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two transceivers and one antenna

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Scott McDowell-4

two transceivers and one antenna

Hi
I need some ones opinion on something I am thinking about doing.
I sure hate to have to say, I wish I hadn't done that!
I have two transceivers and one multi-band yagis antenna.
Switching the coax from one rig to the other gets to be a hassle.
I've been thinking about getting a coaxial switch with
two outputs and one input. Then connecting one transceiver
to one output and the other transceiver to the other output.
Then connect the input to the beam. Is there going to be
enough seperation in the switch to keep from damaging
the transceiver that is turned off and switched out of
the circuit? Has anyone done this?
Any information appreciated.
73
Scott
N5SM
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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: two transceivers and one antenna

Scott,

The real answer is "it all depends" - it depends on the isolation
provided by your particular relay.
Since you did not specify the relay that you are considering, I cannot
look up the characteristics, but you are looking for an isolation of 60
dB or greater if you are considering 100 watts of power - if you are
also considering an amplifier to the legal limit, look for something
that will provide 80 dB of isolation. You will also have to consider
how to mute the transceiver that is not being selected unless you can
arrange for some other method of protecting your ears.

73,
Don W3FPR

Scott McDowell wrote:

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Ken Kopp-3

two transceivers and one antenna

Hello Scott,

If you can find a Bird coaxial switch, it will more
than meet your needs. This unit operates with
a pull out-turn-push-in motion and has -very- good
isolation. The switch has -no- contacts ... the knob
actually moves a short length of coax in and out of
the connectors on the back of the switch.

73! Ken Kopp - K0PP
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n6wg

Re: two transceivers and one antenna

In reply to this post by Scott McDowell-4

Hi Scott
Haven't done it myself, but I've read descriptions
where others have done it with relays. One radio
would be connected to the feedline, and the other radio
would be connected to a dummy load. At the throw
of a switch, their connections would be reversed.
That should provide all the protection you would need,
plus be more convenient just having a switch at the
operating position, instead of a manual coax switch
with three coax runs to it.

Good luck and 73
Bob N6WG

----- Original Message -----
From: "Scott McDowell" <[hidden email]>
To: <[hidden email]>
Sent: Friday, April 18, 2008 7:55 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] two transceivers and one antenna

> Hi
> I need some ones opinion on something I am thinking about doing.
> I sure hate to have to say, I wish I hadn't done that!
> I have two transceivers and one multi-band yagis antenna.
> Switching the coax from one rig to the other gets to be a hassle.
> I've been thinking about getting a coaxial switch with
> two outputs and one input. Then connecting one transceiver
> to one output and the other transceiver to the other output.
> Then connect the input to the beam. Is there going to be
> enough seperation in the switch to keep from damaging
> the transceiver that is turned off and switched out of
> the circuit? Has anyone done this?
> Any information appreciated.
> 73
> Scott
> N5SM
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

Joe Subich, W4TV-3

RE: two transceivers and one antenna

Although it's a bit on the wimpy side, MFJ makes an "RF Safety Switch"
that does just this. See:
<http://www.mfjenterprises.com/Product.php?productid=MFJ-1703>

It is also possible to build your own - of much higher quality -
by using a pair of Top Ten Devices A/BSS relays and some T
connectors.

73,

... Joe, W4TV

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Robert
> Tellefsen
> Sent: Saturday, April 19, 2008 12:31 PM
> To: Scott McDowell; [hidden email]
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] two transceivers and one antenna
>
>
> Hi Scott
> Haven't done it myself, but I've read descriptions
> where others have done it with relays. One radio
> would be connected to the feedline, and the other radio
> would be connected to a dummy load. At the throw
> of a switch, their connections would be reversed.
> That should provide all the protection you would need,
> plus be more convenient just having a switch at the
> operating position, instead of a manual coax switch
> with three coax runs to it.
>
> Good luck and 73
> Bob N6WG
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Scott McDowell" <[hidden email]>
> To: <[hidden email]>
> Sent: Friday, April 18, 2008 7:55 PM
> Subject: [Elecraft] two transceivers and one antenna
>
>
> > Hi
> > I need some ones opinion on something I am thinking about doing.
> > I sure hate to have to say, I wish I hadn't done that!
> > I have two transceivers and one multi-band yagis antenna.
> > Switching the coax from one rig to the other gets to be a hassle.
> > I've been thinking about getting a coaxial switch with
> > two outputs and one input. Then connecting one transceiver
> > to one output and the other transceiver to the other output.
> > Then connect the input to the beam. Is there going to be
> > enough seperation in the switch to keep from damaging
> > the transceiver that is turned off and switched out of
> > the circuit? Has anyone done this?
> > Any information appreciated.
> > 73
> > Scott
> > N5SM
> > _______________________________________________
> > Elecraft mailing list
> > Post to: [hidden email]
> > You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> > Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
> > http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> >
> > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> > Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
> _______________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Post to: [hidden email]
> You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
> Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
>
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
> Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

w6jd

Re: two transceivers and one antenna

In reply to this post by Scott McDowell-4

I've used an MFJ-1702C for a number of years and haven't
fried anything yet. One of the Alpha-Delta SPDT switches
is somewhat pricer but a higher quality switch.

Doug
W6JD

-------------- Original message --------------
From: "Scott McDowell" <[hidden email]>