In 2006 I was working to grow my station, but did not have a lot to spend. DIY was the way to go. Off the shelf two radio antenna switching options were (and are!) expensive. I set off to design something for myself that I could also offer to fellow Yankee Clipper Contest Club (YCCC) members. I started with a 2×6 (Two radio by Six Antenna) RF switch and a rudimentary controller to indicate which antennas were selected and most importantly keep one radio from transmitting directly into another.
Best Seller
My 2×6 RF switching design is in use all over the world with 100’s scattered around the globe at stations just like yours! I regularly receive on-the-air comments from fellow hams using my design from world class contest stations to the station you are growing. If you have worked a contest with any kind of seriousness, you have received a signal through one of my designs. I have updated the board based on user feedback improving the design, and recently added the 2×8 version as well as building in support for Ethernet/WiFi switching.
I have designed the switches with high RF integrity in mind to provide a hard to find DIY component for you to design around. Roll your own Raspberry Pi or Microcontroller based decoder and controller, or use the options I provide. Go for it!
My Vision
Provide access to the unique PC Boards required for the basis of your DIY antenna switching. There are lots of folks who have the skills to solder their own boards, drill their own chassis’, exercise their brains, get their hands dirty, and save some $$ in the process.
A Little About Me
I am an Principle Engineer with Marvell Semiconductor in Burlington, Vermont working in Custom ASIC Customer Quality. I do a great deal of trouble shooting and interfacing with our customers. I started with IBM in 1985 and have a significant and broad work history in the semiconductor industry having transitioned to Marvell in November 2019 from Globalfoundries who acquired the IBM ASIC business and fabs in 2015.
My greatest passions are my wife, family, and the Catholic Faith. I am an Amateur Radio extra class (you can look me up at QRZ), and specifically enjoy contesting. I am a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus. My wife and I had been certified teachers of Natural Family Planning. We also volunteer as a Pre-Cana teaching couple and in other capacities. I recently retired from volunteering in EMS having been an Advanced EMT since 1986 and with Essex Rescue since 2000. I love to mountain bike and ride often. I also combine that with amateur radio and EMS volunteering with Green Mountain Bike Patrol. My wife and I also love to camp (glamp?) in our NuCamp T@B400 having downsized from the larger hybrid we used with the kids.
My Generation One website originally from the ’90s
“Way back” I put up a web page when there were not too many. It was pretty poor by today’s standards. I have been using up until March 2024 🙂
Kudos
I have been privileged to be a member of the YCCC which was the original inspiration to design the 2×6 switch and controller back in 2009. It is hard to believe it was that long ago. It kinda explains the “old school” use of CMOS 5400 logic series and pin-in-hole components.