DC Switch for M2 Polarization Antenna Switch
Just wondering if anyone has ever devised a 12 Volt DC Switch console at the operating position to send 12V to the Polarization switches on the CP yagis at the tower? would toggle switches be okay for that or should I use relays instead? Also like to use LED indicators for visual settings...... Any thoughts ? 73 Jerry KJ4EU
I did so years ago. Just toggle switches. I had indicator LEDs on the box that I mounted the switches in. As I recall, I used DPDT switches with one pole supplying power to the relay on the antenna, and the other pole to turn on the indicator LEDs. This was for the KLM antennas, rather than the M2, but I assume something similar.
73 ----- Jim Walls - K6CCC [email protected]
-----Original Message----- From: "BeetleJerald Oliver" [email protected] Sent: Friday, April 9, 2021 11:17 To: "AMSAT BB" [email protected] Subject: [AMSAT-BB] DC Switch for M2 Polarization Antenna Switch
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Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)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. Acceptable Use and Privacy Policies available at https://www.amsat.org/about-amsat/
View archives of this mailing list at https://mailman.amsat.org/hyperkitty/list/[email protected] To unsubscribe send an email to amsat-bb-leave(a)amsat.org Manage all of your AMSAT-NA mailing list preferences at https://mailman.amsat.orgJust wondering if anyone has ever devised a 12 Volt DC Switch console at the operating position to send 12V to the Polarization switches on the CP yagis at the tower? would toggle switches be okay for that or should I use relays instead? Also like to use LED indicators for visual settings...... Any thoughts ? 73 Jerry KJ4EU
I put a toggle switch in that application in the mid 80's at Worcester Polytech, where it worked well for at least 20 years. Just don't use a tiny subminiature toggle switch. The one I used was reasonably beefy - probably rated at 10A or more.
The relay coil is inductive and will cause an arc when you open the switch, potentially burning out small contacts over time. If you are pressed for space and need to use a small switch, you can mitigate the arcing problem with a flyback diode. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flyback_diode
-Joe KM1P
I ran CAT5 cable with my coax up the mast. I picked out wires to power the preamps and polarity switches. I had a row of toggle switches allowing me to turn each preamp on or off, and switch polarity on the antennas. It all worked very well. I miss those AO-10, 13 and 40 days.
I have pictures of the satellite antennas here: http://www.kk0sd.net/sattower/sattower02.htm
But never took a picture of the switches….
73, Joe kk0sd
From: BeetleJerald Oliver [email protected] Sent: Friday, April 9, 2021 1:18 PM To: AMSAT BB [email protected] Subject: [AMSAT-BB] DC Switch for M2 Polarization Antenna Switch
Just wondering if anyone has ever devised a 12 Volt DC Switch console at the operating position to send 12V to the Polarization switches on the CP yagis at the tower?
would toggle switches be okay for that or should I use relays instead? Also like to use LED indicators for visual settings......
Any thoughts ?
73
Jerry KJ4EU
Tnx to everyone who responded to my polarity switch post......Will take it all in on advisement.....I already had constructed one but did not like its performance. It was very similar to Dino's, but I think his is much better.....May incorporate some of the other ideas as well. TNX AGN...... JERRY KJ4EU On Friday, April 9, 2021, 05:55:21 PM CDT, Gary [email protected] wrote:
#yiv3561403259 #yiv3561403259 -- _filtered {} _filtered {} _filtered {}#yiv3561403259 #yiv3561403259 p.yiv3561403259MsoNormal, #yiv3561403259 li.yiv3561403259MsoNormal, #yiv3561403259 div.yiv3561403259MsoNormal {margin:0in;font-size:11.0pt;font-family:sans-serif;}#yiv3561403259 a:link, #yiv3561403259 span.yiv3561403259MsoHyperlink {color:#0563C1;text-decoration:underline;}#yiv3561403259 span.yiv3561403259EmailStyle18 {font-family:sans-serif;color:windowtext;}#yiv3561403259 .yiv3561403259MsoChpDefault {font-size:10.0pt;} _filtered {}#yiv3561403259 div.yiv3561403259WordSection1 {}#yiv3561403259 I ran CAT5 cable with my coax up the mast. I picked out wires to power the preamps and polarity switches. I had a row of toggle switches allowing me to turn each preamp on or off, and switch polarity on the antennas. It all worked very well. I miss those AO-10, 13 and 40 days.
I have pictures of the satellite antennas here:
http://www.kk0sd.net/sattower/sattower02.htm
But never took a picture of the switches….
73,
Joe kk0sd
From: BeetleJerald Oliver [email protected] Sent: Friday, April 9, 2021 1:18 PM To: AMSAT BB [email protected] Subject: [AMSAT-BB] DC Switch for M2 Polarization Antenna Switch
Just wondering if anyone has ever devised a 12 Volt DC Switch console at the operating position to send 12V to the Polarization switches on the CP yagis at the tower?
would toggle switches be okay for that or should I use relays instead? Also like to use LED indicators for visual settings......
Any thoughts ?
73
Jerry KJ4EU
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Did the same here. A small plastic project box with DPDT toggle switches for Pre-Amp On/Off & L & R Polarization for each antenna. E-mail me direct if you want pix.
Mike N7ASZ [email protected]
-----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [email protected] Sent: Friday, April 9, 2021 11:47 AM To: AMSAT BB [email protected] Subject: [AMSAT-BB] Re: DC Switch for M2 Polarization Antenna Switch
I did so years ago. Just toggle switches. I had indicator LEDs on the box that I mounted the switches in. As I recall, I used DPDT switches with one pole supplying power to the relay on the antenna, and the other pole to turn on the indicator LEDs. This was for the KLM antennas, rather than the M2, but I assume something similar.
73 ----- Jim Walls - K6CCC [email protected]
-----Original Message----- From: "BeetleJerald Oliver" [email protected] Sent: Friday, April 9, 2021 11:17 To: "AMSAT BB" [email protected] Subject: [AMSAT-BB] DC Switch for M2 Polarization Antenna Switch
-----------------------------------------------------------
Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)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. Acceptable Use and Privacy Policies available at https://www.amsat.org/about-amsat/
View archives of this mailing list at https://mailman.amsat.org/hyperkitty/list/[email protected] To unsubscribe send an email to amsat-bb-leave(a)amsat.org Manage all of your AMSAT-NA mailing list preferences at https://mailman.amsat.orgJust wondering if anyone has ever devised a 12 Volt DC Switch console at the operating position to send 12V to the Polarization switches on the CP yagis at the tower? would toggle switches be okay for that or should I use relays instead? Also like to use LED indicators for visual settings...... Any thoughts ? 73 Jerry KJ4EU
-----------------------------------------------------------
Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)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. Acceptable Use and Privacy Policies available at https://www.amsat.org/about-amsat/
View archives of this mailing list at https://mailman.amsat.org/hyperkitty/list/[email protected] To unsubscribe send an email to amsat-bb-leave(a)amsat.org Manage all of your AMSAT-NA mailing list preferences at https://mailman.amsat.org
participants (5)
-
BeetleJerald Oliver -
Gary -
jim＠k6ccc.org -
Joseph B. Fitzgerald -
Mike Lucas