Array Solutions AS-SAL-12 Mark II User manual

Array Solutions - SAL12/20/30 - Mark II Manual – Rev. 1.5.1 – September, 2018
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Model AS-SAL-12/20/30 - Mark II
8 Direction Receiving Loops Antenna System
Manufactured and marketed under United States Patent No. 8,350,776 and additional patent pending.
Introduction
The Array Solutions Shared Apex Loop™ Array (AS-SAL-12 Mark II, AS-SAL-20
Mark II, and AS-SAL-30 – Mark II) is an improved version of the new type of
receiving antenna that delivers exceptional directivity in a compact package and is
useable over a wide range of frequencies without need for adjustment. This array opens
the door to a new class of compact, high performance, wideband receiving antennas
developed for both amateur and professional users.
In 2009, Mark Bauman (KB7GF)developed a working model of the array to improve
his listening experience in a suburban neighborhood in southeast Washington State.
From testing, he found that the array provided exceptional bandwidth in a compact size
Array Solutions
2611 North Belt Line Road
Suite # 109
Sunnyvale, TX 75182 USA
TEL [phone]
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and provided good front-to-back and front-to-side ratio especially for local interfering
signals.
The design of the array countered conventional wisdom by spacing a pair of loops only
inches apart when state-of-the-art designs called for spacing on the order of around ¼
wave length (over 100 feet on 160 meters). Numeric modeling of the array showed that,
for closely spaced loops, the spacing between the loops was much less important than the
location of the feed point along the base of each loop. This provided the opportunity to
simplify the installation because all of the loops could be held in place by a single non-
conductive mast that acted as both a spacer and support.
In addition, inserting ferrite beads along the base of the loop to form transformers
provided a convenient method of signal coupling as well as a great way to test various
coupler locations. Modeling also showed a correlation between the coupler location and
the response pattern and backward elevation null angle which was also verified during
testing.
Utilizing the inherent front-to-side rejection of small loops made it possible to achieve
both front-to-back and front-to-side rejection using signals from only two loops and a
single delay line. This simplified the signal combining task, and made it possible to
locate all the signal processing electronics at a single position at the base of the array.
Next, testing commenced on two orthogonal pairs of loops and switching circuits were
developed to provide electronic rotation of the pattern. This testing showed that eight
individual directions could be obtained using the four loops. These switching circuits
included a multiplexing scheme where the switching commands and power were sent on
the same feed line that returns the signals from the array. This technique greatly
simplifies the installation.
Challenges remained, however before a commercial array could be made available.
Designing the amplifier chain was especially difficult because of competing constraints.
These included the need for closely matched input impedance over a wide frequency
range (to ensure accurate timing), very low noise (because of negative forward gain),
good gain (to overcome signal cancelation), and acceptable linearity. Finally, on 2013,
though, after a period of extensive testing and improvement, the Shared Apex Loop™
array was ready for production.
Mark’s constant experimentation has kept the SAL antenna evolving and this new version
that replaces the four vertical wires of the loop running along the non-conductive mast for
one common vertical conductor. This allows the use of aluminum tubing in place of the
four wires with an aluminum base section insulated from the common conductor. This
opens the possibility of building experimental SAL antennas with bigger loops that would
favor very low frequencies (VLF) and the benefit of the structural improvement that
makes the antenna easy to install even by of one person.

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Description
In principle, the array provides directivity by summing signals from one loop with
delayed signals from an oppositely phased and positioned loop. Both the delay and loop
phasing are largely frequency independent providing a directive pattern over a wide
frequency range.
The array consists of four identical right triangle shaped wire loops that its vertical side is
common to the four loops in the form of an aluminum mast insulated from the base
section. The loops are arranged around the mast so that one loop points towards the
northeast, another to the southeast, another to southwest, and another to the northwest.
The direction and directional mode of the array is commanded by a controller that
connects directly to your receiver. The controller has buttons for changing the direction,
flipping to the opposite direction, and selecting the directional mode. The directional
modes include a Single or UNI-directional mode as well as a dual or BI-directional mode.
Visual indicators show the currently selected direction and directional mode. A remote
interface is included that enables the controller to be commanded by a computer.
A single RG-6 coaxial feed line connects the controller to the array to power and
command the array as well as transport the received signals from the array to the
controller.
Ferrite couplers are located along the base of each loop at a specific distance from the
mast and connected to balanced feed lines that bring the signals to a switching unit

