[Amps] Vacuum Relay Question

Jim Garland 4cx250b at miamioh.edu
Sun Jul 25 12:17:30 EDT 2021


I'm repairing lightning damage to a 160m matching network at the base of 
my 80m 1/4 wave vertical, and am using a Kilovac H-16 (basically same as 
a  Jennings RB3) DPDT vacuum relay in the network, which has six short 
tungsten stubs  for RF hookups. There are matching short cylindrical 
sliver-plated brass terminals that slide onto the stubs, but no obvious 
way to tighten the terminals to the stubs. The pressure fit doesn't seem 
adequate for securing the terminals, since the relay is rated at 50A. 
Each terminal has a tiny allen screw, but it merely keeps the terminal 
from sliding too far onto the stub, potentially damaging the relay's 
glass bulb.  The tungsten stubs can't be soldered to, so I'm curious as 
to what the recommended method for attaching to them is. There are 
numerous vacuum relays that have a similar design, and in the past I've 
just abandoned the supplied terminals and clamped to the stub with 
copper strap. This time, however, I'd like to attach to the stub 
properly and hope somebody can provide me an answer. Thanks!

73,

Jim W8ZR



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