Topband: TX relays

[Hardy Landskov]

Carl, et al,
You have valid points. I have resorted, for example to making my own high 
power handling T/R relays using Kilovac, Jennings, and other brands of 
vacuum relays I can find, with my mill and lathe. This is a part of ham 
radio that I thoroughly enjoy !! (I do use the N-Style female connectors 
that use the SMA footprint at the bottom. Got a bunch at Orlando.) They take 
power just fine.

DXE has some very useful items One would think DXE would cut hams some slack 
but they are totally out of my price range anyway. My 2 cents...
73 Hardy N7RT


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Carl" <km1h at jeremy.qozzy.com>
To: <jim at audiosystemsgroup.com>; <topband at contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 09, 2014 6:36 PM
Subject: Re: Topband: TX relays


>
>
>> On Thu,10/9/2014 11:18 AM, Tom W8JI wrote:
>>> I know you want one-part-number-fits-all answers, but I do not think 
>>> that is possible.
>>
>> That's your assumption, but certainly not mine. What I think most of us 
>> would appreciate are known good products for specific (or define ranges 
>> of) applications.
>>
>> Your observations about quality decline with outsourcing is certainly 
>> appreciated. Indeed, that is part of the experience we ought to be 
>> sharing.
>>
>> 73, Jim K9YC
>> _________________
>
>
> Nor mine either.
>
> When Tom doesnt want to divulge anything interesting that threatens his 
> secrecy he resorts to insults and a lot of dancing around the subject.
>
> Is the RCS-8V any better than the RCS 4, 10 and 12 which all use the 
> rugged DPDT relay used in the Senior Ameritron amps? Board layout has 
> improved for increased isolation and the relays are easily replace if 
> needed.
>
> The RCS-8V uses a so called custom relay which costs $33.80 each for 
> replacement while the RCS-4 relay is $6.64 from Ameritron.
> OTOH there is only a $10 difference between both end products.
>
> For HF to 6M the RCS-4 has 3 relays and rated at 2500W continuous average 
> power.
>
> The RCS-8V has 5 relays and is supposedly good for 5KW to 30 mHz but only 
> 1 KW at 150 mHz. A full set of replacement relays cost as much as the 
> complete product!
>
> Does anybody smell a scam here?
>
> Im not grumpy Tom, just frustrated with getting a straight answer out of 
> you instead of hiding behind what ever nonsense verbiage you like to throw 
> out such as:
>
> "For example, the
> RCS8V uses a custom tooled relay that has a double make double break
> contact, or form X contact. It isn't under a part number at Mouser"
>
> Translation:  it is configured as a transfer relay ( the form X contact 
> (it should read configuration)) with each leg in parallel due to a 
> shorting bar between them explained as a long winded elaboration "double 
> make double break contact or form X contact ".
> "It isn't under a part number at Mouser" Maybe not but a regular DPDT 
> relay could be modified at home to be a credible performer thru 6M.
>
> There is nothing earth shattering about a transfer relay Tom, they have 
> been around possibly since relays were invented. I use an ancient 4 port 
> Dow Key on my 1500W 2M amp. A Transco transfer relay is used on the 222 
> mHz 1500W amp and another on the 400W for 432.
>
> Most HF amps use a different form of transfer relay which is simply a 
> standard DPDT wired for the required transfer function.
> No magic there either.
>
> Bifurcated contact simply means twin contact, aka parallel.
>
> Here is an excellent tutorial on relay terminology
> http://www.relaymaster.com/Glossary.aspx
>
> BTW, some states have passed laws against companies that refuse to release 
> service information to independent shops.
> Its time you and DXE as well as a few others are included if it doesnt 
> become voluntary.
>
> Carl
> KM1H
> _________________
> Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
>