Re: Topband: Topband Digest, Vol 151, Issue 3
How about this, there are other RX antenna switches here too. http://www.udcsys.com/RX-6ReceiveAntennaSwitch.html Jay, WX0B Jay Terleski Array Solutions 214 954 7140 On Sun, Jul 5, 2015 at 11:00 AM, topband-requ...@contesting.com wrote: Send Topband mailing list submissions to topband@contesting.com To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/topband or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to topband-requ...@contesting.com You can reach the person managing the list at topband-ow...@contesting.com When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than Re: Contents of Topband digest... Today's Topics: 1. Video Switch for Low Band Antenna switching (Roger D Johnson) 2. Re: Video Switch for Low Band Antenna switching (Herbert Schoenbohm) 3. Re: Video Switch for Low Band Antenna switching (Herbert Schoenbohm) -- Message: 1 Date: Sat, 04 Jul 2015 21:47:43 + From: Roger D Johnson n...@roadrunner.com To: Top Band Reflector topband@contesting.com Subject: Topband: Video Switch for Low Band Antenna switching Message-ID: 5598547f.4050...@roadrunner.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed I've been looking for a way to switch multiple receiving antennas to multiple receivers. I know some hams are using video switchers but info on them is scarce. There is a Dynair SVA-100B for sale on eBay but no real description of it's functions. It seems obvious that you can, for instance, switch input 3 to output 7 but can you simultaneously switch input 5 to output 6? In other words, can you have more than one path through the switcher? Any other ideas on switching greatly appreciated! 73, Roger http://antiqueradios.com/forums/report.php?f=2p=2337227 -- Message: 2 Date: Sat, 04 Jul 2015 18:30:57 -0400 From: Herbert Schoenbohm herbert.schoenb...@gmail.com To: topband@contesting.com, n...@roadrunner.com Subject: Re: Topband: Video Switch for Low Band Antenna switching Message-ID: 55985ea1.4040...@gmail.com Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed Roger, as long as the switch is passive and not active it will work well for you as unused ports are terminate in 75 ohms. I use a 12X1 Dynairs here and they have excellent isolation plus it terminates the unused reversible Beverage feedline (which is recommended for greater rejection). I just cut the RG6 minus the VF to multiples of a half wave length so the termination at the switch appears on the unused port. I prefer this to running voltage out to relays which always seem to fail at some point. Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ On 7/4/2015 5:47 PM, Roger D Johnson wrote: Boxbe https://www.boxbe.com/overview This message is eligible for Automatic Cleanup! (n...@roadrunner.com) Add cleanup rule https://www.boxbe.com/popup?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.boxbe.com%2Fcleanup%3Ftoken%3Dnp%252Bsb5oLW0EM1MiGv38HJp5SUI58ppPRSOpvKCFUJoQ%252BC1b%252F%252Fd5cjSefau95xVXwxnFmSSwUatUl%252Fd%252BX4fby4vOtZvLohd1eJzWOO5EAZyS8V5GycsrS5GFxQEdl2XY62EXybK3klIQ%253D%26key%3DA7%252F34s4sBlm2aKuS%252BezNSB0IavmYLPaMHZ73KUHql5E%253Dtc_serial=21867422542tc_rand=1661170955utm_source=stfutm_medium=emailutm_campaign=ANNO_CLEANUP_ADDutm_content=001 | More info http://blog.boxbe.com/general/boxbe-automatic-cleanup?tc_serial=21867422542tc_rand=1661170955utm_source=stfutm_medium=emailutm_campaign=ANNO_CLEANUP_ADDutm_content=001 I've been looking for a way to switch multiple receiving antennas to multiple receivers. I know some hams are using video switchers but info on them is scarce. There is a Dynair SVA-100B for sale on eBay but no real description of it's functions. It seems obvious that you can, for instance, switch input 3 to output 7 but can you simultaneously switch input 5 to output 6? In other words, can you have more than one path through the switcher? Any other ideas on switching greatly appreciated! 73, Roger http://antiqueradios.com/forums/report.php?f=2p=2337227 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband -- Message: 3 Date: Sat, 04 Jul 2015 18:42:11 -0400 From: Herbert Schoenbohm he...@vitelcom.net To: topband@contesting.com Subject: Re: Topband: Video Switch for Low Band Antenna switching Message-ID: 55986143.6030...@vitelcom.net Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed Roger, I took a look at this unit and it appears to be an active unit rather than a passive switcher that you need for Topband. You can call Dynair at 858-450-0504 and see if they can tell you where to download a schematic. Herb, KV4FZ On 7/4/2015 5:47 PM, Roger D Johnson wrote: I've been looking for a way to
Re: Topband: Video Switch for Low Band Antenna switching
