Z10080A
Bypass/Transfer Relay
The Z10080A is an add-on bypass or transfer relay, usable
with the Z10040B Norton amplifier or similar preamplifiers.
The Z10040B has an input relay that disconnects the
amplifier input and grounds (through resistors) the RF input. This is intended
as a safety measure, to prevent the amplifier from seeing potentially excessive
signal levels when power is removed. The excessive signal levels might occur if
the Z10040B is used near high power transmitters or from nearby lightning
strikes.
Some Z10040B owners have requested a different
configuration; when power is removed, the RF input is connected to the RF
output. It's not a simple matter to revise the Z10040B design to accomplish
this, particularly if the current safe-when-off configuration is retained as an
option. I've instead designed a small printed circuit board holding a relay,
diode and gas trap. It can be added to a Z10040B enclosure as illustrated below.
To make installation simple, the board has been designed for plug in connections
to the enclosure and the Z10040B, via a series of short extension cables.
The simplified view below shows how the Z10080A is
normally used. When the DC power is removed from the amplifier and the Z10080A
board, the input (J1) is connected with the output (J2) thereby bypassing the
amplifier. When power is applied, the amplifier is connected back in line.
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The Z10080A manual is available by clicking
here, or
from my Documents page.
The Z10080A is a small printed circuit board, containing a DPDT
relay of the same type used in the Z10040B and other Clifton Laboratories
products. The board has provisions for optional 3-pin headers and an optional
"gas trap" over-voltage protection device. |
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The photo below shows a Z10080A installed in a Z10040B Norton Amplifier with
enclosure. All connections are "plug in" so that the Z10080A or the Z10040B may
be installed or removed without soldering or de-soldering.
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The Z10080A's key specifications are provided below. Plots of isolation and
through loss versus frequency are available in the
Z10080A's
manual.
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Specification |
Value |
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Size |
1.25 inches x 1.25 inches (32mm x 32mm) |
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Isolation (between open contacts) |
70 dB at 1 MHz, 40 dB at 32 MHz |
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Loss (between closed contacts) |
Typically less than 0.2 dB |
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Maximum Power |
100 mw (receive only) |
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Operate/Release Time |
Typically 5 ms |
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Connectors |
Standard 3-pin header, spacing 0.1” or
direct solder. Outside two pins ground; center pin active. |
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Power Required |
12V DC at 10mA typical. |
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Price
To accommodate various installation arrangements that
Z10040B builders have used, the Z10080A is available with several options. A
complete parts list of each option can be found in the manual.
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Item |
Description |
Price |
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Base kit |
PCB, Relay and diode.
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$7.50 |
Note: Options 1 and 2 are mutually exclusive. Order Option 1 or Option 2 but
not both.
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Option 1 |
3-pin sockets on the PCB, hookup wire and sub-mini
Teflon coax cable and pins to make up jumper cables as illustrated in the manual
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$6.50 |
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Option 2 |
Extension cables are soldered to the Z10080B board.
Parts include hook up wire, sub-mini Teflon coax cable, sockets and pins to make
the extension cables as illustrated in the manual.
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$5.50 |
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Option 3 |
4-40-1/2 inch (12.7mm) stand-off and mounting
hardware
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$1.00 |
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Option 4 |
Gas trap
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$1.50 |
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Postage and Packing* |
Shipping by First Class Mail within the US and
Canada
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$1.75 |
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Postage and Packing* |
Shipping by Air Mail to DX locations
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$2.75 |
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Virginia Sales Tax |
If the shipping address is within the Commonwealth
of Virginia, please add 5% sales tax to the price. |
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*There is no charge for postage when the Z10080A kit is ordered with a Z10040B
kit or assembled amplifier.
To order, send the appropriate amount by PayPal to
orders@cliftonlaboratories.com
along with a description of the options you have ordered.
Because this is such a simple kit, I don't plan to offer it
assembled. |
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