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mounted on the mast. Relays in the switching unit route signals from the appropriate
combination of loops in response to commands received from the controller. A single
delay line also connects to the switching unit to provide the necessary true-time-delay so
that signals can be properly combined to achieve the desired directive pattern. The
switching unit has a socketed dual stage preamplifier that provides a buffered and
matched load for the combiner and boosts the summed signals before they are sent to the
controller.
The AS-SAL-12 Mark II should provide a directional pattern up to 28 MHz. The AS-
SAL-20 Mark II should provide a directional pattern up to 14 MHz, and the AS-SAL-30
Mark II up to 7 MHz.
The Shared Apex Loop™ design provides the following benefits:
•Competitive Front to Back/Side rejection in eight directions especially on low
angle vertically polarized signals and local interference
•Compact footprint that is ideal for small yards
•Easy setup for tactical applications
•Wideband operation without need for adjustment that is great for SDR, Skimmers
and military
•Ease of Construction, and quick deployment, DX-peditions, military, seasonal
take down is easy
•No RF ground at the antenna required
•Modular design – easy to replace parts
•Field upgradeable - amplifier stage is socketed
•No control cables; control and powered over the RG-6 coax feed line from the
controller, very smart and cost effective design.
•The SAL Controller can be interfaced to a PC for remote operation.

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SAL-12 Mark II Package Contents
SAL-12 Mark II Antenna Material List
QTY
ITEM
1
Aluminum 16 ft mast kit with hardware
10
2" x 1/4"-20 bolts with safety hex nuts
2
6 ft (1.83 m) 1-1/2" (38.1 mm) OD aluminum tubing
1
4 ft (1.83 m) 1-1/2" (38.1 mm) OD aluminum tubing (double wall)
2
Tie-down “D” rings with plates for ¼” bolts
1
Insert couplings 1-3/8" x 7" (34.9 mm x 182 mm) aluminum tubing
1
Insert coupling 1-3/8" x 3-1/2" (34.9 mm x 88.9mm) aluminum tubing
1
Insert coupling 1-1/4" x 7" (31.75 mm x 182 mm) fiberglass insulator
8
Solder eye lugs for 1/4" bolts
4
29' (10.36 m) cables for loops
4
Anchoring Stakes
40
ft of rope to cut as follow*s: 4 x 10 ft (3.05 m) guying ropes
2
Hose clamps 2"
1
PVC Mast base with 4” pipe inserted
4
Couplers with 7 ft (2.13 m) 120 ohm TX lines (attached to the loops)
4
Guy rope tensioners
1
7 ft (2.15 m) RG-6 coaxial cable delay line (with F connectors attached)
1
Control Switch
1
Combiner/Pre-amp
1
15v Power supply
*
Suggested cutting lengths may varydependingon site's topography.

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SAL-20 Mark II Package Contents
SAL-20 Mark II Antenna Material List
QTY
ITEM
1
Aluminum 22 ft mast kit with hardware
14
2" x 1/4"-20 bolts with safety hex nuts
3
6 ft (1.83 m) 1-1/2" (38.1 mm) OD aluminum tubing
1
4 ft (1.83 m) 1-1/2" (38.1 mm) OD aluminum tubing (double wall)
2
Tie-down “D” rings with plates for ¼” bolts
2
Insert coupling 1-3/8" x 7" (31.75 mm x 182 mm) aluminum insulator
1
Insert coupling 1-3/8" x 3-1/2" (34.9 mm x 88.9 mm) aluminum tubing
1
Insert coupling 1-1/4" x 7" (31.75 mm x 182 mm) fiberglass insulator
8
Solder eye lugs for 1/4" bolts (attached to cable loops)
4
44' (10.36 m) cables for loops (with TX line, coupler, and solder lug)
4
Anchoring Stakes
40
ft of rope to cut as follows*: 4 x 10 ft (3.05 m) guying ropes.
2
Hose clamps 2"
1
PVC Mast base with 4” pipe inserted
4
Couplers with 10 ft (3.05 m) 120 ohm TX lines (attached to the loops)
4
Guy rope tensioners
1
11 ft (3.35 m) RG-6 coaxial cable delay line with F connectors attached
1
Control Switch
1
Combiner/Pre-amp
1
15v Power supply
*
Suggested cutting lengths may varydependingon site's topography.

