Norm,
Norm, After many years, I homebrewed polarity switching into my old 2 meter KLM antenna. The switching/matching system is made up of the matching coax, relay, printed circuit board (PCB), and the baluns. Here are several options. 1. Try to save the old hardware. 2. Split the antennas. 3. Set circular polarization permanent. 4. Rebuild the polarization switching using the original relay design. 5. Rebuild the polarization switching using a coaxial relay design. 1. The 4/1 baluns seem to survive the weather relatively well. The damage is more severe to the matching coax, relay, and especially the PCB. If the PCB can be saved, then the relay cover can be removed and the relay inspected and powered. If a new relay and coax is considered, the matching coax is RG-59. The relay is a Guardian 1365PC-2C-12D priced at $56.00 from Allied Electronics. 2. Each antenna is 50 ohms and can be used one at a time using a coax relay switching between verticle and horizontal, In today's satellite enviroment, switching between vertical and horizontal is a simple solution and a good option. Or forget the relay and use only one antenna 3. Make a matching harness (RG59) and set the circular polarization permanent either RH or LH. I used this method for many years with my KLM set LHCP. Since this method requires no relays or DC power out at the antenna, it can be built quickly and get you on the air while you are building the polarization switching system. When completed, you can change them out. 4. This requires a PCB to be made. I you decide on this option, contact me. I can help you. Trying to duplicate a manufacture's design especially KLM's PCB can invite problems. 5. Some are using the Tohtsu CX-120 coaxial relay with success. It's cheaper than the Guardian relay priced at $35.00. I think a simple one sided PCB could be etched easily and the relay could be mounted near or between the dipole terminals. This would be much simpler thatn the two sided KLM PCB. I hope this gives you some ideas. Please email me if I can help. One last thing. If you are going to do this, mount all your hard work in a weather proof box. All the best from Indiana. 73, Mike, K9QHO Message: 1 Date: Fri, 7 Dec 2012 09:32:33 -0500 From: Lizeth Norman <normanliz...@gmail.com> To: Mike Seguin N1JEZ <n1...@burlingtontelecom.net> Cc: amsat-bb@amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: satellite antenna photos oa4o Message-ID: <cajuhctnhsl06jzyeckop6cs8o_zpn7y3rk4omrd+woya+_1...@mail.gmail.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Bill, John and Mike, I would love copies of the manuals. Please forward them on as I will pass them along. What era are these antennas? The 70cm one tests good. The rest need work. Has anyone done anything to rehab these? Norm _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
