DX Engineering DXE-PS-2B-P User manual

Pro-Stack Broadband

Two Antenna

Phasing System

DXE-PS-2B-P

DXE-PS-2B-P-INS Revision 1f

1200 Southeast Ave. - Tallmadge, OH 44278

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

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

- 1 -

Introduction

The DXE-PS-2B-P Pro-Stack Broadband Two Antenna Phasing System is primarily designed to

combine two identical Yagi, log periodic or vertical antennas in a phasing arrangement. The DXE-

PS-2B-P is a frequency independent broadband phasing system that operates with two mono-band

antennas on any band, from 160 through 10 meters. It is a 50Ω system that is switched by applying

12 to 15 volts dc to three control wires. The unit can be used for other applications requiring the

following four basic antenna feed selections:

Both antenna ports in-phase

Both antenna ports out-of-phase

Antenna port 1 only

Antenna port 2 only

Default is both antenna ports in-phase. To ensure lowest SWR, impedance matching automatically

changes when any antenna is disabled.

Information on the appropriate distances for the separation between the two stacked Yagis, to create

a versatile, high performance array, is discussed fully in the “ARRL Antenna Book”, 20th Edition.

Generally, stacked Yagi antennas are separated vertically greater than 1/2-wavelength, free space.

The bottom antenna should generally be as high above ground as the stack spacing distance.

Optimum spacing is generally around one wavelength.

Features

Power Handling up to 5 kW

Broad band coverage on 160-10 meters

RF Shielded Weatherproof Housing - unique protection

High-RF tolerant, silver - PTFE UHF connectors

Proven DX Engineering RF Relays - high performance

Safe 12 volt dc relay operation

MOV surge protection on control lines

RoHS compliant assembly

Using Antenna Pattern to your Advantage

Signals arrive at your antenna from different azimuth directions and different elevation angles,

depending on many variables. The ability to steer the major lobe of an antenna (or array of

antennas) in both planes moves the major lobe and nulls, not just the major lobe. Typically two dB

or slightly more is gained by stacking a second antenna. The largest advantage is not necessarily

additional gain, but the ability to move harmful pattern nulls away from primary signal arrival

angles. While gain makes a marginal improvement, moving a null can be a phenomenal change,

- 2 -

sometimes the difference between barely readable and having a strong signal which can provide the

performance edge needed to work rare DX - and win contests.

It is therefore desirable to not only change azimuthal direction by rotating the antenna, but also

elevation angle by switching between antennas at different heights above ground and/or changing

the phase relationship between multiple antennas. The old standard system in stacks was to activate

or disable specific antennas in the stack to change pattern. In general, gain remains higher when all

antennas are driven and phase is changed. This system allows either phase inversion or completely

disabling any antenna.

The DXE-PS-2B-P Pro-Stack Broadband Two Antenna Phasing System provides the greatest

flexibility from two identical antennas. This system contains a broad-bandwidth high-power 2:1

impedance matching transformer. This eliminates common requirements of using mixtures of 75Ω

and 50Ω cables for impedance matching.

A central stack-box location is best. Feedlines to each antenna from any stack-box should match

the antenna system impedance and have the same electrical length. Feedlines need only be long

enough to reach comfortably from each antenna to the stack-box. While it is best to have feedlines

equal electrical lengths, total errors of twenty electrical degrees or less have only a minor impact on

system performance. With such wide tolerances in cable lengths, cutting similar cables to equal

lengths will suffice. There is no need to closely phase-match cables.

Larger Array Building Blocks

The DXE-PS-2B-P Pro-Stack Broadband Two Antenna Phasing System control box works in

conjunction with identical boxes, or in combinations with 3-stack boxes, to build larger stacked

arrays. For example, four antennas are stacked using three DXE-PS-2B-P boxes. In this example,

two PS-2Bs would be centrally located; one between the upper and lower antenna pairs, and each

antenna would be fed through equal length cables. A single PS-2B located in the middle of the stack

feeds the upper and lower boxes through equal lengths cables. This would allow the user to take any

antenna or combination of antennas off-line, or feed any antenna or combination of antennas out-of-

phase. Keep in mind out-of-phase systems generally have more gain than systems that disable

antennas.

The best arrangement for larger stacked systems is feeding antennas in pairs, with the pairs fed from

other stacking boxes. This is a distributed or branched feed system. All cables at any branch level

should be equal length. While it is best to avoid length errors, accumulated errors totaling 20-

degrees or less have a minimal affect on gain and positioning of lobes. With such wide tolerances in

cable lengths, cutting similar cables to equal lengths will suffice. There is no need to closely phase-

match cables.

Multiple antenna arrays require modeling with software such as “EZNEC”by W7EL to examine the

multiple patterns possible by reversing phase and dropping antennas in a large system.

