Click on the View QST Article button on the left to view a copy of the article that appeared in the September 2008 issue of QST magazine. This article is copyrighted by the ARRL and is to be used for educational purposes only. The article is not to be distributed electonically or posted to other sites.
Since the time the article was submitted to QST, development has continued, and many improvements have been made.
The relay module now uses double pole relays to replace the single pole relays in the original module. The relay has a higher voltage withstanding rating than the old relays and can be used for power levels up to 1500 watts (tested to 2400 watts.)
The relay module is now molded in a totally water proof packege.
The antenna controller has been modified so that it can select up to 12 different bands. This makes it possible to cover 10M, 12M, 15M, 17M, 20M, 30M, 40M, 60M, 75M, 80M, and 160M, as well as MARS frequencies.
A 3 element, 5 band beam antenna is now available using the same switching technology. We call it the Simple Beam.
A more detailed description of the theory of operation is the patent for this antenna. The patent can be viewed by selecting the View Patent button on the left.