Telerana
Telerana
Telerana
The log-periodic dipole array (LPDA) consists of a system of driven elements, but not
all elements in the system are active on a single frequency of operation. Depending
upon its design parameters, the LPDA can be operated over a range of frequencies
having a ratio of 2:1 or higher, and over this range its electrical characteristics —
gain, feed-point impedance, front-to-back ratio, etc. - will remain more or less
constant. This is not true of any Multielement Directive Array Antenna, for either the
gain factor or the front-to-back ratio, or both, deteriorate rapidly as the frequency of
operation departs from the design frequency of the array. And because the antenna
designs discussed earlier are based upon resonant elements, off-resonance operation
introduces reactance which causes the SWR in the feeder system to increase.
Figure 1
Even though the LPDA is simply an array of number of dipoles, more than one
elements are responsible for transmission and reception at any given frequency /
frequency band. The region, comprising of adjacent elements with lengths slightly
more or less than the resonating length for the band frequency, is said to be active
region. Before explaining the theory as to how transmission and reception takes place,
we need to turn to the basics of antenna theory.
Now consider the LPDA. Its active region, that portion of the antenna which is
actually radiating or receiving radiation efficiently, shifts with frequency. The longest
element in LPDA is active at the lowest frequency of interest where it acts as a half
wave dipole. As the frequency shifts upward, the active region shifts forward. The
upper frequency limit of the antenna is a function of the shortest, element. Each
element is shorter than the element to its left. Ratio of each element to each adjacent
element is constant, and is given a value known as tau (τ). Another critical factor in
the design of the LPDA is the relative spacing between the elements given by the
factor sigma (σ).
Elements in LPDA are driven with a phase shift of 1800 with respect to the
earlier element by alternating the element connections as shown in Fig. 1. At a given
frequency, as the inter-element spacing ‘d’ expands , there comes a point at which the
reactice components of the current plus the 1800 phase shift caused due to alternate
feeding added to the phase delay introduced by the transmission line length ‘d’ adds
up to 3600. This is the ‘Active Region’. Thus, elements slightly longer than the
resonating length act as inductance and behave like ‘parasitic reflector’ and the
elements slightly shorter than the resonating length act as ‘parasitic director’ I since
they act as capacitive impedance. This gives rise to the directional pattern of radiation
from the longer elements to the shorter elements. The currents in the rest of the
elements are negligibly small and thus can be neglected as contributors o the radiation
field for that frequency.
This is a rotatable log periodic antenna that is light weight, easy to construct and
relatively inexpensive to build. The array consists of 13 dipole elements properly
spaced and transposed along an open wire inter-element feeder having an impedance
of approximately 400 Ohm. The array is fed with a 4:1 Balun and RG8/U cable placed
inside the front arm end leading to the transmitter. The direction of gain or forward
lobe is away from the small end.
The antenna is used for the frequency range 14-30 Mhz. (Fig 2)
Fig 2
2. ANTENNA DESIGN
Elements
Most of the antenna construction and design has been taken from the antenna
handbook. The antenna contains 13 elements. Elements are chosen to be 7/22
insulated flexible stranded copper wires to keep the overall weight very low. Each
element consists of 2 parts on either side of the transmission cable. Element parts are
soldered to the transmission cable.
Fig 3
Structure
Poles, Hub, Ropes
Poles
Perhaps the most crucial part of the Telerana are the support poles. They are the
skeletal members and virtually every part of the antenna is connected to them. Vast
span of the Telerana is supported and kept taut by these poles. To ensure perfect
antenna working these must be non metallic and this fact makes it even more difficult
to find correct material for them. Further because this antenna (and so the poles) are
exposed to the weather all the time, reliability and aging resistance of the poles is very
important too.
Fiber glass (Epoxy) is the material recommended in the ARRL handbook. Fiber glass
is perfectly insulating and is very elastic too. It is able to bear high tensile and shear
loads and its resistance to weathering is very significant too. It is resistant to aging in
the Sun and is water repellent too. So Fiber Glass poles used for pole-vaulting are
used in the antenna structure. They are 15 foot long, hollow tubes of fiber glass and
are acquired from M/s Farrago Products, Meerut. (See Reference)
Hub
These poles are connected to each other to form a 90 Degree cross using a metallic
hub. This is the only metallic load bearing portion of the antenna and is the only
connection with the tower too. It has to be very strong in bending as the stretched
ropes and bent poles and kept in position by its arms. Hub is constructed out of a
metallic hollow tube and 4 other portions of smaller diameter tubes (arms) welded to
the central tube. The arms receive the poles and are provided with holes perpendicular
to their axes for making arrangements to secure the incoming poles. (See Fig 4)
Fig 4
Ropes
These are the load bearing members. They are used to bend the poles and are in
Tension always. This tension helps the antenna retain its tautness and assures that all
the elements are in the same plane. They are used as both, members to carry the
second end of the elements (One end being soldered to transmission cable) and also
the members to keep the poles in bent state. So ropes need to be stronger and weather
proof so as to withstand heavy weathering.
