[Hi-zreceivingarraydiscussions] Grounds for 4 square

[contact at hizantennas.com]

 Hello Phil and the group,
  The reason for using a distant station is so the error between antennas is
not affected by the square law loss of signal versus distance to the source.
You do not want the distance between elements to be a significant portion of
the distance to the source. This becomes very important for sources close to
the array. Ground wave would be fine as you are looking for a large enough
signal to give you some resolution in the measurement. This is just a quick
field test to determine the health just as it did for you and your bad amp.
This test easily lets you know when something is drastically wrong.
   There is a better way to more accurately test the system and that is why
we make the little battery powered Signal Source. Without disconnecting the
delay lines you can attach our source to each element in turn and induce a
S-9 fixed level signal right into the amp and element combination. The
signal source is a 1.8432 MHz source at approx.. S-9 with a 56pf capacitive
source capacitor. This allows the oscillator to simulate an element or
inject to an element a signal simulating a received signal. Because this
source does not transmit, it is direct connected to only one element  it can
be applied with the delay lines left connected to each element in turn
testing both the element and the amplifier plus the system. You should test
each direction for each amp/element you test.
  In order to test the system you can simply use the S-meter. If you desire
better resolution you can turn the receiver AGC off and use a voltmeter
connected to the RX speaker. The voltmeter should read the tone and indicate
the changes in level between tests. Most SDR radios also allow you to switch
to dBm readings instead of S-Meter readings. I understand the Elecraft K3
can do this also. I have a K3 but have never looked this up and how to
accomplish that.
     The only way I know of right now to test the ground resistance without
really expensive equipment  is to use one of the little VNA devices to read
the R component of the element with ground rod. As John pointed out the
element itself R component is very small for a shortened element like this.
That allows the VNA or bridge to read  the ground resistance. If you have a
N2PK VNA and the RFIV impedance bridge it is perfect for this as it measures
high impedances much more accurately. The high impedance part of this is the
elements source capacitance of around 70 to 100 pf.
   Nothing is too basic Phil, I should have written this down long ago. I go
through it quite often as people contact me with questions.

Lee K7TJR
Hi-Z Antennas



>>>
Hi Lee and all,
Have done those tests here on the 4-8P and shows a lot as found one amp that
was down a little and was distorting the signal. The stronger the sig the
more it distorts.
Changed to a new amp there and all seems fine now. Have not checked fully
bad amp.
Questions:
-As you suggested to use WWV, I found Canada time at 3.330Mhz also. What
will the distance and time of day effect things. RE: ground or sky wave?
-My ant are set at 80ft per side and would 2.5Mhz be better? Realize it is
just comparison sig strength. Have noticed long fades on sigs so have to
wait for max sig time for true comparison.
-Assume discussion here is antenna resistance. Is it worth doing a "ground"
resistance of each ground rod. If so what would the best method be?
-When testing full system, I have been using Smeter with attenuater on max
sig at less than S9 for better reading. Is there a better way? Way for
actual Db readings?

Sorry if this too basic and/or long, but have been thinking/testing on this.
Too much of an engineer here. Hi.
Thanks for the great discussions here, have learned a lot. Now remember what
I learned. Hi. 
73  Phil W9IXX