Relay active elements and your transmitting antenna need only minimal physical separation to maintain safe power levels when the DXE- TVSU-1A Time Variable Sequencer Unit is used.

  • Page 20: Examples Of Array Performance

    Eight Circle Array must be installed with Active Vertical elements. Multi-Band Arrays with Active Elements Only the DX Engineering Active Receive Verticals or Active Matching Units with constant 75Ω impedance and unsurpassed dynamic range across the frequency range will allow this Eight Circle Array coverage.
  • Page 21 The absolute maximum useful directional frequency coverage of the Eight Circle Array is about a 4:1 ratio. A compromise Eight Circle Array System should be sized with its highest frequency corresponding to an array radius of .375-wavelength, being limited by allowable side lobe levels, as shown in Figure 9.
  • Page 22 The azimuth patterns in Figure 9 were generated using EZNEC+ and show the effects on the patterns when varying the radius of the array. These patterns are not to be viewed as pointing in a default or particular direction. Figure 9 - 22 -...

  • Page 23: Topographical Considerations

    Topographical Considerations Flat land is best. Erecting the receiving array on sloped land or steep hills may degrade performance. To avoid pattern degradation, antenna elements must have reasonably similar elevations. It's recommended the ground height difference between any element in the array be less than 10% of the array diameter.
  • Page 24 Antennas are spaced 45 degrees apart. Layout above is typical for North America with the default position (1) having the array point toward the North East. Endfire Broadside Radius of Circle Spacing Spacing Diameter, Radius of One Half Endfire Distance Circle[feet] = 1/2 Distance Diameters...

  • Page 25: Receive Eight Circle Troubleshooting

    Receive Eight Circle Troubleshooting There are several possible causes for a malfunction of a DX Engineering Receive Eight Circle 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.
  • Page 26 A) Broken and/or shorted conductors due to animal, weather or other damage, including chewed, punctured, stretched and broken control and power lines and/or feedlines for the system and each antenna. Also, screws in the green removable connectors can inadvertently be tightened onto the insulation of control or power conductors.
  • Page 27 Receive Eight Circle Control Troubleshooting Procedure 1) Test the modified DXE-CC-8A Control Console unit, which should be connected only to the control lines of the Receive Eight Circle System. When the modified DXE-CC-8A is connected to the control cable, do all of the selected switch position LEDs light normally? 2) When rotating the modified DXE-CC-8A Control Console switch from position 1, 2, 3 and 4, if all LEDs light normally, measure BCD output voltages.
  • Page 28 A new modified DXE-CC-8A is available from DX Engineering. Continue troubleshooting the array control with a good modified DXE-CC-8A or by using a 1A fused power source.

  • Page 29: Optional Items

    Receive Eight Circle System unit may require service or replacement. At this point, the problem in your system should have been identified. If you need additional assistance from DX Engineering, feel free to call or write. Detailed discussions of system function, connections, and troubleshooting is best handled by telephone, Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Eastern Time, at 330-572-3200.
  • Page 30 DXE-UT-KITF - F-Connector Coaxial Cable Prep Tool Kit This cost-saving kit provides a handsome, convenient carrying case complete with the DX Engineering F-6 coaxial cable prep tools and accessories. It features a rugged, lockable enclosure fitted with a precut foam insert with a home for each tool.
  • Page 31 #24 stranded tinned copper drain wire. This gives you 8 switch positions plus common ground - plus the separate shield. It has a gray PVC jacket. This cable is ideal for DX Engineering Remote Antenna Switches and Four Square arrays, and should be considered for any low-current custom remote switching application you have - such as receiving antenna arrays.

  • Page 32: Technical Support And 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; no allowance shall be made for any labor charges of Buyer for replacement of parts, adjustment or repairs, or any other work, unless such charges are authorized in advance by DX Engineering.

Table of Contents