The Wellbrook Phased Array

The Wellbrook Phased Array is a totally new receiving antenna designed for optimum MW reception. This Antenna system is only Broadband Phased Array to offer a uni-directional pattern similar to the Beverage, over 360 degrees with electronic Null Steering. The design is the result of several years research by Wellbrook’s owner and chief design engineer Andrew H. Ikin. Trials of this new array have been performed in the US by experienced MW Dxers using the phasing system with high performance Active Vertical and Active Loop antennas.

These trials demonstrated that the Phased Array equipped with elements made from ALA 100 Large Aperture triangular Loop Antennas (one of the world's best active antennas) provided much lower noise and improved side rejection than an identical array equipped with Active Vertical antenna elements. This finding was particularly important for DXers living in urban areas. Moreover, comparative listening tests indicated that the Phased Array was equally as sensitive and directional as a 1000-1500ft Beverage, with the added advantage of deep null steering!

Phased Array Design: The Phased Array provides a reversible uni-directional reception pattern similar to a 1 wavelength Beverage with the added ability for the user to steer up to 50dB nulls around the back of the array.

The Phased Array consists of a Control Unit and two ALA100 Loop antennas. Each loop is triangular with just one support pole. The Phased Array can be expanded to use four ALA100 loop antennas to provide 360 degree coverage.

The Control Unit combines the output of the two antennas using a technique known as “Delay line Anti-phasing” i.e. the antennas are combined in anti-phase plus a Variable Delay-line equal to between 50% and 100% of the spacing of the antennas. This phasing technique provides a uni-directional reception pattern over a very wide bandwidth with only a minor adjustment to the controls.

This has a considerable advantage over the majority other phasing and noise cancelling systems which require constant adjustment even with small frequency changes.

PHASED ARRAY KEY FEATURES

• Uni-directional pattern similar to the Beverage
  
• Simple to erect (no control Lines)
  
• High Front to Back ratio and side rejection
  
• Up to 50dB null steering
  
• High dynamic range amplifiers IOP3 +42dBm; IOP2 +75dBm
  
• Very low noise ALA100 loop antennas
  
• Lower noise than Active Whip arrays
  
• 360° with 4 Loops
  
• 12Volt DC power, ideal for Dxpeditions
  
• Only requires 40m antenna spacing