Thoughts on protecting Grape 2 while transmitting...

[Brad Brooks]

First, great to see and meet some of you at Hamvention. Dr. Frissell's talk during the antenna forum was outstanding. 

I want some additional guidance on how best to protect my Grape 2 node (1023) while I transmit during normal other ham radio operations. 

While I typically run 100w, and sometimes QRP, I can run up to 600W. I am protecting the unit using an RF Limiter (DXE-RG5000HD). I was thinking of using a switching relay to disconnect the antenna to the grape while transmitting (on my other radios.) This would result in the Grape 2's receive antenna being disconnected from .5 seconds to up to 60 seconds while the other rigs transmit, depending upon mode.

While I typically run 100w, and sometimes QRP, I can run up to 600W. 

In the interest of providing the best data overall, is it better to:

1. Allow the intermittent switching/disconnection of the Grape 2 node's receive antenna, controlled by a switching relay, during the time that I am transmitting?

2. Disconnect/disable RX samples on the Grape 2 on the hours/days/weekends that I intend to use my station for contest and DX activities?

3. Other?

73 Brad WF7T

Nashville TN EM66pe

Grape 2 node 1023

[John Gibbons]

It all depends on how close the 2 antenna'a are.  If you have good separation 

than you're just going to swamp the front end when you're xmiting but if the coupling is 

too close you could damage the input preamp.  There is diode protection on the input 

stage so you should be OK but every situation is different and 1 answer doesn't fit 

all situations.

Using relays to disconnect the antenna during transmission would be a sure way to 

project it.  

John N8OBJ

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