If you're ever in the market for a coax switch, get the Diamond brand 2 or 3 position switch. With those you feel like you're getting quality for your money. They are made like a tank, heavy and give a solid feel when you switch it. Plus the signal loss on the diamond is so low, it's almost unmeasurable. I have three of them. A three position, and 2 two position switches.
I see on your switch the copper ribbon is a lot shorter 3/8" than the one I have that's maybe 15 yrs old. Like everyone trying to cut corners anyway than can. Also, good point about the small nut/screw and the wax..
I don't think they are. The Alpha Delta 2 position switch I purchased back in 1997 seems more heavy duty to me than these new Alpha Delta switches they sell today. Probibly making them lighter, and selling them for a lot more. The tank of coax switches to me are the Diamond switches. They are heavy when you hold them, and they make a nice solid audible click when you switch them. But, all I've found is a 3 position in the Diamond switch and I needed 4. MFJ makes a 4 position and I have that one as well, but it feels mushey when you switch it, and I don't really trust it.
@@nightflightgl66 i have changed the way I wire my shack. Since I only receive and don’t transmit I use Stridsberg Engineering multicouplers. I have 5 of them. No switching required. All radios are “hot” all the time. Best thing since sliced bread. But don’t transmit anywhere close to them or they will fry. Don’t ask me how I know…
Good informative video. I've have the same switch for 20+ years and it's still working as good as the day I bought it. So just in case it goes wack, I'll remember this video. For that I thank you. BTW my switch gets used vigorously every day.
I also have an Alpha Delta 2 position switch that I bought back in 1997. That switch is still working as good as new. This 4 position didn't take long to start going intermittent. I don't know if manufacturing isn't what it used to be, or what the problem is or was. Alpha Delta makes very good products. For coax switchesI also like Diamond.
Looks to me like the factory might have put the wrong wheel on the wrong shaft? Short vs long one. I really can't see in your video good enough to see the mechanism well enough to see what's happening. I tore mine apart ànd went through it as it had been exposed to salt water. I re painted it cleaned it lubed the shaft, used Deoxit to clean and it has worked flawless since. I would never use oil and hot glue. Get new nylon screws with washers.
I feel the Alpha Delta switches are in the top 3. For me Diamond switches are the best, but they don't have a 4 position switch. I've been using Alpha Delta switches since the mid 90s. I use the big Alpha Delta DX-ULTRA antenna. I put that up early 90s and it's still going strong. I don't know if this is a common issue with their 4 position switches, but it was an easy fix. The price has gone up almost $20 on these. I couldn't believe it If you can get one, I think you will like it
Good video would you recommend that switch? I’m getting ready to buy a new coax switch I need a four (4) position switch and I was looking at that one and the MFJ 2704 I think is the number, I was needing it for a antenna switch, anyway thanks a real good video. Mike KE8BXM
I also have the MFJ 4 position switch. It's not bad, but it doesn't have the same positive feel as the alpha Delta switch. It is heavy and it does work however just has a different feel and doesn't have the built-in surge protector the Alpha Delta switch has. I think the Alpha Delta switch I got that you see in the video was just a manufacturing oversight, or production mistake. I haven't seen any negative reviews, or posts of anyone else having this issue yet. The Alpha Delta is a top notch coax switch, and antenna manufacturer. My Alpha Delta DX-Ultra Dipole has been up since the early 90s and still going. My 2 position AD switch is from 98 still working fine. So the simple answer is yes, I would still recommend this switch. If you hook it to your station ground, or just a ground you have the protection of the built in replaceable arc pill, you can disconnect your antennas by turning it to the center ground position, and it feels nice with a solid indent when you turn it. Also there are 2 versions of this switch. The one I have that you see, and Alpha Delta has a desktop model of this same switch that sits on your bench, or desk. It's very heavy and it's angled for easy use and has a wing nut for the ground connector. Both are the same inside. Also thanks for watching and visiting my little channel. On my channel I don't beg for donations, or subscriptions, I just try to upload when something I feel may be of interest, or helpful, maybe a little educational, and showing some various shortwave stations I receive so anyone can see what you can hear on the shortwave bands.
Here in the US, they are over $100 now. They are still good switches, but I feel the quality is maybe just slightly less than it used to be. But this just could have been one that slipped through in production.
I don't know what's going on at Alpha Delta in their production. I've had quite a few tell me their 4 position switch has gone intermittent on position 1 or 4. My 2 position Alpha Delta switch from 1997 has never failed. I wish Diamond made a 4 position switch, I would have gotten that one instead. Diamond's 3 position switch is a tank.
Alpha Delta is pretty good still, but not as good a quality as they used to be. My switch from the 90s is still going good. Been seeing were quite a few people have been having problems with the new stuff. So the modern way make it cheaper, sell it higher.