Ameritron RCS-8V remote coax switch

[@2bit661]

Great video! I have a few concerns with this. 1. Unless you supply power to the Ameritron, none of the relays will close. This means you always have to have power to this unit, when using your rig. 2. I checked out this item on eBay, and its expensive ($160 Canadian). If you purchased the relays and a rotary switch and SO239 connectors, you could build a similar device for a fraction of the cost. ($50 Canadian, my guess).

[@GTGallop]

Seriously - would it kill them to put a RJ-45 jack on either end of that relay so it would be plug and play?

[@MFGaming2020]

I like a single, isolated ground coax switch for each antenna, because when using the common ground setting, too much noise is introduced to the main coax line.

[@pascalmestdagh5074]

When I consider the way this is build, I have the impression that inevitably HF is going to be picked up by the Cat5 cable and wil enter the shack via the control box...What are your experiences please?

[@DonDegidio]

Just recently bought one from DX Engineering. Already had enough rotor cable, but had not considered Cat5. I live in the NE, so don't have the blazing sun. However, wouldn't have made any difference as it will be on the north side of the house and won't see any direct sunlight. WB3BJU

[@glass4600]

It’s been 8 years, I’m just now getting into ham, does this still hold up or would you recommend anything else?

[@thomashenderson603]

I'm new to this hobby, If I have a FT991A and want to use this for both HF and 2/70cm how would you attach it? like a a/b switch?

[@johnflinchpaugh9357]

I just rewired my 10 year old Ameritron (RCS-8V) switch and it lit up for about 5 minutes then the transformer got hot and the power went off. There are two grounds on the control head. Is either OK? Any Ideas? Is this 8 volts or 10-14?

[@2bit661]

I almost think a better technology would be a relay controlled (or maybe a servo motor controlled) rotary switch. You could control it with a $1.00 4017 16 pin switching IC. The only time power would be required would be a single pulse to for switching.

[@brentjohnson6654]

Hey Eric, is that EIA-568B wiring. Haha. #datacom-joke. Lame joke, but I am a Dad. Haha. I wonder how hard this would be to mount in a vehicle. Maybe some DIY on the control box would be required. Did you say the current is 200-300mA? I am thinking of using Ham Sticks for a couple of bands for my mobile setup in my new truck. Thanks for all you do for the hobby! All the best! 73 de KI5HXM

[@andreyanart148]

Realy nice rewiev! 73! de EU1RC.

[@dmiracle74]

+HamRadioConcepts Provided you are actively using the switch. How has it been working for you? I have been considering buying one.

[@HamRadioConcepts]

It's been great. I don't switch with it all the time, right now only a dual band antenna and an hf vertical, but working fine.

[@dmiracle74]

Thanks +HamRadioConcepts. I want to switch between 2 dipoles (10 & 40) and a 6 meter vertical. I was going to get the RCS-4 because it didn't use the singling cable. The problem for me was it didn't support 6 meters. I just didn't want to run a control cable to it. My antennas are 100 ft from my shack. Any cable run to them is expensive.

[@lesstime1678]

estas a descobrir a polvora big deal