[Hi-zreceivingarraydiscussions] Hi-Z 8 160m UPDATE

[daraymond at iowatelecom.net]

Further observations show the birdies/artifacts appear to be
sidebands coming from a mix of AM broadcast  stations.
The BC stations spurs appear at the usual places such as
1810, 1820, 1830 KHz, etc.  I've always heard birdies on
these frequencies from the 8 circle array (but not on the
TX antennas).   However, the spurs causing me problems
I believe are multiple sideband artifacts appearing at and
slightly below frequencies .xx5, .x15, .x25, .x35, (e.g., 1.825)
etc.  Changing the direction of the array has no affect on the
signal levels.  I hear none of this on my TX 4 square or my
quarter wave sloping vertical.  The closest BC transmitter
is a 5 kw station about 15 miles away.  The artifacts are present
during both daylight and darkness hours.  The array is appears
to be noisier than normal and is not hearing weak signals that I
can hear on either TX antenna.  The 8 circle is hearing
somewhat stronger signals and does show directivity.  It would
seem something has changed in the 8 circle array as I have not
ever experienced this problem in the past five years.     Ideas?

73. . . Dave, W0FLS

-----Original Message----- 
From: Lee STRAHAN
Sent: Wednesday, December 14, 2016 7:04 PM
To: Hi-Z Receiving Array Discussions
Subject: Re: [Hi-zreceivingarraydiscussions] Hi-Z 8 160m

Hello Dave,
   The only time we have ever seen the electronics generate any birdies is
when an element has been shorted to ground or installed backwards making the
antenna input connected to the ground rod. Check for the 4 to 5 VDC on each
element if any are low you may have a bad amp or element leakage problem.
I have had grass grow up and touch an element connection causing loss of
signal and directivity.
   Here is something you try. If you have a voltage adjustment on the array
vary the voltage a little to see if the birdies move. If no adjustment then
watch carefully as you turn the array power off to see if the birdies move
in frequency. If indeed they were being generated in the array I would
expect them to change a bit with power.
   All that being said it may be time to pull all the breakers in your house
to see if its coming from somewhere else.

I just got your second message and your comments about the  array are also
what will happen if an element is touching some foliage or being shorted
out. Directivity and low noise reception suffers.
  There ya go, my best guess.
GOOD LUCK

Lee K7TJR
Hi-Z Antennas





>>>
Hello Lee and company. . .

Over the past couple of weeks or so I’ve noticed some spurious signals in my
Hi-Z 8 circle 160m array.  I’ve always had BC spurs on 1820, 1830, 1840,
etc. but these are low level signals, just a few db above the noise floor.
They seem to be random in frequency spacing.  Some are 1 KHz apart, some
more, some less.  They are not clear, stable signals. . .rather, they are
warbly and “fuzzy” (something like AU) and seem a little broad.  There are
lots of them as I tune up down 20 or 30 KHz in the 1810 – 1835 KHz part of
the band.  The array seems to have normal performance, reasonably good
directivity, F/B, etc.  The signal levels do not change with direction of
the array which leads me to believe it is something internal to the array.
The weather here is very cold right now.  When it decides to warm up I will
go out and re-seat all the various connections including the F connectors,
connections from the preamps to the elements, element connections to ground
rod, etc.  I do have the 75 to 50 ohm box in line as I feed the array from
the shack with RG58.  I do not have a preamp in line.  Any ideas what might
be going on?

73. . . Dave, W0FLS
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