Cheap High Power 50 / 144 MHz Relay
Cheap High Power 50 / 144 MHz Relay
This is homebrew design intended to use with QRO amplifiers in 50 MHz and 144 MHz band.
Will switch antenna to QRO or preamplifier.
There is no need for another isolation relay.
This relay is good enough to protect any sensitive preamplifier.
Relay is good for VHF contests and for EME.
Of course You can buy better relay for 5 to 10 times more money, but intention is not to compete with industrial relay.
Just homebrew that will do job.
This is about 1 day task.
To make this QRO relay You need:
200W soldering iron to solder 7/16 DIN connectors.
60 - 100W soldering iron to help soldering big surfaces.
30W soldering iron.
Basis is 1mm cooper 135 x 40 mm.
Distance between connectors 40 mm.
"NC" is TX side (7/16 - 7/16 DIN connector).
"NO" is RX side (7/16 - N connector).
Relay is energized at receiving. It allows to have same power and 12V wires for preamplifier and relay.
Bill of materials:
2 pcs. of 0.5mm cooper. Approximate dimensions:
These copper sheet are used to shorten central pins and NC pins of relays.
About 35mm UT-141 Teflon cable (RG-402, RG-316)
http://uk.farnell.com/pro-power/rg402/cable-coax-semi-rigid-rg402-1m/dp/2064899
About 35mm UT-325, EZ-325 or other solid Teflon 8mm cable.
Or RG-401 (UT-325 will be better)
http://uk.farnell.com/pro-power/rg401/cable-coax-semi-rigid-rg401-1m/dp/2064898
2 pcs of Finder 41.61 12V relay
http://uk.farnell.com/finder/41-61-9-012-0010/relay-pcb-spco-12vdc/dp/1169309
or Schrack RT314012
http://uk.farnell.com/te-connectivity-schrack/rt314012/relay-pcb-spco-12vdc-16a/dp/1629044
Isolation relay. Omron G6Z-1PE-A
http://uk.farnell.com/omron-electronic-components/g6z-1pe-a-dc12/relay-stable-spdt-pcb-12vdc/dp/2076423
http://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/G6Z-1PE-A%20DC12/G6Z-1PE-ADC12-ND/1816270
How does it work?
On transmit side signal passes through 2 pcs 16A relays in parallel to 7/16 DIN connector
On receive side signal passes through isolation relay Omron G6Z-1PEA to Teflon "N" female connector.
Side view.
How are characteristics measured?
1. HP8753ES Network Analyzer was calibrated Full 2 port.
2. Through calibration was done with N - N barrel.
3. All losses are "barrel losses" + presented data
.
7/16 DIN - 7/16 DIN TX side.
S21 (Insertion loss)
50 MHz - 0.005 dB
144 MHz - 0.006 dB
S11 (Return loss)
50 MHz -36 dB
144 MHz -27 dB
7/16 DIN - 7/16 DIN Relay Engaged
S21
50 MHz -17 dB
144 MHz -9.5 dB
The only Drawback because of high capacity between contacts.
7/16 DIN - "N" RX side.
S21 (Isolation)
50 MHz - 86 dB
144 MHz - 79 dB
7/16 DIN - "N" RX side Engaged
S21 (Insertion loss)
50 MHz - 0.01 dB
144 MHz - 0.016 dB
S11 (Return loss), RX side Engaged
50 MHz -38 dB
144 MHz -28 dB
Relay should be placed in a waterproof plastic case for outdoor use.
http://www.dual.rs/Plasticne-kutije-Plastic-box/Plastic-Box-Outdoor-Plasticna-kutija-DS
This cheap 50 / 144 MHz relay as seen have very good characteristics adjusted for amateur use on EME and VHF contests.
There are no need for another isolation relay. You can connect preamplifier directly.
32 Ampere contacts are way beyond commercial coaxial relays, and will provide good margin for today's high power demand.
If You are unsure how to make relay do not hesitate to contact me.
If You do not have enough time to make relay, You can contact company "Dual" to make one for about 90 Eur.
http://www.antennas-amplifiers.com/Ham-Radio-Equipment
http://www.antennas-amplifiers.com/index.php?route=common/home
http://www.antennas-amplifiers.com/index.php?route=information/contact
This presentation is for amateur use only.
73 Goran YU1CF