[SCCC] SO2R Equipment Recommendations

[Prasad]

Bob,

Ron KK1L provides two links on his website to take you to a pre-filled order
form at Mouser Electronics for both the Relay Board and Controller
separately. This is the best part, with just a few clicks you can order out
all the parts for the switch and controller except the cabinets for which he
also has provided recommended links.

You order the PCBs separately from him. This project got me back into
building projects after a long break :)

Without the cabinets, the antenna switch, controller, band decoder project
cost me around  $290 - it should be cheaper for you because I paid
international shipping which amounted to about $60. I could have got the
components a bit cheaper if I had purchased locally, but I did not have the
patience to go shopping for parts as I would have to visit several different
stores to get the pieces together.

Check out his website - I shall put up pictures of the project on my website
and send you the link so you can have a look. Ron also has some pictures of
complete projects on his website.

If I had purchased the Array Solutions switch it would have cost me over
$500 including shipping and customs which is around 18%.

By the way, Microham also makes 2x6 and 2x10 switches which are more
expensive than Array Solutions.

I must now try and find a source for cabinets.

73 de Prasad VU2PTT.


On Tue, Dec 1, 2009 at 9:40 AM, Bob Selbrede, K6ZZ <k6zz at ccis.com> wrote:

> Hi Prasad,
>
> I saw the KK1L designs on K8ND's SO2R Web Page.  I should
> probably take a closer look at it.  If the antenna switch
> can be purchased in kit form it might be worth pursuing.
> What is the estimated cost to purchase all the parts and
> assemble one?  The SixPak runs about $450 new.  The only
> other commercial prodcut I'm aware of is the ShackLAN stuff.
>  At least you'll be ready for CQWW 2010!
>
> 73, Bob K6ZZ
>
> ----- Original Message Follows -----
> From: Prasad <vu2ptt at gmail.com>
> To: k6zz at ccis.com, SCCC <sccc at contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: [SCCC] SO2R Equipment Recommendations
> Date: Tue, 1 Dec 2009 09:15:01 +0530
>
> > Bob,
> >
> > I have also just started dabbling with SO2R. Last Thursday
> > and Friday just before CQWW CW contest I was busy building
> > the KK1L 2x6 Antenna switch, controller and band decoder.
> > Got it all going a few minutes before the contest and
> > tired myself out ending up using just on radio and
> > sleeping during prime band openings :)
> >
> > First time in a contest I did not change coax cables to
> > the rig or the Daiwa 2-way antenna switch that I have. I
> > have not yet connected the band decoder part of the switch
> > controller to the rig/PC but used it in manual mode to
> > switch antennas during the contest. The controller also
> > provides tap off headers to switch filters etc. for each
> > radio.
> >
> > I am now building the SO2R controller which is at
> > http://home.comcast.net/~kk1l/kk1l_so2r/index.html The
> > anntena switch, controller, band decoders details are also
> > available ont he site. It all worked out much cheaper for
> > me than buying a finished product. Ron KK1L provides high
> > quality PCBs.
> >
> > Now to make filter stubs and plan on getting band filters
> > - needs some annual budget plans now that I am trying to
> > get into SO2R ;-)
> >
> > Good luck and 73
> >
> > de Prasad, VU2PTT, W2PTT
> > <http://home.comcast.net/~kk1l/kk1l_so2r/index.html>
> >
> > On Tue, Dec 1, 2009 at 8:12 AM, Bob Selbrede, K6ZZ
> > <k6zz at ccis.com> wrote:
> >
> > > Folks,
> > >
> > > I am considering dabbling a bit with SO2R and was
> > > curious to know what people are using these days for
> > > their SO2R Controller (Mic, PPT, TX/RX Audio, CW) and
> > > Antenna Switching.  In the early to mid 90's, Top Ten
> > > Devices or home-brew seemed to rule.  There are many
> > > products on the market these days.
> > >
> > > For the SO2R Controller I'm leaning toward the Top Ten
> > > Devices DX Doubler or Array Solutions SO2R Master.  They
> > > seem a lot simpler and are more affordable than some of
> > > the others.  Simple and reliable are both great
> > attributes! >
> > > For Antenna Switching I'm leaning toward the Array
> > > Solutions SixPak.  Again, it seems to be a good product
> > > and priced better than the competition.
> > >
> > > Have I missed any other obvious options?  Home-brew
> > > isn't much of an option these days given my hectic
> > > schedule.  Is there are reason why the DX Doubler would
> > > be any better or worse than the SO2R Master?
> > >
> > > For bandpass filters I'll go with the Dunestar or ICE
> > > multi-band units.  I've owned both and both seem to work
> > > well.  The W3NQN filters look great but are a bit pricy.
> > > Don't know which band decoders I'll use yet either.
> > > This setup will use a K3 and FT-2000.
> > >
> > > Comments and suggestions welcome and appreciated.
> > >
> > > 73, Bob K6ZZ
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
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> > >
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