Topband: Recommended Relays

[Grant Saviers]

My 160m T tuner uses 3x Schrack PCB SPST relays.  900w FT8 and full QRO 
SSB.  No problems in 4 years. 12vdc PCB relay by Schrack (RZ01-1A4-D012) 
with a plastic arm from the coil armature to the contacts that is rated 
5000v coil to contact isolation, 12a at 250vac switching, and has 
redundant leads to the Ag/Ni (90/10) contacts thru flat alloy copper 
leads to redundant pins. The open contact isolation is specified as 1KV.
$2.59 ea when purchased at Digikey.

Grant KZ1W

On 12/7/2018 0:53 AM, k3ky at radioprism.com wrote:
> Hi, All-
> 
>   Looking back at some of the better construction articles I've
> saved in recent years, this one stands out:
> 
> "The StationPro Master Station Controller" by W8ZR in QST,
> August 2010, page 30-34. He likes to do things up nice, and
> it sure shows in the finished product. It looks professional.
> 
> In particular, his idea for the switching relays is top notch
> IMO. He chose Tyco/Schrack RTB14012F PCB mount types. They are
> compact, high current carry, low inductance (and how!), and
> also cheap. I have seen them on Mouser's site, seem to always
> be in stock. Maybe 3 to 4 dollars each by now. Certainly a
> useful relay design up through 6 meters, it appears.
> 
> He says: "...easily handles the amateur legal power limit"
> (1500W) "...has excellent RF properties..." "In more than
> 20,000 hours of 24 x 7 operation with the four StationPro's
> in the author's station, there has not been a single relay
> failure."
> 
> If you look at the PC baord he designed, you may agree with
> me- it's pretty much a masterpiece. He kept lead lengths to a
> minimum in these units.
> 
> Especially considering the low price, I think these relays
> are going to be very hard to beat!
> 
> 73, David K3KY
> Derwood, MD
> 
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