Antenna Monitor Telemetered Data Memory as an Adjustment and Maintenance Tool for M. Directional Antenna systems

A new system has been developed for use with the conventional antenna monitor used to read and maintain desired complex current ratios in an A. M. directional antenna array. The desired target value of ratios and phases may be stored in a memory and observing them is simply a matter of listening for audio tone null conditions that indicate when the desired values have been reached as a result of control adjustments made to the system. The basic principles may be applied to an adaptor for existing antenna monitors or, as in the author's case, integrated into a complete monitor. The latter is shown in Fig. 1. Over the past year, it has been an overwhelming success in tune-up adjustment work on several complex arrays. It includes an interface for a companion reflectometer to enable transmission line matching during which time the complex current ratios must be closely held at desired target values. Used as a permanently installed adaptor to an existing antenna monitor, it is a valuable maintainence tool for making "trim' adjustments and even as a trouble alarm locally, by remote control or even a simple "call-up" from a remote point using an ordinary telephone.