Air Gap Antenna Switches

Name: Rig Cables® Rig Isolator™ Manual Air Gap Antenna Switch
Brand: Rig Cables
SKU: RCL-RI-MAN

Protect your rig. Simplify your station. Operate with confidence.

A fast, positive way to completely disconnect your incoming antenna feedlines from your radio equipment. Choose automatic switching from your 12 V station supply, or a simple manual lever.

Rig Isolator Auto Rig Isolator Manual

Assembled in the US
Dual SO239 / PL259 UHF
1-year warranty

Rig Isolator Auto, front view, with clear cover over dual UHF connectors — Auto

Rig Isolator Manual in red — Manual · Red

Rig Isolator Manual in black — Manual · Black

Why a physical air gap?

A lightning strike does not have to hit your antenna to ruin a station. Nearby strikes induce thousands of volts on feedlines, and the only path that is truly open is a physical air gap.

Unplugging every coax before a storm works, until you forget, leave for the weekend, or run the shack remotely. The Rig Isolator™ puts that disconnect in the line and keeps it there. In the off position it opens a real air gap between the antenna and the radio and bonds the antenna side to the chassis ground so static has somewhere to go.

The manual model is a simple mechanical switch you throw when you leave the bench. The automatic model watches your 12 V station supply: power the rig and the feedline mates; kill power and the air gap opens on its own, which is exactly what a remote or unattended station needs.

Choose your Rig Isolator™

Two models. Same dual-line air gap. Pick how you want to throw the switch.

Rig Isolator Auto with two coax lines connected

Rig Cables® Rig Isolator™

Automatic Air Gap Antenna Switch

SKU RCL-RI-AUTO · Patent pending

A hands-free way to completely disconnect your incoming antenna feedlines from your radio equipment. When your station powers up, it can automatically connect your antennas. When power is removed, it instantly isolates them, making it ideal for everyday use, remote stations, Flexradio, and lightning-prone setups.

Automatic operation — closes (connects) when DC is applied; opens (fully disconnects) when DC is removed
11–14 VDC operation (3 A max) — powers from your station supply or a relay connected to your rig’s 12 VDC output
Includes DC pigtail connector — ready to wire into your power distribution out of the box
Design by WR9R

Rig Isolator Auto specifications
SKU	RCL-RI-AUTO
RF connectors	Dual SO239 / PL259 UHF
Coax lines	Two, switched simultaneously
Construction	All-plastic, non-conductive
Power	11–14 VDC, 3 A max
Operation	Connects when DC is applied; air-gap disconnect when DC is removed
Included	DC pigtail connector
Warranty	1 year

Buy Rig Isolator Auto

Rig Isolator Manual in red and black, front view

Rig Isolator Manual, back view showing the manual levers — Levers

Rig Cables® Rig Isolator™

Manual Air Gap Antenna Switch

Red RCL-RI-MAN-RED Black RCL-RI-MAN-BLK

Flip the lever to connect your antennas when you’re operating — flip it again to fully isolate them when you’re done. It completely disconnects both incoming feedlines from your radio with one easy motion and no power required. Ideal for home, portable/field, and remote stations, and anyone in lightning-prone areas.

Fully manual operation — positive mechanical connect/disconnect with a simple, reliable switch action (no power required)
Heavy-duty internal contacts — designed for years of trouble-free make/break cycles
Mounting holes and clear labeling — easy to install in your shack exactly where you want it
Design by WR9R

Rig Isolator Manual specifications
SKUs	Red: RCL-RI-MAN-RED Black: RCL-RI-MAN-BLK
RF connectors	Dual SO239 / PL259 UHF
Coax lines	Two, switched simultaneously
Construction	All-plastic, non-conductive
Operation	Manual lever; no power required
Installation	Mounting holes, clear labeling
Warranty	1 year

Buy Rig Isolator Manual

Built into both models

Dual SO239 / PL259 UHFStandard, reliable RF interfaces for easy integration.
Two coax lines at oncePerfect for main + receive antennas or dual-rig setups.
All-plastic constructionNon-conductive, lightweight, and RF-friendly.
True air gapOpens a real gap and bonds the antenna side to chassis ground in the off position.
Design by WR9R

Say goodbye to

Forgetting to disconnect your feedline
Crawling behind equipment to swap cables
Coax connectors dangling or crushed behind the desk
Premature wear on your rig’s antenna jacks
Twisting PL-259 shells on and off
Static buildup and lightning-induced surge paths into your radio

Built for hams, by hams — clean, reliable, and engineered to last.

Customer review

★★★★★ Customer review · Rig Isolator Auto

“This device has been an amazing addition to my setup. It is very well made… I would highly recommend this Isolator to any serious operator.”

— Jonathan Wixson, review on rigcables.com

Auto vs. Manual

Feature	Rig Isolator Auto	Rig Isolator Manual
Operation	Automatic: connects when DC is applied, disconnects when DC is removed	Manual lever
Power	11–14 VDC, 3 A max	None required
RF connectors	Dual SO239 / PL259 UHF	Dual SO239 / PL259 UHF
Coax lines	Two, switched simultaneously	Two, switched simultaneously
Construction	All-plastic, non-conductive	All-plastic, non-conductive
Ideal for	Everyday use, remote stations, Flexradio, lightning-prone setups	Home, portable/field, and remote stations; lightning-prone areas
SKU	RCL-RI-AUTO	RCL-RI-MAN-RED (red) RCL-RI-MAN-BLK (black)
Warranty	1 year	1 year
Buy	Buy Auto	Buy Manual

Questions? Talk to Rig Cables.

Not sure which model fits your station? Reach out and we’ll help.