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

[Lee STRAHAN]

Dave, until you can get out to look the array over there is no way to know any more. We have outlined the checks already, test the element voltages first.
  Lee

-----Original Message-----
From: Hi-zreceivingarraydiscussions [mailto:hi-zreceivingarraydiscussions-bounces at hizantennas.com] On Behalf Of daraymond at iowatelecom.net
Sent: Thursday, December 15, 2016 10:03 AM
To: Hi-Z Receiving Array Discussions <hi-zreceivingarraydiscussions at hizantennas.com>
Subject: Re: [Hi-zreceivingarraydiscussions] Hi-Z 8 160m UPDATE

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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