Switch for UHF and above

[Murphyv310]

Hi.
I want to be able to switch between aerials for my SdrPlay RSP1A. At the moment I have a loop, long wire (via a balun) vertical "rod" that covers 40 to 2000mhz (Maplin) and a couple of dedicated aerials and with the possible addition of a Cubical Quad for the Heritage transmissions on band 1 if and when they commence.
I need a suitable low loss switch that can accommodate five inputs to one output 50 ohm.
Frequency coverage from VLF up to 2gHz
Anyone got any suggestions or even a ready built switching unit?

[BusyBee]

The only thing that comes to mind is a unit using pin diodes. It is some time since I have had any thoughts in this direction so there may be more modern alternatives. I understand more usual diodes can be used but likely capacity limited at the higher frequencies.

Tracy

[radioman]

Sorry, I can't offer any suggestions on a ready made unit but I found this discussion quite informative :- http://forums.qrz.com/index.php?threads/...ch.491609/

Andy

[ppppenguin]

An expensive but high quality solution is co-axial relays such as these: https://www.thedxshop.com/coaxial-relays.html

You may find something cheaper on ebay etc.

Obviously you end up with a tree structure for multiple inputs. 4 inputs would need 3 relays.

If you're sitting comfortably then scare yourself with the prices of multi-input co-axial switches: https://www.mouser.co.uk/Electromechanic...?P=1z0yyf6 Similar stuff may be available more cheaply.

[Murphyv310]

Certainly for what I'm doing I'd not pay that kind of money. I've carefully made up a manual switch using a modern ceramic type of three way switch. Short leads with the minimum of centre core stripped. All screens short and tied together. Using the SDR and looking at the signal level meter, I can go between the switching box and direct connection. Up to around 40mHz there is no visible loss. On band 2 it reads 0.5db lower via the box. Once I get to 4G frequencies its dropped by 3.5db. Up at 1.8gHz its at 7db. So there are losses, to be fair less at the end of the spectrum I'm interested in. If I'm looking at the GHz end then I'd have to swap cables manually