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Dressler Active Receiving Antenna
Installation Information
New Installation information:
The ARA 60 and HDX 100 antennas operate very well when mounted at ground level. Low
mounting greatly reduces the possibility of the coax reacting with the RF signal to inadvertantly
increase the effective length of the monopole antenna and minimizes man made noise pickup by
the antenna and coax. Read more in the ARA 60 and HDX 100 mounting section on page 4.
Introduction:
The Dressler ARA "Active Receiving Antenna" products are an excellent investment for your shortwave
listening pleasure. Our customers routinely tell us that they consider them to be the best commercially
available "active" antenna product on the market. The ARA antennas are small, light and very easy to
install. Even indoors, they provide excellent performance across their entire band ranges without any
tuning. The ARA 60 compares favorably with long wire antennas in terms of signal strength. In addition,
the ARA products are "Electrically Short" and offer the advantage of receiving a lower level of
disturbances due to electrostatic discharge and other man made (QRM) noise. The ARA low profile also
offers wind resistance to 100 MPH, when mounted on a suitable structure.
All standard ARA models provide about 7-14 dB of gain and low noise figures which can enhance the
sensitivity of virtually any shortwave receiver. We now offer LMR-240 (Ultra-Flex) low loss cable as an
option for the ARA UHF products. The low loss cable typically increases signal sensitivity by about 6 dB*
as compared to using standard RG-58/U cable. The HDX models are designed to withstand a higher level
of ambient signal level and are best suite for urban locations with high ambient RF levels or any other site
in close proximity to high power broadcast or other communication transmission services. All UHF HDX
models are supplied with the LMR-240 low loss cable.
Dressler ARA products offer several models, all designed to provide you with the best possible reception
in two basic frequency ranges, 40 kHz - 60 MHz and 50 MHz - 2000 MHz. A mast-mounted preamplifier
(EWPA 5200) is offered for those using "Discone" or high gain antenna types for special applications. All
ARA products are connected in the same manner, using the same basic power supply and cabling
components.
The ARA products are designed to operate with telecommunication receivers and wideband scanner
receivers with coaxial antenna inputs. Portable receivers with the internal telescopic or loop antennas are
difficult to connect to the ARA products and may not offer the level of performance associated with the
ARA product name.
*Based on loss factors for a 40’ length of coax at 2 GHz.
LMR-240 - 4.6 dB
RG-58 - 11 dB
(See page 4)
ARA 2000 shown
B
roadband Power Technology, 3945 North 900 West, Pleasant View, UT 84414-1055 Ph: 801.732.0924 Fx: 801.732.0891
Website: http://www.bptec.com Email: info@bptec.com
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Products -
ARA-60
The ARA-60 provides seamless receiving capability across the entire frequency range of 40 kHz to over
60 MHz, without any tuning and will typically work well through the FM broadcast band. The ARA-60 has
an integral RG-58 coaxial cable and is designed for vertical mounting to achieve an omni-directional
reception capability. Though the antenna is “electrically short” as compared to long wire aerials, the
reception is of nearly the same signal strength and quality.
ARA- 100 HDX
The ARA 100-HDX covers 40 kHz to 100 MHz and is specifically designed for use in locations with high
ambient RF signals levels. The HDX preamplifiers have a higher third order intercept point allowing them
to withstand higher signal levels with minimum intermodulation distortion. Locations near radio or
television broadcast antennas, cellular communication or paging sites typical of urban locations require
the added dynamic range of the HDX preamplifiers. Intermodulation distortion is generally indicated by
the appearance of multiple “Images” of a real signal as you tune across the band. See the
troubleshooting section for additional information.
ARA-2000LL
The ARA-2000LL covers the range from 50 MHz to 2000 MHz with the full receiving sensitivity and 50 to
80 MHz and 1500 to 2000 MHz with a slight reduction in sensitivity. The ARA-2000LL has been
developed for vertical mounting to achieve an omni-directional reception capability with a vertical
polarization. The ARA-2000LL includes the LMR-240 "Ultra-Flex" cable that provides added sensitivity.
The ARA-2000LL provides the same excellent receiving sensitivity as its predecessors, the ARA-900 and
1500, but now offers extended frequency coverage to 2000 MHz.
