Receiving Phasing System / Noise Cancelling Controller

DX-Engineering NCC-1

Finally the phasing control box has arrived !
Very surprised to see this unit is 4 times larger than I expected; it measures 24x24x11.5 cm ( or something like a foot x foot x a quarter of a foot, for that matter).
This is the size of a medium HF rig.


Specifications:

• 300 kHz to 30 MHz (Switchable in two ranges; <5-10mhz>5-10 MHz)
• 3rd order output intercept: 32dBm each input, +38dBm both outputs combined
• Available phase rotation >360 degrees (between 500kHz and 15MHz)

Go check their website for the rest

Features:

Or better said, in what respect does this unit differ from its MFJ 1025/1026 counterpart?

• Phase adjustable through more than 360 degrees (MFJ does much less)
• Exceptional dynamic range (30dB more)
• Low noise floor (that is usuallly not much of a problem on the Low-bands)
• Provisions for optional high pass and band pass filters (see pics)
• DC controls with smooth action. Expandable for remote or external control
• Provides power and transmit muting for external active antennas

In a nutshell; after some years this is the natural follow-up of the MFJ.
The MFJ is definitely not bad, but it has some drawbacks in practise. Adjusting both input gain setings and finding the right phase are a bit tricky.
The new NCC-1 has no seperate input gain seetings per channel, but a 'balance pot' instead.
Next it has a switch for swapping the antenna inputs (changing receiving direction on the spot !).

Looking at its internals, especially the transformers, this smells like W8JI design:




Looks like 2N5109's under those heatsinks.


Extra options:

• Provisions for the high pass and/or band filters
• Accessory entry slot for future remote control etc.
  

So?

You can use it for (local) noise cancelling or, produce a steerable 2 element phased vertical RX array.
And there are some more applications.


What will I do with this unit?

First test this unit at a friends location to get a feel how it compares to its MFJ 'predecessor'.

Next I will start building a second 160m reference vertical in my front yard.
This will be >0.10 wavelength away from the backyard version which allows for a very good steerable phased vertical system (sort of very poor mens 4-square). PA3FGA has proven again and again that his double 160m reference phased vertical system works very well, expecially during contesting.