From what I've read over the years, the RCS-4 has pretty poor
line-to-line isolation. Simple doesn't give you very good isolation,
and the way that the RCS-4 uses three relays to get four channels is
especially weak for that. I even find it odd that on the DXengineering
website the port-to-port isolation is specified as being LESS than 30dB,
which sounds backwards to me but maybe they're just being honest.
The MS-S4A shorts the unused ports, and the contacts in the MS-S4A have
three times the current rating of the RCS-4.
I'd build my own remote switch with input and output relays for each
channel before I'd buy the RCS-4. At least I'd know the solder joints
were good.
Dave AB7E
On 10/23/2019 6:24 PM, Kim Elmore wrote:
The Ameritron switch uses your transmission line to supply power
through a bias-T. Two polarities of DC plus AC and no voltage yield a
4 position switch. It's delightfully simple: mine is an ancient
Heathkit HD1481, which works the same way the Ameritron switch does.
I've never measured the isolation on mine, but the two look almost
identical. Mine has been through a fair bit of abuse and has soldiered
on admirably. Yes, I did burn up some traces on the remote PCB (fed a
non-resonant antenna at 1+ kW through a tuner), but some jumpers
across the burned up traces and it's been good ever since. Should mine
ever suffer a catastrophic, non-repairable failure it'll get replaced
with an Ameritron RCS-4.
Kim N5OP
On 10/23/2019 2:13 PM, Wes wrote:
Anyone have any experience with one of these?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/MS-S4A-WEB-controlled-REMOTE-ANTENNA-SWITCH-4-POSITIONS-2-KW-PEP-Ready-for-use/202778787695?hash=item2f368ebf6f:g:ec4AAOSwmxVceS5L
Not too interested in web interface, manual is fine.
Wes?? N7WS
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