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Re: [TowerTalk] CAT5E based RX SWITCH for remote RX ANT distribution-BAL

To: towertalk@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] CAT5E based RX SWITCH for remote RX ANT distribution-BALUN
From: "Jim Lux" <jim@luxfamily.com>
Date: Fri, 14 Feb 2025 20:01:40 -0500
List-post: <mailto:towertalk@contesting.com>
        


 
I'd definitely terminate the shield at one end. You don't want it floating. And 
terminating at both ends might be a way to get an inadvertent loop.  Jim will 
probably weigh in - shielded twisted pair is his jam. 

On Wed, 12 Feb 2025 07:30:42 +0000 (UTC), Vojtech Ritzko via TowerTalk 
<towertalk@contesting.com> wrote:

HI Rick

TNX  for  all  inputs.
The balanced  lines  are  terminated   by  common  noise  baluns  and  
isolation transformers too.
I  tested  commercial SMD  balun.

The  performance  with  50dB  common  noise  isolation at 1MHz is  well over  
my  expectation.

https://productfinder.pulseeng.com/product/HX2326NL

The other version  of  smd  product will  be  murata  50475C and 50474C in 
balun /transformer setup.

The  only  drawback  of  small  SMD  devices  are  the  power  handling  
capacity.

So  far  several active  high  impedance  vertical  phased  arrays  are  
running  in  close  TX  antenna
 (60m proximity)  without  any  problems.

What  is  still  not  tested  how  to handle the  FTP cable shielding .
Connect the shielding  to common system ground  or leave floating?


VY 73 DX
Bela OM8AW

Forwarded Message ----- From: Richard (Rick) Karlquist To: 
"towertalk@contesting.com" Sent: Sunday, February 9, 2025 at 07:07:09 PM 
GMT+1Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] CAT5E based RX SWITCH for remote RX ANT 
distribution
The critical thing you need is baluns at both ends of each pair.
There are baluns for purchase that are intended for data on
CAT5, but I suspect they aren't very effective on 160m, but
you could buy one and test it.  Otherwise, you can make your
own with the usual binocular ferrites. The RS485 is already
differential, so it may be OK as is, although it might help
to put common mode chokes at the ends.  The four pairs each
have a different number of twists per unit length.  This
well known technique goes back 100 years to telephone trunk
cables.  It keeps them from coupling to each other.  I think
you will have a high probability of success if you play your
cards right.

73
Rick N6RK

On 2/9/2025 7:42 AM, Gary NA6O via TowerTalk wrote:
> Very nice work Bela. One question for you. I have never measured crosstalk in 
> CAT5E cable so I was wondering if the RS485 couples into the receive signals 
> at all. From the data that I have seen, isolation should be very good in the 
> HF bands, at least 60 dB. Good thing you have a LNA for each signal.
>
> 73,
> Gary NA6O
>
>>
>> From: Vojtech Ritzko >
>> Subject: [TowerTalk] CAT5E based RX SWITCH for remote  RX ANT
>>     distribution
>>
>>    HI ALL
>>
>> Our QTH at OM0M ?islimited in space and there is not room for extended 
>> phased beverage systems.
>> I am trying my best to build system with RDF well over 14dBon limited space 
>> QTH.
>>
>> (Kill the side lobs and your RX will love you too.)
>>
>> W1FV-9 circle for 4 directions as well as linear 4el inlinesystem for USA 
>> were built in field day styleprior the CQ 160.
>>
>> Well done, but how to connect the hamshack with RX HUB?
>>
>> Single RG6 and CAT5E FTP ?cable were directly ?buried ?undersurrounding 
>> road? in past.
>>
>> Initial design - RG6 for RF and CAT5E for relay control isnot sufficient 
>> nova day.
>>
>> No cable duct = no way to extend anything.
>>
>> The only chance is to use the unoccupied 100 Ohms pairs inCAT5E to carry RF 
>> too.
>>
>> CQ WW 160 was the best chance to test RX systems in toughcontest conditions.
>>
>> Technicaldetails on enclosed google disk file:
>>
>> PDF :
>> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gTtywxB_sgZYRfgy42YB9wCTE9RqV3Cr/view?usp=sharing
>>
>> Eznec for 9CC:
>> https://drive.google.com/file/d/1idf6JsQ32UrEQNs_7yc3hrrMWKT77DQH/view?usp=sharing
>>
>> Eznec for 4el:
>> https://drive.google.com/file/d/19E_VXwYVG1HiDWNU9yybygsKPt0yjeKY/view?usp=sharing
>>
>> VY73 DX
>> BelaOM8AW
>
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