Antenna relay switch

[WX5812]

I have 2 VHF radios in a room, but only have 1 antenna, and coax. Radio 1 will be used primarily. Radio 2 will seldom be used but it will on occasion. Is there any type of commercial grade automatic antenna relay switch?
I'm currently just using a manual 2 position switch. Too many different hands will use this radio and I need to make it "easy" as possible for the user.

 

[APX8000]

Yep, here you go:

Shakespeare Automatic Coaxial Switch (AS-2)

The innovative Shakespeare automatic coaxial switch toggles two radios to one antenna. Learn More!

www.solidsignal.com

Just watch your wattage.

 

[WX5812]

Yep, here you go:

Shakespeare Automatic Coaxial Switch (AS-2)

The innovative Shakespeare automatic coaxial switch toggles two radios to one antenna. Learn More!

www.solidsignal.com

Just watch your wattage.

Awesome!! Thank you!

 

[tweiss3]

Note, that is only good up to 30 watts.

 

[APX8000]

Yep, hence the "just watch your wattage."

 

[Mr_Boh]

There are commercial relays out there that will handle more than those Shakespeares... you just will have to spend time just because there's tones of version based on input voltages and max power supported, connectors, etc.

They can get out of hand quick price wise though. Used to use some that were SMA only, were about $500 for SPDT and the terminals for the coil were so fragile it was frustrating.

I think off the top of my head Amphenol makes some good ones that would be good in a shack setup with N connectors

 

[Mr_Boh]

Yep, here you go:

Shakespeare Automatic Coaxial Switch (AS-2)

The innovative Shakespeare automatic coaxial switch toggles two radios to one antenna. Learn More!

www.solidsignal.com

Just watch your wattage.

I have always wanted to try a couple different things from Shakespeare, but never end up pulling the trigger - the concern is always they go out of their way to reference VHF and I can never find in their specs if they have tested beyond the Marine VHF range. For example, they make an adapter for doing receive only (intended for AM/FM radio) off of your marine VHF antenna, but can never find if the transciever can pass anything outside of Marine VHF, and if the receive can pick up more than broadcast bands. Maybe one day I will have the disposible income to buy one and hook up to a VNA to evaluate...

 

[WX5812]

Yes, I saw the 30W MAX. That's something I can live with, but I will keep my eye out for something more "durable".
I will check out the Amphenol ones...

 

[alcahuete]

Keep in mind as well with the Shakespeare that only one radio will work at a time...that includes receiving. The relay will also remain open on the radio that last transmitted. So if you want to switch to the other radio, you will have to key the transmitter.

 

[WX5812]

Keep in mind as well with the Shakespeare that only one radio will work at a time...that includes receiving. The relay will also remain open on the radio that last transmitted. So if you want to switch to the other radio, you will have to key the transmitter.

Yes I saw that. That may be a deal breaker as in I might as well keep the manual switch.... without fail the people using it wont remember which one was talked on last and.....you get the picture

 

[mmckenna]

Yes I saw that. That may be a deal breaker as in I might as well keep the manual switch.... without fail the people using it wont remember which one was talked on last and.....you get the picture

Not sure what your application is, but this sounds like a perfect job for a remote.
One radio connected to the antenna.
Connect a second microphone and speaker to the radio and run to the other location.
Or, use a tone remote setup. Would depend on the model radio you have.

That way you don't have to worry about switches being in the wrong place, missing a call, or other issues that might confuse end users.
A basic remote would probably be cheaper (and safer) than a relay.