5 replies to this topic

[k8mcn]

Hello!
I have reached the point where a remote antenna switch would be very helpful.Unclutter the shack a little and make antenna switching easier.
Any opinions on the Ameritron RCS-8V Remote Coax Switch?

Have thought about home brewing one but my skills are not up to it i am afraid---but with a simple enough plan i wouldn't be afraid to try.

Tnx and 73
Kelly
K8MCM

[Shortwave]

Hiya Kelly!

Can't comment on the Ameritron remote switch, but at the Ham Radio store where I work we have sold a number of MFJ-4712 (2-way), and also MFJ-4714 with the MFJ-4714RC to give you 4-way remote switching. We've had no complaints yet so I guess they must be OK!

For 2-way switching a simple circuit using a relay and feeding a switching voltage down the coax should work fine (that's how the MFJ-4712 operates). Also, if you are not too far away from where you want the switch to be you could just run some two core cable along side of the coax and feed the relay coil that way. Couldn't get much simpler that that!

Best 73, Mark.

[n4dxi]

Kelly, I have an Ameritron RCS-8 Remote Switch and it does help simplify the tangle of cables coming into the shack. Mine did suffer from a nearby lightning strike, Ameritron repaired it but if you live in a lightning prone area then consider the RCS 8VL model. The lightning strike that damaged my switch was a nearby strike, not a direct hit. Just the energy in the air from the lightning damaged the switch.

The RCS-8VL sells for $209.95 so its not inexpensive. If you just want to simplify the cables in your shack, there are more inexpensive ways to go about it including building your own from Radio Shack or purchasing a used manual switch. Monitor QTH.com, often used manual switches are available for less than $50.

Hope this helps....John Bescher, N4DXI

k8mcn, on 15 August 2009 - 02:26 AM, said:

Hello!
I have reached the point where a remote antenna switch would be very helpful.Unclutter the shack a little and make antenna switching easier.
Any opinions on the Ameritron RCS-8V Remote Coax Switch?

Have thought about home brewing one but my skills are not up to it i am afraid---but with a simple enough plan i wouldn't be afraid to try.

Tnx and 73
Kelly
K8MCM

[k8mcn]

n4dxi, on 15 August 2009 - 02:09 PM, said:

Kelly, I have an Ameritron RCS-8 Remote Switch and it does help simplify the tangle of cables coming into the shack. Mine did suffer from a nearby lightning strike, Ameritron repaired it but if you live in a lightning prone area then consider the RCS 8VL model. The lightning strike that damaged my switch was a nearby strike, not a direct hit. Just the energy in the air from the lightning damaged the switch.

The RCS-8VL sells for $209.95 so its not inexpensive. If you just want to simplify the cables in your shack, there are more inexpensive ways to go about it including building your own from Radio Shack or purchasing a used manual switch. Monitor QTH.com, often used manual switches are available for less than $50.

Hope this helps....John Bescher, N4DXI

Thanks,John, for the reply.........I do have quite few electrical storms here, so the "L" model may be a better choice for me. I have had my dog fence taken out just by "nearby" strikes
....Currently do the in the shack antenna switches, but the remote switch would eliminate all the feeds to the shack. That in turn would make a more aesthetic thing, (XYL happy), and i thought with one GOOD run of coax underground i would then only have to contend with my ladderline feeds being visible.............So if i choose the lightening protection @ 209, my wonder now is if the switches from DX Engineering or Array Solutions would be a better choice as i am now getting into their price range?? decision decisions.

[KE7AAR]

I have been using the Ameritron RCS-8V for 2 years. Great switch with no problems.

[4z5nu]

Hi all, I prefer one continuous coax per each antenna (all the way from the top, down to the shack) and any commutation do it in the shack. Couple reasons for this :
1. If antenna switch fails, its mutch easy to fix or replace the unit inside the house.
2. Continuity is preserved in an insulator (important for coaxial cable), so 50-ohm impedance stay unbroken (intact).
3. In worst scenario, when one coax fail, you still have others and better chance to finish the contest (also a opportunity to beat the Murphy's Law )
The best antenna switch commutate the braid too (stil looking for this).
Best regards and 73!
Dov aka 4Z5NU.