- 3 -

This unit is RoHS (Reduction of Hazardous Substances) compliant. The components,

including the solder used are all lead free. If you decide to do any modifications or internal

repairs, you should use only lead free solder and lead free soldering tools. Lead free solder

melts approximately 100 degrees (F) higher than the old leaded solder, so you may need to

upgrade your current soldering system.

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.

Additional Material Needed but not Supplied:

UMI-81343 - Anti-Seize compound - used on the threads of Stainless Steel Hardware to

prevent galling and aid in proper tightening torque.

Two electrically equal length 50Ω coaxial cables to run from the DXE-PS-2B to each of the

identical Yagi antennas.

4-Wire Control Cable - COM-CW4 Control Cable is ideal.

LCT-37534 Dielectric Grease

- 4 -

1 - Stacking Yagis

In-phase

The greatest gain increase comes from the

first pair of antennas.

Optimum spacing is usually around one-

wavelength stack spacing.

Lower heights produce a cleaner pattern.

Avoiding nulls in the middle of useful

propagation angles is often more important

than a small gain improvement.

Note that increased heights result in maximum

stack gain improvement (maximum gain still

occurs at about 1 wavelength antenna-to-antenna

spacing) and lower wave angles. The lowest

antenna should generally be significantly higher

than the antenna-to-antenna spacing above ground

for maximum stacking gain. Greatly increased

height produces more minor lobes and stronger

minor lobes.

Neglecting feedline losses, over medium soil two

stacked Hy-Gain model 205CA 20 meter antennas

have the following in-phase gain improvement:

Figure 1

70 feet = 1 wavelength

Height

35+70 ft

52+104 ft

70+140

Optimum

87.5+175

110+180ft

Gain/ angle

15.41dBi

@15 deg

16.89 dBi

@11 deg

17.27dBi

@ 8 deg

17.17

@7 deg

17.87 dBi

@ 6 deg

Stack spacing

0.5 wave

.75 wave

1 wave

1.25 wave

1 wave

Reference

Figures

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

- 5 -

Figure 2 - Maximum gain at 8 degree elevation

Figure 3 - Maximum gain at 6 degree elevation

- 6 -

Switching Out One Antenna

Dropping one antenna is useful to change patterns and fill null areas, even if it results in a loss of

overall gain. It is also useful for reducing or elimination precipitation static during inclement

weather by disconnecting the upper antenna. Pattern would depend on the type of antenna and

antenna height.

Out-of-Phase

Out-of-phase stacking is more effective at raising wave angle than dropping one antenna. Here is

the typical pattern of a maximum gain stack of Hy-Gain 205CA 20 meter antennas fed out-of-phase:

Figure 4 - Maximum gain at 28 degree elevation

- 7 -

Overlaying the two patterns of in-phase and out-of-phase:

Figure 5

If signals arrive in a null of the in-phase pattern, changing to out-of-phase can result in almost 40

dB increase in field strength.

In the pattern above, Blue is out-of-phase. Red is in-phase. This pattern demonstrates why the real

advantage is filling of nulls. Note the blue trace is 2 to 3 dB down from the in-phase gain, so it

primarily fills nulls.

- 8 -

2 - Phased Verticals

The stacking box can be used to feed three vertical antennas in a four pattern array. In this

arrangement the three antennas are each individually 1/4-wave resonant antennas. The center # 2

passive element must be directly grounded to a good ground system at all times. Elements #1 and

#3 are then fed in various phase relationships. The following patterns are for three 1/4-wave

elements over perfect ground. Figure 7 shows the proper radial system for three verticals with the

radial systems bonded together where they would intersect.

Elements 1 and 3 out-of-phase (in this special case middle element has no current):

Figure 6

Figure 7 Figure 8

EZNEC+ ver. 5.0

--------------- SOURCE DATA ---------------

Frequency = 7.1 MHz

Source 1 Voltage = 190.7 V at 18.03 deg.

Current = 4.136 A at 0.0 deg.

Impedance = 43.84 + J 14.27 ohms

Power = 750 watts

SWR (50 ohm system) = 1.392 (75 ohm

system) = 1.802

Source 2 Voltage = 190.7 V at -161.97 deg.

Current = 4.136 A at 180.0 deg.

Impedance = 43.84 + J 14.27 ohms

Power = 750 watts

SWR (50 ohm system) = 1.392 (75 ohm

system) = 1.802

Total applied power = 1500 watts

- 9 -

Element one or three only (pattern can reverse):

Figure 9

EZNEC+ ver. 5.0

--------------- SOURCE DATA ---------------

Frequency = 7.1 MHz

Source 1 Voltage = 252.1 V at 32.82 deg.

Current = 7.08 A at 0.0 deg.

Impedance = 29.93 + J 19.3 ohms

Power = 1500 watts

SWR (50 ohm system) = 2.024 (75 ohm system) = 2.701

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