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Re: Topband: RX 4 SQ Phasing

To: Dennis W0JX <w0jx@yahoo.com>, "topband@contesting.com" <topband@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: Topband: RX 4 SQ Phasing
From: Larry Molitor <w7iuv@yahoo.com>
Reply-to: Larry Molitor <w7iuv@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 10 Aug 2012 09:31:10 -0700 (PDT)
List-post: <topband@contesting.com">mailto:topband@contesting.com>
Dennis, W0JX, is nearly correct but didn't go far enough.

In the last few years I've had up several Hi-Z two element arrays, a Hi-Z 4-sq, 
and a Hi-Z 2-3 array. They all exhibit the same characteristics. Depending on 
the element spacing used, the upper frequency limit may be over 7 MHz. For 
instance the 4-sq at 50 foot on a side worked nearly as well as my full size 40 
meter 4-sq. On the other hand, the 2 element array at 60 foot spacing is 
worthless on 40 meters.

However, the lower frequency limit of usefulness extends WAY below the AM 
broadcast band. For example I currently use a two element Hi-Z array with 60 
foot spacing and can see as much as 30 dB F/B as low as 150 kHz!. The 4-sq 
worked well as low as 350 kHz, maybe lower, never checked. The two element (and 
the 2-3 array) show outstanding performance on the new 630 meter band as well 
as NAVTEX and NDB frequencies.

Be aware that due to the long wave lengths and and the fact that a 70 foot 
tower with yagis on top is usually resonant in the BC band, when tuning 
around you may find frequencies that show little or no F/B. 

Pay attention to "arrival angle" as well. High angle signals will show little 
or no F/B and possibly even reversed direction.

The best way to test your array to see if it is actually working correctly is 
to look at local groundwave signals because the "arrival angle" of DX signals 
is usually unknown. It's pretty easy to tune local AM stations and check F/B 
when you know that the array will work down there about the same as on 160.

FWIW, the Flag, as built to K6SE's original spec also performs quite well as 
low as 100 kHz.

73, Larry - W7IUV


>________________________________
> From: Dennis W0JX <w0jx@yahoo.com>
> As far as phasing relationships, the HiZ antenna system uses "Cross Fire" 
>phasing, an approach that maintains a balanced
relationship in the delay lines over at least a 2 to 1 frequency range, so that 
the system works very well on 160 and 80 meters.
>
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