[LCC] Receive antenna switching - Rhyme and reason...

[Charles Morrison]

>From my understanding, #1 is radio dependant.  Although it would be a great
design rule, I recall one of the versions (or all) of the Icom 756/746's did
NOT ground the RX antenna port when it was implemented.  I may be wrong, but
I remember something about a modification for this.

 

Assuming the majority of the separate RX antennas would be for a Beverage or
directional loop, Pat implements a simple coax switch.  1 input into the
radio, 2 beverages in use, NW, NE.  Switch to the one that hears the station
the best.

 

Band decoders, if used to drive off the shelf devices (the 6pack and RatPack
come to mind) would probably be a bit overkill for RX'ing antenna's, unless
you're implementing a ton of them.  Besides rx antennas on the low bands,
where else would you use a separate RX antenna from your TX antenna?  Maybe
diversity?  Directionality or stacking of course could be obtained with
stack matches, 6packs/rat packs, etc.  Additionally, you'll have to contend
with driving the additional decoder, either from the rig itself, a CIV
command from the computer interface, or the software (LPT or Serial port).
Some things don't like multiple devices connected to it.

 

 

 

 

 

From: lcc-bounces at louisianacontestclub.org
[mailto:lcc-bounces at louisianacontestclub.org] On Behalf Of Scott Dickson,
W5WZ
Sent: Thursday, August 06, 2009 10:37 PM
To: lcc at louisianacontestclub.org
Subject: [LCC] Receive antenna switching - Rhyme and reason...

 

Hi guys!  

 

It is time for me to add receive-only antenna switching to my thought
process as I continue planning and building.  A few questions in my mind:

 

1.	Is it necessary to ground the receive-only antenna (or receive-only
antenna port on the XCVR) during same band transmit on any rig in the shack?
I've heard that some rigs only mute the receive-only antenna port, while the
RF still hits the front end of the receiver.  What method are you using?
2.	What method/device(s) are you using to switch between multiple
receive antenna, shared between 2 transceivers?
3.	Are any of the RF switching devices automated, i.e. using a band
decoder to drive switching?

 

 

I'm still working diligently on the station here at W5WZ.  If you are
interested in the progress, please visit my journal page:

 

http://w5wz.com/main/page_my_journal.html

 

--Scott, W5WZ

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