I would suggest using the encapsulated sealed relays such as the Potter and
Brumfield RKS-5DW-12 (about 8$ in Canada) or the lighter rated - and cheaper
($C2.50) Aromat JS1E-12v. Both have given excellent service at legal limit
at HF, indoors and out for up to 10 years (so far) with no failures.
I have used them with several hundred watts at VHF with no problem but the
lead issue is just starting to show here and likely would not be too good at
UHF.
BTW the P&B RKS-5DW is a drop in replacement for the motor control relays in
the AlfaSpid rotator controller as well.
73 Don
VE6JY
----- Original Message -----
From: "KG4QDZ" <kg4qdz@arrl.net>
To: <towertalk@contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, February 04, 2003 17:45
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Remote Antenna Switches
> I am trying to design something similar.
> Have you measured loss? How do you think these would do at VHF/ low UHF
> freqs? Has anyone tried these at higher freqs?
>
> 73 Skip (KG4QDZ)
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- >
> > I made my own switch box. I used 10 amp Radio Shack relays. I have had
> one
> > relay burn up on me when I was having trouble with one of my mono
banders,
> > and I burned the insulator on an SO-239 when the PL-259 barrell
loosened.
> I
> > run 1500 watts cw & ssb, 160, 80, 40, 30, 20, 15 & 10, and the box has
> been
> > in service for 9 years. 1500 watts into 50 ohms will have about 5 1/2
> amps
> > of current.
> >
> > And the relays are very similar to the ones in an Ameritron relay box
that
> > was given to me.
> >
> > As long as the spring contacts have sufficient power rating, a little
> follow
> > (wiping action) when the contact makes or breaks, and mounted so the
relay
> > springs are vertical (so any dust will fall out), You should be able to
> use
> > just about anybodies box.
> >
> > de Paul, W8AEF
>
>
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