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Array Solutions' SixPak User's Manual
Congratulations !
You have selected one of the finest, most reliable and fastest antenna switches on the market to
automate and select antennas for your DX, communications, or contesting requirements. Please
contact us if you have any question. Also please send a picture and description of your station
showing the SixPak, and I will add it to our Users Group page. The SixPak has two components:
a relay matrix and a control box, there are several options for the controller.
The relay matrix allows the selection of any 6 antennas by 2 radios or feedlines. Its lockout
circuitry prevents both radios from selecting the same antenna. (The 6x1 type of SixPak is now
replaced by our RatPak remote 6 way antenna switch.)
The usual set-up has one SixPak dual rotary control box, which is manually operated from the
radios positions. The control box for the 6x2 contains two rotary switches and 12 LEDs, so the
operator can see which antennas are selected.
Set-up
The SixPak can be set up inside or outside the shack. Inside setup of the SixPak is accomplished
by wiring two 6-wire cables (rotor cable will work) or just use two cables with a total of 13
conductors inside from the terminal strips of the SixPak to the terminal strips in the control box.
Wire the control box before you assemble the circuit board to the box. It will be much easier this
way. Radio A is the terminal strip on the left of the box, and radio B is the terminal strip on the
right of the box. The terminal strips are silk-screen labeled for the 10 to 160 meter bands.
The other end of the cable should be connected to the terminal strip on the SixPak relay matrix
circuit board. It's terminal strips are labeled A10 through A160 and B10 through B160. Other
bands can be substituted. TIP - put a plug like a Cinch™ Jones Plug on your cables so you
can disconnect them during thunder storms.
The SixPak has four have four #6 hardware screws to fasten the cover to the circuit board tray.
The dual rotary controller box has two. Just remove the screws to access the inside of the boxes.
Also take a look at the corners of the SixPak cover if you plan on installing it outside to verify
the paint has sealed the corners of the cover. If not, a dab of RTV, or silicon sealant on the inside
SixPak Manual rev. 16.1 – September 12, 2016
Page 1
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Summary of Contents for Array Solutions SixPak
- Page 1 The dual rotary controller box has two. Just remove the screws to access the inside of the boxes. Also take a look at the corners of the SixPak cover if you plan on installing it outside to verify the paint has sealed the corners of the cover. If not, a dab of RTV, or silicon sealant on the inside SixPak Manual rev.
- Page 2 Tri-band beams or a multi-band antenna on a single feedline: Connect the wires of the bands to the SAME terminal of the SixPak relay matrix corresponding to the connector to which that antenna is attached. The LED will light showing the band being used at the moment; but the second radio will not be able to use the multi-band antenna because the lockout will be in effect.
- Page 3 Shielded wire is not necessary and you may use any good quality cable. Place the SixPak tray inside the cover and use the #6 hardware supplied to attach the tray inside the cover. The lower lip of the cover will help protect the connectors from the elements if mounted outside on the tower.
- Page 4 Array Solutions band decoders, Micro-ham decoders, W9XT, Top Ten Devices and other band decoders can be used to easily drive the SixPak. We even have a special level converter board with isolated relays that can be used to drive a SixPak outside remotely located on a tower.
- Page 5 Note: The dual controllers are good to use with radios that are installed side by side and the operator(s) can reach the controller. Otherwise, the individual controllers shown below, like the RatMaster, the PushButton or even the Rotary controller for the SixPak can be used at each operating position.
- Page 6 RatMaster, just like the RatPak push button controller but with built-in band decoder: https://www.arraysolutions.com/ratmaster SixPak Manual rev. 16.1 – September 12, 2016 Page 6...
- Page 7 Measurements made with calibrated HP power source, HP power meter, HP spectrum analyzer. These are typical numbers measured with a production unit. Array Solutions 2611 Belt Line Road Suite #109 Sunnyvale, Texas, 75182 +1 214-954-7140 Phone +1 214-954-7142 Fax info@arraysolutions.com www.arraysolutions.com SixPak Manual rev. 16.1 – September 12, 2016 Page 7...
- Page 8 Relay Box Schematics SixPak Manual rev. 16.1 – September 12, 2016 Page 8...
- Page 9 Dual Rotary Controller Schematics SixPak Manual rev. 16.1 – September 12, 2016 Page 9...
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