P.R. Hughes GT32A-6A LO Select Waveguide Switch Control SatCom 19" 2U Rack

P.R. Hughes GT32A-6A LO Select Waveguide Switch Control SatCom 19" 2U Rack

The P.R. Hughes GT32A-6A is a 19-inch 2U rackmount LO Select and Waveguide Switch Controller designed for satellite communications (SatCom) and microwave ground station applications. Manufactured by P.R. Hughes & Co., Inc. of Hudson, MA, the unit provides centralized control of multiple waveguide switch positions along with local oscillator selection for satellite uplink/downlink signal paths. The front panel is organized into discrete functional sections — RF Sample, Sample Out, XLATOR (Translator) Out, and Beacon — each with individual position indicators and alarm LEDs.

Specifications & What's Included

• Manufacturer: P.R. Hughes & Co., Inc. — Hudson, MA 01749
• Model: GT32A-6A
• Product designation (label): 3x W/G Switch & LO Select
• Form factor: 19" rackmount, 2U
• Front panel sections: RF Sample, Sample Out, XLATOR Out, Beacon, Local/Remote control, Power A/B
• Switch position indicators: POS1 and POS2 with ALM (alarm) LEDs per section
• Beacon outputs: LO1, LO2, EXT
• Control modes: Local and Remote (front-panel toggle)
• Dual power sections: Power A and Power B, each with ON/OFF switch and ALM indicators
• Rear connectors: 2x large D-sub connectors (J1, J2); 6x DB9 connectors (J3–J8)
• Included: White power cable (NEMA 5-15 plug, IEC connector)

Applications

The GT32A-6A is a ground station switch controller used in SatCom earth station and teleport facilities to route and switch waveguide signal paths between redundant or multiple LNBs, upconverters, amplifiers, and related microwave components. Waveguide switch controllers of this type are central to satellite uplink/downlink redundancy systems, allowing operators to switch between primary and backup signal paths — either locally from the front panel or remotely via control bus — without interrupting service. P.R. Hughes & Co. produced specialized SatCom switching and monitoring equipment for professional earth station and military satellite ground terminals. Units like this are typically found in C-band and Ku-band ground stations, teleports, and broadcast uplink facilities.