Remote Antenna Disconnect

Comments

• John - AI4FR Member ✭✭

  November 2019 edited March 2020

  I like the idea as well. Below is a link to a thread in which we were discussing this same video a week ago along with station automation.
  
  https://community.flexradio.com/flexradio/topics/using-amazon-alexa-to-start-stop-your-station
  
  

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• Rick - W5FCX Member ✭✭

  November 2019 edited November 2019

  I use three of these devices, one per antenna feedline. When the radio gets powered on, so do the relays inside each of these lightning isolators:
  
  https://paradanradio.com/products/antenna-disconnect
  
  
  

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• Mike-VA3MW FlexRadio Employee, Community Manager admin

  November 2019 edited November 2019

  Hi Rick
  
  Those work.   The relays in those boxes have a very small space, maybe 2mm and lightning can easily jump across.
  
  Some of us are looking for a bit more distance between the contacts on a total lightning disconnect in case of a closer strike.  
  
  For a remote operator, this is as close as you can come to tossing the coax back out the window!
  
  Mike 
  
  
  

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• Santiago Mejia - HI8SMX Member ✭✭

  November 2019 edited March 2020

  If anyone is able/interested in doing it I will be interested in buying. 
  
  Santiago
  HI8SMX

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• Santiago Mejia - HI8SMX Member ✭✭

  November 2019 edited November 2019

  That is correct. One of the only steps missing for making my shack better and safer and distance friendly.

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• Steven WA8Y Member ✭✭

  November 2019 edited November 2019

  This is, as they say, "Brilliant!"  But what kind of a ground (shield) connection is that (quick disconnects, similar to this, do not work well on F connectors)?  But how can we thread those SO-239s with those PL-259s?
  

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• Steve K9ZW Member ✭✭✭

  November 2019 edited November 2019

  The UHF connectors are a push-on type typically used for bench work.  
  
  Many connector types have similar push-on versions available (pretty certain F, N, UHF, SMA and a few more).
  
  I think with N-connectors the usual ****-together is not a true shield electrical connection.
  
  73
  
  Steve
  K9ZW
  
  Blog:  http://k9zw.wordpress.com  

  0
• Mark_WS7M Member ✭✭✭

  November 2019 edited March 2020

  I am building one of these, my own design but it is probably not going to be available until spring of next year.  The machine shop is just too busy.
  
  This is a link to my cad model movie:
  
  https://www.dropbox.com/s/59izoi2c95eg8kd/Mark%27s%20Lightning%20Assy.mp4?dl=0
  
  The moving part is a grounding bar.  The purpose of this bar is to short out static build up.  It will not prevent lightening damage. 
  
  So the grounding side goes to your radios.  The other side (right side) is antennas.  The concept is that when you disconnect (pulling to the motor) the grounding bar (which perhaps has a steelwool like surface ground the center conductor of the connectors.
  
  This as I said, is intended to keep static buildup from getting to your radio and popping those Flex ESD diodes.
  
  I do plan to make this design available to people who desire it.  Either they can buy an assembled unit, the metal plates and assemble it themselves or the plans and machine it themselves.
  
  I do plan to have a D/C disconnect on the bar as well it is not shown in this early model.

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• Santiago Mejia - HI8SMX Member ✭✭

  November 2019 edited November 2019

  You can put me in with one assembled (I´m no good in making stuff myself). 

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• Charlie_KB8CR Member ✭✭

  November 2019 edited November 2019

  Following

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• Steve K9ZW Member ✭✭✭

  November 2019 edited November 2019

  
  @Mark WS7M - what operating temperatures are your providing for?  (Without adding heat or cooling figuring -40c to +50c would capture my QTH's extremes.)
  
  What distance are you thinking to displace things by?
  
  73
  
  Steve
  K9ZW
  
  Blog:  http://k9zw.wordpress.com  

  0
• Bob G W1GLV Member ✭✭

  November 2019 edited June 2020

  I had a lightning strike this summer in the backyard. The only damaged was two gallium fuses in my lightning arrestors shorted to ground protecting my system. I don't turn the power off on any of my gear, that way the differential voltage remains stable. 

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• Mark_WS7M Member ✭✭✭

  November 2019 edited November 2019

  The distance right now is like 4 inches but that dimension is not yet final.
  
  The connectors are going to be "shock mounted" which is the ME's way of saying there will be some give to help with alignment.
  
  But I am open to temperature range recommendations.  
  
  For me personally it will always be in a dry place between 40F and 90F as it will be in an HVAC room which probably stays closer to 65 all the time.
  
  I think to fit your -40C to +50C would be tough for almost any mechanical assembly with mating parts.  For something requiring that we might have to use more stable materials (added expense) and maybe thicker surfaces.  I'll ask the ME to be sure.

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• Manoj Member ✭

  November 2020

  Please check this video. This is my implementation of the same concept.
  https://youtu.be/6BkzOGnGM7U
  73
  Manoj VU2CPL

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