AG Configuration

Geoff AB6BT

I am considering purchasing an AG 8X2. I have an 8600.

I have a couple questions that I couldn't answer by reading the user guide/manual.

Foe example, I have 2 antennas for 40 Meters.

1 - Can I configure the AG to select both 40 Meter antennas when I click the DIV button?

2 - Can I select one or the other individually using a profile?

I'm sure these are bacic setups. More questions will come to me…

I appreciate any feedback.

KD0RC

Hi Geoff, I am contemplating the same purchase for the same reason!

I believe that if you have two antennas defined for a band, the AG will pick the one that you last used there.

I don't think profiles send info to the AG.

I want one so that I have more options to either peak a signal or null out noise. I am currently using a loop on ground for diversity, and it works unbelievably well on the lower bands. For the higher bands, my beam outperforms the loop by too much of a margin, so it is not as effective there. That being said, during net operations, I can often hear sigs that are off the back or side of the beam that are lost in the noise without diversity.

Geoff AB6BT

Thanks Len. I'm still unclear how this works, or if it works…

How big is your Loop?

KD0RC

Hi Geoff, I built it the standard way (KK5IY) with 60 ft of wire (approx 20 ft diameter). I later added an additional 100 ft loop to try and get better 160 meter performance. That was marginally successful, so I will remove that and try a loop around my entire back yard to see what that does.

I keep it connected to RXB so that I don't accidentally transmit into it.

Rich M5RIC

If you have multiple antennas per band, when you move to that band, the AG utility will allow you to choose which one you want - will show as a clickable button.

From the AG you have 2 input ports, for R1 and R2, so if you wanted to use an antenna for diversity, you'd need to take the cable from R2 and plug in to ANT2(assuming R1 goes to ANT1) on the 8600 and choose the second 40m antenna for R2.

Then on the slice you have for DIV, select ANT2 on the Flex.

Geoff AB6BT

Len, yes, I was looking at the same souce. It looks easy enough top try. Do you use it mainly on 80 and 40?

Thanks Rich, That make sense.

As I don't have a dedicated receiving antenna, I might need to use ANT2, in your example, to transmit on another. I need to think through the TG and AG topologies.

Thanks all!

KD0RC

Hi Geoff, I use mine on 160 - 30. I occasionally use it on 20 - 10, but not too often.

Geoff AB6BT

Thanks Len, I might have to try one! Unfortunately I don't have what you would call an antenna for 160.

Did you use a binocular ferrite?

KD0RC

I did. I think I got 10 for around $5 from Mouser. They are #73 mix. I wound my transformer from #24 wire, but anything that you have that fits should work.

Geoff AB6BT

Thanks

David Decoons, wo2x

the AG has inband protection that as a default will prevent both ports selecting two different antennas on the same band.

You can disable the protection but do not enable Full Duplex unless you absolutely have enough isolation between antennas.

If you need further details, email support@4O3A.com with your antenna configuration and questions.

73 Dave wo2x

Geoff AB6BT

Thanks Dave