Carl, et al,
You have valid points. I have resorted, for example to making my own high
power handling T/R relays using Kilovac, Jennings, and other brands of
vacuum relays I can find, with my mill and lathe. This is a part of ham
radio that I thoroughly enjoy !! (I do use the N-Style female connectors
that use the SMA footprint at the bottom. Got a bunch at Orlando.) They take
power just fine.
DXE has some very useful items One would think DXE would cut hams some slack
but they are totally out of my price range anyway. My 2 cents...
73 Hardy N7RT
----- Original Message -----
From: "Carl" <km1h@jeremy.qozzy.com>
To: <jim@audiosystemsgroup.com>; <topband@contesting.com>
Sent: Thursday, October 09, 2014 6:36 PM
Subject: Re: Topband: TX relays
On Thu,10/9/2014 11:18 AM, Tom W8JI wrote:
I know you want one-part-number-fits-all answers, but I do not think
that is possible.
That's your assumption, but certainly not mine. What I think most of us
would appreciate are known good products for specific (or define ranges
of) applications.
Your observations about quality decline with outsourcing is certainly
appreciated. Indeed, that is part of the experience we ought to be
sharing.
73, Jim K9YC
_________________
Nor mine either.
When Tom doesnt want to divulge anything interesting that threatens his
secrecy he resorts to insults and a lot of dancing around the subject.
Is the RCS-8V any better than the RCS 4, 10 and 12 which all use the
rugged DPDT relay used in the Senior Ameritron amps? Board layout has
improved for increased isolation and the relays are easily replace if
needed.
The RCS-8V uses a so called custom relay which costs $33.80 each for
replacement while the RCS-4 relay is $6.64 from Ameritron.
OTOH there is only a $10 difference between both end products.
For HF to 6M the RCS-4 has 3 relays and rated at 2500W continuous average
power.
The RCS-8V has 5 relays and is supposedly good for 5KW to 30 mHz but only
1 KW at 150 mHz. A full set of replacement relays cost as much as the
complete product!
Does anybody smell a scam here?
Im not grumpy Tom, just frustrated with getting a straight answer out of
you instead of hiding behind what ever nonsense verbiage you like to throw
out such as:
"For example, the
RCS8V uses a custom tooled relay that has a double make double break
contact, or form X contact. It isn't under a part number at Mouser"
Translation: it is configured as a transfer relay ( the form X contact
(it should read configuration)) with each leg in parallel due to a
shorting bar between them explained as a long winded elaboration "double
make double break contact or form X contact ".
"It isn't under a part number at Mouser" Maybe not but a regular DPDT
relay could be modified at home to be a credible performer thru 6M.
There is nothing earth shattering about a transfer relay Tom, they have
been around possibly since relays were invented. I use an ancient 4 port
Dow Key on my 1500W 2M amp. A Transco transfer relay is used on the 222
mHz 1500W amp and another on the 400W for 432.
Most HF amps use a different form of transfer relay which is simply a
standard DPDT wired for the required transfer function.
No magic there either.
Bifurcated contact simply means twin contact, aka parallel.
Here is an excellent tutorial on relay terminology
http://www.relaymaster.com/Glossary.aspx
BTW, some states have passed laws against companies that refuse to release
service information to independent shops.
Its time you and DXE as well as a few others are included if it doesnt
become voluntary.
Carl
KM1H
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