It’s time for me to revise antenna switching for all my various antennas and receivers. What shall I do this time around?

For the past three years, I have used a homebrew switching board, shown above. I designed this mainly to make full use of my wideband loop array with various dual channel receivers. Using two coax antenna switches, I can route the array to my RSPduo, Afedri and ANAN receivers.

Later, I added a used NCC-1 phasing box so I could use my loop array with single channel receivers. All of this is controlled over the home network using a NodeMCU.

It works fine but has some limitations, which can be addressed if I revise radio antenna switching. First, it is mainly focused on the loop array, and does not easily allow routing of all antennas to receivers. This includes my main ham antennas (beam dipole) and the recently acquired Wellbrook loop. Second, it limits my use of analog noise cancellation using an ANC-4 for the main Ham Antennas. I would like to do noise cancellation with the NCC-1, as well.

Revise Antenna Switching – New Goals

So, here are my new goals. Enable switching of more antennas. Enable use of NCC-1 for noise cancellation. Simplify control wiring with an integrated wireless relay switching board. Allow preset configurations rather than making changes through individual relays.

I will also experiment with using a pair of four-channel distribution amplifiers. Based on testing, these appear to have good port isolation and enough headroom for strong signals.

To force me into action, I have taken down the old switching board. All of the parts for my project to revise antenna switching have arrived. I have written the software to control the relay boar from a PC. Now, it’s time to get to work with the wiring and assembly. Can’t wait!