Remote Antenna Switch

W9CW

Member

Posts: 96

« on: July 20, 2011, 11:44:18 AM »

I have a question regarding the lightning/surge protection offered in some of the commercial remote antenna switches. Ameritron uses gas-discharge tubes in some models of its remote antenna switches, whereas Array Solutions uses MOVs in all models of its RATPak switches.

Is one design, specifically as to the device used, superior?

Any comments on this would be sincerely appreciated.


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W8JI

Member

Posts: 8972

RE: Remote Antenna Switch

« Reply #1 on: July 20, 2011, 01:38:45 PM »

Quote from: W9CW on July 20, 2011, 11:44:18 AM

MOV's do not function in RF systems. They only work properly in low voltaage control lines.

I think you will find the switch using only MOV's has nothing on the RF lines, or at least I HOPE that is what you find.


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WB2WIK

Member

Posts: 20004

RE: Remote Antenna Switch

« Reply #2 on: July 20, 2011, 02:24:20 PM »

Quote from: W8JI on July 20, 2011, 01:38:45 PM

Quote from: W9CW on July 20, 2011, 11:44:18 AM

The RATPack uses MOVs only on the control lines, not on RF lines.

http://arraysolutions.com/Products/ratpak.htm


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W9CW

Member

Posts: 96

RE: Remote Antenna Switch

« Reply #3 on: July 20, 2011, 03:23:55 PM »

Thanks for the input. I understand each MOV on each control line in the Array Solutions' RATPak has an RF bypass cap. I presume the gas-discharge tubes on the Ameritron are on each SO-239 port, but I'm not sure its design includes any control line protection. However, I am sure Tom would know!


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