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You can
write your own review of the DX Engineering Remote Antenna Switch.
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WA8EBM
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 27, 2011 07:58
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Excellent Product
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Just received my 8 position 5KW switch w/EC8 controller a few days ago. I am using it in-shack to switch any of 4 linears and several radios into my antenna system. I had previously used Alpha Delta switches and the improvement in SWR is very notable. When I switch radios there is excellent isolation and I hear nothing on the disconnected radios. This was definitely not the case with the manual switching. The enclosure is a heavy, quality fabrication and I can see I would have no qualms about ever mounting it outside in a harsh environment. I only wish they had offered a less robust enclosure with wall mounting capabilities for those of us who use it for inside applications which would probably reduce the price considerably. So far nothing but compliments and seeing that they offer replacement relays for 10 bucks I am glad if I ever fry one, while accidentally hot switching or high SWR, I can easily fix it myself for a reasonable cost.
Mike WA8EBM
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MW0CVW
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 7, 2011 09:34
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Very good quality
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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I purchased the antenna switch after looking around on the internet,high quality construction and performance was required.
Good RF port to port isolation was need for my application,where i am switching four HF Transceiver to a single antenna system.
Rod Ehrhart -WN8R of DX Engineering has been fantastic answering all my questions.
He confirmed with 100w running on port one there would be less than 10 Microwats(-20Dbm)on any of the other ports NOT selected.thus no damage to RF overload.
Also braid jumping the unused ports to ground was a good idea,which can still be used as normal if selected with the CC 8A control unit
I was able to measure and confirm the figures above with a 50k communication test set,loss,isolation,frequency response etc.
One addition I have added is 40Amp 12V d.c relays which are controlled via the CC8-A control unit which switches the relay coils when the correct antenna port is selected.
This stops any chance of transmitting into no Antenna.
Paul
Mw0cvw
North Wales U.k
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VE7DPG
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Rating: 4/5
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Dec 27, 2010 14:34
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good switch
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I purchased this switch after shopping around I was a little reluctant due to the price, but after looking around and deciding I wasn't interested in climbing my tower in the middle of winter to replace a cheaper defective switch I ordered this one.
Great switch only thing is that since I have my station setup to revert to battery power in the event of a power failure this controller will not allow you to operate from 12vdc. after talking with the guys at dx engineering they were unwilling to assist me in a mod to allow it to do this. I did it myself and now I am totally happy with its operation at least I can remain on the air when the power is off.
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K2FX
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 6, 2009 06:29
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DX Engineering Stands Behind Their Products
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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About 11-months ago, I purchased a DX Engineering remote Antenna Switch and the CC-8 Controller. For about 9-months it was bullet proof. However after that time, I would notice that receive became intermittent on a couple of the ports, only to come back after a short burst of RF. I called DX Engineering, and explained the problem. This is something they were familiar with. They suggested cleaning the relays by switching several times to different ports. That worked to some degree, but the problem was still there. I wrote to them again, and they asked me to pull the switch out of line, send it to them for repair work under the warrantee, and they would return it. At this time, I'm involved in so many on-air activities that I could not afford to be down for a few weeks, and asked if there was any other way they could help. They said that they would send me a BRAND NEW RR8A-HP, 8-port switch as a replacement if I would then send the defective one back in its place This is the newer model that has a different case, but same configuration. It arrived in a couple of days, and is fantastic. WOW, what customer service!! They trusted me enough to send them the old switch in return, which I promply did. This new switch is fantastic. Great Quality, and so far I am extremely happy. Do not ever be afraid to purchase from DX Engineering. Not only do they make superior products, but more importantly will stand behind them 100%. They even sent me a new DX Engineering Hat with the new switch!!!! Spread the word! DX Engineering is the place to get all of your accessories. Paul, K2FX
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K9VSK
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 26, 2009 13:50
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Excellent product
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Have had the switch installed for over a year. Continues to work well through IL winters and summer lightning! Excellent isolation as well. Would definitely recommend this product!
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KA3TKZ
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 1, 2009 09:28
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Quality Product
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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The receipt inspection on this antenna switch showed good quality workmanship. Fit and finish is good. The solder joints were all clean, no flux residue, no cold solder, and no solder splash. This antenna switch has worked flawlessly for more than a year. Antenna port rejection is supurb.
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KY6R
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 15, 2008 17:04
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8 Ports at 4 port cost
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I asked DX Engineering why they didn't have a 4 port remote switch, and their answer was a good one.
They have kept the cost of their 8 port switch down because the cost of making a 4 or 8 port switch is almost the same.
When you compare the price of the Ameritron RCS-4 to the DX Engineering switch, there is no comparison.
If you only need 4 ports - go for the RCS-4. Value wise and even cost wise, it makes more sense to go for the DXE switch and ground out the 4 ports that you don't think you will ever use (heh heh). DXE even gives you the ground braid to ground the unused ports out.
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W5JON
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Rating: 5/5
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Jul 15, 2008 16:26
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Thanks for 8 Ports
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Over the years, I have at one time or another owned just about every antenna switch made. The Isolation on the DXE switch is the BEST by far.
I have had mine for about 4 years, and use only 4 of the 8 Ports. Last year my tower was hit by lightning and the relays on two of the ports were completely blown. Thanks to the great isolation the other six ports remained perfect, and nothing else was blown. The next day I just shifted two of the Yagis to two other good ports.
As there was no rush, I later replaced the four (two on each port) relays, easily purchased from Mouser, all 8 ports are once again available.
Guess you can not have too many ports only to few.
How someone that does not own such a excellent product can rate it, (a 3 at that) I do not understand.
73,
John W5JON
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W4SK
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 17, 2008 06:15
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Superior
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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As previously noted, you get what you pay for. The best radio in the world is useless if the antenna sucks. Do yourself a favor and get one of these.
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N1JMS
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Rating: 5/5
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Feb 13, 2008 15:15
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Bulletproof!!!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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The factory provided description cannot even begin to describe the level of quality designed into this unit. It feels like high-end Commercial or Broadcast gear. Excellent isolation and power handling. I don't have any antenna that is actually resonate on any HF band (deed restricted), however, I do run at legal limit when necessary (they can't stop that with a deed) and this switch easily handles the power that is wasted in the line. Great job DX Engineering!
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