DX Engineering RR8B-HP User Manual

RR8B-HP

8-Port Remote Antenna Switch

DXE-RR8B-HP-INS-Revision 2c

 DX Engineering 2017

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

Minimum Copper

Wire Gage (AWG)

Length

24

1,000 feet

22

1,500 feet

20

2,000 feet

The DXE-RR8B-HP is an 8-port switch designed to switch coaxial lines in low to medium-power RF
systems. Enclosed relays provide exceptional performance and are moisture resistant. The RR8B-HP can be
used to simultaneously select multiple output ports as well as conventional one-of-eight antenna switching.
This allows the RR8B-HP to be used in complex antenna phasing and stacking systems as well as traditional
switching arrangements. The RR8B-HP 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-HP also offers the following features:

 RF Shielded Weatherproof Housing - unique protection
 Excellent Port Isolation; greater than 70dB at 30 MHz, worst case.
 High-RF tolerant, silver-PTFE UHF connectors
 Shorted or open selection of unused antenna ports
 Enclosed 20-ampere RF relays
 Safe 12-volt relay operation
 MOV surge protection on control lines

Specifications

Power Rating: 7kW ICAS all modes, under 2:1 SWR, 5 kW CCS all modes, under 2:1 SWR
Control Voltage: 10-14 Vdc at 100 mA
Port-to-Port Isolation: >70 dB below 30 MHz, >55 dB below 60 MHz
Loss: <0.1 dB below 60 MHz
Impedance: 50 ohms
Dimensions: 10.375" x 9.875" x 4.375" and the mounting flange hangs down 2.25"
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.

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Theory of Operation

Connector Wire Reference Table

G 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

G

The RR8B-HP uses a star arrangement of 16 relays to select one or more of eight output ports when voltage
is applied from an 8-wire control line. The 16 relays provide greatly improved power handling and SWR
over conventional switches and allows port-to-port connections between any of the eight output ports.

Installation

1. Secure the switching unit using the included DXE-SSVC-2P V 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-HP with the connectors facing down and use gradual bends or loops in
heavy wires. If the RR8B-HP 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.

DXE-CW9 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 DXE-CW9 shielded 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.

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

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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 7 shown as an example

Optional Item

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. A nice feature is the "rip cord", which

allows for easy stripping of the heavy jacket without worry about nicking or accidentally cutting the conductors.

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:

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 2017

DX Engineering®, DXE®, DX Engineering, Inc.®, Hot Rodz®, Maxi-Core®, DX Engineering THUNDERBOLT®, DX Engineering Yagi Mechanical®,
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PRO-1B®, AFHD-4® are trademarks of PDS Electronics, Inc. No license to use or reproduce any of these trademarks or other trademarks is given or
implied. All other brands and product names are the trademarks of their respective owners.

Specifications subject to change without notice.

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