Posted: 8/12/2011 5:03:19 AM EDT
| I know there has to be a device like I am looking for, just need to know what it is.... I want to be able to use one antenna and have a device that will allow me to switch between rigs and use multiple rigs with it. One at a time. I guess I could run an antenna switch backwards? What do I need? right now I just unplug the coax and plug it into another rig, but is there a switch for doing this so I can leave everything connected? |
|
Quoted:
I know there has to be a device like I am looking for, just need to know what it is.... I want to be able to use one antenna and have a device that will allow me to switch between rigs and use multiple rigs with it. One at a time. I guess I could run an antenna switch backwards? What do I need? right now I just unplug the coax and plug it into another rig, but is there a switch for doing this so I can leave everything connected? coaxial switch. they are directionless. you need to know what frequency range (some are only good for HF), what power (typical units are 1KW), what connector type (SO239 or N), and finally how many ports. that is all. pictured below is a 1-of-2 selector, SO239 connectors, probably good to about 500MHz. in this case you can attach one antenna and two radios. read the reviews on antenna switches at Eham.com before buying anything. http://www.eham.net/reviews/products/2 note, you will want to institute some type of "check" procedure so that you don't inadvertently transmit with the radio not currently switched to the antenna. the unterminated antenna connector presents a very high impedance and the result is that ALL of the output RF power is reflected back to the radio. what happens next is a function of the amount of power to dissipate and how fast the radio's high-SWR protection circuit (if any) reacts to the situation. the worst case scenario is that the final stage of the RF PA is blown. ETA found the unit pictured below at Universal Radio... http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/switch/1864.html ar-jedi 
|
|
Yes, an antenna switch can be run both ways, to switch one rig among a number of antennas, or several rigs to one antenna.
And if you do it right, you can even have several rigs switchable to several antennas... which is what I have hooked up at the club station now. I'm using some Daiwa 2-way switches, as shown in ARJedi's post above, and these: 
Also, we have ground straps run from these switch cases to the grounding block in the shack, so that ties all of the shields to ground. |
|
Quoted:
Having used the kind of setup you are thinking about before, I'll just strongly advise that you come up with some way to positively lock out (powered off) the radio that is unselected. the way i always envisioned this to be easiest/most foolproof is to have an antenna switch with two inputs and two outputs. the action of the switch simply toggles which input is connected to which output: switch position 1: A ––> ANT1 B ––> ANT2 switch position 1: A ––> ANT2 B ––> ANT1 once you have such a switch, your problem is solved. attach a 50ohm dummy load to the ANT2 connector. no matter which position the switch is in, both radios are facing a load –– in one case a real antenna and in the other case a benign termination. ar-jedi |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Having used the kind of setup you are thinking about before, I'll just strongly advise that you come up with some way to positively lock out (powered off) the radio that is unselected. the way i always envisioned this to be easiest/most foolproof is to have an antenna switch with two inputs and two outputs. the action of the switch simply toggles which input is connected to which output: switch position 1: A ––> ANT1 B ––> ANT2 switch position 1: A ––> ANT2 B ––> ANT1 once you have such a switch, your problem is solved. attach a 50ohm dummy load to the ANT2 connector. no matter which position the switch is in, both radios are facing a load –– in one case a real antenna and in the other case a benign termination. ar-jedi The problem still remains, that you can easily toast one of the rig's receivers when transmitting with the other radio. |
|
OK this will do what you want and then some!!! 6 transceivers, 6 antennas mix and match!! PLUS built in "lightening arrestor"!
http://www.mfjenterprises.com/Product.php?productid=MFJ-1700C Sarge |