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Re: [CQ-Contest] Antenna Switching

To: cq-contest@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Antenna Switching
From: K9MA <k9ma@sdellington.us>
Date: Tue, 19 Sep 2023 22:55:32 -0500
List-post: <mailto:cq-contest@contesting.com>
Alas, unless you can match both antennas to very nearly 1:1, a solid-state amplifier probably won't be happy with both of them. As far as I can tell, no such amplifier allows selection of different ATU settings for a single antenna output in response to an external control line, unless you want to write some code and depend on a computer to send it to the amplifier. Some will save multiple settings, and switch to the best one at the start of transmission, but that may cut off the beginning of a transmission.

If your antennas are all monobanders, an easy solution is to build a simple L network for each to match it. In my case, since my two beams are tribanders, I built a box with 6 L networks and relays to switch them. I'd be glad to share the design details. I suppose you could also switch L networks with two 1 X 6 antenna relay boxes and 12 coax jumpers.

73,
Scott K9MA



On 9/19/2023 5:30 PM, john@kk9a.com wrote:
I have used a SixPak controlled by Top Ten band decoders for decades.
Unfortunately DX Engineering acquired Top Ten Devices and it appears that
they discontinued the product.  Since I have more than one Yagi on 10m -
40m, I use Array Solutions StackMatches on the outputs of the SixPak so I
can easily switch which beams I wish to use on each band.  It appears that
you have a monobander(s) and a tribander, so doing something similar would
require three StackMatches and a triplexer to split the tribander into three
feedlines.  A simpler option would be to use a StackMatch before the SixPak
on one radio so at least with that radio you could choose one or even both
antennas.  Of course you would have to be sure that the tribander was not
selected when going on the low bands so it's not 100% foolproof.

John KK9A




Lee Hiers AA4GA wrote:

Hi Folks,

I've got an old Array Solutions SixPak antenna switch.  I'm thinking about
using band decoders (or however it's done these days, depending on the rig)
to have the antenna switch automatically follow the radios' bands.

The question I have is, if I'm on my main 20m antenna and want to change to
a SE tribander, say, how is that generally implemented?  Presumably I'd
want to be able to select that secondary antenna from either radio.  How
are folks doing the auto-antenna-switch override?

73 de Lee, AA4GA

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--
Scott  K9MA

k9ma@sdellington.us
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