From k7tjr at msn.com Wed Sep 15 02:15:40 2010 From: k7tjr at msn.com (Lee K7TJR) Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2010 23:15:40 -0700 Subject: [Hi-zreceivingarraydiscussions] Greetings Message-ID: Greetings to all whom have signed up for the reflector. We are working very hard to keep ahead of the fall season orders. Thank you. We are also looking forward to some great discussions on this reflector. We have shipped some of our first 8 element arrays and look forward to comments from users on those. We are now waiting on a new batch of circuit boards so we can assemble more 8 element arrays. The 4 element arrays are being delivered in short order now that we have plenty of boards for those. The three element systems are being assembled now as well so we will be in an on the shelf situation again. As the 8 element arrays mature, we will be keeping our eyes and ears open for other possible products. No I dont think I will do a 4-square of 8 element arrays in the near future hi hi. So keep us in mind if you think of any ham radio products waiting to be built. On a personal note I am thinking we may see another really good season this year. I guess time will tell. Lee K7TJR From k1uo at uninet.net Fri Sep 17 16:43:41 2010 From: k1uo at uninet.net (L Emery) Date: Fri, 17 Sep 2010 16:43:41 -0400 Subject: [Hi-zreceivingarraydiscussions] Congratulations Message-ID: Congratulations Lee and HI-Z Antennas for getting the Reflector live! I am looking forward to some interesting discussions or even descriptions of how the K7TJR array users are configuring their systems! My RX4SQ system, for example, is located 750ft away from the shack and about 550ft away from the 160/80 series fed xmit tower. This distance posed a problem at first due to insufficient voltage getting to the terminals of the controller at the array center. This was resolved by using HD rotor cable to carry the control lines and power and the use of a small 4amp Astron PS dedicated to the system and jacking up the voltage a bit at the shack end to ensure 13+ volts at the controller. I used the 80ft spacing recommended for dual band usage but phasing cables for best RDF but I think I would like to try the phasing for best F/B ...I believe now it would be more useful at this qth. Lee are you listening!!?? 73 Larry K1UO From k7tjr at msn.com Fri Sep 17 18:44:38 2010 From: k7tjr at msn.com (Lee K7TJR) Date: Fri, 17 Sep 2010 15:44:38 -0700 Subject: [Hi-zreceivingarraydiscussions] Maximum F/b with 80 ft spacing Message-ID: Larry, of course we are listening. I apologize, I think you may have asked me this once before, I forgot. You can just cut two pieces of RG-6 cable, connectorize them and add them to get to best pattern mode on the array. cable 1 should be cut to 6'10" and added to the Short Delay cable with a GOOD through barrel connector. cable 2 should be cut to 23'9" and added to the Long Delay cable with a GOOD through barrel connector. This should substantially reduce any back lobes on the array. Let us know how this works. Lee K7TJR From contact at hizantennas.com Fri Sep 17 20:31:12 2010 From: contact at hizantennas.com (Contact) Date: Fri, 17 Sep 2010 17:31:12 -0700 Subject: [Hi-zreceivingarraydiscussions] DX0DX Spratley Island January 2011 Message-ID: <4C940850.7000501@hizantennas.com> *Hi-Z Antennas^(TM) has donated 2 complete Hi-Z Antennas 4 Element Array Systems, 8 of our HD-19 verticals that will be specially packaged for immediate deployment and installation. There will be one 4 Element System at the CW and one at the SSB camps on Thitu Island. This will maximize the 160 and 80 meter QSO numbers. The group will retain this equipment for other future operations.