Relays for RF? Will a normal 12v automotive relay work? or something else?

[mr_fx]

I was thinking, an OPEK HVT 400 or 600 would be a neato thing for the car, ESP if you could switch bands whilst sitting on your bum...

So could I use multiple relays for this or would it be a no go?

 

[Rb30]

I have used 12v 40a spdt automotive relays to repair the busted LP filter relays that had burnt out in my Ameritron ALS500. They work fine, cheap eBay from china. But forget about switching anything above HF with these things as they won't work (major loss)

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

I have used 12v 40a spdt automotive relays to repair the busted LP filter relays that had burnt out in my Ameritron ALS500. They work fine, cheap eBay from china. But forget about switching anything above HF with these things as they won't work (major loss)

Agreed. Just keep leads as short as possible and do NOT hot switch them while transmitting. That advice applies to any relay actually.

 

[wavrider]

Salvage yard is full of relays, I have used them for antenna switch boxes and to switch phasing harnesses on phased vertical arrays.

 

[mr_fx]

wonderful, Opek HVT 400 with a bunch of relays would be AWESOME for the mobile, I would only be using it for 80-10, and have dedicated antennas for 2m and 440

 

[mr_fx]

Agreed. Just keep leads as short as possible and do NOT hot switch them while transmitting. That advice applies to any relay actually.

or any switching component really

 

[RADIOOMAN]

You could try it and if it is not agreeable with you, then you could upgrade the relays.

 

[Rb30]

wonderful, Opek HVT 400 with a bunch of relays would be AWESOME for the mobile, I would only be using it for 80-10, and have dedicated antennas for 2m and 440

Hey FX until I just googled hvt-400 I had no idea what it was but from a quick look it seems to be one of those multi tap all band majigas. I am interested to see how you can adopt the switching into this antenna without affecting SWR. I have a side project which is kind of along the same lines as what you are trying to achieve. My project is (in 5 words or less)... I have constructed a multiband spuidpole antenna and have started (but not finished) a switching unit to switch in and out the different coils for each band.

Keep us posted FX, I'm keen to find out how you go with it

 

[Captain Kilowatt]

or any switching component really

Yep, exactly but since the question was about relays........