ARA-2000 HDX
The ARA 2000-HDX covers 50 to 2000 MHz and is specifically designed for use in locations with high
ambient RF signals levels. The HDX preamplifiers have a higher third order intercept point allowing them
to withstand higher signal levels with minimum intermodulation distortion. Locations near radio or
television broadcast antennas, cellular communication or paging sites typical of urban locations require
the added dynamic range of the HDX preamplifiers. Intermodulation distortion is generally indicated by
the appearance of multiple “Images” of a real signal as you tune across the band. See the
troubleshooting section for additional information. The HDX 2000 is supplied with the low loss LMR-240
"Ultra-Flex" coaxial cable.
EWPA-5200LL (Unavailable, replacement forthcoming)
The EWPA-5200LL is a mast mountable preamplifier covering the frequency range of 50 to 2000 MHz.
Like the ARA-2000LL, it allows the low noise preamplifier to be located very close to the antenna, to
optimize sensitivity. The EWPA-5200LL is specifically designed to accommodate the needs of users with
specialty antennas like the Discone, Yagi or log periodic. It will operate effectively on broadband or
narrowband antennas. The EWPA-5200LL version includes LMR-240 "Ultra-Flex" coax cables. (antenna
to preamp and main RF cable) The EWPA-5200 is protected against damage from static discharge.
Antennas designs with the receiving elements at DC ground are recommended in locations subject to
high wind and low relative humidity.
B
roadband Power Technology, 3945 North 900 West, Pleasant View, UT 84414-1055 Ph: 801.732.0924 Fx: 801.732.0891
Website: http://www.bptec.com Email: info@bptec.com
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The DC Power Supply -
The ARA series antennas utilize a wall plug adapter power supply. When connected to a main voltage of
120 VAC, it delivers a regulated 12 VDC with a maximum current of 1.0 amp. The antennas typically
require between 70-100 mA. This conservative power rating has been selected to provide a safe and
reliable supply that can be reliably used for the life of the installation.
The ARA series products require a minimum voltage 11 VDC and the maximum should not exceed 13
VDC. If you would like to supply ARA products with other DC power supplies do not attempt to operated
the ARA products outside of their specified voltage range. The inner ring of the connecting 5.5 X 2.5 mm
plug is the POSITIVE polarity while the outer shaft lead is NEGATIVE polarity.
The wall plug adapter is connection to the RSM-2000 INTERFACE. The INTERFACE allows the DC to be
applied to the center conductor of the coaxial cable, eliminating the need of an additional power supply
lead.
The RSM-2000 -
The RSM-2000 is basically a diplexer that allows the DC current for the preamplifier to be applied to the
center conductor of the RF coax, eliminating the need for an additional DC power feed conductor. The
RSM-2000 contains an internal fuse and a user variable attenuator to adjust the signal level of the
preamp in the event of signal overload conditions. The DC power connection is a 5.5 X 2.5 mm
receptacle.
The user replaceable fuse located under the top cover and can be accessed by removing the two Philips
screws located on the top cover. In the event that the fuse is found to be open (evidenced by having no
+12 VDC voltage at the center pin of the BNC(F) output connector), it can be replaced with a Radio
Shack P/N 279-1062, 0.75 A, slow-blow, 5X20 mm, GMA type.
The RSM-2000 also contains a high quality RF attenuator allowing received signals to be attenuated over
the entire frequency range of 50 kHz to 2000 MHz. The RF adjustment range is about 0-20 dB with
minimum insertion loss (maximum gain) in full clockwise position. The attenuator allows matching the gain
of the antenna to the receiver in use allowing reduction of gain for receivers that are sensitive to
additional gain placed at the RF input. It can also be used to reduce the effects of overdrive from local
broadcast stations.
The attenuator is adjusted via the blue adjustable screw located on the side of the Interface unit. To
reduce the gain, turn the attenuator counter clockwise, to increase the gain turn it clockwise. Additional
information can be found in the troubleshooting section.
Installation -
Where to Place the Antenna -
The UHF models, (ARA-2000, 2000-HDX) and antennas using the EWPA-5200 should be mounted as
high as possible above ground level and away from structures (towers), trees and other obstacles. A clear
view of the horizon in all directions will insure optimum reception. Installation of the ARA active antenna
outside the building structure will assure you of the best possible reception quality. Attic or closet
mounting although slightly less effective provides good performance for those not able to mount the
antennas outside.
B
roadband Power Technology, 3945 North 900 West, Pleasant View, UT 84414-1055 Ph: 801.732.0924 Fx: 801.732.0891
Website: http://www.bptec.com Email: info@bptec.com
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