[IRCA] VACTROL interest

["R. Colin Newell" <coffeecanuck@xxxxxxxxx>]

Since Nick Hall-Patch got me interested in the power of the VACTROL remote
control
concept for FLAG antennas I have been hooked -

Naturally I did not stop at one unit but ended up making around 8 sets -

Each set consists of a "in shack" remote control unit which contains
a 10-turn POT and a 14-turn calibrated Vernier knob and small power supply
for generating the voltage/current necessary for the VACTROL at the antenna
end - and
a BNC connector to connect to the remote antenna head.

At the antenna end is a metal box with a BNC Coaxial connector,
a Vactrol opti-isolator and assorted components.

I supply both boxes and the potential owner of the VACTROL supplies
the 7 - 12 V Wall wart and enough RG58 or RG59 coax with BNC connectors
to connect the two boxes.

I have uploaded some photos over at -

http://www.dxer.ca/index.php/home-extra/gallery/category/9-vactrol-2016

and will add some schematics.

You can also order the boards from OSH Park directly (I have open sourced
my design on there so anyone with some soldering skills and the desire to
build can do it themselves...)

I will also create a detailed review of the process of building the boxes
and
deploying a FLAG antenna. As other FLAG users have pointed out,
a VACTROL or remote control antenna termination gives a DXer one of
the most powerful tools for wiping out unwanted interference from stations.

-- 
Colin Newell - Editor and creator *of *Coffeecrew.com
<http://www.Coffeecrew.com> and DXer.ca <http://www.DXer.ca> -
VA7WWV | Twitter @CoffeeCrew | Victoria - Canada
_______________________________________________
IRCA mailing list
IRCA@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://montreal.kotalampi.com/mailman/listinfo/irca

Opinions expressed in messages on this mailing list are those of the original contributors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the IRCA, its editors, publishing staff, or officers

For more information: http://www.ircaonline.org

To Post a message: irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx