Ham Radio—Homebrew Antenna/Coax Switch: Part 3

[bluejay148]

hey nice job there i think i will do that when i get enough dough to get the stuff to make one lol

[Jseim25ify]

I like your setup its not to big but good enough and that switch is a fun and cheap idea

[johnrob281]

@Jseim25ify

Thanks!!

John

[Rickugg]

Hello: I wonder how many watts that little switch is good for ?

[johnrob281]

@Rickugg

Thanks for watching my videos and for your comments.

I've used it up to 100 watts without issues. I really don't know how robust it would be for more than that.

73

John

[CobraSFX]

Thank you for taking the time to share knowledge John, was just considering making my own and found your video, keep up the good work.

73

Rob

[johnrob281]

@CobraSFX

Rob,

Thanks for watching...hope you got some good ideas.

73

John/W5CYF

[Djorder]

Hello .

Can it work with to Radios one Antenna?

73

António

[johnrob281]

@Djorder

Thanks for your question and for viewing my videos.

Yes, you can use two radios to one antenna.

John

[TheDjorder]

@johnrob281

Thank you very mutch for your answer to my question

From Miranda do Corvo (PORTUGAL)

STATION - BRAVO

OPERATOR - TÓ-ZÉ (ANTÒNIO)

I´m on 34 LSB ever nigth at 21H PM sorry my inglish is not very good

73´s

António

[jhazy46]

John, I kind of thought that was the intended usage and it seems like a good alternative for some of themore expensive switches out there for doing thesame thing. And everyone whos anyone will tell you we hams are a frugal bunch, when the need arises.

Thanks again, and take care. This is one design in my junk box accy's manual.

73,

Jim, N2YEV

[johnrob281]

@jhazy46

Jim,

Thanks for the comments. The switch continues to work well. Not bad for a couple dollars investment.

73

John/W5CYF

[jhazy46]

John, I noted that you use this with QRP rigs, but what is the concern, if any, about isolation between the two ports to keep RF from damaging receiver front end and other components? What is your max pwr troughput, before such damage may occur?

73 de,

Jim, N2YEV

[johnrob281]

@jhazy46

Jim,

I've been away for the weekend and just now getting to comments. I have been using the switch to go between to antennas to one rig. (at QRP levels). There is nothing special (i.e. grounding) in the switch. While I don't think it would be problem to use it to switch two rigs, you may want to add some isolation if you choose to build one.

Hope this helps.

73

John/W5CYF

[HamOPStewie]

@johnrob281 Ok, sorry for all the questions Just getting back into ham radio and trying to make my own stuff that I can.. I have a SPDT i'm going to try that was in my parts box, thinking it might work, The common ground would be the bottom SO-239 and the other ones connect to the other 2, the switch has, Power acc grnd, if i need to i'll buy the DPDT but would make it even cheaper if this one works.

Scott

[HamOPStewie]

@johnrob281

I'll double and triple check it, i used a toggle switch not the slider like you did, does your switch have a middle "off" section?? that could be my problem it's pretty simple wiring which was exactly what i was looking for for my first project (other then the 2M j pole).

If i need a new switch i'll get that next payday... I subscribe to ur channel to see other easy projects, THANK YOU for your videos

Scott

[johnrob281]

@HamOPStewie

The switch I use is a DPDT...no center off. The only thing switched is the hot part fo the coax, nothing else. The ground is common.

I'll try to send you some pictures of close ups of my switch.

John

[HamOPStewie]

I just finished making one myself, the ONLY problem is, even with just one antenna attached to it, and flipping the switch to the opposite side (one with out antenna) it still transmits, so either something is wrong, or i need a cap or something...

Any ideas are welcome

Thanks

[johnrob281]

@HamOPStewie

Hummmm...something sounds like it's not right. I suspect somewhere there is a wire connected wrong, you should not be able to transmit out of both sides of the switch.

I would not use the switch until it is fixed...

Look it over carefully, it should be an easy fix.

Hope this helps

John/W5CYF

[office888]

I made one! It doesn't look quite as good as yours though. It was a beast trying to get everything lined up in the box, so my connectors are a little bit wonky, and the switch is a little crooked (I shouldn't have predrilled the plate cover, whoops).

SWR loss is less than 0.1 on 28 mhz. I'm happy with it!  Thanks for the video.

