[TowerTalk] Coax Switch

[Joe Subich, W4TV]

 > Can someone open this thing up?  I'd very much like to have this
 > competently reverse-engineered.

Why?  The RCV-8 manual *with schematics* is already available on
the Ameritron web site (www.ameritron.com).  The RCS8V does, in fact,
use a DP5T switch - one pole switches power to the relays whilst the
other pole switches raw AC (probably 12 or 12.6V AC) through the LEDs
and 470 Ohm resistor to ground.

The controller design (AC on the LEDs) is sloppy but functional.

73,

    ... Joe, W4TV


On 4/1/2013 5:11 PM, Larry Loen wrote:
> Can someone open this thing up?  I'd very much like to have this
> competently reverse-engineered.
>
> Reason being that I'd like to replace it with computer-controlled relays
> and I'd like to know 1) how it works and 2) what the "specs" are.  I have
> my eye on a USB-based set of relays.  You get either 4 or 8 from the
> company depending on how heavy duty the requirements are for power.
>
> We could run it easily from a PC or (for better remote operations) a
> Raspberry Pi that could survive power failures.  That's the dream, anyway.
> If I knew how to do it, all I'd have to do is literally wire it up; the
> relays I found are SPDT and I assume that if it is SPST, I could just float
> or ground or power the "other side" as needed.
>
> This seems to me about the best of the coax switches around.  It has five
> coax positions to switch and (if I read the specs right) is good to 6
> meters.
>
>
>
> Larry Wo0Z
>
> On Mon, Apr 1, 2013 at 12:54 PM, Patrick Greenlee
> <patrick_g at windstream.net>wrote:
>
>> If you don't find a control box you can make one easily.  It is just
>> powered by a small wall wart (or other supply.)  It is the equivalent of a
>> single pole 5 throw switch. It is a rotary wafer switch with 5 positions
>> and is probably break before make contacts.  I haven't opened mine up so it
>> is always possible it is a two pole switch with one pole switching the
>> indicator LED's internally and the other pole sending power out one of the
>> 5 output wires (with the 6th wire as common.)  If you could maintain
>> discipline and not mess up you could use 5 single pole single throw
>> switches to switch the relays in the remote box.  You'd just have to
>>   remember to switch off the current energized circuit before switching on
>> the next one. One on at a time only please.  The indicator lights are just
>> LED's with a series current limiting resistor so they don't burn out or
>> shine too brightly.  I'm kind of jammed up time wise right how but if you
>> want me to draw a schematic contact me via PM and I will try to get it done
>> ASAP. I'm good in QRZ.
>>
>> I spent the day with my trencher digging out for a concrete pour of a
>> tower base on Fri if at all possible as I have a flying trip to the left
>> coast and will be out there in SOCAL for a week before team driving back
>> and then entertaining a house guest and then and then...  Need to get the
>> base poured to start the count down clock ticking... Standard concrete mix
>> cures to 90% of its final strength in 28 days.I have a second house guest
>> due in May.  He is a mechanical engineer (masters degree from UCLA) with 30
>> + years hands on experience and is my consultant and sanity checker for my
>> designs.  Got a good start on the hole and got all the rebar cut and the
>> stirrups made.
>>
>> Patrick AF5CK
>>
>> -----Original Message----- From: donhall161
>> Sent: Sunday, March 31, 2013 5:21 PM
>> To: towertalk at contesting.com
>> Subject: [TowerTalk] Coax Switch
>>
>> Looking for a control box as a replacement for my Ameritron RCS-8V. Remote
>> unit OK.
>>
>> Got one laying around not being used?
>>
>> (Using this on my LM354 tower so related to Tower Talk!!)
>>
>> Don  K5AQ
>>
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