In our yearlong celebration of DX Engineering’s 25th anniversary, OnAllBands has been looking at some of the factors that have led to the company’s significant growth since being purchased by Summit Racing Equipment in 2000. Last month we focused on the acquisition of Harbach antenna hardware—equipment that continues to serve the needs of antenna-builders worldwide.
This acquisition of highly regarded saddle clamps and other parts set the stage for a philosophy that would fuel DX Engineering’s expanded offerings while helping hams still take advantage of various lines of trusted amateur radio gear that otherwise might not exist today.
In Part 1 in our series on DX Engineering’s “Family of Brands,” we’ll be looking at COMTEK Systems.
In 2008, DX Engineering acquired COMTEK Systems’ vertical antenna arrays and accessories—popular choices among serious contesters and DXpeditioners. The Charlotte, North Carolina amateur radio provider had been producing its hybrid four-square phased array systems and other products since the early 1990s. DXE took over all manufacturing, engineering, marketing, and customer service functions.
“DX Engineering will continue the tradition of top-quality products and customer satisfaction that we have provided for years,” said James R. Miller, K4SQR, principal of COMTEK Systems, adding that the acquisition will “bring many benefits to the amateur radio community.” (K4SQR became a Silent Key on May 24, 2017.)
DX Engineering noted that the acquisition “enhances our ability to supply complete, high-quality directional antenna systems.”
The above statement remains true 17 years later. Several of the products from the acquisition are still available at DXE—a testimony to efficient product design, quality construction, and smart engineering that have stood the test of time. Additionally, DX Engineering’s engineers have made mechanical and electrical upgrades over the years to make the equipment even more effective.
You’ll find these COMTEK products prominently featured in the 25th anniversary edition of the DX Engineering Amateur Radio Products Catalog, which will be released in May 2025.
ACB-4 Hybrid Four-Square Systems with Switch Relay Unit and Control Console: Systems are currently available for 160, 80, 40, 30, and 20 meters.
The systems are designed for use with four quarter-wave ground-mounted verticals (not included), spaced one-quarter free space wavelength on the side of the square, with complete ground radial systems. Properly installed with quarter-wave 75-ohm phasing feedlines, the four-square provides an excellent cardioid pattern that is steerable to the four directions of the corners of the four-square array.
Systems come with a 2 kW-rated relay unit (SSB/CW) featuring 15-amp gold-plated contact relays with dust covers; PTFE silver-stranded wire over fiberglass tape-wound toroids; balanced temperature-, frequency-, and voltage-stable capacitors; double-sided printed circuit board; lightning surge protection; and brushed aluminum Z-chassis and cover with riveted seams.
The DX Engineering-upgraded ACB-4A control console features a 13.8Vdc input for easy integration into all stations, including those that can be run on 12Vdc emergency power. The front panel has four-position rotary switches and four label pads and LEDs to indicate the array directional positions.
- Stack 3 Yagi Array Switching Package with Switch Relay Unit and Control Console
In 2010, DX Engineering added COMTEK vertical antennas to the product mix. Today, COMTEK antennas designed and manufactured by DX Engineering are available for 40, 30, and 20-10 meters as a single unit or in sets of two or four with non-tilt bracket mount(s), and V-saddle clamps and stainless-steel hardware for installation to a ground-mounted pipe.
COMTEK Travels the World
In addition to being used in backyards around the globe, COMTEK devices and antennas have been trusted to serve in high-profile DXpeditions to remote locales, including:
- Clipperton Island: The January 2024 TX5S DXpedition relied on pairs of COMTEK 30VA 30 Meter and 40VA 40 Meter Vertical Antennas; Inline 1:1 Current Feedline Choke; COMTEK Vertical Feedpoint Connection Kits; and COMTEK Control Cables.
- Timor-Liste: The November 2023 4W8X DXpedition depended on a COMTEK ACB-4 Hybrid Four-Square System, and DX Engineering Phased Array Quarter Wave Tuned Cables.
Look for Part 2 of this series next month featuring DX Engineering’s acquisition of Butternut’s line of vertical antennas.
