Vertically Polarized Moxon Switched Array 'Tunstile' Antenna

grabcad

This is a model of a Vertically polarized Moxon Switched Array 'Tunstile' Antenna that i designed using 1/2" copper piping. Each of the (4) elements can be set to either : * open - serving as a director* grounded - serving as a reflector (counter-poise)* feed - serving as a radiatorThe feed is the core of the coaxial cable that provides the high voltage AC and the switches can be chosen as either high voltage MOSFETs (as shown) of mechanical relays.Each PCB is designed to provide a 50 ohm feed to each MOSFET with two elements per PCB. The PCBs are interlocked and then there is a third MCU PCB which rests on top of the interlocked switch PCBs. [MOSFET drivers are NOT shown] Since the MCU is in the NEAR field of the antenna, it is recommended that the low voltage digital portions be embedded as striplines and that the MCU is shielded with a can. This includes all lines that pass from the control PCB to the switch PCBs that control the gate drivers as well as the signals to the gates to prevent EMI from false switching of the MOSFETs.There is a copper waveguide sleeve that feeds the N-type connector into the interlocked PCBs.The PCBs are assembled and each connection to the coaxial core and as well as the wave guide sleeve are soldered before assembly. Once the PCBs are installed the copper pipes are installed and soldered at the top opening.The top and bottom covers use no-conductive PEEK 3mm hex cap screws available from NBK :https://www.nbk1560.com/en-US/products/specialscrew/nedzicom/plasticscrew/SPE-C/All (4) purple pieces are custom designed but can be 3D printed using standard 3D printing materials, but it is recommended that materials for strength are chosen.The antenna is mounted to a 2" diameter PVC pipe mast with (4) aluminum 6mm mounting screws. The PVC mast is first fitted with the antenna and center holes are drilled for the screws and then the holes in the PVC mast are tapped to 6mm thread since it is difficult to put any form of nut inside the mast without epoxying them in place beforehand.There is a hole in the bottom cover plate for a twisted pair control cable which i recommend using cat 6 ethernet cabling to provide Power over Ethernet (PoE) used to power and control the switches via a Microcontroller (MCU) on the top PCB. The control PCB will have 48VDC supplied from the PoE lines with very little current required to set the switches into various modes. Sustaining current is minimal, however the need for bulk capacitance on the switch boards is recommended to provide signal stability for the MOSFETs.