[TowerTalk] Ameritron RCS-4

[Robert Shohet]

Hi Ted,

I have used three RCS-4's over the years.  Although they are not built quite
as sturdy today (plastic cover and cheaper quality SO-239's) as they were
seven years ago (metal cover), they work with legal limit power (not just a
few hundred watts) and long cable lengths quite well.  There is quite a
convenience to not having to use control cable that you do with the RCS-8,
which I also use (and I believe is rated for higher power).

I have had some flaky control boxes though, with serious noise and static in
the #1 position, so I don't use the #1 position anymore.

You will also get some corrosion in the outside boxes, due to the inevitable
build-up of condensation and some rust.  You can use some sandpaper to
burnish the relay contacts and that works pretty well.  I seal my outside
boxes around the edges with silicone sealant and hand upside down so the
condensation can drip off the relays.  I still need to replace the outside
box every few years, but that could also be because of static discharges
from nearby lightning strikes and other stuff.

It isn't the greatest product, but it works better than anything else that I
have seen and it is fairly reasonably priced.  I couldn't switch my
beverages without it.

Hope this helps.

73

Bob KQ2M

> Ted, W8TTS asks:
>
> > [...] anyone has had any experience with the Ameritron
> > RCS-4 Remote Antenna Switch?
>
> I've had two in service for about 9 years. One has operated flawlessly.
The
> other had blown it's fuse twice and occasionally the relays hang up (if I
> give the relay box a smack they unstick and work properly again); cause
> unknown (could be weather damage I suppose).
>
> It's a very elegant solution. Note that you can't run high power with
these
> boxes - they are limited to a few hundred watts. I even use one on 6m
> without any trouble.
>
> -- Bill
> wtr@alum.mit.edu
> 801-891-8358 work/cell
> 801-446-0874 home
> 413-254-2532 fax
>
>
>
> List Sponsor:  Champion Radio Products - We'll be at the Dayton Hamvention
> with all of our safety equipment and other products. Stop by booth #559
and
> say hi.
> <A HREF="http://www.championradio.com">www.ChampionRadio.com</A>
>
> -----
> FAQ on WWW:               http://www.contesting.com/FAQ/towertalk
> Submissions:              towertalk@contesting.com
> Administrative requests:  towertalk-REQUEST@contesting.com
> Problems:                 owner-towertalk@contesting.com
>
>
>


List Sponsor:  Champion Radio Products - We'll be at the Dayton Hamvention
with all of our safety equipment and other products. Stop by booth #559 and
say hi.
<A HREF="http://www.championradio.com">www.ChampionRadio.com</A>

-----
FAQ on WWW:               http://www.contesting.com/FAQ/towertalk
Submissions:              towertalk@contesting.com
Administrative requests:  towertalk-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems:                 owner-towertalk@contesting.com