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SixPak Manual rev. 16.1 

 September 12, 2016 

Page 1 

 

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 

Summary of Contents for SixPack

Page 1: ...nside 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 st...

Page 2: ...em by taking the spring off with a small needle nose pliers slip off the keeper then put the spring back on Armature keepers removal Spring tension is adjusted during testing before shipping it requir...

Page 3: ...os are physically separated it is possible to connect two control boxes in parallel The LEDs would indicate to the two operators which bands were being used by the other operator To use in this manner...

Page 4: ...to avoid interference Teflon SO 239 or N connectors for reliability Extremely low insertion loss Will work up to 54 MHz Can be controlled from Automatic band decoders with 12 V DC outputs SixPak Contr...

Page 5: ...e and set up to the instructions in this link http www hamation com ControlCenter html Note The dual controllers are good to use with radios that are installed side by side and the operator s can reac...

Page 6: ...SixPak Manual rev 16 1 September 12 2016 Page 6 RatMaster just like the RatPak push button controller but with built in band decoder https www arraysolutions com ratmaster...

Page 7: ...port and measured at radio port SWR Radio to any Antenna port 1 1 1 1 1 15 1 Power Rating all modes CW SSB RTTY 5 kW 5 kW 3 kW This measurement is calculated not made Dimensions Relay Box 11 5 x 6 x...

Page 8: ...SixPak Manual rev 16 1 September 12 2016 Page 8 Relay Box Schematics...

Page 9: ...SixPak Manual rev 16 1 September 12 2016 Page 9 Dual Rotary Controller Schematics...

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