[TowerTalk] remote ant switch decision

[J. Hunt]

Great - I also agree with Joe, W4TV.

I have also replaced / upgraded many "open-frame" relays within transceivers / amplifiers / antenna switches over the years with appropriate sealed relays.
The "open relays" I have replaced - exhibited the same failure type as described below.

My HF tower switch is home-brew.  
It features "N" connectors, computer controlled from station, with lock-out and feedback protection.  
Including integral lightning protection.
Insertion loss <0.05db @ 50MHz., >60db isolation between ports (4).

About 10 years ago, I got fed up with pre-manufactured remote antenna switches.  
Problems, one lightning hit - toast, high insertion loss, with questionable isolation between ports.


Thanks n 73,
James
ki5dq 
--------------------------------------------
On Tue, 4/12/16, Bob K6UJ <k6uj at pacbell.net> wrote:

 Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] remote ant switch decision
 To: towertalk at contesting.com
 Date: Tuesday, April 12, 2016, 11:45 AM
 
 thanks Joe,
 
 Bob
 K6UJ
 
 On 4/12/16 7:47 AM, Joe Subich, W4TV wrote:
 >
 > Stick with the switch that uses enclosed relays with higher impedance
 > coils.  The "open frame" relays (even with a carbonate cover) with
 > low impedance coils (higher current) are more sensitive to corrosion
 > *and* resistance in control leads.  The "open frame" relays *will*
 > become unreliable over a relatively short period of time.
 >
 > The better switches use enclosed relays, and at least in one case,
 > cast, moisture resistant enclosures rather than bent sheet metal
 > that is susceptible to moisture intrusion.
 >
 > 73,
 >
 >   ... Joe, W4TV
 >
 >
 >> To:    towertalk at contesting.com
 >> Subject:    [TowerTalk] remote ant switch decision
 >> From:    Bob K6UJ <k6uj at pacbell.net>
 >> Date:    Tue, 12 Apr 2016 00:56:48 -0700
 >>
 >>
 >> I am considering getting either the Array Solutions RatPak or a DX
 >> Engineering remote antenna switch. Any feedback on either of these,
 >> positive or negative ?
 >>
 >> thanks,
 >> Bob
 >> K6UJ
 >>
 > _______________________________________________
 >
 >
 >
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 > TowerTalk at contesting.com
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