> If you pull a relay low to go TX and you ever lose power to the relay, lose > the relay, or lose the relay path, the system defaults with the transmitter > running into the receiver antenna. > You have to decide if that can damage RX antenna stuff. This requires a fast > relay pull in time, and a slow release time..
I've done that several times, usually right after I "clean up the cabling". I've had several QSO's with me using the RX antenna for transmit :-). In fact modeling puts the K9AY loop at 25 or so dB down compared to my transmit antenna and this is consistent with observed performance both transmit and receive! I usually run the rig at about 60W out into the amp which puts about 600W out. So 60W into the receive antenna, minus 25dB, is around a few hundred milliwatts ERP. The better equipped 160M stations within a few hundred miles can still hear me but it takes some effort to complete the Q. I know in the yearly NAQCC 160M QRP sprint, I work easily into the better stations in the upper Midwest and NE with 5W. I think I should sponsor a Stew Perry plaque, "most QSO's made transmitting into the receive antenna", but that would be unfair because I would probably win it. Tim N3QE _________________ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
