band switch contact ratings

[Mr Fix it]

If a ceramic band switch / rotary switch is rated at dc then how do you figure out what the rating is for each band or frequencies above dc.

Obviously the rating decreases as you go up in frequency but by how much.

What percentage of peak current will a switch handle over its rms current rating.

Assuming that the switch has adequate air flow to keep it cool.

Same questions a roller inductor

 

[Crusher]

Not sure on a bandswitch, but on a vacuum variable capacitor. They should be de rated by 60%. Also I would check on the amp rating/ Voltage rating of bandswitch. If this is for the same amp that will have a 6kV supply under load. That's going to be a pretty good sized tube. Meaning a lot of RF V.

 

[Mr Fix it]

rotary switch

Thanks for the reply. Im not sure why a company who sells a rotary switch for rf would only have a dc current rating for their switches. You would think that they would break down the current rating for different frequencies. I decided to use a 40 amp multi tech rotary switch. I added a second rotor and another set of contacts so the current rating is now doubled. I already had them so I figured why not. The rf voltage rating is 20kv so it will never flash. At one point I thought about using a roller inductor. But after a lot of thought and feedback from other hams I decided that it would not be wise. The rotary switch is the way to go. You can see the switch on amprepairguy.com.