Having Trouble With An Alpha Delta Coax Switch? This May Help.

This is how I fixed my Alpha Delta 4 position coax switch.

[@patrickslevin6424]

Thanks so much for the vid. Every now and then things go bad and it's handy to know what to do.

[@AlGritzmacher]

I've never owned one of them. Now that I've seen what's inside, I never will. I can't believe what those things cost for what little is inside!

[@SouthernIllinoisShortwave]

If you're ever in the market for a coax switch, get the Diamond brand 2 or 3 position switch. With those you feel like you're getting quality for your money. They are made like a tank, heavy and give a solid feel when you switch it. Plus the signal loss on the diamond is so low, it's almost unmeasurable. I have three of them. A three position, and 2 two position switches.

[@dieselten01]

Thanks for the info. For what these cost the insides don’t look near as heavy duty as I thought it would be

[@nightflightgl66]

I don't think they are. The Alpha Delta 2 position switch I purchased back in 1997 seems more heavy duty to me than these new Alpha Delta switches they sell today. Probibly making them lighter, and selling them for a lot more. The tank of coax switches to me are the Diamond switches. They are heavy when you hold them, and they make a nice solid audible click when you switch them. But, all I've found is a 3 position in the Diamond switch and I needed 4. MFJ makes a 4 position and I have that one as well, but it feels mushey when you switch it, and I don't really trust it.

[@dieselten01]

@@nightflightgl66 i have changed the way I wire my shack. Since I only receive and don’t transmit I use Stridsberg Engineering multicouplers. I have 5 of them. No switching required. All radios are “hot” all the time. Best thing since sliced bread. But don’t transmit anywhere close to them or they will fry. Don’t ask me how I know…

[@minibikemadman]

they are good for radio switching. thanks for the mod list! I use a smeritron fot antenna switching.

[@michaelcorke8586]

Thanks for video, should have put a small spring instead of cable tie. Surprised the wheel moves out of place, is nothing built properly anymore.

[@8du]

Good informative video. I've have the same switch for 20+ years and it's still working as good as the day I bought it. So just in case it goes wack, I'll remember this video. For that I thank you. BTW my switch gets used vigorously every day.

[@SouthernIllinoisShortwave]

I also have an Alpha Delta 2 position switch that I bought back in 1997. That switch is still working as good as new. This 4 position didn't take long to start going intermittent. I don't know if manufacturing isn't what it used to be, or what the problem is or was. Alpha Delta makes very good products. For coax switchesI also like Diamond.

[@raymondkuhne7732]

Exact same issue. Thanks I will do this

[@BadUncleIke]

Brand new out of the box switch fail, exact same one. Thanks.

[@SouthernIllinoisShortwave]

I hope you get it all fixed up and working. They are good switches when they work properly. Thanks for watching my little channel. 🙂

[@bruceweight7319]

Looks to me like the factory might have put the wrong wheel on the wrong shaft? Short vs long one. I really can't see in your video good enough to see the mechanism well enough to see what's happening. I tore mine apart ànd went through it as it had been exposed to salt water. I re painted it cleaned it lubed the shaft, used Deoxit to clean and it has worked flawless since. I would never use oil and hot glue. Get new nylon screws with washers.

[@Darrell_Coquillette]

I see it stopped raining here. I've been wanting to pick up one of those switches for myself.

[@SouthernIllinoisShortwave]

I feel the Alpha Delta switches are in the top 3. For me Diamond switches are the best, but they don't have a 4 position switch. I've been using Alpha Delta switches since the mid 90s. I use the big Alpha Delta DX-ULTRA antenna. I put that up early 90s and it's still going strong. I don't know if this is a common issue with their 4 position switches, but it was an easy fix. The price has gone up almost $20 on these. I couldn't believe it If you can get one, I think you will like it

[@michealenochs8470]

Good video would you recommend that switch? I’m getting ready to buy a new coax switch I need a four (4) position switch and I was looking at that one and the MFJ 2704 I think is the number, I was needing it for a antenna switch, anyway thanks a real good video. Mike KE8BXM

[@SouthernIllinoisShortwave]

I also have the MFJ 4 position switch. It's not bad, but it doesn't have the same positive feel as the alpha Delta switch. It is heavy and it does work however just has a different feel and doesn't have the built-in surge protector the Alpha Delta switch has. I think the Alpha Delta switch I got that you see in the video was just a manufacturing oversight, or production mistake. I haven't seen any negative reviews, or posts of anyone else having this issue yet. The Alpha Delta is a top notch coax switch, and antenna manufacturer. My Alpha Delta DX-Ultra Dipole has been up since the early 90s and still going. My 2 position AD switch is from 98 still working fine. So the simple answer is yes, I would still recommend this switch. If you hook it to your station ground, or just a ground you have the protection of the built in replaceable arc pill, you can disconnect your antennas by turning it to the center ground position, and it feels nice with a solid indent when you turn it. Also there are 2 versions of this switch. The one I have that you see, and Alpha Delta has a desktop model of this same switch that sits on your bench, or desk. It's very heavy and it's angled for easy use and has a wing nut for the ground connector. Both are the same inside. Also thanks for watching and visiting my little channel. On my channel I don't beg for donations, or subscriptions, I just try to upload when something I feel may be of interest, or helpful, maybe a little educational, and showing some various shortwave stations I receive so anyone can see what you can hear on the shortwave bands.

[@kenm0bqh163]

After buying one of these for £130 (UK) I feel robbed looking at the insides of it on your video

[@SouthernIllinoisShortwave]

Here in the US, they are over $100 now. They are still good switches, but I feel the quality is maybe just slightly less than it used to be. But this just could have been one that slipped through in production.

[@euvrardjl1126]

Same trouble for me F4AWH

[@SouthernIllinoisShortwave]

I don't know what's going on at Alpha Delta in their production. I've had quite a few tell me their 4 position switch has gone intermittent on position 1 or 4. My 2 position Alpha Delta switch from 1997 has never failed. I wish Diamond made a 4 position switch, I would have gotten that one instead. Diamond's 3 position switch is a tank.

[@j0llyroger889]

Looks terrible inside, Thanks for showing us how poorly made they are.

[@SouthernIllinoisShortwave]

Alpha Delta is pretty good still, but not as good a quality as they used to be. My switch from the 90s is still going good. Been seeing were quite a few people have been having problems with the new stuff. So the modern way make it cheaper, sell it higher.

[@kepkopke]

А ведь это еще и дорогое дерьмо!