[TowerTalk] Remote antenna switch

Jim Chaggaris jimc at pwrone.com
Mon Sep 5 13:49:34 PDT 2011


Clint,

I've owned a AS Ratpak for the last 5 years.  While I feel it is a decent
switch with good port isolation, I think DXE has a better offering for a few
$$ more.  I like the idea of sealed relays instead of the open-frame style
relays that the Ratpak has.  I've also had minor issues (relay sticking)
with the RP when the outside temp gets below freezing (no it's not a voltage
drop, been there done that).

YMMV.

73,
Jim N9WW

James Chaggaris
President
PowerOne Corp./PowerOne Environmental
1020 Cedar Avenue
Suite 203
St. Charles, IL 60174
Phn: 630-443-6500
Fax: 630-443-6505
Cell: 630-669-2241
website: www.pwrone.com


-----Original Message-----
From: towertalk-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Clint Talmadge
Sent: Monday, September 05, 2011 10:07 AM
To: towertalk at contesting.com
Subject: [TowerTalk] Remote antenna switch

I have used my RCS-4 for many years and the other night while switching from
20M to 40M, I flipped the switch from my LPDA to the trapped dipole and
heard very little difference.  I have decided that I have "listened to all
my antennas" long enough, as the RCS-4 has very poor isolation.   While the
DXEngineering & WX0B switches seem to have much better specs, they are a
little rich for my budget.  I wonder if anyone has checked the other
Ameritron offerings, the RCS-8 & 10.

Is the isolation any better or should I bite the bullet and go with the WX0B
(the less expensive of the high end ones)? Or are there any more I should
consider?

And it if the Ameritrons are acceptable, is the L version worth the extra?
They do not post the manuals for the L version so I cannot tell what they
are adding to give "Lightning Protection".

Clint - W5CPT -
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