[Towertalk] WX0B Six-Pack

[Sherman Leifer]

I have just installed this switch box 300 feet from the shack and it works 
perfectly.
Running a little higher voltage is always a good idea to ensure proper 
closure.  The cable one uses would also be an important decision.

Very nice product, in fact I just received a second box to use at my NJ QTH.

Sherman
W2FLA





At 09:16 AM 06/18/2002 -0400, you wrote:
>If it looks like a duck...
>
>Certainly sounds like a product defect to me.  Defective relays and/or
>insufficient pull-in voltage.
>
>GL/73
>
>Gary W2CS
>
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: towertalk-admin@contesting.com
> > [mailto:towertalk-admin@contesting.com]On Behalf Of Bob Henderson
> > Sent: Tuesday, June 18, 2002 2:17 AM
> > To: towertalk@contesting.com
> > Subject: [Towertalk] WX0B Six-Pack
> >
> >
> > I am wondering if any Six-Pack users out there are experiencing the same
> > problem I am.
> >
> > I have found my Six Pack to be rather unreliable.  The problem is that the
> > relays don't always operate in such a way that a reliable contact is made.
> > The typical failure is that one or other of the relays fails to pull in
> > properly.  I spoke to Jay at Array Solutions and he told me that
> > the spring
> > tensions on the relays needed to be adjusted to ensure that there
> > is enough
> > tension to cause the necessary wiping action on the N.O. contacts.  At the
> > same time this tension has to be not so great that it overcomes
> > the capacity
> > of the relay coil to cause the relay to close properly when power is
> > applied.
> >
> > I have adjusted endlessly but I have not been able to find a reliable
> > operating set-up through this adjustment.  It seems to me that when
> > increasing spring tension I find the point that prevents relay closure
> > before I find the reliable N.O. contact wiping tension.
> >
> > It seems to me, though Jay disagrees, that there is a design flaw in the
> > Six-Pack.  I have used DX-Engineering and Top Ten Devices switch boxes at
> > the top of towers in hostile environments for years and never had
> > a problem.
> > This Six-Pack sits in the shack at the back of my operating desk and it is
> > so unreliable!  At least it is close enough so I can give it a kick when a
> > relay doesn't pull in properly.
> >
> > To me that the idea of a fine adjustment of relay spring tension to find a
> > position where the relay reliably closes but at the same setting will open
> > with the necessary force to properly wipe the N.O. contacts has
> > no place to
> > be on an antenna switch.  Surely this is marginal design?
> >
> > On my previous antenna relays I have found that nominal 12V relays would
> > operate with as little as 8V applied which meant that with 12V applied the
> > really clunked in well.  With these units there was no delicate
> > adjusting of
> > spring tension either....they wiped the N.O. contacts reliably from day 1.
> >
> > Does anyone share my experience or have I just got a one off
> > unreliable Six
> > Pack?
> >
> > 73
> >
> > Bob 5B4AGN, P3F, ZC4ZM
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Towertalk mailing list
> > Towertalk@contesting.com
> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/towertalk
> >
>
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