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write your own review of the Array Solutions RATPak.
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K4BP
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 24, 2008 14:32
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GREAT switches
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have 2 RatPak's and 3 Stack Matches. All have been in use from 1-4 years without without the first glitch of any kind. Would I recommend them, YES! With more antennas in the plans I'll be purchasing more myself. I also really like my Power Master by WX0B. Thanks for the great products Jay!!
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N2EHG
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 24, 2008 04:09
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Great Switch
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've had this switch as well as other Array Solutions for over several years. They all work great.
I've bought from Array for a min of 2 basic reasons. The products are much higher quality then the competition , and most import the service is the best.
As with any mechanical device there are ways to keep it in top shape, i use my RatPak alot so i know the contacts are kept clean, but i suppose if I did't use it for a really long time, or suspect say static/lightning effected it, I would follow normal relay cleaning procedures. Either way I wouldn't worry since :
They offer for example a Lifetime warrantee on a mechanical device(RatPak) thats exposed to elements(rain/snow) what's better than that?
Jay always offers his expert advice and services to help out. I will look foward to my next purchase from Array. To me good products and excellent service are most important.
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K3VW
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 23, 2008 15:00
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Great relay box !!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have used Jay's relay box and it performed flawlessly for a long time under contest conditions. Never a problem. Great product !!
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W6LG
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 23, 2008 13:34
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Great Product No Problems at All!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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If you go to QRZ.com, you will see that I have two of these Rat Packs in the picture. I also have pictures at www.w6lg.com (being worked on now). I have used these relays for years....maybe 10 years with no problems at all. I have had lightning strikes close to my mountaintop home. It has snowed many times. I run QRO with 7 amplifiers. There has never been a problem.
Trust me, this is a product you can buy and it will work as advertised with a great company behind it.
By the way, my company has some competing products. So my review is from my honest experience. Honest/good competitors like Array Solutions are good for business.
I do not rely on reviews on eham at all. For all we know, guys who write reviews don't even own the equipment. They may work for a competitor. Or just like to complain.
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K9ZW
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 23, 2008 13:07
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Exceptional Performer, Great Service
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I've had a RatPAK 6n in QRO use for several years, with exceptional results.
Shack conditions require my operating desk be a good ways (165 ft of cable) from my tower.
I bought the N-Connector version of the RatPAK and have used a flooded marine version of CAT-5 cable to control it.
Twice I've asked question of Jay WX0B about the RatPAK - first when installing it (checking the performance characteristics and cable requirements) and second after I let the unit become wet for a prolonged time in drifting snow.
The Snow Incident was 100% my fault - I had used zip-ties to temporarily attached the remote unit and let mother nature beat me to a correct installation.
The unit was 100% after I cleaned up the contacts after being in snow/ice.
I was able to handle this myself, despite Array Solutions offering to service it under their Life Time Warranty.
I've had a couple other switches, including ones that inject the control signal into the feedline, and the Array Solutions RatPAK has done a stellar job for me at my shack.
I've written up some of the technical issues using CAT-5 to control a RatPak at http://tinyurl.com/cat5-ratpak
You can find other articles about my RatPak experience on my blog.
If mine were written off by a lightening strike or were stolen, I would not hesitate to buy another RatPak for my QRO station!
73
Steve
K9ZW
http://k9zw.wordpress.com/
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W5IZ
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Rating: 5/5
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Sep 23, 2008 12:52
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Great product/service
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have owned RatPaks since installing my antennas and have found Array Solutions to stand behind their products. Jay Terleski and his team are very responsive to user questions and have promptly assisted me whenever I contacted them. Jay stressed using the correct voltage to pull in the relays in my 500 foot plus run. After lightning struck my tower, Jay and his folks repaired my RATPak promptly. Array Solutions is my first choice in antenna switches.
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W6OU
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Rating: 2/5
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Sep 22, 2008 21:35
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Troublesome relay
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I encountered intermittent receiving on one of the antennas connected to this switch. If I rapped on the cabinet the problem would go away until the next time I switched to this antenna. I found the relay contact for that antenna was not making good contact. After burnishing the contacts it worked ok. This makes me wary of running high power through this switch.
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WD4ELG
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Rating: 5/5
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Mar 23, 2008 08:07
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Shoulda bought this one first!
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Time owned: 0 to 3 months
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Decided to go with Ameritron RCS-8V 5 ant switch last year (see my review elsewhere on eham.net) and save a few $$. BIG MISTAKE! Worked great, at first. Now the connections are shot after just a year of use. Wish I had gotten the RATPak the first time.
Just putting my hands on the RATPak when it arrived, I knew it's a more solid unit. Looking at the insides, it is quality through and through. Installation was a snap.
Well, lesson learned - you get what you pay for. No more Ameritron products for me. Now I need to see what other goodies Jay has at Array Solutions, makers of the RATPak!
One more thing, the customer service at Array Solutions is OUTSTANDING!
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K9WZB
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Rating: 5/5
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Nov 12, 2007 08:39
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A must for the multi-antenna and radio station
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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This is a great antenna switch that makes life easier in the shack. When two radios are connected, the switch prevents you from transmitting on the second radio on the same antenna.
Customer service is also great. Ask a question in an email or call and your answer is back with in minutes. Although pricey when you gather all the cables etc. to set it up it is a real pleasure to have available in the shack.
The workmanship and quality of the antenna switch and controller is great. The only flaw I see is the wimpy U-bolt sent to mount it. This was abandon and an entirely different mount was made.
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TF4M
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Rating: 5/5
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Oct 31, 2007 05:24
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In use since February 2005- no issues whatsoever.
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I have two RATPak switches in my station located around 250 feet from the shack. There have been no issues whatsoever in the harsh conditions. My units are fitted with N connectors. I am very pleased with the performance and reliability.
Thor, TF4M
www.tf4m.com
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