Usually, an external box with a relay or electronic switch is used to switch from the transmitting antenna to the beverage. A connection to the transceiver's T/R switching needs to be made to control it as well as a power source.

In high-power contest stations these antennas are frequently used on 80 and 160 meters and must also contain a means of protecting the receiver front end against damage from other nearby transmitters that might be transmitting at the same time. Many front ends have been damaged in multi-transmitter stations this way. Shouldn't be a problem in a single-transmitter QRP station, though, but it is good to know that even though they receive the signals weaker than say a dipole, they can produce quite a voltage on a strong local signal. You may need to consider protection from local AM MW Broadcast stations.

I have always wanted to play with Beverage antennas, but that's a luxury my small city lot won't allow!