As an alternative, in my opinion the receiving antenna switching capabilities of the K9AY 8x2 switch are far superior to any available alternative: - eight antenna input ports - two independently controlled receiver output ports - any antenna input switchable to either or both receiver output ports with no interaction and excellent isolation - two, three or more antenna input ports can be simultaneously switched to either or both receiver output ports http://www.aytechnologies.com/Products/RAS8x2data.htm 73 Frank W3LPL - Original Message - From: Roger D Johnson n...@roadrunner.com To: Top Band Reflector topband@contesting.com Sent: Saturday, July 4, 2015 9:47:43 PM Subject: Topband: Video Switch for Low Band Antenna switching I've been looking for a way to switch multiple receiving antennas to multiple receivers. I know some hams are using video switchers but info on them is scarce. There is a Dynair SVA-100B for sale on eBay but no real description of it's functions. It seems obvious that you can, for instance, switch input 3 to output 7 but can you simultaneously switch input 5 to output 6? In other words, can you have more than one path through the switcher? Any other ideas on switching greatly appreciated! 73, Roger http://antiqueradios.com/forums/report.php?f=2p=2337227 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Video Switch for Low Band Antenna switching
4O3A sells a variety of products for station control and antenna switching: http://4o3a.com Steve WB6RSE _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Video Switch for Low Band Antenna switching
I'm not sure that I would like pushbutton antenna switching. Especially in a contest. I use a 4-position rotary switch to select all four directions of the two Beverages. (The same principle would apply to more than four directions.) All four RX directions are within a 90 degree rotation of the switch; adjacent positions are just 22.5 degrees apart. (And rotary switches are available with less than 22.5 degrees between positions.) To its immediate right is a toggle switch that selects either the Beverage RX rotary switch or the TX antenna. Both the rotary and toggle can be operated conveniently with just my right hand, while tuning across the band, etc. with my left. It is a very ergonomic design; if it could be improved upon, I've never figured out a better way. (But I'm listening with an open mind. :-) A photo of the switching arrangement here can be viewed at www.w0btu.com/Beverage_antennas.html#more_than_one_way_to_build Click on the image to zoom. I think W8JI --and somebody else who copied his design-- has eight PB switches in a ~2 diameter circle, all barely protruding just past the panel. Maybe if I had one, I would prefer it over what I built, but I really don't think so. When my fingers are on that switch, I don't have to feel around for pushbuttons nor take my eyes off more important things. IMHO, a rotary switch is the way to go. 73, Mike www.w0btu.com _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Video Switch for Low Band Antenna switching
I've used the K9AY pushbutton RX select switches at W3LPL and they are a very fine ergonomic solution. Definitely prefer the pushbuttons to rotary switches. At home I use footswitches for 1-of-4 RX direction selection on 160M. Very easy for me to cycle multiple directions after each CQ. Two feet gets me to 4 directions, I don't know that I'd be able to grow the last foot to help with an 8-circle, but that doesn't matter because I do not have room in the yard for an 8-circle :-) One mistake I've made a couple times is changing transmit direction switch, while transmitting. This was especially likely while I was trying to do 2 different receive antennas or having a conversation with others in the shack. Didn't blow anything up but maybe I was just lucky! A slight evolution would be a pushbutton transmit direction selector, that would lock out direction changes while transmitting (or the other way around). 160M in a big DX-only contest requires much less antenna switching, than a contest where there are many domestic callers worth points as well as the DX. Tim N3QE On Sun, Jul 5, 2015 at 4:07 PM, Mike Waters mikew...@gmail.com wrote: I'm not sure that I would like pushbutton antenna switching. Especially in a contest. I use a 4-position rotary switch to select all four directions of the two Beverages. (The same principle would apply to more than four directions.) All four RX directions are within a 90 degree rotation of the switch; adjacent positions are just 22.5 degrees apart. (And rotary switches are available with less than 22.5 degrees between positions.) To its immediate right is a toggle switch that selects either the Beverage RX rotary switch or the TX antenna. Both the rotary and toggle can be operated conveniently with just my right hand, while tuning across the band, etc. with my left. It is a very ergonomic design; if it could be improved upon, I've never