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Re: Topband: Recommended Relays

To: k3ky@radioprism.com, topband@contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: Recommended Relays
From: "Richard (Rick) Karlquist" <richard@karlquist.com>
Date: Fri, 7 Dec 2018 09:42:22 -0800
List-post: <mailto:topband@contesting.com>


On 12/7/2018 12:53 AM, k3ky@radioprism.com wrote:

(1500W) "...has excellent RF properties..." "In more than
20,000 hours of 24 x 7 operation with the four StationPro's
in the author's station, there has not been a single relay
failure."


A somewhat more robust relay is the Omron MJN series.  Besides
being rated to hot switch 600VAC, they have a "dielectric strength"
of "750 VAC, RMS 60 Hz across open contacts" and greater than
2,500 VAC across any other pair of terminals.  I don't see
why this voltage wouldn't apply to RF as well as 60 Hz, unless
there is excessive heating of the insulation.
In any event, this is good for 1500W in a 450 ohm line at 3:1 SWR.
They work well for tuning a dipole or monopole across the 80
or 160 meter band by switching in capacitors.  There can be
substantial voltage across them.

The MJN is considerably bigger/costlier than the Schrack, but
not in the "contactor" class that is even bigger and costlier.

(Available from Mouser).

Rick N6RK
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