How to Build 1/4 Wave Cables for 90 MHz Frequency?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the construction of 1/4 wave cables for use at a frequency of 90 MHz, focusing on their application in conjunction with diodes to manage high power signals. Participants explore the necessary equations for determining cable length based on frequency, the relationship between cable length and input power, and the potential use of these cables to protect receivers from high pulse reflections.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants seek guidance on how to create frequency-dependent quarter wave cables and the relevant equations for calculating their length based on frequency.
  • There is a question regarding the relationship between cable length and input power, with some suggesting that the length is frequency-dependent and not influenced by power levels.
  • One participant mentions using diodes in conjunction with the cables to achieve high resistance at the end, although the purpose and effectiveness of this approach are questioned by others.
  • Some participants clarify that 1/4 wave stubs can be used to reject unwanted signals, but there are concerns about potential mismatches at pass frequencies and the effectiveness of the stubs in certain scenarios.
  • There are discussions about the physical versus electrical length of the cables, emphasizing the importance of the velocity factor of the coaxial cable used.
  • One participant provides a specific calculation for stub length based on frequency and velocity factor, while others suggest fine-tuning the length with variable capacitors.
  • Concerns are raised about the suitability of simple stubs for rejecting signals that are only a few MHz away from the desired frequency.
  • Alternating shorted and open-circuited stubs at different frequencies is proposed as a method to favor desired signals while rejecting unwanted ones.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the effectiveness and purpose of diodes in this context, as well as the suitability of simple stubs for certain frequency ranges. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to achieve the desired signal management.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention various assumptions regarding the velocity factor of different coaxial cables, which may affect calculations. There are also references to the need for specific conditions when using stubs, such as the spacing between them and the characteristics of the signals involved.

mustafa_2009
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Hii Iam new in this field, Please I want to build 1/4 wave cables and cross diodes together to stop high power at 90 MHz frequency for exaample, I want help how can I build some thing like this and what is the equations to choose the right length depending on the frequency...
 
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I don't understand what it is you're trying to do.
 
negitron said:
I don't understand what it is you're trying to do.

1)First I want to know about how can one make frequency dependent quarter cables (coxial)(lamdah\4)?
2) Then what is the relation of these cable length with the input power?
3) then I would be able to protect my reciever from reflection high pulse using these cables.
 
It is still not clear.

Do you mean a 1/4 wave coaxial stub?
 
Exactly !
 
Well, to start with, the length is only frequency-dependent; power has nothing to do with it. Also, the length is not the physical length, it's the electrical length--to determine the physical length, you need to know the velocity factor characteristic of the particular coax in question. The equation then becomes (lambda /4 ) x VF.

Secondly, stubs are simply impedance-matching devices; they are used to match the impedance of a particular antenna with that of the transmitter or receiver. They aren't used to attenuate unwanted signals. And I've never heard of them using diodes for anything.
 
What are the diodes for?

How much power are you talking about?
 
Really thanks for help,
but I mean is this cables are restrictly frequency dependence, I mean if I have 2 modulated signals (frequency modulation) Low and high frequency the LF with low power and the HF with high power I can reject the high power with rejecting this frequency part.
the diods is used as shunt with short ended to get infinity resistance at the end i mean if we calculate the out pout impedence to be infinity if we have two input ...
 
No, you can use a stub to reject signals. A 1/4 stub with an open end strapped across a coaxial (or open wire) line will present a (near) short circuit across the line. The lower loss (bigger and thicker) the coax cable used in the stub the better the short circuit will be.

The problem is that they may introduce a mis-match at the pass frequency(ies) and have a fairly wide stop band. You can narrow the stop band and reduce any mismatch at the pass F by capacitively coupling the stub to the line rather than direct connection but the attenaution of the undesired signal won't be as high.

Where it is desired to receive signal(s) close to the unwanted F it may be necessary to have 3 or 4 capacitively coupled stubs spaced along the line.

You can make the stubs a little shorter than required and fine tune them with variable capacitors at the open end (between centre conductor and outer).

With very close spacing between received and unwanted f it may be necessary to use a very high Q (and therefore large) cavity selection filter.

I have worked on broadcasting stations where it is required to pick up signals (for re-broadcast purposes) very close to the station's own output frequencies. Stubs are often made of solid copper tubes for that use.
 
  • #10
Iam speaking about 20 watt power as high power...
 
  • #11
The stub length will be 75/f x velocity factor (near to one for air paced and about 0.66 for polyethelene) . So 50/f for poly. f in Mhz, length in metres. You cut long and trim and find tune with some variable capacitance at the open end.

Diodes serve no purpose.
 
  • #12
Pumblechook said:
No, you can use a stub to reject signals. A 1/4 stub with an open end strapped across a coaxial (or open wire) line will present a (near) short circuit across the line. The lower loss (bigger and thicker) the coax cable used in the stub the better the short circuit will be.

thanks that is really what i search for but the question is how to select the frequency I mean the equations .. which used to know which frequency is selected and deal as short circuit ??
 
  • #14
thank you ...
 
  • #15
But unless you are receiving several MHz from the unwanted frequency I suspect a simple stub will not be suitable.
 
  • #16
You can also alternate quarter wave shorted stubs at the wanted frequency with quarter wave open circuited stubs at the unwanted frequency.
This will tend to favour the wanted frequency and reject the unwanted one.
Shorted stubs just have a wire connecting the inner and outer of the coax at the end away from the antenna cable. Keep the stubs away from each other.

The wavelength at any frequency F (in air) is = 300 / F where the wavelength will be in meters.

A quarter wave will be this wavelength divided by 4.

If it is in coaxial cable, it will be this length multiplied by the velocity factor which is a number like 0.66.

So at 95 MHz the wavelength in air is 3.158 M
One quarter of this is 0.789 M or 78.9 cm
Times the velocity factor 0.66 is 0.521 M or 52.1 cm

So, just cut the cable a bit longer than this and snip off bits until it works best.
 

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