The ACB-4 Phased Array System
For 2 or 4 element vertical arrays

LEFT: ACB-40 loaned to ZL9CI Campbell Island, January 1999	RIGHT: ACB-20 loaned to FP/Miquelon Island, August 1998 and to TX0DX, Chesterfield Reef, March, 2000

COMTEK uses state of the art design and technology to offer every ham the most advanced antenna systems possible.

Our Phased Array Systems are affordable, simple to install and easy to use. COMTEK makes mono-band phased array switches from 160-10 meters.

A phased array consists of two of more elements fed with a particular phase and power ratio to obtain a directional pattern. Each element of the antenna can be fed with different amounts of power and phase relationships to obtain this directional pattern, providing good gain and front-to-back and front-to-side ratios. COMTEK phased array switchboxes can be used with 2 or 4-element horizontal or vertical arrays. Our 4-square vertical array provides the greatest directivity. To learn more about vertical arrays, see our section on Four Squares.

The COMTEK ACB-4 Phased Array System provides the above left patterns using 2-elements. Note the clean pattern and 25 dB of front-to-back at low angles. Gain is 4 dB over a single element using a good ground.

4-Square Array

Even more gain and better front-to-back and front-to-side ratios are possible using a 4-element array. Four separate verticals are arranged in a square--a 4-square array--one vertical at each corner of a square. The square is one quarter wavelength on a side. Its pattern is directional across each diagonal of that square. In other words, it beams across opposite corners of the square. COMTEK's ACB-4 provides the correct power and phase division between these 4 vertical elements and a switch matrix which allows rotation of the relative powers and phases allowing 4 separate directions at the flick of a switch from your operating position. The exterior switchbox of the ACB-4 contains all the switching and phase and power controls using hybrid toroids. No coax cables are hanging at the switchbox. You switch 90 degrees at each of the 4 switch settings--providing a full 360 degrees of coverage.

FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS

ACB-4 HYBRID PHASING COUPLER

1. One amp (1A @ 12.6VCT) transformer for durable and reliable 115 VAC operation
   
2. 200 PIV full wave bridge rectifier
   
3. Primary and secondary voltages fused
   
4. Heavy duty one amp diodes with Spraque RF bypass caps
   
5. Custom US switch permits 360 degree rotation in either direction with no stops
   
6. Current limiting resistor protection for each LED
   
7. Chassis and cover custom manufactured to our specifications by TEN-TEC, Inc.
   
8. LEXAN label for recording favored directions
   
9. Compact size: 2"H x 6"W x 4 5/8" D
   

1. Fifteen amp gold plated contact relays with dust covers
   
2. Belden TEFLON silver stranded wire over 3M Fiberglass tape wound toroids
   
3. Sprague 5% balanced temperature, frequency and voltage stable capacitors
   
4. Laboratory analyzed for improved performance
   
5. Double-sided printed circuit board
   
6. ORIGINAL DUAL HYBRID MANUFACTURER
   
7. Two KW conservative rating for Amateur Radio Service
   
8. Harris MOV's for lightning surge protection with Spraque RF bypass caps
   
9. Size: 4"H x 6"W x 8 1/2"D
   
10. Brushed aluminum finish Z-Chassis and Cover with riveted seams

CUSTOMER PHOTOS

• G4ATA - photographs and construction details of a full size 80 meter 4-Square array using a Comtek ACB-80 Hybrid Phasing System.
• K9ES - photographs and construction details of a full size 80 meter 4-Square array using a Comtek ACB-80 Hybrid Phasing System.
• K7EM - photographs and construction details of a full size 80 meter 4-Square array using a Comtek ACB-80 Hybrid Phasing System.
• K3LR - 80M 4 Square using modified Hy-Towers that are 75 feet tall and self-supporting! The trick was to use extreme taper. You can also see more photos at the official K3LR web site.
• K4JA - 80m and 160m full-size 4-squares. 80m array is made from 3" aluminum irrigation tubing, spaced 3/8ths wave per side. 160m 1/4 wave array is made from Rohn 35 tower.
• K7NV - 40m 4-square using the ACB-40 Hybrid Coupler.

PRODUCT REVIEWS

• http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/1052 - ACB-4 4-Square Reviews at eHam

More Information:

To learn more about vertical arrays, see our section on Four Squares.

ACB-4 Pricing

The ACB-4 is band specific. You cannot use an 80M ACB-4 for any band other than 80M. In order to meet your needs, we offer the ACB-4 for all amateur bands from 10M to 160M. If you have any special needs, or the model you are interested in is not listed, please contact us.

Model	Description	Price w/115 VAC	Price w/230 VAC
ACB-160	160M Phased Array Switch	$419.95	$434.95
ACB-80	80M Phased Array Switch	$409.95	$424.95
ACB-40	40M Phased Array Switch	$399.95	$414.95
ACB-30	30M Phased Array Switch	$399.95	$414.95
ACB-20	20M Phased Array Switch	$374.95	$389.95
ACB-15	15M Phased Array Switch	$364.95	$379.95
ACB-10	10M Phased Array Switch	$364.95	$379.95
ACCESSORIES
3C	3 conductor control cable	$0.20 per foot
RR-1	61-hole Radial Ring with Stainless Hardware	$41.95 each or $146.95 set of 4
VFA-4	Vertical Feedpoint Assembly	$15.95 each or $36.95 set of four

Place an order using our secure ordering system.