figured out a better way. (But I'm listening with an open mind. :-) A photo of the switching arrangement here can be viewed at www.w0btu.com/Beverage_antennas.html#more_than_one_way_to_build Click on the image to zoom. I think W8JI --and somebody else who copied his design-- has eight PB switches in a ~2 diameter circle, all barely protruding just past the panel. Maybe if I had one, I would prefer it over what I built, but I really don't think so. When my fingers are on that switch, I don't have to feel around for pushbuttons nor take my eyes off more important things. IMHO, a rotary switch is the way to go. 73, Mike www.w0btu.com _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Video Switch for Low Band Antenna switching
Do you? I didn't know Gary sold them. Where can we see them? BTW, besides having to rotate this switch only 22.5 degrees,it turns very smoothly. I fiddled with the spring tension and lubed it for just the right amount of torque without being sloppy. 73, Mike www.w0btu.com On Sun, Jul 5, 2015 at 3:54 PM, Tim Shoppa tsho...@gmail.com wrote: I've used the K9AY pushbutton RX select switches at W3LPL and they are a very fine ergonomic solution. Definitely prefer the pushbuttons to rotary switches. _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Video Switch for Low Band Antenna switching
It appears that the better video switches need a signal from the vertical blanking interval to switch. No signal, no switching. Probably explains why they are so cheap on eBay! I have 3 bi-directional Beverages, an 8 circle and 4 square receiving antennas. I would like to switch any one to my K3 main rx, K3 aux rx, R-388 or DX Engineering NCC-1 phasing box. That's 8 inputs and 4 outputs minimum. Ideally, some sort of matrix arrangement would do. I've looked far and wide for a commercial unit that would do the job but no luck. Virtually everything is designed for SO2R operation. At present, I'm using a switcher used in RV units. It has 5 inputs and 3 outputs. I use a separate switch for Beverage selection. Thanks for all the inputs! 73, Roger On 7/4/2015 21:47, Roger D Johnson wrote: I've been looking for a way to switch multiple receiving antennas to multiple receivers. I know some hams are using video switchers but info on them is scarce. There is a Dynair SVA-100B for sale on eBay but no real description of it's functions. It seems obvious that you can, for instance, switch input 3 to output 7 but can you simultaneously switch input 5 to output 6? In other words, can you have more than one path through the switcher? Any other ideas on switching greatly appreciated! 73, Roger http://antiqueradios.com/forums/report.php?f=2p=2337227 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Video Switch for Low Band Antenna switching
BTW, besides having to rotate this switch only 22.5 degrees,it turns very smoothly. I fiddled with the spring tension and lubed it for just the right amount of torque without being sloppy. In the 1970's, I started with a rotary switch, but didn't like it. I used push buttons from a telephone line switch. When the PB mechanical lock switches were wired with shielded wire, it worked good enough at least up through 40. In the 1980's, I built a push button box with the buttons like a key pad. I hated it. I changed to in line buttons. When we got seriously into contesting, I built boxes that buttons in a circle small enough to be worked with a thumb while resting a hand on the box, and a sloped front panel with no cabinet lip to get in the way. They have LED's by each button outside of the button circle so a thumb doesn't always block the lights. The actual antenna group selection is on a rotary, which puts any array into any ear in stereo, and can lock a primary direction like NE or NW. These switches run a matrix that is all passive components, allowing any antenna into up to four output channels, and also allows the same antenna to be used by all output channels. This is an expandable matrix that could do 1, 2, 4, or 8 output channels and as many input ports as anyone wants within reason (maybe 30 or 40 is the limit). I did this with strong push-pull low noise line amps, and it won't overload even with my own TX running. I don't (and won't) bridge across lines because of IMD and noise limitations. It is real quiet here in winter, so I have to be careful with dynamic range. I have field relay boxes that allow up to two directions to be picked from any antenna hub at the same time and the NE antennas are available completely independent with as many receivers as anyone wants at the same time. My boxes stay connected year in and year out, through thunderstorms and everything, and unless lightning actually hits an antenna (which has happened a few times in 15 years) they stay connected and working. _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Video Switch for Low Band Antenna switching