73

KD8NPB

[johnrob281]

@office888

Sorry for the delayed response, but just getting some time to catch up with YouTube emails.

Thanks for watching my videos and for your comments. I’m glad that you were able to use some of the ideas for your antenna switch. Hope to catch you on the air soon.

--73--

John/W5CYF

[SouthPawPatriot]

Nicely done John. I've seen your other vids as well on reloading etc....

[johnrob281]

@SouthPawPatriot

Thanks for your comments and for watching my videos.

John

[wx9dx]

Not a bad project OM! Thanks for what you do to advance the hobby! I have made many Coax switches and usually use coax between the switch and the antenna connector. But that is just me! There are many ways to do anything. It has to first be fun. 73s OM Catch ya on mIDcARS!

Jimmy, ARRL TS, WX9DX

[johnrob281]

@wx9dx

Jimmy,

Thanks for your commets and watching my videos. Your method of using coax between connections is most likely a better solution. If I were doing it again, I would follow your suggestion.

--73--

John/W5CYF

[johnrob281]

@wx9dx

BTW

Forgot to add that I checked your QRZ page...nice rig setup and QSL card. I play a little Bluegrass guitar and like that 'old time music'!

73

John/W5CYF

[turbyoutubio]

Great job. I want to get my soldering iron out now! What is the rating on the switch?

[10SD112]

isolation between antennas ?

impedance ?

power rating ?

loss ?

[johnrob281]

@10SD112

Thanks for watching. All are good questions; however since it’s a homebrew design I don’t have the specs. It is intended as an inexpensive alternative to a simple antenna switch.

--73--

John/W5CYF

[Whitebear329]

Great little project. This is something the Tech can do to keep his interest up in home brewing or can be used as a teaching tool bringing new hams into the fraternity. Heck anyone who doesn't want to spend a bunch for a switch can do this and save the difference for other goodies. 73 KE4YGS

[johnrob281]

@Whitebear329

Thanks for watching and for your comments.

73

John/W5CYF

[scanfreq1972]

Great video on old school home brew. Good to see that you got the call sign you were after and congratulations on getting your Extra. Keep up the good work. 73. KE5JPS

[johnrob281]

@scanfreq1972

@scanfreq1972

Joseph,

Thanks for your comments. I really enjoy doing some of the old school homebrew projects, even most (if not all) are simple.

From your QRZ bio, it looks like you also do some homebrew...I'd like to see some videos!

All the best,

John/W5CYF

[s57rz]

@johnrob281

Is there any special reason for placing switch on cover - if you place it on bottom you have no problems with openings. In general - nice videos for ham community

[bigbaldblobby]

great video john ,when i get my 2nd antenna up i shall build one . thanks ...blobby from england.  well done.

[2E1FUE]

Very nice just what i need to do :) thanks john great work amazing thanks from 2E1FUE 73s well done sir :))

[hamdxr]

Well done John.  I enjoyed watching your demonstration. Mike W6QT

[kc7wwy]

nice and a very good dedication.

[jichus1]

good choice to use isulayed 14 ga wire. nice swicth,

73

KC9PXZ

Jimmy C

Norwalk WI

[hellno50]

I just subscribed to your channel, you have some very good and informative videos. I have just recently set up a home radio shack (long time mobile user) and I will be making use of these videos you have posted. Keep up the great work and I look forward to watching more of your videos. 73

[GeneDunno]

Does your configuration here effect a good SWR match? & Do you ground your switch-box?

[johnrob281]

So far, it's had little to no effect on SWR.

The switch is RF grounded but not electrical ground. The video does not show the ground(s), they were added later.

Hope this helps

73

---John---

[k4eezBrit]

Good Job.

[N4EMP]

Think you can build one for four antennae? Have a "double-gang" electrical box I'm not using!! :~>

[johnrob281]

Thanks for your comment. I think it would work fine. In fact I'm looking at this switch from Radio Shack (275-1386) and doing the same thing. Let me know how it works.

73

--John--

[BLUZUMR]

Great idea!

[msskimbot]

You da man tinker... I love this practical do it yourself craftsmanship. Who knows when it might come in handy to McGuiver something for survival's sake, right?

[n9xvt]

nice shack you've built up there!

[coffeefish]

Great video.

[baconsoda]

Super series John. I have no interest in ham radio but I love your presentation style, First Class, as always.

Best Wishes,

Brendan