* ** *73 de Dick KO7N* From w7jw at arrl.net Fri Sep 17 22:40:57 2010 From: w7jw at arrl.net (Jeff) Date: Fri, 17 Sep 2010 22:40:57 -0400 Subject: [Hi-zreceivingarraydiscussions] My new HI-Z 4SQ Message-ID: Congratulations Lee and Dick on launching this reflector and a fine line of off the shelf low band receiving antenna systems. In the past week I've finally gotten around to installing the electronics part of my new Hi-Z 4SQ system after spending the summer field testing different antenna mounts for durability and survivability in the Michigan winds. The real test I suppose will be the November ice storms and high winds. I ended up using plain old 5' green metal fence posts pounded in the ground about 30". The remaining 30" held my 23' tapered vertical tubing (thanks to shed full of old and broken antenna parts) antennas. The bottom section starts with 3/4" tubing surrounded with 1" PVC tubing 24" long to insulate it from the metal fence post. A couple of 2 1/2" stainless steel worm gear clamps hold it to the post. It took me about 20 minutes of "Home Depot" engineering to figure out how to best protect the preamps from the weather. That's when I found the non-metallic conduit section of their electrical department and where I discovered that these little preamps fit perfectly inside an LB made for 2" non-metallic conduit. It had a 2" hole on the bottom to allow the RG6 in and the moisture out, a 2" hole on the side to allow the ground and antenna leads out and a removable cover that allowed me to install and easily remove the preamp. A little duct tape over the side hole to cover the antenna and ground wires keeps the rain and snow out and the whole thing is held to the fence post with a couple of long black ty-raps. Stick a little mirror underneath the bottom hole and you can see the preamp's red LED to let you know the power is getting to the preamp. The main signal combiner and delay lines are held in a 12" by 15" by 8" non-metallic electrical enclosure in the center of the array with a couple of 1" holes and bushings for the four feed lines, the power and control lines and the output line. I chose to cut my delay lines for best F/B and man does it ever work. I can pick a frequency in the top end of the broadcast band, look in four different directions and listen to four different stations Q5. I left my homebrew K9AY antenna up to do some A/B comparisons and so far I'm impressed. It is a lot quieter than the K9AY in any given direction. Time will tell as the season progresses and it will be nice to be able to check the difference between the 4SQ and the K9AY. I hope some of this helps others who might still be working on their systems. Good luck to all and CU in the pile ups! 73 Jeff Wheeler w7jw at arrl.net From k7tjr at msn.com Sat Sep 18 11:20:42 2010 From: k7tjr at msn.com (Lee K7TJR) Date: Sat, 18 Sep 2010 08:20:42 -0700 Subject: [Hi-zreceivingarraydiscussions] While you're waiting Message-ID: Greetings Hi-Z group. While we are waiting for the 80 and 160 meter bands to open up there is something else to do. We recently had the opportunity to compare the standard 80 foot sides 4-square to a 4 element 40 meter beam at 180 foot elevation. We are pleased to note to everyone that the 4-square RX array really can hold its own on 40 meters. Although the pattern does deteriorate a bit on 40, the tests we made indicated that the 4-square heard all the 40-meter signals equally as well as the beam at 180 feet. Also, as Jeff pointed out about the broadcast band, we are finding this an excellent way of verifying that your array is really working right. Barring other close antennas or location compromises, you should see about 30 dB or better front to back on the high end of the BC band. If you see this, it is a very good indication the array is working well. We also have a BC band SWL guy testing a 4-square array right now to see how we stack up against their multi phased loops and etc. I have a hard time waiting to hear the results. Lee K7TJR From w5tm at ecewb.com Sun Sep 19 18:15:32 2010 From: w5tm at ecewb.com (Ed Gilliland) Date: Sun, 19 Sep 2010 17:15:32 -0500 Subject: [Hi-zreceivingarraydiscussions] hiZ 8-200 Message-ID: Anyone using the HiZ 8-200 with the Green Heron Wireless Cable boxes? Ed/W5TM From btippett at alum.mit.edu Mon Sep 20 14:20:15 2010 From: btippett at alum.mit.edu (Bill Tippett) Date: Mon, 20 Sep 2010 14:20:15 -0400 Subject: [Hi-zreceivingarraydiscussions] Maximum F/b with 80 ft spacing Message-ID: Greetings everyone! I've had a 4SQ operating for about 1 year now. My major RX problem here is usually lightning noise to the SW of me (FL to TX), so I chose the Max F/R setup with 80' spacing