[TowerTalk] Coax Switch

[K1TTT]

the new boxes don't have ac any more, they use a 12vdc wall wart instead of
internal power supply.

David Robbins K1TTT
e-mail: mailto:k1ttt at arrl.net
web: http://wiki.k1ttt.net
AR-Cluster node: 145.69MHz or telnet://k1ttt.net


-----Original Message-----
From: Joe Subich, W4TV [mailto:lists at subich.com] 
Sent: Monday, April 01, 2013 21:46
To: towertalk at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Coax Switch


 > 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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