Great suggestion Mark.
However, where does your RF output from the two filters go? If directly to
antennas and antenna switches, ok, but what if one puts a linear amplifier
to follow the BP filters?
My SPE amp allows two RF inputs, switchable, so the one input could be
regular bands and the other input be for WARC. That could work great.
But, then where is the OTHER transceiver/amp? No need for the filters if
there is no second source of huge levels of RF. Seems then one would need
two SPE amps and a second transceiver??
I thank all with suggestions. 73, Charly
On Sun, Jul 26, 2015 at 5:17 AM, Mark Ketchell <k5er@arrl.net> wrote:
> Charlie, et al,
> I am not familiar with all the products on the market, but offer the
> following suggestion, based on my observations. This could be a "work
> around" if you already had any of these parts.
>
> For a number of years, I have used Icom "Pro" series transceivers,
> which have two RF ports, and each is configurable to be active on certain
> bands. In a matter of seconds, one could easily have all "regular" contest
> bands on port A and the warc bands all on port B. I believe most current
> generation radios can do this. Next, I have used band decoders from Top Ten
> devices. Mine have the source driver mod, which allows me to switch the two
> ICE 419 bpf's with the "sink" side and switch the Array Solutions
> "six-pack" with the source side. Both Top Ten and Array Solutions (and
> probably others) offer band decoders that translate the warc bands now, as
> well as the contest bands. A second BPF, either specifically designed for
> warc, or a slightly tweaked ICE 419 could be switched from the same band
> decoder, and RF routed from radio port B, and accomplish what you want. A
> simple 3 or 4 position remote antenna switch would be used for the warc
> band antenna. It would be a little more bulky than a single 9 (or 10) band
> bpf on each side, but it is all off the shelf parts and would give you
> fully automated switching, with manual over-ride if needed.
>
> I realize this means two bpf's per side, but particularly if
> purchasing used, may be able to find for less that "all in one" box. Wish
> you luck on your project.
>
> 73,
> Mark, K5ER
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------
>
> The results of my search for one integrated automatic switching bandpass
>> filter unit indicates.....
>>
>> Both Dunestar (Top Ten Devices also needed) and Array Solutions sell a
>> separate unit for the six contest bands and separately a unit for the WARC
>> bands. It is possible to route RF from the transceiver to the first
>> contest band unit AND then with a bypass on it, the RF can then be routed
>> by that unit to a separate unit for WARC.
>>
>> The key is for the contest band unit to have a BYPASS switch position.
>>
>> All these products operate from band data provided by the transceiver (or
>> computer) and will follow the band switch on the radio to automatically
>> select the correct band. I did not investigate how to connect multiple
>> units to the same band date socket on the radio.
>>
>> The prices of both suppliers run over $1,200USD per radio, needing at
>> least
>> about $2,400 (or more) for a full system of two radios on ALL HF bands. I
>> did not find ONE integrated unit.
>>
>> Most contesters say they only want the 6 contest bands but surely some
>> want
>> to use the WARC bands on the same radios without doing plug-unplug manual
>> changes.
>>
>> Note, there may be more than these two suppliers.
>> 73
>> Charly, HS0ZCW
>>
>
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>
--
Charly, HS0ZCW
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