DX Engineering ARAV3-1P User manual

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Active Receive Antenna

Vertical Configuration

ARAV3-1P - Single Vertical Antenna

ARAV3-2P - Two Vertical Array Package (for use with NCC-1)

ARAV3-4P - Four Vertical Array Package

ARAV3-8P - Eight Vertical Array Package

(Export Models: ARAV3-1PE, ARAV3-2PE, ARAV3-4PE, ARAV3-8PE)

Used under US Patent No. 7,423,588

DXE-ARAV3-INS-Revision 4a

P.O. Box 1491 ∙ Akron, OH 44309-1491

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

Fax: (330) 572-3279 ∙ E-mail: [email protected]

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Table of Contents

Introduction

Location Considerations

General Information

Systems Packages

DXE-ARAV3-1P Single Active Receiver

DXE-ARAV3-2P Two Active Receivers

DXE-ARAV3-4P Four Active Receivers

DXE-ARAV3-8P Eight Active Receivers

Warning

Manual Updates

Features

Technical Description

Basic Tools Required

Installation

Location

Assembly

Ground Mounting Rod

Three Piece 102" Receiving Element - WP-102E

Providing a Good RF Ground

Connections

Coaxial Cable Feedline

Low Frequency Response - Internal Jumpers

Using the Active Receive Verticals in a 4 Square or 8 Circle Array

Alternate Mounting

Using the Active Receive Verticals with the DXE-NCC-1

Troubleshooting Information

Appendix A -Diagrams

Optional Items

Technical Support

Warranty

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Introduction

Ideal for Amateur Radio or Shortwave Listening, the DXE-ARAV3 Active Receive Antenna

systems (ARAV3) offer excellent receiving performance from 100 kHz to 30 MHz using a whip

antenna element only 102 inches long. DX Engineering’s unique design makes it vastly superior to

traditional active antennas in both strong signal handling and feedline decoupling, providing

significantly better weak signal reception due to lower spurious signal interference and reduced

noise.

Location Considerations

The best place to install your active antenna is where you have the recommended space away from

power lines and away from your house, tower or any structures which are excellent sources of

noise. Even passive wiring in a building or metal fencing can act as a pickup antenna and re-radiate

of noise.

The ARAV3 systems can be affected by local noise sources. Local noise can be random or

directional in nature. Every effort must be made to locate sources of noise that could be eliminated

at the source. Dimmer switches, electric timers, photocell-operated security lights, and many other

items can be sources of unwanted noise. Plasma-screen television receivers are a known generator

of unwanted noise interference. Most modern LED or LCD flat panel televisions are not broadband

noise generators.

If the noise source is external and single directional in nature, using two ARAV3 antennas in

conjunction with the DXE-NCC-1 Receive Antenna Variable Phasing Controller could allow the

user to phase out the noise being received. Large transmit antennas are a very good source of re-

radiated noise.

Ideally your receive antenna should be a minimum of 1/2-wavelength away from any transmit

antenna (on the lowest frequency) to avoid mutual coupling and the transfer of any noise being re-

radiated by the transmit antenna. If the unit is located 1/10-wavelength to 1/2-wavelength from a

transmitting antenna, the unit must be powered off at least 5 ms before transmitting on the transmit

antenna. However, with this close spacing, coupling from the nearby transmit antennas becomes

more pronounced. At higher frequencies, where the active element length becomes a partial

wavelength, coupling increases further. Placing a DXE-ARAV3 on the same mast or tower as a

Yagi or other transmitting antenna is not recommended for this reason.

To assure highest protection for the active antenna, a DXE-TVSU-1A Time Variable Sequencer

Unit should be used to ensure the correct transmit-to-receive switching. The ARAV3 series active

vertical antenna system grounds the antenna element when power is turned off.

THIS IS A RECEIVE-ONLY SYSTEM

You should never attempt to transmit through the system.

The use of bypass relays and sequential timing is required to avoid damage to the

receiver and active antennas in the proximity of transmit antennas.

Placing any active receive system on the same mast or tower as the transmit antenna is

not recommended.

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General Information

This compact receiving antenna system operates over a very wide bandwidth with superior strong

signal performance. The output Third Order Intercept (TOI) is approximately +30 dBm. This is

significantly better than most aftermarket preamplifiers and receivers - making it one of the cleanest

active antennas on the market, reducing or eliminating spurious signals.

Feedline decoupling, absent in some other popular designs, is also exceptionally good. Decoupling

the shield greatly reduces feedline conducted noise and unwanted signal interference

The ARAV3systems can be affected by local noise sources. Local noise can be random or

directional in nature. Every effort must be made to locate sources of noise that could be eliminated

at the source. Dimmer switches, electric timers, photocell-operated security lights, and many other

items can be sources of unwanted noise. If the noise source is directional in nature, using two

ARAV3antennas in conjunction with the DXE-NCC-1 Receive Antenna Variable Phasing

Controller would allow the user to phase out the noise being received. Plasma-screen television

receivers are a known generator of unwanted noise interference. Most modern LED or LCD flat

panel televisions are not broadband noise generators.