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SAL-30 Mark II Package Contents
SAL-30 Mark II Antenna Material List
QTY
ITEM
1
Aluminum 30 ft mast kit with hardware
22
2" x 1/4"-20 bolts with safety hex nuts
5
6 ft (1.83 m) 1-1/2" (38.1 mm) OD aluminum tubing
1
4 ft (1.83 m) 1-1/2" (38.1 mm) OD aluminum tubing (double wall)
2
Tie-down "D" rings with plates for 1/4" bolts
4
Insert couplings 1-3/8" x 7" (34.9 mm x 182 mm) aluminum tubing
1
Insert coupling 1-3/8" x 3-1/2" (34.9 mm x 88.9mm) aluminum tubing
1
Insert coupling 1-1/4" x 7" (31.75 mm x 182 mm) fiberglass insulator
8
Solder eye lugs for 1/4" bolts (already attached to the loops)
4
65' (19.81 m) cables for loops (with TX line, coupler, solder lugs attached)
8
Anchoring Stakes
180
ft of rope to cut as follows: *
4
10 ft (3.05 m) guying ropes for outer stakes
4
35 ft (10.67 m) guying ropes for inner stakes
2
Hose clamps 2"
1
PVC Mast base (with 4” pipe inserted)
4
Couplers with 17 ft (5.18 m) 120 ohm TX lines (attached to the loops)
8
Guy rope tensioners
1
21.75 ft (6.55 m) RG-6 delay line (with F connectors attached)
1
Control Switch
1
Combiner/Pre-amp
1
15v Power supply
*
Suggested cutting lengths may varydependingon site's topography.

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The three models of the AS-SAL-XX Mark II Antenna contain the following parts:
SAL-30 Mark II parts. Quantities for the three models specified on the texts.
INSTALLATION
** WARNING! INSTALLATION OF ANY ANTENNA NEAR POWER LINES IS
DANGEROUS : Do not locate the antenna near overhead power lines or other
electrical circuits where the antenna could come in contact with these circuits.
When installing the antenna, take extreme care not to contact electrical power lines
or circuits, because they may cause serious injury or death!
Site Selection
The Shared Apex Loop™ array works by summing signals from oppositely positioned
and phased loops. For proper operation, it is essential that each loop in each loop pair
have identical signal response. Factors that can impact the signal response include:
•Size of the Loop
•Shape of the Loop
•Orientation of the Loop
•Distance of the Loop to the Ground
•Distance from the Loop to other metal objects
The ideal location for the array is on flat ground, away from any other objects. From our
testing so far, we are finding that the Shared Apex Loop™ array is somewhat tolerant to
the presence of both metal and non-metal objects positioned near the loops. However,
numeric modeling shows that there are limits to this tolerance.

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Based on this, here are some things to keep in mind:
•If the ground is uneven, try to mount the base of the loop at least 5 feet above the
ground. You will need additional mast pipe to accomplish this.
•Keep antenna away from large metallic structures like towers, and your transmit
antennas. We recommend at least 1/4 Wavelength distance at the lowest
frequency of use.
•If needed, to avoid damage by people, animals or vehicles you can elevate your
installation. Simulations show that optimal height is ¼ W.L. at a given frequency.
As an example of an AS-SAL-12 Mark II that has good directivity from 300 kHz to 28
MHz, it is located with the edge of the array located 50 feet (15.24 m) from a house, 90
feet (27.43 m) from overhead power lines, 30 feet (9.14 m) from ground mounted 36 foot
(10.97 m) vertical with ground radials close to the edge of the array, 10 feet (3.05 m)
from metal clothesline, and has an 8 foot (2.43 m) tall bush growing near the center.
Required Area
SAL-30 Mark II approximately a clear flat 50 feet (15.24 m) square.
SAL-20 Mark II approximately a clear flat 36 feet (10.97 m) square.
SAL-12 Mark II approximately a clear flat 26 feet (7.92 m) square.
NOTE: If insulated posts are used to anchor the outer corners of the loop, the footprint
can be reduced notoriously. See table and drawing below for comparison.

