Date: Wed, 22 Jan 2025 15:10:56 +0000 (UTC)
From: "R. David Eagle" <kb8nnu@yahoo.com>
To: TopBand List <topband@contesting.com>
Subject: Topband: Freezing relays?
<All,
>I know everyone is experiencing the cold, especially here in northern MI.?
Last night I ><thought I would fire up the rig and do a few checks on my rx
antennas and noticed none of >them worked!? I was shocked as just a couple
weeks ago they were all working.? I noticed >one strange thing while
switching the antenna switch around a few times that my >selections were
intermittent.? Sometimes they would work and sometimes they wouldn't.?
>Now, granted it was -10 here last night but, is it really possible that
the relays have been >so cold that the failed to fully actuate?? The relays
in the switch are your standard >automotive style rated about 10 amps.? I
can't say for certain the quality of them though.? >Is there a particular
style/brand I should consider so I don't run into this again?
>Thanks again,
>DaveKB8NNU
This is exactly why I use Vac relays if at all possible.
Having said that, your automotive relays should fully function at -40 F /
-40C.
Jim VE7RF
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