Ameritron RCS-8V User Manual

INTRODUCTION

THIS LE NGTH MAY VARY U P TO

3 FT. IT MUST NO T C ONTACT

TAPE TO T HE M AST OR TOW ER FOR

2 TU RNS 6” DIA . O N A LL CABL ES

FROM EAC H O THE R B Y V ERTIC AL

TO ANTENNA

LIGHTNING RETARDING LOOPS

The Ameritron RCS-8V is a remote controlled coaxial RF
switch that will operate with negligible loss, radiation and
VSWR at all frequencies up to 250 MHz. Only a slight
compromise in VSWR occurs at 450 MHz. Power rating
is four kilowatts PEP below 30 MHz and one kilowatt
PEP at 150 MHz.

The RCS-8V permits the operation of up to five separated
antennas with only one coax feedline. A rotor or
telephone type control cable with a minimum of five
conductors is required.

The control console selects the supply voltage for the
relay box. The front panel has five LED’s that indicate
the antenna that is in use.

The indoor console and outdoor relay box must have a
ground reference to each other. Either by RF, earth
ground, or a ground wire in the control cable.

THE MAST OR TOWE R

LEAVING AND EN TER ING THE
RELAY BO X. KEEP CO ILS SPACED

OR HOR IZON TAL S EPARATION OF
2” MI NIMU M

The RCS-8V operates on +12 Vdc voltage. The RCS-8V
is supplied with a +12 Vdc adaptor for 100-120 Vac input
50/60 Hz. The RCS-8VX is supplied with a +12 Vdc
adaptor for 200 to 240 Vac input 50/60 Hz.

The RCS-8VL models include Gas Discharge Tubes
attached to each antenna terminal.

INSTALLATION

The relay box may be mounted on a tower leg, mast or
building wall. The mounting hardware furnished will
accept a tubular mast up to 1 ½” diameter.

If the box is mounted on a building wall discard the “U”
bolt assembly and use two ½” screws to attach the bracket
to the wall.

The relay box must be mounted with the connectors
down. Do not attempt to air seal the relay box. Install
drip loops below the box if the feedlines are brought in
from a higher location. Lightning retarding loops area
recommended precaution on all cables (see Figure 1).

Relay Box Cable Connections

Inexpensive five or more conductor rotor or telephone
cable can be used to connect the relay box to the control
console. The only requirement is that the cable be
physically able to survive the environment it is installed.
Wire gauge and voltage breakdown are not critical.
Conductor and ground return (through the coax shield)
resistances can total 80 ohms before operation becomes
compromised.

SUPP ORT NEAR T HE R ELAY BOX
MOUN TING LO CATIO N

Figure 1

Relay Box Antenna Connections

Connect your antennas to coax connectors numbered 1-5
and note which antenna is connected to each connector.

Connect the feedline to the connector marked “INPUT”.

If control power is removed, the relay box automatically
disconnects the “input” feed connection from all antenna
ports.

Unselected antenna ports may be automatically grounded
or isolated. The RCS-8V is shipped with the ports
isolated. To automatically ground the unselected port, a
short jumper must be installed as shown in Figure 2.

Remove the four screws at the corners of the panel and
remove the cover. Route one end of the control cable
through the bushing in the panel and through the plastic
cable clamp.

Connect five of the wires in the cable to terminals 1 to 5.
Make a note of the color that is connected to each
terminal. If a sixth wire is available in the control cable,
connect it to the “G” terminal.

Reinstall the cover on the panel using the self-tapping
screws previously removed.

More than one antenna port can be “picked up” at one
time by applying control voltage to more than one relay at