In the shack I am finally starting to use my Funcube Dongle Pro Plus with SDR-Console 3 and really am liking the combo, especially for the linear birds.
The one downside is having to manually unscrew coax connectors to swap the antennas from receiver to transmitter and vice versa when going from V/U to U/V and U/V to V/U.
I don't want to use multiple antenna switches because if I or a guest op doesn't set them properly I could blow the front end of the receiver.
Does anyone have an idiot-proof solution for throwing one switch and having the two antennas swapped between rcvr and xmtr?
Tnx es 73 Rolf NR0T EN34it
Maybe something like this would work?
https://www.birdrf.com/Products/Radio%20Infrastructure/RF%20Components/RF-Co...
73, Mike Diehl W8LID
On Apr 14, 2018, at 17:17, Rolf Krogstad rolf.krogstad@gmail.com wrote:
In the shack I am finally starting to use my Funcube Dongle Pro Plus with SDR-Console 3 and really am liking the combo, especially for the linear birds.
The one downside is having to manually unscrew coax connectors to swap the antennas from receiver to transmitter and vice versa when going from V/U to U/V and U/V to V/U.
I don't want to use multiple antenna switches because if I or a guest op doesn't set them properly I could blow the front end of the receiver.
Does anyone have an idiot-proof solution for throwing one switch and having the two antennas swapped between rcvr and xmtr?
Tnx es 73 Rolf NR0T EN34it _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Yes, that Bird would do great, but you would not like the price!
Current new price: $2,058.61 There is a used one on eham.com for only $485.00 OBO http://www.eham.net/classifieds/detail/434149
73 ----- Jim Walls - K6CCC jim@k6ccc.org
-----Original Message----- From: "Mike Diehl" diehl.mike.a@gmail.com Sent: Saturday, April 14, 2018 15:13 To: "Rolf Krogstad" rolf.krogstad@gmail.com Cc: "AMSAT-BB@amsat.org" amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Antenna switching
Maybe something like this would work?
https://www.birdrf.com/Products/Radio%20Infrastructure/RF%20Components/RF-Co...
73, Mike Diehl W8LID
On Apr 14, 2018, at 17:17, Rolf Krogstad rolf.krogstad@gmail.com wrote:
In the shack I am finally starting to use my Funcube Dongle Pro Plus with SDR-Console 3 and really am liking the combo, especially for the linear birds.
The one downside is having to manually unscrew coax connectors to swap the antennas from receiver to transmitter and vice versa when going from V/U to U/V and U/V to V/U.
I don't want to use multiple antenna switches because if I or a guest op doesn't set them properly I could blow the front end of the receiver.
Does anyone have an idiot-proof solution for throwing one switch and having the two antennas swapped between rcvr and xmtr?
Tnx es 73 Rolf NR0T EN34it _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
_______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
73 ----- Jim Walls - K6CCC jim@k6ccc.org
On 04/14/18 17:30, jim@k6ccc.org wrote:
Yes, that Bird would do great, but you would not like the price!
Current new price: $2,058.61 There is a used one on eham.com for only $485.00 OBO http://www.eham.net/classifieds/detail/434149
W6PQL has experimented with inexpensive Omron electrical relays. Here are his results:
https://www.w6pql.com/using_inexpensive_relays.htm
--- Zach N0ZGO
Hi Rolf et al,
My solution to this problem (or at least a very similar question) was to fit a sub-rx tap to my FT-847 - one of the HupRF PAT-V boards to be exact.
They are now being sold by sdr-kits I think, and involve about ten solder joints being made at the most. The result, for me certainly, wqs that I have a dedicated "SDR Port" on the back of my rig, presented as an SMA, and a short bridge lead from the rig to the Funcube Pro+. I don't know which rig you use, but it might be worth looking down this route?
73, and a firm left handshake, John (XLX)
-----Original Message----- From: AMSAT-BB amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org On Behalf Of Rolf Krogstad Sent: 14 April 2018 22:18 To: AMSAT-BB@amsat.org amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Antenna switching
In the shack I am finally starting to use my Funcube Dongle Pro Plus with SDR-Console 3 and really am liking the combo, especially for the linear birds.
The one downside is having to manually unscrew coax connectors to swap the antennas from receiver to transmitter and vice versa when going from V/U to U/V and U/V to V/U.
I don't want to use multiple antenna switches because if I or a guest op doesn't set them properly I could blow the front end of the receiver.
Does anyone have an idiot-proof solution for throwing one switch and having the two antennas swapped between rcvr and xmtr?
Tnx es 73 Rolf NR0T EN34it _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Hello Rolf and everybody,
I am using a transfer switch to change mode J to B for my SDR and FT817 here at station.
The model I use is ARD62024M01 but some other can be used. They can be sold for less than $10. You will need a 24V DC source for switching for the 24 model. 12 V model may be harder to found.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/26GHz-Transfer-Switch-SMA-28V-NAIS/282918010462?has...
