[TowerTalk] 6 x 2 unit...

[Roger (K8RI) on TT]

Plan on allowing for expansion.

The nice thing about a decoder and a controller is it will pick the 
proper antenna for you.  The odds of the wrong antenna using manual 
switches, even properly labeled are quite high. IOW, it becomes a 
question of when, not if you transmit into the wrong antenna.  Yes, I 
know there are those who say they have used that scheme for years 
without a problem, but according to the odds they are the lucky 
exception rather than the rule.

Another point about the remote selecting switches is they easily allow 
for adding antennas to the system. They do not have to be monobanders. 
20, 15, and 10 can all select the same antenna with most systems.  My 
six pack has remote switches connected to two of the outputs.  That 
means few of those connections identified with a band actually are used 
for that band.

NOTE:  If you end up with any unused connectors (IE SO239s) lightly 
lubricate the threads and use a plastic cap to cover the connector.  If 
not properly weather proofed the silver plated connectors will rapidly 
deteriorate.  I've had them become unusable in just a few months.

73

Roger (K8RI)


On 4/18/2016 Monday 6:47 AM, Earl Morse wrote:
> For simple as possible, skip the remote switches.  Run all the coaxes into the shack.  Have a 4 to 6 way coax switch on each radio.  Use 2 way switches to switch the more popular antennas between either radio.  It is manual operation but you probably have everything laying around the shack to put it together now.
>
> While having the ability to switch any antenna between either radio and having 2 antennas for each band is nice you will find that for SO2R you tend to have a primary radio and a secondary radio.  Primary is going to be running on the most productive bands with the best antennas while the secondary radio is going to be S&Ping on the off bands with whatever antennas you have left over, most likely the next band up or down from the run radio.  The important bands of interest are going to change depending on the contest.  In most cases, propagation will make bands mutually exclusive of each other.  For example, you won't need 160/80M during the day when 20-15-10M is hopping, and vice-versa.  So being able to switch any antenna to any radio at any time probably isn't needed.
>
> Run it manually for a while and you will figure out exactly what you need.
>
> Earl
> N8SS
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 6
> Date: Sun, 17 Apr 2016 19:13:51 -0400
> From: "Douglas Ruz / CO8DM" <co8dm at frcuba.co.cu>
> To: "Towertalk" <towertalk at contesting.com>
> Subject: [TowerTalk] 6 x 2 unit...
> Message-ID: <00d701d198fe$d1ef96b0$75cec410$@co.cu>
> Content-Type: text/plain;	charset="us-ascii"
>
> Hi,
>
>   
>
> I am building a simple as possible SO2R configuration.
>
>   
>
> I need some advices about a 6 x 2 antenna relay unit.I prefer a kit because
> it is cheaper.
>
>   
>
> I think I need build also a Band decoder.any idea?
>
>   
>
> Thanks,
>
>   
>
> Doug, CO8DM
>
>
>
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>
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-- 

73

Roger (K8RI)


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