Why Do They Call It Wireless Behind the

Why Do They Call It Wireless? Behind the Radios in Multi. Radio Contest Stations By Contest Station Builders Worldwide Collected and Edited by Pete Smith, N 4 ZR

The approach Identify the challenges in the design and construction of complex contest stations (other than antennas). n Collect and present solutions from station builders worldwide. n Thanks, VE 1 JF

Caveats Successful contest stations come in all varieties, from fully-engineered to “growed like topsy. ” n There is no single “right way” n Presentation based on input from station builders – not comprehensive n

Neatness is optional

Challenge – Basic design decisions n “Architecture” choices u Degree of automation. u Location of physical antenna switching/phasing. u Layout of operating position and cable runs

Solutions Full automatic/remote RF switching n Hybrid approach n Manual 2 X 6 6 X 2 switching n Other manual approaches u Mechanical switch w/interlock u Patch panel u Cables on the floor n

Footnote – What is 2 X 6 6 X 2 switching? Courtesy Top Ten Devices

Full automation/remote RF switching SO 2 R switching and antenna selection done remotely, but controlled from the operating position. Maximum computer integration. Cable for data, not RF. n Backup manual systems or spares are essential. n

For Example …. K 4 JA

Equally simple from the back K 4 JA

But lots of hardware required to support the up-front simplicity K 4 JA

Especially at a multi-multi KC 1 XX

Remote antenna selection KC 1 XX

Hybrid approach Most stations have been evolving for years. n Can’t always do everything at once. n

For example …. W 9 RE

Homebrew 6 X 2 relay box W 9 RE

Manual antenna selection W 9 RE

Manual 2 X 6 6 X 2 switching … KQ 2 M

A Scottish solution GM 4 AFF

Ultimate simplicity? W 5 KFT

And simpler yet K 1 KI

Challenge – Cable entry n How to get feedlines and control cables into the shack area

Solution - Through-wall panel K 4 OJ

On a larger scale …. KC 1 XX

The dryer-vent approach K 5 ZD

Or through the siding K 4 JA

With the connections made inside… K 4 JA

Challenge – Lightning protection Some measures essential n Protect vs disconnect n

Solution - disconnect everything K 5 ZD

Control cables, too K 4 OJ

Solution – protectors on coax, control lines. Inside, VE 1 JF

… or at the tower base N 3 RR

Inside the box N 3 RR

Grounding at the entry panel N 1 LO

A closer look N 1 LO

Cable support and lowinductance grounding N 1 LO

Challenge – cable support, protection and management Keep them out from underfoot n Protect against accidental damage n Retain flexibility for easy change, maintenance n

Suspend from ceiling joists K 9 NS/K 9 HMB

Bundle by band, type (RF, control, etc. ) K 9 NS/K 9 HMB

Use a cable tray WX 0 B

Other options (no pictures) Contractors’ snap-open wire hangers n “Panduit” extruded plastic cable trays and associated fixtures – separate cables by function n Bicycle hangers, vinyl dipped huge screw hooks, etc. n

Challenge – Access to cabling Free-standing operating table with access from rear n Cable closet n Console on wheels n

Access from rear GM 4 AFF

Cable closet K 4 JA

Another more spacious approach K 9 NS/K 9 HMB

Console on wheels VK 5 GN

Cable marking techniques Labelmakers – Dymo, P-Touch, Casio, etc. with clear heat-shrink or tape n Colored tape – use resistor color code n MS Word/Magic Tape n Paint pen w/ silver ink n

Cable bundling techniques Color-coded Velcro ties n Tie-wraps – reusable or disposable n THHN wire twisted n Spiral wrap tubing (Alpha or Panduit) n Split-loom tubing (SPC or Panduit) n

Other cabling hints n Use pigtails with terminal strips to ease the task of changing radio-specific connectors HC 8 N

And more… Use unique connectors to reduce risk of mistakes when recabling n Use multiple conductor cables where possible n Careful attention to grounding can reduce inter-station interference n

Documentation Station notebook is essential n Document everything in one place u Schematics u Cable lengths u Measured resistances, SWRs, etc. u Critical computer info u Everything you might need at 4 AM n

Special solutions for special problems Phasing multiple antennas on separate towers on 10 m – OK 2 RZ n Managing multiple receiving antennas on 160 – W 8 JI n

OK 2 RZ 8 antennas/45 elements on 5 towers, including 3 -high stack – 10 m only n Ability to drive either 2 or 4 simultaneously n Phasing line length determined experimentally n

OK 2 RZ 10 m antennas

OK 2 RZ antenna phasing

W 8 JI Primarily a 160 m station n Three operating positions n Many receiving antennas/arrays n Challenge – how to make antennas available to all operating positions simultaneously n

Receiving multicoupler

SO 2 R Audio/CW Controller Options Commercial units u Top Ten Devices u Array Solutions n Homebrew approaches n

Array Solutions SO 2 R www. arraysolutions. com

Top. Ten DX Doubler http: //www. qth. com/topten/

Homebrewers K 6 LL

More examples N 6 TR – One of the first http: //www. kkn. net/~k 5 tr/trlog/switch. pdf n S 56 A – relayless SO 2 R controllers http: //artinian. bit. si/radio. htm n KG 5 U – manual – audio and antennas http: //www. hal-pc. org/~kg 5 u/2 radctlr. html n W 2 UP – audio only http: //w 2 up. home. mindspring. com/SO 2 R-audiocontroller. doc n K 5 FD – full auto w/ antenna switching www. qsl. net/k 5 fd n

Thanks to the following contributors: EI 8 IC, GM 4 AFF, HA 1 AG, K 0 FF, K 0 HB, K 0 XG, K 1 DG, K 1 GQ, K 1 IR, K 1 KI, K 3 BU, K 3 NA, K 3 ND, K 3 OO, K 3 WW, K 4 JA, K 4 OJ, K 4 ZA, K 5 FD, K 5 TR, K 5 ZD, K 6 LA, K 6 LL, K 7 NV, K 7 ZO, K 8 CC, K 8 DX, K 9 GS, K 9 GY, KC 4 UZ, KG 5 U, KI 7 WX, KI 7 Y, KL 7 RA, KQ 2 M, KS 9 W, N 1 KWF, N 1 LO, N 3 BB, N 3 RR, N 5 NJ, N 5 OT, N 5 ZC, N 8 YYS, OK 2 RZ, S 56 A, VE 1 JF, VE 3 PN, VE 7 QO, VK 5 GN, W 1 YL, W 2 UP, W 2 VJN, W 3 PP, W 4 AN, W 7 TI, W 7 ZRC, W 8 JI, W 9 RE , WE 9 V , WX 0 B