73, Burt FG8OJ
-----Original Message----- From: AMSAT-BB amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org On Behalf Of Rolf Krogstad Sent: 14 April 2018 22:18 To: AMSAT-BB@amsat.org amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Antenna switching
In the shack I am finally starting to use my Funcube Dongle Pro Plus with SDR-Console 3 and really am liking the combo, especially for the linear birds.
The one downside is having to manually unscrew coax connectors to swap the antennas from receiver to transmitter and vice versa when going from V/U to U/V and U/V to V/U.
I don't want to use multiple antenna switches because if I or a guest op doesn't set them properly I could blow the front end of the receiver.
Does anyone have an idiot-proof solution for throwing one switch and having the two antennas swapped between rcvr and xmtr?
Tnx es 73 Rolf NR0T EN34it _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
This may help (it is PDF file showing some cabling routing options between ant, trcvr and SDR) https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B2wc2KHr8WW2MFlkR3M3azFBcW8
73 Ed PY2RN
-----Original Message----- From: AMSAT-BB amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org On Behalf Of Rolf Krogstad Sent: 14 April 2018 22:18 To: AMSAT-BB@amsat.org amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Antenna switching
In the shack I am finally starting to use my Funcube Dongle Pro Plus with SDR-Console 3 and really am liking the combo, especially for the linear birds.
The one downside is having to manually unscrew coax connectors to swap the antennas from receiver to transmitter and vice versa when going from V/U to U/V and U/V to V/U.
I don't want to use multiple antenna switches because if I or a guest op doesn't set them properly I could blow the front end of the receiver.
Does anyone have an idiot-proof solution for throwing one switch and having the two antennas swapped between rcvr and xmtr?
Tnx es 73 Rolf NR0T EN34it _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: AMSAT-BB Info Page
Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
_______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author, and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
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Thanks to everyone who responded to my post. Here is a summary of the various option, plus description of my ultimate choice.
There were several good options: Paul W2HRO suggested Sector Microwave SM7 switches. Uses N-Type connectors, will handle 1200 watts or more on 2 meters: A Cadillac option with $225 price tag.
Eduardo PY2RN sent a link to a PDF showing different options using manual coax switches and/or multiple Diplexers.
Burt FG8OJ sent an eBay link to a $10 NAIS ARD62024 transfer switch - this was the option I decided to pursue.
The ARD62024M01 has four SMA Female jacks, handles 120 watts at 3 GHz, has .2 dB insertion loss at 1 GHz, and has gold plated contacts. It is about 1.3 inches by 1.3 inches by 1.8 inches, or 32mm x 32mm x 39 mm (46mm including SMA jacks).
The 24 at the end of the part number means it is a 24 volt relay. This is a latching switch, so momentary application of voltage to one wire switches and latches it to Position 1, momentarily applying voltage to another wire switches and latches it to Position 2,
In Position 1: J1 <=> J2 and J3 <=> J4 In Position 2: J1 <=> J3 and J2 <=> J4. So I put the 2 meter antenna on J1, 70 cm antenna on J4, the receiver on J2 and transmitter on J3.
So in Position-1 the 2 meter antenna is on the Receiver and 70 cm antenna is on the Transmitter. In Position-2, the 2 meter antenna is on the Transmitter and 70 cm antenna is on the Receiver.
Add a pair of momentary-on push button switches: one energizes the latching relays into Position 1 (u/V), the other energizes the latching relays into Position 2 (V/u).
I purchased 3 foot cables SMA Male on one end of all 4 cables, with the other end of one a PL259 for my Yaesu FT-897 (used for xmit), two with SO-239s for the 70 cm and 2 meter antennas, one with SMA-Male for the Funcube Dongle Pro Plus receiver.
It works great - I love the latching relay concept. That way a failure of the power supply won't cause the antenna to flip from U/V to V/U, or vice versa.
Total cost was about $85, $17 for each of the four cables and $10 for the coaxial switch plus shipping.
Here is a link to the data sheet: http://www.relaymall.co.kr/pdf/mech_eng_rd.pdf
Thanks again to all for the great ideas!
73 Rolf NR0T Grid EN34 . . . On Sat, Apr 14, 2018 at 4:17 PM, Rolf Krogstad rolf.krogstad@gmail.com wrote:
In the shack I am finally starting to use my Funcube Dongle Pro Plus with SDR-Console 3 and really am liking the combo, especially for the linear birds.
The one downside is having to manually unscrew coax connectors to swap the antennas from receiver to transmitter and vice versa when going from V/U to U/V and U/V to V/U.
I don't want to use multiple antenna switches because if I or a guest op doesn't set them properly I could blow the front end of the receiver.
Does anyone have an idiot-proof solution for throwing one switch and having the two antennas swapped between rcvr and xmtr?
Tnx es 73 Rolf NR0T EN34it
participants (7)
-
Eduardo PY2RN -
FG8OJ -
jim＠k6ccc.org -
John -
Mike Diehl -
Rolf Krogstad -
Zach Metzinger