Generally no other ropes than Nylon ropes are water repellent. Further to avoid
withering of ropes in the Sun. they need to be UV treated. The only valid option
remains is the rope used in Parachute. These are extremely tough braided Nylon ropes
with UV treatment to prevent cracking and withering.
Actual ropes used are braided Nylon ropes obtained from local resources. (See
Reference 5.b) They are used in two types. Important load carrying ropes are slightly
thicker than the element end ropes. Ropes are tied to the poles via the Nylon Rod
Inserts described in the following section. To join the ropes and element wire ends, a
special bakelite connector is fabricated instead of an egg type insulator recommended
in the ARRL handbook. So there are very few ‘rope to rope’ or ‘rope to wire’ knot.
This ensures tautness and reliability. Ropes are tied to the inserts by passing them
through and then tying a knot to prevent back travel. (Fig 6)
Fig 6
End Inserts, Bakelite Insulators
End Inserts
Since fiber glass poles are reinforced glass epoxy poles, they might split on drilling.
Further if drilled too much at the end, stress concentration might weaken the whole
structure leading to damage. So it becomes difficult to tie the ropes to the poles. Also
the ropes carry sizeable amount of tension so require a reliable mode of securing.
Merely tying them around is not enough. This led to a concept called END INSERT.
These are simple small structures, tubular in nature, with dimensions adjusted so as to
fit exactly INSIDE the fiber glass poles. They are inserted in the poles up to 4 inches.
An across pin is inserted to ensure they don’t go in completely. These inserts are
drilled for 3-4 holes along the length with axes of the holes perpendicular to the
insert’s axis. (See Fig. 7 & Drawing)
Bakelite Strips
A much customized design of the tower has been selected and used for this antenna.
Since this literature is concerned with the antenna in totality, it is vital to mention the
main design considerations made in its tower design too.
6. Base frame and Misc.: To facilitate proper alignment of the gear boxes and the
motor, certain transverse base strips are welded. They are drilled very precisely to
accommodate the base foundation bolts from the rotator system. Spacers are used
to match all the heights. Utmost precision in this arrangement ensures smooth and
reliable rotation which is important.
The whole structure is first primed and then oil painted to prevent rusting and
corrosion. The motor is provided with tin sheet covering while gear boxes are also
covered with suitable arrangement.
Rotator System
Since the antenna is directional in character, it is absolutely essential that it rotates.
Further it is also essential that it rotates with:
1. Slow Speed – to avoid unnecessary loading, jerks and ensure reliability.
2. Reversal of direction – to avoid coiling of the transmission coaxial cable.
3. Fine control – to facilitate remote control.
4. Single way power transmission – to avoid unwanted rotation.
Thus the antenna rotator system is chosen to be an single phase electric motor drive. It
is used with a geared reducer system to make the speed slow and induce reliability.
Design of geared system is done according to standard mechanical engineering
practices and a double stage WORM GEAR reducer is chosen.
Figure 10
Supply to:
Common and A: One direction (Say Clockwise)
Common and B: Reverse direction (Anti-Clockwise)
Figure 11
The Balun is connected to the antenna as shown in the figures below. The leads A, a,
B and b to be matched with the construction diagram shown in Figure 12.
Figure 12
3. SPECIFICATIONS
a. Basic frame
i. Main Poles
1. Pole Material: Fiber Glass EPOXY
2. Pole Length: 15 ft. continuous. (POLE-VAULTING POLES)
3. Pole Diameter: Outer diameter – 35mm, Inner diameter – 23 mm
4. Pole Electrical conductivity – TOTALLY INSULATING,
5. Pole Dielectric Strength - ~10KV per mm
iv. Ropes
1. Thicker ropes for all basic frame connections
2. Thinner ropes for internal connections
3. Every cross between rope and wire etc. tied with Fishing Cord.
v. Hub
1. Arm length: 30 inch
2. Central pipe: 4 inch diameter (Part of the bigger main tube)
3. No. of arms: 4
4. Primed and oil painted
b. Tower
i. Angle size: 40 x 40 x 5 (L angle)
ii. Thickness: 5 mm
iii. Material: MS (Primed and oil painted)
iv. Span at foundation: 4 ft x 4 ft
v. Tube 1: 20 ft long x 4 inch diameter
vi. Tube 2: 7 ft long x 4 inch diameter
vii. Tube 3: (Bamboo used) – 12 ft length.