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Installing the solder lugs and couplers on the wire sections of the loops*.
*Array Solutions has pre-installed the couplers and ring terminals for
the user, but in case you need to make your own wire assemblies here is
how to do it. Pay attention to the coupler polarity.
The solder lugs come attached to the loop cables. If they are not: Two are needed per
loop, one at both ends of the wire section of the loops.
First install and solder the lug at the end that is going to be attached at the apex (top) of
the antenna. Use rubber tape or other material like shrink tubing to protect the connection
of the stainless steel lug with the copper of the #14 wire and the solder applied to it.
Crimped and soldered lug.
Solder lug and wire connection
protected with shrink tubing. Rubber
tape can be used as well.
Before proceeding to install the solder lugs at the bottom ends of the wire section is important to
pass the wire through the couplers, to install the couplers in the right way is IMPORTANT TO
INTRODUCE THE WIRE BY THE END OF THE FERRITES TUBE THAT HAS THE RED
WIRE coming out of it. This way, the couplers will be oriented with the red wire towards the
outer corner of the loops. Refer to the drawing and the following picture below:

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The wires used may be different colors just make the orientation of each set of balanced
transmission lines to be the same for each of the 4 loops. The polarity of the loop couplers
should be symmetrically oriented on all 4 loops.
NOTE: If this is the black and white printout of the manual sent along with the antenna,
please refer to the manual with color pictures and drawings available on our webpage for
clarity.
Detail of couplers connections and orientation.For B&W printouts, note the wires marked “red”.
The other wires are black. Positive sign, “+” is red.

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The end shown is the bottom end of the wire, note the black wire of the coupler coming out of
the end of the coupler.
Tips to thread the wire through the couplers:
-Do not attempt to pass the #14 wire through the coupler’s ferrites tube after removing the plastic
insulation from the wire. The wire is made of seven strands semi-rigid solid coper wire and the
strands could peel off the insulation of the #22 wires installed in the coupler, this will cause a
short and the coupler won’t work as intended.
-Best option is to remove about 1/2 inch (12.7 mm) of insulation and, keeping the strands
together, apply solder to it, this will make passing the wire easier than doing it with the
insulation covering the copper to the end of the wire.
-Be careful in order to avoid any damage to the inner red and black #22 insulated wires.
-After passing the wire through the coupler the second solder lug can be installed.
Connecting the wire sections to the top of the mast.
Align the holes of the short insert of aluminum tubing that goes at the top of the top section of
mast. Insert one 3/16” bolt through the top end lug of one of the wires orienting the lug in a way
that its flat side will be against the aluminum tubing.
Pass the bolt through the holes of the tubing and attach the opposite loop wire lug keeping its flat
face towards the aluminum. Use one of the hexagonal nuts to secure the connections and keep
the wires oriented towards the bottom of the tubing while tightening the nut.
Do the same with the second pair of wire sections, when the four wires are attached to the top
section, use one of the two hose clamps provided and install it in such a way that it removes the
stress from the solder lugs. The clamp should be over the wires and not on any part of the solder

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lug. When finished, it should look like in the picture below:
The four top ends of the wires connected to the apex of the antenna, and the hose clamp
used to relieve the tension from the connection lugs.
It is recommended that the connections here are protected. It is highly suggested that Noalox® or
a similar product should be applied between the lug and the aluminum tubing to protect the
connection from galvanic corrosion between the stainless steel and the aluminum. Also cover the
connections with rubber tape or any other material to protect them from the weather.
Connections at the bottom
Depending on the antenna model and the number of persons involved on the installation, you
may decide to connect the bottom ends of the wire sections before or after assembling and
erecting the mast. Proceeding like with the antenna top connections, do the same at the bottom,
just above the insulated coupling on top of the 4 feet base mast section. Wires should be, again,
oriented downwards while tightening the hex nuts. Refer to the picture to see how it should look
when finished. It is highly recommended to protect these connections from the weather elements.

