Don't sell the surplus military antenna switches short. Mine is a small 4
position rotary drum type fully enclosed.
I have a homebrewed control box (24v) which now contains a Binary decoder
interfaced with Logger32.
It is still operating after 60+ years. They are not cheap, but very reliable.
http://lists.contesting.com/_towertalk/2009-03/msg00290.html
73, Jim – w5ifp@gvtc.com
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: TowerTalk [] On
>> Behalf Of J. Hunt via TowerTalk
>> Sent: Tuesday, April 12, 2016 7:08 PM
>> To: towertalk@contesting.com; Bob K6UJ <k6uj@pacbell.net>
>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] remote ant switch decision
>>
>> Great - I also agree with Joe, W4TV.
>>
>> I have also replaced / upgraded many "open-frame" relays within
>> transceivers / amplifiers / antenna switches over the years with
>> appropriate sealed relays.
>> The "open relays" I have replaced - exhibited the same failure type
>> as described below.
>>
>> My HF tower switch is home-brew.
>> It features "N" connectors, computer controlled from station, with
>> lock-out and feedback protection.
>> Including integral lightning protection.
>> Insertion loss <0.05db @ 50MHz., >60db isolation between ports
>> (4).
>>
>> About 10 years ago, I got fed up with pre-manufactured remote
>> antenna switches.
>> Problems, one lightning hit - toast, high insertion loss, with
>> questionable isolation between ports.
>>
>>
>> Thanks n 73,
>> James
>> ki5dq
>> --------------------------------------------
>> On Tue, 4/12/16, Bob K6UJ <k6uj@pacbell.net> wrote:
>>
>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] remote ant switch decision
>> To: towertalk@contesting.com
>> Date: Tuesday, April 12, 2016, 11:45 AM
>>
>> thanks Joe,
>>
>> Bob
>> K6UJ
>>
>> On 4/12/16 7:47 AM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:
>> >
>> > Stick with the switch that uses enclosed relays with higher
>> impedance > coils. The "open frame" relays (even with a
>> carbonate cover) with > low impedance coils (higher current) are
>> more sensitive to corrosion > *and* resistance in control
>> leads. The "open frame" relays *will* > become unreliable over a
>> relatively short period of time.
>> >
>> > The better switches use enclosed relays, and at least in one case,
>> > cast, moisture resistant enclosures rather than bent sheet metal
>> > that is susceptible to moisture intrusion.
>> >
>> > 73,
>> >
>> > ... Joe, W4TV
>> >
>> >
>> >> To: towertalk@contesting.com
>> >> Subject: [TowerTalk] remote ant switch decision >>
>> From: Bob K6UJ <k6uj@pacbell.net> >> Date: Tue, 12 Apr 2016
>> 00:56:48 -0700 >> >> >> I am considering getting either the Array
>> Solutions RatPak or a DX >> Engineering remote antenna switch.
>> Any feedback on either of these, >> positive or negative ?
>> >>
>> >> thanks,
>> >> Bob
>> >> K6UJ
>> >>
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
TowerTalk mailing list
TowerTalk@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
|