The DXE-ARAV3 active antennas may be used in installations when spacing from transmit

antennas is at least 1/10-wavelength or more. Ideally your receive antenna should be a minimum of

1/2-wavelength away from any transmit antenna (on the lowest frequency) to avoid mutual coupling

and the transfer of any noise being re-radiated by the transmit antenna. The DXE-ARAV3 series

active vertical antenna system grounds the antenna element when power is turned off for protection

of the active devices.

When using active receive antenna radio systems with RF amplifiers a sequencer such as the DXE-

TVSU-1A Time Variable Sequencer Unit should be used. This will ensure the correct timing

while switching from receive to transmit, and back to receive, so the active receive antenna is

protected from high energy fields from the transmit antenna.

Systems Packages

There are 4 Vertical Active Receive system packages. (DXE-ARAV3-1P, -2P, -4P, -8P)

Note: Export versions have a -E after the part number and contain the DXE-WP102E three

piece antenna element rather than the one piece antenna element. The three section

tapered stainless steel whip with machined couplers was designed to be compact in size

for economical export shipping purposes.

DXE-ARAV3-1P

Non-conductive mounting plate

Solid brass element mounting block

High quality, 102 in. tapered stainless steel whip antenna element

AVA-2 Active matching system w/ Internal Antenna Disconnect Relay

FVI-1 - Feedline Voltage Injector − powers the matching system and provides radio

connections

+12 Vdc wall mounted transformer (120 Vac 60 Hz in, +12 Vdc @ 500 mA out)

Stainless steel clamps and hardware

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DXE-ARAV3-2P - The two active antennas system package DXE-ARAV3-2P is intended to be

used with the optional DXE-NCC-1 Noise/Phase Controller to make a steerable dual vertical array.

The NCC-1 can also provide power for the active antennas and the proper transmit power-off

sequencing.

(2) Non-conductive mounting plates

(2) Solid brass element mounting blocks

(2) High quality, 102 in. tapered stainless steel whip antenna elements

(2) AVA-2 Active matching systems w/ Internal Antenna Disconnect Relays

(2) Element connection wires

(2) Sets of Stainless steel clamps and hardware

DXE-ARAV3-4P - The four active antennas system package DXE-ARAV3-4P is intended for

use with the optional DXE-RFS-3P Receive Four-Square system to build a Four-Square Receiving

Array. The RFS-3P which has provision for powering the active antennas

(4) Non-conductive mounting plates

(4) Solid brass element mounting blocks

(4) High quality, 102 in. tapered stainless steel whip antenna elements

(4) AVA-2 Active matching systems w/ Internal Antenna Disconnect Relays

(4) Element connection wires

(4) Sets of Stainless steel clamps and hardware

DXE-ARAV3-8P -The eight active antennas system package DXE-ARAV3-8P is intended for

use with the optional DXE-RCA8-SYS-4P Receive Eight Circle system to build an Eight Circle

Receiving Array. The RFS-3P which has provision for powering the active antennas

(8) Non-conductive mounting plates

(8) Solid brass element mounting blocks

(8) High quality, 102 in. tapered stainless steel whip antenna elements

(8) AVA-2 Active matching systems w/ Internal Antenna Disconnect Relays

(8) Element connection wires

(8) Sets of Stainless steel clamps and hardware

The DXE-ARAV3 active antennas may be used in installations when spacing from transmit

antennas is less than 1/2-wavelength but more than 1/10-wavelength (on the lowest frequency). The

ARAV3active vertical antenna grounds the antenna element when power is turned off. Ideally,

receive antennas should be over 1/2 wavelength from transmit antennas.

A DXE-TVSU-1A Time Variable Sequencer Unit should be used to ensure the correct transmit to

receive switching.

WARNING!

INSTALLATION OF ANY ANTENNA NEAR POWER LINES IS DANGEROUS

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Warning:Do not locate the antenna near overhead power lines or other electric light or power

circuits, or where it can come into contact with such circuits. When installing the antenna, take

extreme care not to come into contact with such circuits, because they may cause serious injury or

death.

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.

Features

Close Spacing from Transmit Antennas –Receive element is grounded at power-off

Sensitive − Weak signal sensitivity rivaling full size antennas

Wide Bandwidth –100 kHz to 30 MHz

Excellent Strong Signal Handling − Outstanding Third Order Intercept of +30 dBm

Reduced Noise − Quiet FET followers and exceptional feedline shield isolation

Long Life − High quality stainless steel and brass mounting hardware, full metal

enclosure

Compact − Stainless steel tapered element has low visual and environmental impact

Easy Mounting and Installation Flexibility − Pre-drilled mounting plate and stainless

steel U-Bolt Saddle clamps for mounting to your 4 foot ground rod

May be connected to a transceiver which lacks a receive antenna input using the optional

DXE-RTR-1A Receive Antenna Interface for transceivers.