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Detail of bottom connections.
Assembling the Mast
It is time to assembly the mast with the corresponding number of aluminum sections depending
on your model. Please refer to the drawing below:
Mast layouts

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First, install the corresponding inserts on top of each mast section following the pictures below.
There is a base section 4 ft (1.22 m) long, install the fiberglass insert on top of it and use two of
the 3/16” x 2” bolts and corresponding hexagonal safety nuts to secure it.
The first section above the base is 6 ft (1.83 m) long and has a riveted insert at the bottom to
match the wall thickness of the base section in order to accommodate the fiberglass insert that
connects them.
The rest of sections use the 6” aluminum inserts except for the top section which uses the shorter
aluminum insert and most be installed flush with the end of the top section.
After the first section above the base mast section the different models have the following
number of 6 ft (1.83 m) sections:
SAL-12 Mark II: One section (the top one with the shorter insert)
SAL-20 Mark II: Two sections (Including the top section with the shorter insert).
SAL-30 Mark II: Four sections (Including the top section with the shorter insert).
For a graphic reference, please see the different “Mast Layouts” above.

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Coupling inserts. Leftmost is the fiberglass insulator for the top of the base mast section.
Short one is 4-3/4” (120 mm) for the top section. The rest are 7-1/8” (182 mm) long.
NOTE: SHORT COUPLER MAY BE PREINSTALLED IN TOP SECTION.
Mast sections with its coupling inserts attached at their tops. Note the two tie down “D”
rings for guy ropes at the top of the fourth section (SAL-30 Mark II only) and the shortest

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insert to reinforce the tubing at the connection point at the antenna apex, it is flush with the
top section’s end.
SAL-30 Mark II wire loop section and guy ropes layout. Wires are in red.

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SAL-20 Mark II wire loop section layout.
SAL-12 Mark II wire loop section layout.
View of the SAL-30 Mark-II antenna. The loops’ wires have been edited thicker for clarity.
The thin lines are the guying ropes.

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** WARNING! INSTALLATION OF ANY ANTENNA NEAR POWER LINES IS
DANGEROUS! **
Installation Instructions
-Site Preparation
oPrepare the location that the mast will mount. This may include installing a sleeve in the
ground to receive the mast, preparing a hole, or pouring a concrete, etc. Do not yet raise
the mast as you will need access to the top of the mast.
oSelect the location for the mast. Then, measure (33 feet for the SAL-30, 25.5 feet for the
SAL-20 and 18.5 feet for the SAL-12) in a northeast direction and drive a loop stakes
into the ground. Repeat this for the southeast, southwest, and northwest directions,
stakes. Verify that each stake is in line with the center and its opposite stake. Please see
Appendixes 2a and 2b, suggestions on how to establish perpendicular lines on the field
Note: These measurements are for ground mounted installations. For raised installations,
the stake distance will need to be adjusted to properly tension the loops.
-Loop installation
oThe loops should have a right angle triangle shape to it when finished. The lower
horizontal will have to have the loop couplers slid onto it. The polarity should be the
same on all the couplers. All must be oriented so that the red wire or “+”, or
positive, that enters into the ferrites tube by one of its ends faces away from the
mast on all of the couplers. This red wire should be connected to the corresponding
“+” terminal in the combiner box. The black wire is the “-“ or negative, is the one
entering by the end of the ferrite tube that should be closest to the mast and
connected to the corresponding “-“ terminal. (Please refer to either the drawing or the
picture on page 10). Make sure that the loop is not tangled with any of the other loop
wires. Next, repeat these steps for the remaining three loops.
oNext, prepare the four tether ropes, each being about 10 feet long. Form a loose fitting
knot around each of the four loops near the outer corner of each loop. A bowline knot
works well. Also string on a rope tension device on each rope as shown in the picture.

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The tensioner pictures below show how the triangular tensioners work by rotating it enough to make the
long branch of the rope straight (in this picture it would be counter clock wise) and then moving the
tensioner up or down the rope if more tension or less tension is needed correspondingly.
Outer corner of loop, once you have the
horizontal dimension set, put tape tightly or use
tie-wraps to avoid the rope from slipping and
changing the dimension of the horizontal side of
each loop.
Triangle Tensioner: The one shown in the
picture, when rotated counter clock wise will
straighten the long branch of rope allowing the
adjusting of the guy rope tension.