The early Dynair switches are passive and they only require pushing in the old fashion PB snap switches. The only voltage they use (optional) is for switch illumination which was required to show with video monitor was connected to a particular source in a darkened control room. I removed all wiring and the 12v supply since it is easy to see in front of me which RX antenna is selected. My only complaint is that during a contest one hand (also the one I send CW with) is constantly changing antennas. The design by Gary with the momentary pad is a big improvement especially if it has a computer interface selection for remote operating. Right now I can only switch 6 antennas by the remote op on the mainland by using IP Power and a bunch of relays in conjunction with a DX-Engineering RTR-1 Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ On 7/5/2015 6:17 PM, Roger D Johnson wrote: It appears that the better video switches need a signal from the vertical blanking interval to switch. No signal, no switching. Probably explains why they are so cheap on eBay! I have 3 bi-directional Beverages, an 8 circle and 4 square receiving antennas. I would like to switch any one to my K3 main rx, K3 aux rx, R-388 or DX Engineering NCC-1 phasing box. That's 8 inputs and 4 outputs minimum. Ideally, some sort of matrix arrangement would do. I've looked far and wide for a commercial unit that would do the job but no luck. Virtually everything is designed for SO2R operation. At present, I'm using a switcher used in RV units. It has 5 inputs and 3 outputs. I use a separate switch for Beverage selection. Thanks for all the inputs! 73, Roger On 7/4/2015 21:47, Roger D Johnson wrote: I've been looking for a way to switch multiple receiving antennas to multiple receivers. I know some hams are using video switchers but info on them is scarce. There is a Dynair SVA-100B for sale on eBay but no real description of it's functions. It seems obvious that you can, for instance, switch input 3 to output 7 but can you simultaneously switch input 5 to output 6? In other words, can you have more than one path through the switcher? Any other ideas on switching greatly appreciated! 73, Roger http://antiqueradios.com/forums/report.php?f=2p=2337227 _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Video Switch for Low Band Antenna switching
What does Gary's design look like? Anybody have a URL? 73, Mike www.w0btu.com On Sun, Jul 5, 2015 at 6:10 PM, Herbert Schoenbohm he...@vitelcom.net wrote: The design by Gary with the momentary pad is a big improvement _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Video Switch for Low Band Antenna switching
The base K9AY 8x2 switch box: http://www.aytechnologies.com/Products/RAS8x2data.htm If Gary came out with a similar latching pushbutton controller for remote relay switching of 8-circles then it would be a great match to the increasing popularity of 8-circles. I'm not sure electrically how to do multiple simultaneous directions in SO2R from the same 8-circle - that would be real handy for multiple receivers in domestic contests. Tim N3QE On Sun, Jul 5, 2015 at 7:24 PM, Mike Waters mikew...@gmail.com wrote: What does Gary's design look like? Anybody have a URL? 73, Mike www.w0btu.com On Sun, Jul 5, 2015 at 6:10 PM, Herbert Schoenbohm he...@vitelcom.net wrote: The design by Gary with the momentary pad is a big improvement _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
Re: Topband: Video Switch for Low Band Antenna switching
Tim - The HI-Z system supports feeding two rigs with independent direction selection in so2r. I think this is the right gadget for that system: http://www.hizantennas.com/asc.htm 73/jeff/ac0c www.ac0c.com alpha-charlie-zero-charlie -Original Message- From: Tim Shoppa Sent: Sunday, July 05, 2015 8:20 PM To: Mike Waters Cc: topband ; Herbert Schoenbohm Subject: Re: Topband: Video Switch for Low Band Antenna switching The base K9AY 8x2 switch box: http://www.aytechnologies.com/Products/RAS8x2data.htm If Gary came out with a similar latching pushbutton controller for remote relay switching of 8-circles then it would be a great match to the increasing popularity of 8-circles. I'm not sure electrically how to do multiple simultaneous directions in SO2R from the same 8-circle - that would be real handy for multiple receivers in domestic contests. Tim N3QE On Sun, Jul 5, 2015 at 7:24 PM, Mike Waters mikew...@gmail.com wrote: What does Gary's design look like? Anybody have a URL? 73, Mike www.w0btu.com On Sun, Jul 5, 2015 at 6:10 PM, Herbert Schoenbohm he...@vitelcom.net wrote: The design by Gary with the momentary pad is a big improvement _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband _ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
