Open Wire Feeder Switching Ideas ?
 

I am debating with myself whether I want to spend a lot
of money on harline for a 250ft run to a remote tower or
to use open wire feeders and switch the main line between
several antennas. The tower will hold wire antennas - no
beam. Since it is 250ft I'd like to use open wire. I plan
on putting yet another 80m vertical another 100ft further
than the first tower and feed it with open wire to a balun.
I suppose for open wire switch I could use run of the mill relays in a box.

I know coax is the popular way to go - but decent hardline is really
expensive. Any of you use open wire
like this?

Doug N4IJ

I have some open frame ceramic insulated relays ideal for open wire line
switching. Have DPDT and 3PDT configurations.

73s,

Evan

I have 850 feet of open wire line. You can see photos
of it on my web site www.n6rk.com. You might
consider latching vacuum relays. You can get them
from maxgain systems. At 1.5 KW, there is 821 volts
on a matched 450 ohm line. With any mismatch,
you're soon over 1000 volts. Ordinary 240VAC
relays are probably questionable for this application.


BTW, I run my line "flat" (ie low SWR). There
are 50 ohm to 450 ohm baluns at both ends.
In my case, I switch after converting to 50 ohms,
so any ordinary relay will do.

Rick N6RK

"DOUGLAS SNOWDEN" wrote in message
...
I am debating with myself whether I want to spend a lot
of money on harline for a 250ft run to a remote tower or
to use open wire feeders and switch the main line between
several antennas. The tower will hold wire antennas - no
beam. Since it is 250ft I'd like to use open wire. I plan
on putting yet another 80m vertical another 100ft further
than the first tower and feed it with open wire to a balun.
I suppose for open wire switch I could use run of the mill relays in a
box.

I know coax is the popular way to go - but decent hardline is really
expensive. Any of you use open wire
like this?

Doug N4IJ

On Mon, 29 Dec 2003 19:58:01 -0500, "DOUGLAS SNOWDEN"
wrote:

I am debating with myself whether I want to spend a lot
of money on harline for a 250ft run to a remote tower or
to use open wire feeders and switch the main line between
several antennas. The tower will hold wire antennas - no
beam. Since it is 250ft I'd like to use open wire. I plan
on putting yet another 80m vertical another 100ft further
than the first tower and feed it with open wire to a balun.
I suppose for open wire switch I could use run of the mill relays in a box.

I know coax is the popular way to go - but decent hardline is really
expensive. Any of you use open wire
like this?

Doug N4IJ


Hi Doug,

One frequent suggestion is to check with your local cable TV installer
shop for spool ends. You might find them getting ready to take it to
the landfill.

73's
Richard Clark, KB7QHC

Doug,
Have you thought about ~not~ switching between antennas
and just connecting them all to the same feed point?
'Doc