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View Full Version : Model XS201 Coaxial Switch



Bulldog-Unit777
04-08-2012, 06:17 AM
A while ago I bought this XS-201 Skythumper coaxial switch fom Sparkys CB Shack. Like it because it had a good feel when switching and the case was very solid. The SO-239 jacks are of quality too. But in while my Cobra 2000 GTL seem to have developed an AC type hum when transmitting. Plus when I keyed up the SWR would slow go on the up climb. So I swapped microphones and did all the little tricks becasue there was a power supply located close by too. It baffled me and one day I took this coaxial switch out of line and all the problems went away! Torn apart the XS-201 and saw that the design is flawed allowing the power to arch to ground. What a piece of crap! Beware of anyones that look like this one. Skythumper, Workman and MFJ have simular ones, Bulldog.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa224/AmericanBLUZUMR/Model%20XS201%20Antenna%20Switch%20Box/100_9841.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa224/AmericanBLUZUMR/Model%20XS201%20Antenna%20Switch%20Box/100_9822.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa224/AmericanBLUZUMR/Model%20XS201%20Antenna%20Switch%20Box/100_9825-1.jpg

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa224/AmericanBLUZUMR/Model%20XS201%20Antenna%20Switch%20Box/100_9825.jpg
Check out the black on the left! That block is part of the switch and ground/shield circuit. Comes way too close to the center/hot path!