Thanks for the advice. I've already calculated the voltage at the feedpoint of my 160m inverted-L on 80m at 1500w (using EZNEC), and it's only a little over 3 kV.
I just popped the cover off a little Omron PCB-mounting relay that I forgot I had, rated at 10 kV. The spacing between the SPDT contacts and the coil actually looks greater than that open-frame relay. I was thinking of seriesing the contacts on two of these relays, if necessary. I should take a photo and get the Omron P/N later for this thread. 73, Mike www.w0btu.com On Thu, Oct 9, 2014 at 7:57 AM, Tim Shoppa <[email protected]> wrote: > Mike, I would be concerned about using these small relays for non-resonant > antenna switching where the impedance at the switch point may be wildly > away from 50 ohms. > > This is the relay I use to switch tuning networks at non-50-ohm points: > > http://www.deltrol-controls.com/products/relays/power-relays/900 > > Deltrol is the brand you get if you order from McMaster-Carr but all the > big relay manufacturers sell these open frame relays. > > I also bend the relay contacts for wider spacing as recommended by N6RK in > QST (page 66, May 2009 QST Hints and Kinks, "Increasing Relay Voltage > Handling"). Open contact gap of 0.5 inches is readily achievable. > _________________ Topband Reflector Archives - http://www.contesting.com/_topband
