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Reviews For: AY Technologies RAS-8x2 Receive Antenna Switch

Category: Antenna Switching, Phasing, Controllers

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Review Summary For : AY Technologies RAS-8x2 Receive Antenna Switch
Reviews: 3MSRP: 399.00
Description:
Eight input dual output receive antenna switch ideal for SO2R/MS/Multi-2 receive antenna switching.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.aytechnologies.com/
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0035
PA5MW Rating: 2016-02-04
Best buy of 2015 Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Every few years you come across something which is a direct hit and pleases you everyday.
Well this is such a device.
Over the last 20 yrs I have built and used at least 4 different RX antenna switching/distribution systems. Some passive, others active.
At some point you know what the ideal 'next' one should have and how easy and versatile the remote panels, buttons + indicators should be.
The RAS 8x2 was on my radar for some years as the ideal example and so I asked Gary to customize one to my needs.
I opted for a 10dB pre-amp plus a 1.8 - 4.5 MHz BPF, switchable from the remotes.
What a pleasure to use.
WD8PKF Rating: 2011-08-24
Excellent piece of Equipment Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I found The antenna switch to work very well switching multiple receive antennas between two transceivers. IT is well made and has operated flawlessly since I installed it. Gary was there when ever I needed to ask a question. I highly recommend this product.
K8ND Rating: 2008-04-01
Best of Breed RX Ant Switching Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have purchased two of these switches, one for myself and one for the PJ2T contest station on Curacao. The one at PJ2T is used to provide independent selection from among two Beverages, two Flag antennas, the (attenuated) transmit antenna, and (sometimes) a DX Engineering RX 4-square array at each of two stations. It has been installed for over two years.

It is reliable, and easy to use. The internal 160/80 preamplifier is switchable on/off, and resists overload well. There has been no case of relays sticking or failing.

In a 160 Meter Contest especially, a competitive operator will spend nearly all of his receiving time switching between antennas to hear calling stations from around the compass. The pushbuttons of the RAS-8x2 are **much** more ergonomic and easy on the wrist than the more common rotary switch over the 30+ dark hours of a Topband contest.

These are not mass produced: Gary K9AY builds each one when oredered. There are some options available (more antennas, no preamp, 160-40 preamp, etc.: contact him for information).