The usual set-up has one Antenna Switch control box, which is manually
operated from the radio position. The control box for the system contains one rotary
switch and 6 LEDs, so the operator can see which antennas are selected. You may write
on the white paint to indicate your antennas or place a label in the area above the
LED.
The RATPak Remote Antenna Switch can be set up inside or outside the shack. Wiring
of your switch is accomplished by wiring a 7 or 8-wire cable (rotor cable will work)
with or without a shield from the terminal strip of the controller to the terminal
strips in the control box . A shielded cable is not necessary. Wire the control box
before you assemble the circuit board to the box. It will be much easier this way.
The controller also requires 12 to 14 V DC be wired to the V+ and GND terminals.
Use your station 12V supply and try to avoid using those power cubes. Some of them are
not certified for use near radios and they may be prone to RF interference. Please use
a well grounded DC source.
Fig 1 Terminal strips are wired 1to1, 2to2, etc. V+ and RET (gnd)
are wired to station's +12V DC power supply.
Once the control board is wired, secure it into place in the metal enclosure by
using the hardware supplied on the rotary switch. The LEDs should just peek through
their holes in the box.
The other end of the cable should be connected to the terminal strip on the relay
matrix circuit board. Its terminal strips are labeled to coincide with the same
numbers of the controller. It also has a return (RET) for the GND wire.
To access the relay board, take the relay matrix box apart. To remove the "tray"
tip the tray so one edge is lower and it will clear the rivets. Once the tray is out
you will see the PCB as mounted in the picture of Fig.1. Push your control cable
through the grommet in the "tray", and the hole in the PCB.
Use the plastic ties supplied to secure the cable from being pulled out of the
boxes.
TIP - put a plug like a Cinch™ Jones Plug or a DB9 connector on your cable so
you may disconnect them during thunderstorms. You may do this on both ends of your
cable to allow you to do a quick disconnect from the tower as well. You also should
rout the cable through a bulkhead in your shack that has proper lightning protection.
There are lightning surge protection devices sold by various companies, such as Array
Solutions and ICE.
The RatPak Remote Antenna Switch and the control switch box have #6 hardware to
fasten the covers to the chassis. Just remove the screws to access the insides of the
boxes.
The relay box is to mount cover up, on your tower leg with the supplied galvanized
U-bolt.
Before final mounting take a look at the corners of the Antenna Switch cover.
Verify the paint has sealed the corners of the cover. If not, a dab of RTV, silicon
rubber, or paint on the inside will seal it. Do not seal the seams between the cover
and the inside tray. This is so any condensation may escape and not build up inside
your switch.