and am very happy with it. I normally have 7-8 Beverages up when all the crops are out of the fields but wanted a separate RX antenna to use for diversity RX in my K3. I normally have the Beverages to Main and the 4SQ to Sub, but I can also switch Main to my TX Array which does have some directivity (not as good as a real 4SQ but ~20 dB). I find the RX 4SQ is not quite as good as a 1000' Beverage but it still works very well, especially considering that you get 4 directions. My system is actually a hybrid of different parts (mostly acquired used) but I used Lee's antenna preamps, his in-shack preamp and his design information. I use a DXE controller with signaling voltages sent over the coax via the DXE FVC-1. Like K1UO I have a very long run (800' of shorted WD-1A) to supply DC to the verticals. I use a separate variable power supply to apply ~18V in the shack yielding ~14.5V at the controller. From the controller the voltage is injected into the 4 coax lines to the verticals. I didn't have any problems with this system all last season and was very pleased with it. Just recently I had a coyote attack at the base of my verticals. My lines were all buried except for the last foot to the preamps. The coyotes severely chewed all 4 coaxes so I had to splice all with a female/female barrel connector, taking care that all were electrically the same length. I THEN discovered I had experienced lightning damage to all 4 preamps. Apparently a nearby lightning strike had coupled in via the grounds (not the antenna) and blew out most of the inductors and semiconductors. Now I'll remove all connections (ANT, GND and COAX) during lightning season unless Lee comes up with a better protection scheme. I'm a little disappointed about that because I really hoped the 4SQ would give me a directional RX antenna in the "off season" when I don't have all my Beverages up over fields in cultivation. My solution to the coyote problem was to mount a plastic bucket at each vertical with a hole for the vertical to exit...so far I've had no more attacks (also sprinkled some "Dog and Cat Repellent" purchased from Lowes). So far so good! Lee definitely has made both a performance and price contribution with his systems! I'd love to try an 8 vertical system if I can figure out where to put it and muster the energy to clear a 200' circle, but that won't happen this season. Finally I'd like to thank Lee for his fantastic support...both advice and very rapid (and economical) repair of my 4 blown preamps. 73, Bill W4ZV From btippett at alum.mit.edu Mon Sep 20 14:47:33 2010 From: btippett at alum.mit.edu (Bill Tippett) Date: Mon, 20 Sep 2010 14:47:33 -0400 Subject: [Hi-zreceivingarraydiscussions] Maximum F/b with 80 ft spacing In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: One more thing. If any of you who are using diversity sometimes wish for better switching flexibility for the Main and Sub receivers, you might consider K9AY's RAS 8X2 switch: http://www.aytechnologies.com/Products/RAS8x2data.htm Using this you can apply any of 8 antennas to either Main or Sub for diversity. Preamps for both outputs are separately selectable using the keypad controllers. I think this is a very elegant switching solution for diversity users (as well as SO2R or Multiops). 73, Bill From jcclark at myfairpoint.net Mon Sep 20 15:13:43 2010 From: jcclark at myfairpoint.net (Craig Clark) Date: Mon, 20 Sep 2010 15:13:43 -0400 Subject: [Hi-zreceivingarraydiscussions] help for YC0LOW In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <00e701cb58f7$f27a7870$d76f6950$@net> Date: Mon, 20 Sep 2010 19:57:55 +0700 From: "Jo, YC0LOW" Subject: Topband: Elevated Feedline for RX To: topband at contesting.com Message-ID: Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 Hi friends, I am in preparation to erect 4 sq rx array, made in Hi-Z Antenna (tnx Lee, K7TJR), for this topband season. I finally, could rent a flat and wide opened land-lot which is enough to fit the antenna footprint without any inductive sources or houses nearby. But, the site is located almost 500 meters from my shack. And, I can only elevate the feedline (Belden RG6-U) because the housing developer restricts me to