[TowerTalk] Wanted! Sixpak Antenna Switch

[Dave Hachadorian]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "ZS4RY" <zr4rv at xsinet.co.za>
To: "Alfredo Vélez WP3C" <wp3c at usa.com>
Cc: "tower talk" <towertalk at contesting.com>
Sent: Saturday, September 13, 2008 6:22 AM
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Wanted! Sixpak Antenna Switch


> Alfredo, not the the best antenna switch around. Plagued 
> by sticky relays
> which does not switch. Mine gave problems within the first 
> week and ever
> since.
---------------------------

I never had such a problem with my Six-Pak using a full 
regulated 13.8 vdc drive.

When I added some steering diodes into the relay selection 
logic to do some specialized switching, the relays would no 
longer pull in reliably. I had to change those diodes to 
1N5818 Schottky Diodes to reduce the forward voltage drop. 
I'm not at home right now, but I think I also changed one 
other diode in the six-pak box (reverse voltage protection 
diode?). There have been no problems since then. 1N5818's 
are available from Mouser for $0.09. They are handy to have 
on hand for this type of application.

Dave Hachadorian, K6LL
Big Bear Lake, CA