DX Engineering DXE-RR8B-SD Instructions manual

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RR8B-SD

8-Port High Power Remote Antenna Switch

DXE-RR8B-SD-INS-Revision 1e

 DX Engineering 2022

1200 Southeast Ave., Tallmadge, OH 44278 USA

Phone: [phone]  Technical Support and International: [phone]

Fax: [phone]  E-mail: [e-mail]

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Introduction

The DXE-RR8B-SD is the largest switch in the DX Engineering RR8 series. It is designed to
switch coaxial lines in high-power RF systems. RF rated enclosed relays with wide contact gaps
provide exceptional RF voltage and current capability. The RR8B-SD can be used to
simultaneously select multiple output ports as well as conventional one-of-eight antenna switching.
This allows the RR8B-SD to be used in complex antenna phasing and stacking systems as well as
traditional switching arrangements. The RR8B-SD also uses a removable screw terminal control
cable plug. The removable plug greatly simplifies installation by eliminating the need for soldering.
Disassembly is not required for control wiring access

The RR8B-SD also offers the following features:

• RF Shielded Weatherproof Housing - unique protection

• Excellent Port Isolation; greater than 60 dB at 30 MHz, worst case.

• High-RF tolerant, Amphenol UHF connectors

• Shorted or open selection of unused antenna ports

• Enclosed 25-ampere high-voltage RF relays

• Safe 12-volt relay operation

• MOV Lightning protection on control lines

Specifications

Power Rating: >10 kW normal amateur operation on all modes when using antennas with less than

2:1 SWR on 30 MHz and below. >5 kW above 30 MHz.

Control Voltage: 10-14 Vdc at 160 mA
Port-to-Port Isolation: >60 dB below 30 MHz
Impedance: 50 ohms
Control Line: Control lines can normally use good quality CAT5e cable (4 twisted pairs of 24

AWG wire) for runs up to 1000 feet. Typical DX Engineering control lines requirements are +12
VDC at 25 milliamps. Depending on the number of control lines needed (usually 3 or 4) you can
double up the twisted pairs of CAT5e cable, or use control wire that is at least 22 AWG, allowing
runs up to 1500 feet. If you use a cable with more conductors, it is a good idea to tie the unused
conductors to ground. For longer runs of control cable, use a line loss calculator to ensure you
supply the proper control levels needed.

Approximate Control Line Lengths.

Minimum Copper

Wire Gage (AWG)

Length

24

1,000 feet

22

1,500 feet

20

2,000 feet

Theory of Operation

The RR8B-SD uses a star arrangement of eight relays to select one or more of eight output ports
when voltage is applied from an 8-wire control line. The eight RF-rated relays provide greatly
improved power handling and SWR over conventional switches and allows port-to-port connections
between any of the eight output ports.

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Installation

1. Secure the switching unit using the included DXE-SSVC-2P V-Bolt

Saddle Clamp. For outdoor installations or in moist environments,
connectors must face downward.

2. Fasten all cables to the mounting mast or tower to relieve strain, and
gently droop the cables to form a drip loop (do not use tight bends with
coaxial cable). Install the RR8B-SD with the connectors facing down
and use gradual bends or loops in heavy wires. If the RR8B-SD is
mounted to a wooden pole or building, a wide copper flashing or heavy
wire or strap should be connected from the mounting bracket to a good
ground.

Caution: Never switch antennas while transmitting. Hot switching with power will create a

sustained arc that damages relay contacts. When switching ports allow 15 ms before
transmitting to avoid damaging the switch. This type of damage is NOT covered under
warranty.

3. Wire the plug making a note of wire colors at each pin. Write them
in the Connector Wire Reference Table below. Either "G" is ground.
We recommend following standard resistor color codes, using
ascending order by color. The color code is black 0, brown 1, red 2,
orange 3, yellow 4, green 5, blue 6, violet 7, gray 8, and white 9.

The green connector is in two parts and the top part can be removed by pulling it straight off.

This will allow easier wire replacement or servicing as needed. When pushing the connector
back in place, ensure you press straight inward.

Shielded CAT5 cable can be used. The shield is used as the signal ground return. Adhering to a

logical standard allows people unfamiliar with a system to troubleshoot with minimal difficulty.

For a typical CAT5 cable we suggest working your way up through the pairs by ascending

color: brown, brown/white, orange, orange/white, green, green/white, blue, and blue/white.

Connector Wire Reference Table

G 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

G

The ground wire can be omitted if the DXE-EC-8 control console or the DXE-CC-8A control

console or other switching voltage source is grounded to the feedline. The feedline shield and

equipment grounds provide the ground path.

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Note: The total loop resistance of the control cable path must be under 30Ω for reliable

operation. .

Note: Do not seal the connectors! The connectors are recessed inside a drip edge that

prevents water from getting into connectors. The cover-to-connector plate
junction is not sealed so the unit can“ breathe” and eliminate condensation.

Grounding Ports

To ground an inactive port, usually for phased array systems, solder a jumper wire between
the foil traces for that port as shown. Installing the jumper does not enhance lightning
protection and is not recommended for normal antenna selection applications.

Port 8 shown as an example

DXE-CW9S - Shielded Control Wire, 9 conductor stranded, per foot

DXE-CW9S is a high quality shielded outdoor cable. It features 9 #24 AWG stranded conductors with aluminum
foil shielding plus a #24 stranded tinned copper drain wire. This gives you 8 switch positions plus common ground

- plus the separate shield. It has a gray PVC jacket. This cable is ideal for DX Engineering Remote Antenna

Switches and Four Square arrays, and should be considered for any low-current custom remote switching application
you have - such as receiving antenna arrays. Order by the foot in the length you require.

Technical Support

If you have questions about this product, or if you experience difficulties during the installation, contact DX
Engineering at [phone]. You can also e-mail us at:

[e-mail]

For best service, please take a few minutes to review this manual before you call.

Warranty

All products manufactured by DX Engineering are warranted to be free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of one (1) year from
date of shipment. DX Engineering’s sole obligation under these warranties shall be to issue credit, repair or replace any item or part thereof which is
proved to be other than as warranted; no allowance shall be made for any labor charges of Buyer for replacement of parts, adjustment or repairs, or
any other work, unless such charges are authorized in advance by DX Engineering. If DX Engineering’s products are claimed to be defective in
material or workmanship, DX Engineering shall, upon prompt notice thereof, issue shipping instructions for return to DX Engineering (transportation­charges prepaid by Buyer). Every such claim for breach of these warranties shall be deemed to be waived by Buyer unless made in writing. The above
warranties shall not extend to any products or parts thereof which have been subjected to any misuse or neglect, damaged by accident, rendered
defective by reason of improper installation, damaged from severe weather including floods, or abnormal environmental conditions such as prolonged
exposure to corrosives or power surges, or by the performance of repairs or alterations outside of our plant, and shall not apply to any goods or parts
thereof furnished by Buyer or acquired from others at Buyer’s specifications. In addition, DX Engineering’s warranties do not extend to other
equipment and parts manufactured by others except to the extent of the original manufacturer’s warranty to DX Engineering. The obligations under
the foregoing warranties are limited to the precise terms thereof. These warranties provide exclusive remedies, expressly in lieu of all other remedies
including claims for special or consequential damages. SELLER NEITHER MAKES NOR ASSUMES ANY OTHER WARRANTY
WHATSOEVER, WHETHER EXPRESS, STATUTORY, OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND
FITNESS, AND NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO ASSUME FOR DX ENGINEERING ANY OBLIGATION OR LIABILITY NOT STRICTLY
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOREGOING.

©DX Engineering 2022

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Specifications subject to change without notice.