[CQ-Contest] Top Ten Switching Layout Ideas?

[Jim Brown]

On 12/24/2017 6:45 PM, Mike Wetzel wrote:
> I am reconfiguring my SO2R antenna switching using the Top Ten 1 x 6
> switches (2) and 1 x 2 switches (6) in the classic configuration.

Hi Mike,

I suggest that you instead use 4O3A's new 8x2 unit. Not only is the 
cabling simpler, it's RF performance is FAR superior. I measured 
isolation greater than 100 dB between all combinations of ins and outs, 
and with all unused outputs un-terminated. His older 6x2 measures in the 
range of -75 dB, and the Array Solutions box it replaced was in the 
range of -53 dB.

You will NOT like what you see if you measure the RF path of the 1x2 
box. I haven't measured the 1x6s, which I'm using to switch stubs on my 
high 80 and 40 dipoles, but based on what I saw with the much simpler 
1x2s, I wouldn't dream of using them above 40M.

The 4O3A unit is quite flexible as to the control signal(s) that it can 
use. All I did to go from the SixPak to the 8x2 was wire the control 
lines to a DB15 connector that the 4O3A uses. The control method is 
selected by a DIP switch.

73, Jim K9YC