[Boatanchors] T/R switch question _ 221122_follow-up

[corner5]

Hey BA folks, you are great! Inside 48 hrs you have answered my 
questions as well as filling in with some excellent background.  Thank 
you much.
.
The B&W switch works FB with 115 VAC.  I like the idea of simply 
parallel tagging on a secondary relay to mute (if needed). The T/R 
concept was good to get and help me build upon.
.
I was asked unit directions I might wish to go.  Well I have always had 
my eye on the good old viking Ranger-1.  I'm hoping to pair this with a 
receiver that is generationally and functionally similar.  Perhaps a 
Collins R75A series?  Mode wise I'm drawn to AM for both its nice audio 
as well as the easy going, friendly folks that are there.  And I'm also 
up for CW but need to get far more comfortable with it.  As an aside, my 
QTH struggles with awful low band noise and this of course does not bode 
well for 75M AM QSO.  I'm currently exploring adding a separate receive 
antenna.  I do not have a big lot, and therefore no chance of a 
beverage, but perhaps a magnetic loop followed by a pre-amp might work.  
To be seen.
.
So, thanks again.  This is fun, and I look forward to expanding myself 
in this direction.  yes, I'm likely back with more questions later...
.
.paul.
.

On 11/22/23 17:52, corner5 wrote:
> hi all,
> .
> I am new this group as well as new to the world of BA.  I am starting 
> to collect pieces for my new (to me) BA station and have a couple of 
> questions about T/R switches.  I currently have two of them and seek 
> advice how best to use them.
> .
> Switch-1 == B&W model 377B.  The coil tests good (800 ohm per spec), 
> but I am unable to confirm what voltage to apply to the coil to toggle 
> it (AC, DC, value?).  The coil is labeled as follows: "C.P. Clare & Co 
> E.C. Coil Relay Turns 11800 ohms 800 ohm 37E.C., 462-1391-2".  This 
> may need 115VAC, but I wanted to check so as not to fry the coil.  
> What voltage to use or how to determine same?
> .
> Switch-2 == Not labeled as to model but clearly resembles the classic 
> line of Dowkey units.  This unit's coil is nicely labeled as wanting 
> 115VAC and it works fine.  I have studied up about best practices 
> relating to toggling between a BA transmitter and separate receiver, 
> and have noted that it is recommend to utilize the secondary relay set 
> (not the primary RF one) to mute the receiver ideally just before 
> switching to the transmitter.  But... this particular Dowkey (no model 
> ID) does not have the secondary relay contacts.  My question here is 
> if it is still safe to use this T/R switch for this purpose?  If the 
> muting is a must, can I run a secondary relay for this need.  This 
> last has me a bit unsure due to exactly how to simultaneously toggle 
> both relays.
> .
> I don't want to over complicate this, but I am trying to build on 
> little funding yet still want to do it correctly.
> .
> thanks for any advice.
> .paul.
> .