Ratings of coax antenna switches

In a recent article I discussed how InsertionLoss implies InsertionVSWR in lossless devices.

This article looks at measurements of a few antenna switches at hand.

Daiwa CS-201G II

It is difficult to find comprehensive data on the very popular Daiwa CS-201 series switches.

CS201spec

Above is the data from the packet of one of these switches, a CS-201G II. The specifications are pretty loose, and one must depend on one's own measurements.

CS201N01

Above, the CS-201G II, a basic CS-201 series switch with N connectors, advertised as useful to 2000MHz where InsertionLoss is given as 1.2dB (or better?). If there were no TransmissionLoss in the switch, that would imply InsertionVSWR=3.6, but there is probably some significant TransmissionLoss and InsertionVSWR would be somewhat less. Nevertheless, IMHO InsertionLoss=1.2dB indicates it as unsuitable such frequencies.

CS201Thru500

Above, a scan of InsertionVSWR 1-500MHz suggests the switch is quite good to 500MHz where maximum InsertionVSWR=1.15.

CS201Iso500In some applications, isolation is very important. Isolation=-S21, and above is a scan of S21 shows isolation to be quite good as switches go. The scan does not go to 2000MHz, but the trend is that isolation will be considerably poorer than the specified 45dB at 2000MHz.

But, all in all, a fairly good switch for use up to 500MHz.

D-5200

The D-5200 was sold by Dick Smith, and is widely available under a range of model names. It appears to be a Japanese clone of the Daiwa CS-201A, but the mounting lugs are located differently. Internally, it is similar and they weight within 1% of each other.

These are often rated as suitable to 600MHz (as is the Daiwa CS-201A… if you are going to steal the design, then steal the specs).

Experience says that you cannot get good performance to 600MHz with UHF series connectors, so lets see how it measures up.

D5200Thru500

Above is a scan of insertion VSWR to 500MHz. Maximum VSWR is 1.3, it really isn't suited to use above 150MHz.

D5200Thru150

Above, the VSWR scan to 150MHz shows maximum InsertionVSWR=1.2, usable but quite usable for most non-instrumenation purposes to 60MHz.

D5200Iso150

Above is the isolation plot to 150MHz, again usable to 150MHz and quite good to 60MHz.

Home made

The following describes a home made switch where the emphasis was on low InsertionVSWR (at the expense of isolation) to 60MHz.

 

HB00102

The switch was built into one end of a small die cast aluminium box.

HB00103

Above is an inside view that shows the ground bonding applied over the top of the wiring.

HB00101Above is a tilted view that reveals a little of the internals. The centre conductor is wired using flat brass strip which roughly follows the brass ground plane to achieve less disruption of Z0.

D5200Thru150

Above is the InsertionVSWR plot to 150MHz, showing Insertion VSWR quite good for HF, and acceptable for most purposes to 60MHz.

HB001Iso150

Conclusions

Specifications for ham grade coax switches is usually sparse and hardly informative, especially considering advances in instrumentation.