[R-390] PIN Diode Update

[Mark Huss]

I'm no expert, but frankly I would consider PIN diode switching a no-go 
on anything under 20 MHz unless it absolutely, positively must be a 
solid-state switch.  and even then I would probably look at 1N914's 
heavily biased in forward conduction for RF turn-on, and heavily biased 
in reverse for RF off condition.  Frankly, I would rather go for 
mechanical relays.  The Omron G5Y and G6Y being in the $4-$8 range.  If 
I did not have the power budget, the Omron G6EK series of latching 
relays has good isolation below 20-30 MHz, at least as good as diodes.

Perry Sandeen wrote:
> GM List,
>
> Thanks to the help of Andy Masters, Collin N4TUA, and Bob Camp I may have come up with some reasonable cost PIN diodes.  Bob said that a lot of what's on the market these days has a fairly small minority carrier lifetime which is OK for VHF but not HF.  I don’t know how to select what would work for my VLF loop.  Amplification of information appreciated.
>
> Below is a list of what I was able to find on the WWW.  Someone will have to tell me what will work.  I was looking for affordable  prices as I wanted to use 10 for my loop.
>
> Sources for Motorola MPN3404 PIN Diode.  Prices were from 25 cents to $1 each 
>
> Circuit Specialists Inc. WWW.Web-tronics.com 
> 220 S Country Club Dr. #2 Mesa, AZ 85210
>   
> kitsandparts,com (Also torroids up the wazoo)
>
> Debco electronics.com
>
> Other low cost PIN Diode sources:
> Surplus Sales of Nebraska www.surplussales.com (Surprise-Surprise)
>
> RF Parts Company www.rfparts.com
>
> Down East Microwave Inc.
>
> Tuning Diodes:
> Ocean State Electronics MVAM109.....$2.95
> Dan’s Small Parts (Currently closed due to his severe accident) 
>
> Mouser and all the other usual suspects all have the HP axial lead types from $5 to $10
>
> Regards,
>
> Perrier
>
>
>
>       
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