CALL US AT 1-833-4-KM4MPF / 1-833-456-4673 AND FIND OUT WHEN WE WILL BE AT A HAMFEST NEAR YOU.
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Chattanooga, TN. 37407
BusinessHours
Monday-Friday
8:00 till 4:00
Saturday
9:00 till 1:00
Sunday
Closed
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Ameritron RCS-4 Remote Coax Switch
The Ameritron RCS-4 is a remote controlled coax switch that selects one of four outputs by supplying all control voltages through the coax. The elimination of control cables gives you a fast, neat and inexpensive installation w with only one coaxial line for four antennas.
You get two units -- the switching box that can be tower, mast or wall mounted and the control console that is located at your operating station. The attractive indoor console has bright LED antenna selector indicators. A steel enclosure provides 100% shielding to prevent RFI and TVI. Switching time is 50ms. SO-239 connectors provide reliable connections. The weatherproof switching box uses three heavy duty 10 ampere contact relays on a rugged G-10 fiberglass circuit board. Quality components are used throughout the entire unit to ensure maximum life for the sometimes difficult-to-reach switching box.
The RCS-4 operates from 120 VAC, while the RCS-4X operates at 220/240 VAC. It allows safe operation with 14 volts control voltage. Frequencies from 1.5 to through 100 MHz are covered by this excellent station accessory. It also handles over 2500 watts.
Specifications:
Ameritron Remote Coax Switches | |||
---|---|---|---|
4 Antenna Positions | 5 Antenna Positions | 8 Antenna Positions | |
120V | RCS-4 | RCS-8V | RCS-10 |
120V Lightning Protected | RCS-4L | RCS-8VL | RCS-10L |
120V N connector | RCS-8VN | ||
220/240V | RCS-4X | RCS-8VX | RCS-10X |
220/240V Lightning Protected | RCS-4LX | RCS-8VLX | RCS-10LX |
220/240V N connector | RCS-8VNX |
INSTALLATION The relay box may be mounted on a tower leg, mast or building wall. The mounting hardware furnished will accept a tubular mast up to 1 ½” diameter. If the box is mounted on a building wall discard the “U” bolt assembly and use two ½” screws to attach the bracket to the wall. The relay box must be mounted with the connectors down. Do not attempt to air seal the relay box. Install drip loops below the box if the feedlines are brought in from a higher location. Lightning retarding loops area recommended precaution on all cables (see illustration). Relay Box Cable Connections Connect your antennas to coax connectors numbered 1-4 and note which antenna is connected to each socket. Connect a coax lead to the connector marked “CONTROL CONSOLE.” This lead should be long enough to attach to the control console. If control power fails, the relay box selects antenna “4”. It would thus be wise to put the most frequently used antenna in position 4. Control Console Connections Locate the RCS-4 control console at a convenient location on the station operating desk. The control console supplies 12V AC and DC control voltages. It has an internal 1A fuse in the transformer secondary circuit that protects the power supply if a short circuit occurs in the feedline. Caution must be exercised when connecting the RCS-4 to prevent damage to station equipment. Use coax to connect the “STATION” SO-239 connector to the output connector of your transceiver, amplifier or tuner. Connect the coaxial line from the relay box to the “RELAY BOX” SO-239 connector. DO NOT CONNECT THE “RELAY BOX” CONNECTOR TO THE STATION. CONNECT IT TO THE RELAY BOX FEEDLINE ONLY . DO NOT “HOT SWITCH” THE RELAY BOX WITH POWER LEVELS OVER 100 WATTS. THERE SHOULD BE NO PIECE OF EQUIPMENT BETWEEN THE INDOOR AND OUTDOOR BOX. OPERATION 1. Plug the line cord into a 117 VAC outlet. 2. Place the PWR switch in the “ON” position. 3. Rotate the SELECT control and observe the lights one through four. The switch positions are numbered on the front of the control box and a space is provided above each position so you can pencil in its designation for each antenna. GROUNDING The RCS-4 has small air gaps near each antenna connector on the printed circuit board to protect against lightning damage. We strongly recommend the use of lightning retarding loops in the coaxial cables near the relay box (see illustration). Remember that lightning travels through the path of least resistance. Station ground leads should be solid, large surface area conductors. Do not use braided or stranded wire for the ground leads. Avoid sharp bends in the ground leads. Use multiple ground rods and/or radials to provide the earth termination. LIGHTNING RETARDING LOOPS THIS LENGTH MAY VARY UP TO 3 FT. IT MUST NOT CONTACT THE MAST OR TOWER IMPORTANT There should be no piece of equipment between the indoor and outdoor box. Only a piece of coax should be used. 2 TURNS 6” DIA. ON ALL CABLES LEAVING AND ENTERING THE RELAY BOX. KEEP COILS SPACED FROM EACH OTHER BY VERTICAL OR HORIZONTAL SEPARATION OF 2” MINIMUM TAPE TO THE MAST OR TOWER FOR SUPPORT NEAR THE RELAY BOX MOUNTING LOCATION IMPORTANT NEVER switch antennas with more than 100 watts RF power applied to the feedline. Damage to the switching contacts may result from “hot switching.” TO ANTENNA 1 2 TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE If you have any problem with this unit first check the appropriate section of this manual. If the manual does not reference your problem or reading the manual does not solve your problem, call Ameritron at 662 323-8211. We can only help if you have your RCS-4 manual, radio manual, and information about your station available during the call. We strongly recommend calling Ameritron with any questions, but questions can be mailed directly to Ameritron at 116 Willow Road, Starkville, MS 39759 or faxed to 662-323-9810. Be sure to send a complete description of the problem, explain how this unit is being used, and include a complete description of your station. PARTS LIST Console Box Designator Part Description Part Number R1 470 ½ watt 101-2470 C1,2,3,8,20 .01 uF 1KV 200-2100-2 C12,13,21 .01 uF 100V 200-2100-1 C16,17 220 uF 25V 270-6220-1 D1,2 1N4007 300-4007 LED1,2,3,4 1.5V Red 351-3002 Power Adapter 120VAC 407-1072 Power Adapter 240VAC 407-1072X RFC1 Choke 409-2150 S1 Rotary Switch 500-0563 S2 Toggle Switch 503-1233 F1 1 AMP 125VAC FB 755-0101 Relay Box Designator Part Description Part Number C201,202 220 uF 25V 270-6220-1 C203,206,207 .1 uF 100V 200-3100 C204,205,208 .01 uF 1KV 200-2100-2 D201,202 1N4007 300-4007 L201 Choke 409-2150 RLY1,2,3 Relay 408-6114
Jim Gifford
When I received my call sign a few years back, I was flooded with purchases of junk. Fast forward to 2019. I decided I wanted to build another option, not a dealer who has the same stuff as everyone else, but a dealer who actually uses what he sells. And that’s exactly what I do. If you see a product on this page or one of our tables at Hamfest, you can bet we have tried it and like it. From Radios to connectors we strive to bring you QUALITY. Sure, you can find it cheaper and we understand that, but if you don’t want to buy it again in 6 months, take a look at what we sell and have already approved. I am always just a phone call away. Jim Gifford, KM4MPF.
CALL US AT 1-833-4-KM4MPF / 1-833-456-4673 AND FIND OUT WHEN WE WILL BE AT A HAMFEST NEAR YOU.
BusinessHours
Monday-Friday
8:00 till 4:00
Saturday
9:00 till 1:00
Sunday
Closed