Dressler ARA-2000 - User Manual

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
1
Active
Receiving
A
ntennas
Dressler Active Receiving Antenna
Installation Information
New Installation information: (See page 4)
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
ARA 2000 shown

Summary

Dressler Active Receiving Antenna Installation Information

New Installation Information

Guidance on new installation procedures and considerations for ARA antennas.

Introduction to ARA Antennas

Overview of Dressler ARA active receiving antenna products and their benefits.

Dressler ARA Product Line

ARA-60 Antenna Details

Details on the ARA-60 antenna, its frequency range (40 kHz-60 MHz), and features.

ARA-100 HDX for High RF Environments

Information on the ARA-100 HDX, designed for high ambient RF signal locations.

ARA-2000 LL Performance

Specs for the ARA-2000LL, covering 50 MHz to 2000 MHz with vertical polarization.

ARA-2000 HDX for Urban Locations

Details on the ARA-2000 HDX, optimized for high RF environments up to 2000 MHz.

EWPA-5200 LL Preamplifier

Description of the EWPA-5200LL mast-mountable preamplifier for specialty antennas.

System Power and Control

DC Power Supply Operation

Details on the wall plug adapter power supply for ARA antennas.

RSM-2000 Interface Functionality

Explanation of the RSM-2000 diplexer, fuse, and attenuator features for signal management.

Antenna Installation Guidelines

Optimal Antenna Placement

Guidelines on optimal antenna placement for reception quality and avoiding interference.

Installation Continued and Safety

Mounting ARA Antennas

Instructions on mounting hardware, mast compatibility, and wind resistance for ARA antennas.

System Connection Procedure

Steps for connecting the power supply to the antenna and then to the radio.

Critical Power Connection Warning

Warning about reversing DC connections to the RSM-2000 and receiver, which can cause damage.

Installation Diagrams

ARA 60;2000 Interconnect Diagram Notes

Notes on RSM-2000 fuse replacement and attenuator adjustment for ARA 60/2000.

EWPA 5200 Pre-amplifier Diagram

Operation and Troubleshooting

System Operation and Testing

Steps for powering up the system and expected performance after successful installation.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Guidelines for diagnosing and resolving performance issues with ARA antennas.

Advanced Troubleshooting

No Signal Output Diagnosis

Procedure to diagnose and resolve issues when no signal is output from the antenna.

Intermodulation & Receiver Overload

Guidance on identifying and mitigating intermodulation distortion and receiver overload issues.

Dressler ARA-2000 Specifications

General

Brand	Dressler
Model	ARA-2000
Category	Antenna
Language	English