Daniel you done it again! Another AWESOME video. Your in depth but quick technical explanations and the satisfying parts of watching the machines in action. And very clever of the “Like and Subscribe” action! There’s no reason this channel shouldn’t take off and be highly liked🤘😎🤘
Nice video and great project Dan. I have only one comment. You are one of the few Ham ops that has a spotless shack ;) Just not natural HIHI. Good job Dan.
I've been working on my own version of this. I have 5 HF radios, 2 HF amps. Each radio and amp has a RCA connector for PTT(also AGC). I was considering adding RCA connectors to patch in and out the PTT to the amps. What do you think? Bob, K3ADU
That could be tricky. PTT is achieved by shorting to ground on my rigs so if the connector is not isolated it could be an issue. At least that's my first thought when I think of it.
Great idea! is it a bad idea to add my power plugs? It doesn't use the house ground. I don't have a usable ground in the house built in 1865 and wired in 1930. My power supply is choked. I'm just wanting one panel for all the stuff.
Hey Craig. Thanks for watching and thanks for the question. Personally, I would not do this. Best to consult an electrician in your jurisdiction and rely on their expertise. Sorry I can't be of more help on this issue.
Hi Daniel, great project! As far as further suggestions for the "mark II", do you think there's a way to conveniently connect the center conductor to ground on unused antenna feeds? So that disconnected antennas would have a way to bleed off static that may build up?
Hi Wayde. I was thinking about this exact idea. i was thinking that I could achieve this in at least 2 ways. 1- By having 2 actions timed using actuators. One actuator connects/disconnects the connectors and the second moves a grounding plate in position to short the pins. In reverse, they would be timed in reverse. 2- When the panel is disconnected there could be a spring-loaded grounding panel that flips into place over the face of the center pins. When the panel is reconnected it moves it out of the way using a simple mechanical arm. Since I filmed this project I have been given "permission" from my wife to install a new tower so this project will be moving forward and I will be looking closely at how to achieve this in a reliable but simple enough way. I will be trying to put a video together soon to discuss the projects and some of the planning I have to do. Would love to get feedback from you along the way. 73s
@@webuildwelearn A new tower _and_ a fun project! Lucky! 😊 If you could modify the thru-bulkhead fittings you're using so that the center conductor is accessible (without too much damage to the fitting or threads, that is :-) ) or, as an alternative to using the thru connector, use fittings that you solder onto the feed lines, where you might have additional options for accessing the center pin ( This makes it a bit like a punched down network patch panel, where the "plant' side is punched down more permanently as to the jack side), then you might consider something like: - The manual way; put a dual throw toggle switch by each feed that connects the antenna side center pin through the panel on one side and into the ground on the other - If you wanted it somehow/somewhat controllable, use relays to switch the antenna side center pin through the common, and NC/NO contacts between panel and ground? - or... the really manual way, if the fittings count doesn't get too far out of control... pair up a matching SO239 for each feed line on the panel, you want to use an antenna cross-connect it to a radio port, when not in use; cross connect it to a "ground" fitting? The BOM cost is climbing 😂 Hey, this actually reminds me... did you catch the YT video a couple weeks ago "What's Going on at W1AW?" - about mid way through they show their antenna patch panel, maybe some inspiration there? 73s!
@@Wayde-VA3NCA I had considered this for my plan but the regular switches and such might be too capacitive. Daniel has the idea for a military style shorting cap. That's what we did in the Navy.
@@radiotests at HF and with short leads, I'm guessing the effect might be low, but as you climb up in frequency, yes, something to definitely take seriously
Daniel you done it again! Another AWESOME video. Your in depth but quick technical explanations and the satisfying parts of watching the machines in action. And very clever of the “Like and Subscribe” action! There’s no reason this channel shouldn’t take off and be highly liked🤘😎🤘
Nice video and great project Dan. I have only one comment. You are one of the few Ham ops that has a spotless shack ;) Just not natural HIHI. Good job Dan.
Getting ready to film is like getting ready to have guest over for dinner. The mad dash to clean up so no one sees.
@@webuildwelearn Ahh I see :)
I've been working on my own version of this. I have 5 HF radios, 2 HF amps. Each radio and amp has a RCA connector for PTT(also AGC). I was considering adding RCA connectors to patch in and out the PTT to the amps. What do you think?
Bob, K3ADU
That could be tricky. PTT is achieved by shorting to ground on my rigs so if the connector is not isolated it could be an issue. At least that's my first thought when I think of it.
Great idea! is it a bad idea to add my power plugs? It doesn't use the house ground. I don't have a usable ground in the house built in 1865 and wired in 1930. My power supply is choked. I'm just wanting one panel for all the stuff.
Hey Craig. Thanks for watching and thanks for the question. Personally, I would not do this. Best to consult an electrician in your jurisdiction and rely on their expertise. Sorry I can't be of more help on this issue.
Hi Daniel, great project! As far as further suggestions for the "mark II", do you think there's a way to conveniently connect the center conductor to ground on unused antenna feeds? So that disconnected antennas would have a way to bleed off static that may build up?
Hi Wayde. I was thinking about this exact idea. i was thinking that I could achieve this in at least 2 ways.
1- By having 2 actions timed using actuators. One actuator connects/disconnects the connectors and the second moves a grounding plate in position to short the pins. In reverse, they would be timed in reverse.
2- When the panel is disconnected there could be a spring-loaded grounding panel that flips into place over the face of the center pins. When the panel is reconnected it moves it out of the way using a simple mechanical arm.
Since I filmed this project I have been given "permission" from my wife to install a new tower so this project will be moving forward and I will be looking closely at how to achieve this in a reliable but simple enough way.
I will be trying to put a video together soon to discuss the projects and some of the planning I have to do. Would love to get feedback from you along the way.
73s
@@webuildwelearn A new tower _and_ a fun project! Lucky! 😊
If you could modify the thru-bulkhead fittings you're using so that the center conductor is accessible (without too much damage to the fitting or threads, that is :-) ) or, as an alternative to using the thru connector, use fittings that you solder onto the feed lines, where you might have additional options for accessing the center pin ( This makes it a bit like a punched down network patch panel, where the "plant' side is punched down more permanently as to the jack side), then you might consider something like:
- The manual way; put a dual throw toggle switch by each feed that connects the antenna side center pin through the panel on one side and into the ground on the other
- If you wanted it somehow/somewhat controllable, use relays to switch the antenna side center pin through the common, and NC/NO contacts between panel and ground?
- or... the really manual way, if the fittings count doesn't get too far out of control... pair up a matching SO239 for each feed line on the panel, you want to use an antenna cross-connect it to a radio port, when not in use; cross connect it to a "ground" fitting?
The BOM cost is climbing 😂
Hey, this actually reminds me... did you catch the YT video a couple weeks ago "What's Going on at W1AW?" - about mid way through they show their antenna patch panel, maybe some inspiration there?
73s!
@@Wayde-VA3NCA I had considered this for my plan but the regular switches and such might be too capacitive. Daniel has the idea for a military style shorting cap. That's what we did in the Navy.
@@radiotests at HF and with short leads, I'm guessing the effect might be low, but as you climb up in frequency, yes, something to definitely take seriously