bury the coax. I have no experience in elevating feedline such long for RX antenna (only had it for few meters when it's crossing the road). Need your advices/suggestions to make it alright. I may be the first to use this array in YC-land and hopefully will be able to receiving better on topband, soon. TIA es 73 de Jo, YC0LOW. Jo, I am going to cross post this to the Hi-Z website for you in case someone there has an idea that would help in addition to input from this august group. I'd keep the feedline up high enough that humans and animals will not be able to pull it down. I'd also run the control line with the coax. But, how are you going to get around the issue of voltage drop in a 1500' run? We all are pulling for you and hope this is the magic you need to work us! Craig K1QX Craig Clark K1QX Radioware PO Box 209 Rindge NH 03461 603 899 6957 www.radio-ware.com From contact at hizantennas.com Mon Sep 20 15:46:00 2010 From: contact at hizantennas.com (Contact) Date: Mon, 20 Sep 2010 12:46:00 -0700 Subject: [Hi-zreceivingarraydiscussions] help for YC0LOW In-Reply-To: <00e701cb58f7$f27a7870$d76f6950$@net> References: <00e701cb58f7$f27a7870$d76f6950$@net> Message-ID: <4C97B9F8.5040507@hizantennas.com> TNX Craig. I just invited Jo to join the group and sent him some about his situation via the TB reflector and here. 73 Dick KO7N Hi-Z Antennas(tm) On 9/20/2010 12:13 PM, Craig Clark wrote: > Date: Mon, 20 Sep 2010 19:57:55 +0700 > From: "Jo, YC0LOW" > Subject: Topband: Elevated Feedline for RX > To: topband at contesting.com > Message-ID: > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > Hi friends, > I am in preparation to erect 4 sq rx array, made in Hi-Z Antenna (tnx > Lee, K7TJR), for this topband season. I finally, could rent a flat and > wide opened land-lot which is enough to fit the antenna footprint > without any inductive sources or houses nearby. But, the site is > located almost 500 meters from my shack. And, I can only elevate the > feedline (Belden RG6-U) because the housing developer restricts me to > bury the coax. > I have no experience in elevating feedline such long for RX antenna > (only had it for few meters when it's crossing the road). > Need your advices/suggestions to make it alright. I may be the first > to use this array in YC-land and hopefully will be able to receiving > better on topband, soon. TIA es 73 de Jo, YC0LOW. > > Jo, > > I am going to cross post this to the Hi-Z website for you in case someone > there has an idea that would help in addition to input from this august > group. > > I'd keep the feedline up high enough that humans and animals will not be > able to pull it down. I'd also run the control line with the coax. But, how > are you going to get around the issue of voltage drop in a 1500' run? > > We all are pulling for you and hope this is the magic you need to work us! > > Craig K1QX > > Craig Clark K1QX > Radioware > PO Box 209 > Rindge NH 03461 > 603 899 6957 > www.radio-ware.com > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > Hi-zreceivingarraydiscussions mailing list > Hi-zreceivingarraydiscussions at hizantennas.com > http://mail.hizantennas.com/mailman/listinfo/hi-zreceivingarraydiscussions_hizantennas.com > From yc0low at gmail.com Mon Sep 20 18:38:55 2010 From: yc0low at gmail.com (Jo, YC0LOW) Date: Tue, 21 Sep 2010 05:38:55 +0700 Subject: [Hi-zreceivingarraydiscussions] Elevated Feedline for RX Message-ID: Thanks for your response, Clark, K1QX. It added to some issues I had from Topband Reflector. And I hope I can deal sooner with these project. BTW, also a thank you for Dick, K7ON, who invited me to this group. I am glad that now on the list. 73 de Jo, YC0LOW On 9/20/2010 12:13 PM, Craig Clark wrote: > Date: Mon, 20 Sep 2010 19:57:55 +0700 > From: "Jo, YC0LOW" > Subject: Topband: Elevated Feedline for RX > To: topband at contesting.com > Message-ID: > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > Hi friends, > I am in preparation to erect 4 sq rx array, made in Hi-Z Antenna (tnx > Lee, K7TJR), for this topband season. I finally, could rent a flat and > wide opened land-lot which is enough to fit the antenna footprint > without any inductive sources or