[CQ-Contest] Antenna Switching

[K9MA]

Alas, unless you can match both antennas to very nearly 1:1, a 
solid-state amplifier probably won't be happy with both of them. As far 
as I can tell, no such amplifier allows selection of different ATU 
settings for a single antenna output in response to an external control 
line, unless you want to write some code and depend on a computer to 
send it to the amplifier. Some will save multiple settings, and switch 
to the best one at the start of transmission, but that may cut off the 
beginning of a transmission.

If your antennas are all monobanders, an easy solution is to build a 
simple L network for each to match it. In my case, since my two beams 
are tribanders, I built a box with 6 L networks and relays to switch 
them. I'd be glad to share the design details. I suppose you could also 
switch L networks with two 1 X 6 antenna relay boxes and 12 coax jumpers.

73,
Scott K9MA



On 9/19/2023 5:30 PM, john at kk9a.com wrote:
> I have used a SixPak controlled by Top Ten band decoders for decades.
> Unfortunately DX Engineering acquired Top Ten Devices and it appears that
> they discontinued the product.  Since I have more than one Yagi on 10m -
> 40m, I use Array Solutions StackMatches on the outputs of the SixPak so I
> can easily switch which beams I wish to use on each band.  It appears that
> you have a monobander(s) and a tribander, so doing something similar would
> require three StackMatches and a triplexer to split the tribander into three
> feedlines.  A simpler option would be to use a StackMatch before the SixPak
> on one radio so at least with that radio you could choose one or even both
> antennas.  Of course you would have to be sure that the tribander was not
> selected when going on the low bands so it's not 100% foolproof.
>
> John KK9A
>
>
>
>
> Lee Hiers AA4GA wrote:
>
> Hi Folks,
>
> I've got an old Array Solutions SixPak antenna switch.  I'm thinking about
> using band decoders (or however it's done these days, depending on the rig)
> to have the antenna switch automatically follow the radios' bands.
>
> The question I have is, if I'm on my main 20m antenna and want to change to
> a SE tribander, say, how is that generally implemented?  Presumably I'd
> want to be able to select that secondary antenna from either radio.  How
> are folks doing the auto-antenna-switch override?
>
> 73 de Lee, AA4GA
>
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-- 
Scott  K9MA

k9ma at sdellington.us