DX Engineering DXE-RR8B-HP-P1 Technical Article

Controlling a Stacked Yagi Array

Using the DXE-RR8 Series (-SD or -HP)

Remote Antenna Switch

DXE-RR8-STACKED-YAGI-Technical-Information - Revision 2b

Using the DXE-EC-8 One of Eight Control Console, or DXE-CC-8A Antenna 8 Port Switch Console

© DX Engineering 2018

1200 Southeast Ave. - Tallmadge, OH 44278

Phone: [phone] ∙ Tech Support and International: [phone]

Fax: [phone] ∙ E-mail: [e-mail]

Introduction

The DX Engineering RR8 series remote antenna switches (DXE-RR8 (series)-HP and -SD), when
combined with the DXE-EC-8 One of Eight Control Console or DXE-CC-8A Antenna Switch 8
port Control Console, enables users to simultaneously select multiple antennas in stacked arrays of
Yagi or broadside arrays. This brief guide provides instructions on how to properly connect and
control stacked antennas and phasing lines to the RR8 series of switches.

Principles of Stacked Yagi Arrays

The DX Engineering RR8 series/EC-8 or CC-8A remote switching system, when combined with a
simple diode matrix and 1/4 wavelength 75Ω Q-sections, allows users to stack four antennas and
obtain an SWR under 1.35:1 (when any combination up to three antennas is selected).

The eight ports on the RR8 remote antenna switch and the 8 positions on the EC-8 or CC-8A
controller offer users flexibility in connecting many combinations of the four antennas. More
information on stacking yagi antennas can be found in the ARRL Antenna Book in Chapter 11.

Connecting Multiple Yagi Antennas

Since the eight ports on the RR8 enable so many combinations
for stacked antennas, we have created an example to illustrate
one possibility of this versatile antenna switch.

Example An amateur radio operator has a tower with four
stacked Yagi antennas as symbolized in Figure 1. After modeling
the possible antenna combinations, the operator decides on the
arrangement shown in Table 1. From that, he creates Table 2 as
a matrix to track the association of ports on the RR8, switches on
the CC-8A controller, and antennas on the stack. To make
switching easier, he then creates a diode matrix as shown in
Figure 2. Finally, he attaches the feedlines according to the
guidelines highlighted on page 3.

To connect the antennas in this example, refer to the tables and
figures on page 2 and the guidelines table on page 3, and then do
the following:

1. Determine how many antennas you want to stack.

Note: You can connect up to 4 antennas, but only 3 can be selected
individually or simultaneously. In this example, Antenna B is Figure 1
selectable in a stack, but not independently.

2. Create a matrix like Table 2 to assign antennas to the proper ports and switches.

- 1 -