houses nearby. But, the site is > located almost 500 meters from my shack. And, I can only elevate the > feedline (Belden RG6-U) because the housing developer restricts me to > bury the coax. > I have no experience in elevating feedline such long for RX antenna > (only had it for few meters when it's crossing the road). > Need your advices/suggestions to make it alright. I may be the first > to use this array in YC-land and hopefully will be able to receiving > better on topband, soon. TIA es 73 de Jo, YC0LOW. > > Jo, > > I am going to cross post this to the Hi-Z website for you in case someone > there has an idea that would help in addition to input from this august > group. > > I'd keep the feedline up high enough that humans and animals will not be > able to pull it down. I'd also run the control line with the coax. But, how > are you going to get around the issue of voltage drop in a 1500' run? > > We all are pulling for you and hope this is the magic you need to work us! > > Craig K1QX > > Craig Clark K1QX > Radioware > PO Box 209 > Rindge NH 03461 > 603 899 6957 > www.radio-ware.com From k7hc at charter.net Mon Sep 20 18:54:22 2010 From: k7hc at charter.net (K7HC) Date: Mon, 20 Sep 2010 15:54:22 -0700 Subject: [Hi-zreceivingarraydiscussions] Elevated Feedline for RX References: Message-ID: It's K07N (kay oh seven enn) Clay Brown - K7HC / V31HC k7hc at charter.net www.linehand.com/k7hc.htm www.linehand.com www.lehmschlog.com ----- Original Message ----- From: Jo, YC0LOW To: hi-zreceivingarraydiscussions at hizantennas.com Sent: Monday, September 20, 2010 3:38 PM Subject: [Hi-zreceivingarraydiscussions] Elevated Feedline for RX Thanks for your response, Clark, K1QX. It added to some issues I had from Topband Reflector. And I hope I can deal sooner with these project. BTW, also a thank you for Dick, K7ON, who invited me to this group. I am glad that now on the list. 73 de Jo, YC0LOW On 9/20/2010 12:13 PM, Craig Clark wrote: > Date: Mon, 20 Sep 2010 19:57:55 +0700 > From: "Jo, YC0LOW" > Subject: Topband: Elevated Feedline for RX > To: topband at contesting.com > Message-ID: > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > Hi friends, > I am in preparation to erect 4 sq rx array, made in Hi-Z Antenna (tnx > Lee, K7TJR), for this topband season. I finally, could rent a flat and > wide opened land-lot which is enough to fit the antenna footprint > without any inductive sources or houses nearby. But, the site is > located almost 500 meters from my shack. And, I can only elevate the > feedline (Belden RG6-U) because the housing developer restricts me to > bury the coax. > I have no experience in elevating feedline such long for RX antenna > (only had it for few meters when it's crossing the road). > Need your advices/suggestions to make it alright. I may be the first > to use this array in YC-land and hopefully will be able to receiving > better on topband, soon. TIA es 73 de Jo, YC0LOW. > > Jo, > > I am going to cross post this to the Hi-Z website for you in case someone > there has an idea that would help in addition to input from this august > group. > > I'd keep the feedline up high enough that humans and animals will not be > able to pull it down. I'd also run the control line with the coax. But, how > are you going to get around the issue of voltage drop in a 1500' run? > > We all are pulling for you and hope this is the magic you need to work us! > > Craig K1QX > > Craig Clark K1QX > Radioware > PO Box 209 > Rindge NH 03461 > 603 899 6957 > www.radio-ware.com _______________________________________________ Hi-zreceivingarraydiscussions mailing list Hi-zreceivingarraydiscussions at hizantennas.com http://mail.hizantennas.com/mailman/listinfo/hi-zreceivingarraydiscussions_hizantennas.com From yc0low at gmail.com Mon Sep 20 19:04:43 2010 From: yc0low at gmail.com (=?utf-8?B?Sm8sIFlDMExPV8Ku?=) Date: Mon, 20 Sep 2010 23:04:43 +0000 Subject: [Hi-zreceivingarraydiscussions] Elevated Feedline for RX In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <879480594-1285023884-cardhu_decombobulator_blackberry.rim.net-1886664296-@bda2031.bisx.prodap.on.blackberry> My apologise for the mistake. I should had written "Dick, K07N". Thanks to Clay K7HC for the correction. 