> If you pull a relay low to go TX and you ever lose power to the relay, lose
> the relay, or lose the relay path, the system defaults with the transmitter
> running into the receiver antenna.
> You have to decide if that can damage RX antenna stuff. This requires a fast
> relay pull in time, and a slow release time..
I've done that several times, usually right after I "clean up the cabling".
I've had several QSO's with me using the RX antenna for transmit :-).
In fact modeling puts the K9AY loop at 25 or so dB down compared to my transmit
antenna and this is consistent with observed performance both transmit and
receive!
I usually run the rig at about 60W out into the amp which puts about 600W out.
So 60W into the receive antenna, minus 25dB, is around a few hundred milliwatts
ERP. The better equipped 160M stations within a few hundred miles can still
hear me but it takes some effort to complete the Q. I know in the yearly NAQCC
160M QRP sprint, I work easily into the better stations in the upper Midwest
and NE with 5W.
I think I should sponsor a Stew Perry plaque, "most QSO's made transmitting
into the receive antenna", but that would be unfair because I would probably
win it.
Tim N3QE
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