DX Engineering RXSHARE Audio Switch for Multi- and Single-Operator Contesting Now Available

In the heat of an Amateur Radio contest, when every contact counts and each multiplier matters, serious competitors look for an edge that can push them to the top. With decades of experience competing in high-level contests, the experts at DX Engineering understand the hurdles contesters face, especially when a pair of operators need to hear the same receiver outputs. So the team at DX Engineering went to work on a simple but elegant solution.

The result: the DX Engineering RXSHARE Audio Switch.

This flexible audio switching device enables two operators to hear exactly what they want to hear—whenever they want to hear it. With the RXSHARE Audio Switch placed between contesters, the two-person team has complete control of the specific audio they want fed to their stereo headphones, while either operating two separate radios or one shared radio. This translates into better coordination between operators, fewer interruptions, less fatigue, more QSOs and higher scores. The RXSHARE has undergone extensive testing and has been successfully used in competition by world-class operators.

Here’s how it works: Each operator controls a three-position switch that allows them to listen to one, the other, or both channels of audio. These selections can be changed independently by each operator quickly and easily thanks to the unit’s light-touch, silent rocker switches.

In “Multi-Two” or “Multi-Single” contesting scenarios, for example, the RXSHARE lets one operator hear when a new station is ready to be worked or when the other operator is going to work them. Using the RXSHARE in the “Separate Radios” mode, each operator may choose to listen to Radio 1 audio or Radio 2 audio in both ears, or either operator can listen to the audio from both radios in each ear. In the “Shared Radio” mode, the RXSHARE provides a convenient way of splitting the audio output of a single radio. Both operators can share the receive audio, or either operator can select audio from a sub-receiver.

The device is useful for single-operator/two-radio contesting, too. An operator can listen to the same audio in both ears from a single radio, or hear the audio from each radio in one ear for simultaneous CQ-ing and tuning for new contacts. Advanced operators can even manage two pileups at once on different bands.

The sturdy, stainless steel RXSHARE (10.50” W x 2.50” H x 3.25” D) features a clearly marked front panel and two sets of stereo headphone outputs including 1/4 inch (6.35mm) and 1/8 inch (3.5mm) stereo jacks to accommodate headphones or headsets with either type of plug. Audio levels are controlled by the transceiver AF gain controls. Audio from typical radio headphone jacks to the RXSHARE input phone jacks are easily connected with user supplied patch cables with 1/4 inch (6.35mm) stereo phone plugs at each end.

SEE THE RXSHARE AUDIO SWITCH FOR SINGLE- AND MULTI-OPERATOR CONTESTING AT DX ENGINEERING.