73 de Jo, YC0LOW Sent from my BlackBerry? -----Original Message----- From: "K7HC" Sender: hi-zreceivingarraydiscussions-bounces at hizantennas.com Date: Mon, 20 Sep 2010 15:54:22 To: Hi-Z Receiving Array Discussions Reply-To: Hi-Z Receiving Array Discussions Subject: Re: [Hi-zreceivingarraydiscussions] Elevated Feedline for RX It's K07N (kay oh seven enn) Clay Brown - K7HC / V31HC k7hc at charter.net www.linehand.com/k7hc.htm www.linehand.com www.lehmschlog.com ----- Original Message ----- From: Jo, YC0LOW To: hi-zreceivingarraydiscussions at hizantennas.com Sent: Monday, September 20, 2010 3:38 PM Subject: [Hi-zreceivingarraydiscussions] Elevated Feedline for RX Thanks for your response, Clark, K1QX. It added to some issues I had from Topband Reflector. And I hope I can deal sooner with these project. BTW, also a thank you for Dick, K7ON, who invited me to this group. I am glad that now on the list. 73 de Jo, YC0LOW On 9/20/2010 12:13 PM, Craig Clark wrote: > Date: Mon, 20 Sep 2010 19:57:55 +0700 > From: "Jo, YC0LOW" > Subject: Topband: Elevated Feedline for RX > To: topband at contesting.com > Message-ID: > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 > > Hi friends, > I am in preparation to erect 4 sq rx array, made in Hi-Z Antenna (tnx > Lee, K7TJR), for this topband season. I finally, could rent a flat and > wide opened land-lot which is enough to fit the antenna footprint > without any inductive sources or houses nearby. But, the site is > located almost 500 meters from my shack. And, I can only elevate the > feedline (Belden RG6-U) because the housing developer restricts me to > bury the coax. > I have no experience in elevating feedline such long for RX antenna > (only had it for few meters when it's crossing the road). > Need your advices/suggestions to make it alright. I may be the first > to use this array in YC-land and hopefully will be able to receiving > better on topband, soon. TIA es 73 de Jo, YC0LOW. > > Jo, > > I am going to cross post this to the Hi-Z website for you in case someone > there has an idea that would help in addition to input from this august > group. > > I'd keep the feedline up high enough that humans and animals will not be > able to pull it down. I'd also run the control line with the coax. But, how > are you going to get around the issue of voltage drop in a 1500' run? > > We all are pulling for you and hope this is the magic you need to work us! > > Craig K1QX > > Craig Clark K1QX > Radioware > PO Box 209 > Rindge NH 03461 > 603 899 6957 > www.radio-ware.com _______________________________________________ Hi-zreceivingarraydiscussions mailing list Hi-zreceivingarraydiscussions at hizantennas.com http://mail.hizantennas.com/mailman/listinfo/hi-zreceivingarraydiscussions_hizantennas.com _______________________________________________ Hi-zreceivingarraydiscussions mailing list Hi-zreceivingarraydiscussions at hizantennas.com http://mail.hizantennas.com/mailman/listinfo/hi-zreceivingarraydiscussions_hizantennas.com From yc0low at gmail.com Mon Sep 20 19:56:39 2010 From: yc0low at gmail.com (Jo, YC0LOW) Date: Tue, 21 Sep 2010 06:56:39 +0700 Subject: [Hi-zreceivingarraydiscussions] Fwd: Elevated Feedline for RX In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: I hope this Forward Message will be helpful. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Jo, YC0LOW Date: Tue, Sep 21, 2010 at 6:52 AM Subject: Re: Elevated Feedline for RX To: topband at contesting.com I'd like to thank indeed those who privately responded to my previous posting here. To summarize, the suggestions are: - Dean, W5PJR: adding preamp, and coax/feedline isolation choke - Bob, N7UA: using coax/feedline choke made of large ferrite material 73 - Jorge, CX6VM/CW5W - Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ: using cable TV spec RG6 which has a solid steel messenger, make small ferrite isolators ala W8JI - Rick, N6RK: using a steel cable that stretches between anchors at the ends Also, I had from Hi-Z Reflector: -Craig, K1QX: running the control line with the coax. But, with the issue of voltage drop in a 1500 ft run. All great stuffs! Tnx es 73 de Jo, YC0LOW