[TowerTalk] US tower remote raising switch

[VE6WZ_Steve]

I have been archiving my station notes together into an electronic file so I can easily retrieve them when needed.
While uploading the files today I recalled a question here on tower talk about adding a remote UP-Down switch functionality to a US Tower, so I thought I would share this.

Here is a link to my documentation for a relay board I built which emulates the 3PDT UP/DOWN switch which is used on the US tower HDX-589mpl Tower.
(A lot more “cost effective” than the US tower remote control box)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IuR1zBhKxquJhoyo6u2hkpHEf0PWsoqe/view?usp=sharing <https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IuR1zBhKxquJhoyo6u2hkpHEf0PWsoqe/view?usp=sharing>

A +12v or -12V signal will drive the tower up or down while no voltage stops the tower.  Two 4PDT (LY4-DC-12) relays are mounted on an etched board and mounted inside the existing tower switch box.  Terminal blocks mounted on the board allow for a direct install using the same terminal lugs which attach to the existing switch screw terminals.  A schematic of the US tower switch box is included to identify the lug numbers, and a few photos of the installation.

This relay board has been in service for three years at the VE6WZ remote station and is configured to be remotely controlled either manually as required, or via a windspeed alarm which will automatically drive the tower down above a set windspeed.

73, de steve ve6wz.