Technical Description

This compact receiving antenna system is designed to operate over a very wide bandwidth from the

broadcast band to 30 MHz with superior strong signal performance. The Third Order Intercept

(TOI) is approximately +30 dBm, reducing or eliminating spurious signals.

Exceptional feedline decoupling, absent in some other popular designs, greatly reduces feedline

conducted noise and unwanted signal interference.

The DXE-ARAV3 Active Receive system requires well filtered +10 to +15 Vdc @ 60 mA nominal

current. This power must be supplied through the feedline using the included DXE-FVI-1 Feedline

Voltage Injector and wall mounted transformer power supply (also included). Alternatively, well

filtered station power may be used with a 1 amp in-line fuse. If used, the DXE-TVSU-1A Time

Variable Sequencer Unit or DXE-NCC-1 Receive Antenna Variable Phasing Controller will supply

power for multi-element arrays. The DXE-TVSU-1A Time Variable Sequencer Unit and the DXE-

NCC-1 Noise Canceling Receive Antenna Controller will interrupt the power to the DXE-ARAV3

for proper grounding during the transmit operation of the transceiver.

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Basic Tools Required

5/16", 7/16", 1/2" wrenches or nut drivers, and a 5/8" wrench

# 2 Phillips Head Screw Driver

Installation

Location

The best place to install your active antenna is where you have the recommended space. The DXE-

ARAV3should be located a minimum of 1/2-wavelength (at the lowest frequency used) away from

any transmit antenna. If the unit is located 1/10-wavelength to 1/2-wavelength from a transmitting

antenna, the unit must be powered off at least 5 ms before transmitting on the transmit antenna. A

sequencer such as the DXE-TVSU-1A should be used to ensure the correct transmit-to-receive

switching.

With this close spacing, coupling from nearby transmit antennas or metal structures becomes more

pronounced. At higher frequencies, where the active element length becomes a partial wavelength,

coupling increases further. Placing a DXE-ARAV3 on the same mast or tower as a Yagi or other

transmitting antenna is not recommended for this reason.

Assembly

The assembly described is for the DXE-ARAV3-1P. Use UMI-81343 - Anti-Seize on stainless

steel hardware threads to prevent galling and to ensure proper torque.

Orient the black mounting plate with the two brass element mounting block holes closer to the top

left, as shown in Figure 1. Use the 7/16" x 1-1/2" bolts, flat washers, split washers, and nuts to

mount the brass element block to the mounting plate. Make sure the threaded hole in the element

block for the antenna element is facing upward. Use a flat washer under each bolt head and a flat

and split washer combination under each nut. Do not over-tighten.

Figure 1

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Mount the AVA-2 matching unit with the ANT + terminal toward the top up. Use the 5/8" bolts, a

flat washer under each bolt and a flat and split washer under each nut. Refer to Figure 2.

Figure 2

Loosely install the two stainless steel V-Clamps on the black mounting plate as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3 Upper Clamp Lower Clamp

NOTE: The following describes the use of the DXE-SSVC-1P and DXE-SSVC-1PG V-Clamps

that are included with the ARAV3. These are used for mounting the ARAV3 on a typical

ground rod from 1/2" OD to 3/4" OD.

If you plan to mount the ARAV3to a larger mounting mast, you will need two optional

DXE-SSVC-150P and one optional DXE-SSVC-150PG V-Clamps which will

accommodate a mounting pipe that is 1" OD to 1-1/2" OD. Refer to Figure 10 for

examples.

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Refer to Figure 4 and install one of the two wires (both are the same length) from the brass block to

the AVA-2 antenna ANT + connection, use the wing nut and hand tighten only. The wire is held

in place on the brass element block with one 5/16" x 1/2" bolt and one star washer. The closed lug

goes on the brass element and the open lug goes on the AVA-2.

Figure 4

The other wire goes from the ANT - (use the wing nut and hand tighten only) on the AVA-2 to the

ground tab on the stainless steel V-Clamp installed on your ground rod as explained in the next

section. The closed lug goes on the ground tab and the open lug goes on the AVA-2 as shown in

Figures 5 and 6.

Ground Mounting Rod

Drive your four foot copper clad steel ground rod into the ground far enough to provide a sturdy

mount for the antenna system. Ensure the ARAV3 unit will be above any potential standing water.

Depending on soil conductivity, increasing ground rod depth

beyond a few feet for an active receive antenna rarely improves

RF grounding because skin effect in the soil prevents current

from flowing deep in the soil. Avoid ground rods less than 5/8"

in diameter.

Position the ARAV3unit on the ground rod adjust the height

so the ground rod top is not higher than the ARAV3 black

insulated panel. This prevents unwanted interference with the

active element. Tighten the two V-Clamps to hold the ARAV3

in place.

Attach the V-Clamp with the tab to the ground rod just below

the bottom of the ARAV3as shown in Figure 5. The V-Clamp

can work with ground rods from 5/8" to 3/4" in diameter.

Figure 5

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Install the ground wire hardware and ground wire on the

stainless steel V-Clamp with the tab. The other end of this

wire goes to the AVA-2 ANT- connection as shown in

Figure 6.

Figure 6

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