[TowerTalk] Antenna Switch - Grounded or Open Unused Contacts

[Doug Renwick]

>From the DX Eng manual "Lightning protection is excellent in the relay
system.  There is never an ungrounded path for lightning, regardless of
how you configure internal jumpers". 
I suggest you email DX Eng. for their advice with your antennas.  For
example with half slopers the unused ports should be left ungrounded.
You will be pleasantly surprised with their fast response.

Doug

> -----Original Message-----

> I am about to replace my 30 year old Ameritron antenna switch 
> with a DX Engineering unit.  It will be placed at the top of the 
> tower to select between the various antennas - wire slopers for 
> 160 and 80, inverted vees for 75 and 40, and the Steppir ( 
> currently under repair) for the rest of HF.  I will not have 
> multiple antennas selected at the same time.  What is best - to 
> wire the switch so that unused ports are normally grounded or 
> open?  My inclination would be to ground all the unused antennas, 
> but since the switch is shipped normally open I have an element of
doubt.
> 
> Thanks --
> 
> Keith
> AC9S