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Reviews For: Alpha Delta Model ASC-4B coax switch console for desk top

Category: Antenna Switching, Phasing, Controllers

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Review Summary For : Alpha Delta Model ASC-4B coax switch console for desk top
Reviews: 10MSRP: 149.95
Description:
Desk top coax switch console version of the Model DELTA-4B coax switch. Stand
alone console in a powder coated case and anti-slip feet. Sits right next to your
equipment without needing to be bolted down or mounted.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.alphadeltacom.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00103.9
AA0FO Rating: 2021-08-07
Fails Using High Power Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Had been using an ASC-4B manual switch for years. Absolutely zero problems with it running 200 watts. However, I found that if transmitting legal-limit power, it caused my ACOM amp to trip off with the message "Arc Fault". Ultimately, I had to take the Alpha Delta ASC-4B out of service and replace it with a different kind of coax switch in order to run high power.

ND5CH subsequently told me that "there are two power versions of this switch, and different power level arc plugs available...You can purchase the high power arc plugs for full legal limit and replace the regular power arc plug... the regular power arc plug trips at a lower voltage, to increase the protection of regular power transmitters."

I wish I would have known that before I tossed the switch in the trash so I could determine if that was the problem or the internal construction of the switch.
ND5CH Rating: 2021-08-07
Hi & Reg power arc plugs Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
Alpha Delta documents that there is a High Power and a Regular Power watt arc plug for these switches..
For maximum protection, the high power arc plug should not be used when operating at lower power.
And at high power, the regular arc plug will trip....
The arc plug can be removed and operate without it until a replacement is installed...
READ THE PRODUCT DETAILS ON THE APLHA-DRLTA WEB SITE.
Chuck
VE2UGO Rating: 2021-02-24
Do not consider that you have a guarantee. Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
**Do not consider that you have a guarantee. It will never be respected!**

Quality control is poor.

When I received the ASC-4B, I immediately noticed that the back case was cracked very deeply. The deep crack was subsequently painted. If a minimum quality control had taken place, it should never have gone to painting, and even less to assembly since the crack started in front, in the center, just below the N connectors. So very obvious n ' not needing any stiffness to check condition.

It also had a big burnt spot and 2 imperfections on the support (big bump).
However, the packing bag was not damaged.

I immediately attempted to contact Alpha Delta by email on several occasions in order to claim the warranty and obtain replacement parts and received no response.

By the time DX Engineering was copied into my email explaining the situation and the lack of support from Alpha Delta (or rather my inability to join them and help me), I finally received a response from Alpha Delta. .

In fact, a totally unprofessional response from Alpha Delta who sent his response to the entire administration of DX Engineering, Outbacker and myself to give the impression that he had intervened effectively and cleared himself.
He even lied saying that he answered me 4 times and that the messages were in my ''junk''.

Which is totally wrong!

At that time, I cordially replied to Alpha Delta in private so as not to disturb all the other people in copies who did not have to undergo this.
You can imagine that as soon as I wrote to him personally, no more response was received to any of my emails.
When DX Engineering is copying, it responds and I receive the messages, otherwise, total silence.

However, I sent to Alpha Delta the photos and description of the defects as well as my contact details and that I only wanted replacement parts.
If he had been in good faith, at least I should have received the parts in the mail since he had all the information ...

He never came back. I never got an answer again. I never received the parts in the mail !!!

The last intervention I had to do was to contact the entire list that Alpha Delta had used in order to get an answer.

DX Engineering contacted me privately following my last message to offer to refund me and keep the defective product in order to close the dispute if I so wished.

I never had any feedback from Alpha Delta.

This took 5 months to be ''settled''.

Thanks to DX Engineering for intervening as a last resort!

Now I am looking for a new QUALITY antenna selector with honest service! Do you have any suggestions? ;)

73!!!

* The whole company is probably not ISO-9001 certified. Surely not the antenna selectors with the experience that I have had and even less the customer service.

** The Delta 4 is exactly the same product without the stand. Go read the reviews and you will see that others have not been able to claim the warranty as well.
Their attitude is destroying the company and an interesting product in the market.
Welcome to the competitors !!

https://www.eham.net/reviews/view-product?id=2526
N6BIZ Rating: 2015-03-24
GREAT Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I HAVE 2 ....
THEY ARE GREAT...
VK3BVW Rating: 2015-03-23
Big, solidly built switch Time Owned: 3 to 6 months.
The ASC Delta-4 antenna switch console is a really sturdy unit that should last a lifetime! You can switch up to four antennas and it has some inbuilt lightening protection. If you are running multiple antennas into your shack, this switch is well worth considering. I have it located on the desk right next to the radio. Although I've got big, heavy coax lead-ins to the console, the switch remains steady on the desk with any sign of movement. I've prepared a short YouTube video of the unit where I discuss its features and include a short on-air demo. You'll find it at:
http://youtu.be/35754x0HX1c
I'm very happy with my new addition to the shack. It's more expensive than other switches out there, but you're paying for the quality!
W8RXX Rating: 2013-03-25
Posistion #1 is DEAD Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Switch posistion #1 is dead out of the box. The unit is NEW! Left a phone message for Alpha Delta on their answering machine. I noticed all the other DEAD reviews on the non-desk mount version of this switch recently... Quality issues???
KB3H Rating: 2012-06-25
The last 4 position switch you'll ever need Time Owned: more than 12 months.
SOLID - well built, and probably the last 4 position-switch you'll ever need.
W2DL Rating: 2012-04-01
Well worth the console add-on cost! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
The console coated steel housing is solid. It won't slip while you adjust the knob. It's heavy and attactie.

The console feature a solid brass ground buss to provide a common ground point for all your station equipment and accessories.

The 20-degree angle is perfect!

The DELTA-4B is a cadillac switch made better with the console features. You will not regret your purchase. You will see the reason why the military purchase Alpha Delta products and the result of its facility being ISO-9001 certified.
This unit will sit side-by-side your equipment instead of drilled into your wall.
WA4NUN Rating: 2012-02-19
it works Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
No doubt that that this switch is pricey as you can mount it yourself without the case for $50 less and get the same product.....is that what everyone has been afraid to say? The problem I had was that they did the ergo well etc easy to reach, perfect view angle, it stays in one place...yep hate to admit it but was worth the $50 above the cost of the base switch.
N0YXE Rating: 2011-11-25
DOES THE JOB Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The Alpha Delta switch is my main switch in the shack. It routes RF to other switches, as needed. It wasn't purchased for lightning protection and I do not have it grounded. It appears to be well-made and sturdy and I have not tested any of the specifications that the company has for it. It probably will last a lifetime. The console model is attractive, but it is too expensive to be used as a desk model, especially since my unit is perfectly content laying flat on the table. I will send you a picture of my desk and you may judge for yourself how unobtrusive it is: write me at: terryspaceship@yahoo.com