viii. Axial holes: Perpendicular holes on the smaller tube at 6 inches interval.
iii. Soldering
1. Peculiar way of soldering as discussed above
2. Solder metal used to be without any flux
3. Joints polished with sand paper before soldering
d. Balun
i. Type: Ferrite core, Toroidal shaped core
ii. No. of turns: 7 (double coil)
iii. Type of wire: Enameled Gauge 10 copper wire
iv. Impedance ratio: 4:1
e. Misc.
i. Ropes to be tied to upper part of the mast while tilting
ii. Bricks or certain arrangement to receive the mast on the parapet wall
iii. Hose clamps: 2 inch diameter x 4nos. at the pole-hub joint
iv. Pin inserted in the inserts be of M4 maximum diameter
v. Hub to tube and tube to tube joints are M6, 5inch bolts with washers & nuts
4. PRECAUTIONS AND TIPS
1. Tower to be tilted only after tying 4 way ropes at the top end of the mast and
pulling them with substantial manpower. All the 6 bolts are first removed. Then
the tower may be pushed to begin the downward motion.
3. Electric motor to be tested atleast once a month to avoid rusting and jamming.
4. Tension ropes tied above and below the antenna may be adjusted periodically
to maintain balanced posture of the antenna.
5. Hose clamps at the hub joint to be tightened every time the antenna is brought
down. This ensures that poles take load without splitting.
7. Whole antenna can be removed from the base frame by removing inserts at the
four ends. Thus in case of a pole breakage or a rope breakage first all the
inserts to be taken out.
5. POSSIBLE FAILURES AND REMEDIES
1. Flipping: (Not expected in near future) This was the first failure to occur due to
high winds. Thus a bamboo is fitted above the antenna hub and 4 cords are tied
from the top of the bamboo to the 4 rod ends. This avoids flipping.
2. Cord breakage: (Expected in 2-3 years) Since the cords used are not UV treated,
they are expected to give away any time after 2 years. In such case, ALL THE
CORDS taking similar tension must be changed (Broken / Intact).
3. Pole cracks: (Not in the next 10 years) Remove all the inserts and then change
ALL THE POLES. Spreader may not be changed unless absolutely essential.
4. Insert comes out or sinks in: (2 years) Change the particular insert possibly with a
UV treated insert. All the inserts may not be changed.
5. Element solder gives away (Not expected): Try not to cut the element length.
Instead some skilled soldering may be employed to ensure intact element length.
6. Coupling at the tube-gearbox joint breaks: (Anytime in the next 2 years) This
happens as the coupling is the only load bearing member in case of wind load
rotating the antenna. So when it breaks, the antenna rotates unbounded and coiling
of the coaxial cable may take place.
Coupling change is very easy. Specified coupling is readily available. It is to
be bored to required diameter and then fitted on the Gear box. Tower has to be
tilted (Only about 15 Degrees) to fit the coupling.
7. Rotation is not smooth: (Not expected in the next 2 years) Lubricate all the
bearings. Also lubricate / service the gear boxes and the motor. Tube may be
checked for excessive bending (Not expected at all).
8. Antenna performance deteriorated: (Time can not be predicted) Change the Balun.
Also look for possible breakage / shorting of the transmission cable. Secure the
connections of the transmission cable with the Balun.
6. REFERENCES, SOURCES
1. Books
a. ARRL Antenna Handbook
b. QST magazine articles
c. Websites of W4RNL (Cebik W. B.) , VE7CA (Markus Hansen)
c. End Inserts
M/S POPATLAL AND SONS
363, Ravivar Peth,
Next to E. T. Kapuswala,
Pune: 411 002
e. Motor
M/S MOTHER (MICA ELECTRICALS)
Budhwar Chowk,
Pune: 411 002
f. Gear boxes
GREAVES COTTON LIMITED
Akurdi, Pune.
(Mr. Sai S., BGII, P. T. U.)
2. Foundation: The antenna legs are bolted using special foundation bolts to the
terrace floor. This may be further reinforced with string foundation using cement
concrete and bricks. PWD department of the college may help in designing and
actuating the procedure.
Members:
(This documentation is compiled by Sushrut with helping hands from Madhura and Prakash.)
© COEP Amateur Radio Club, 2004.