Cute audio switch for dual K3s and a computer

[Rick Tavan N6XI]

I found a nifty audio switch box that lets me route audio from either of two
K3s or my computer to a single pair of shack speakers. It even has a
leftover switch position that I configured for Rig A on the left speaker and
Rig B on the right speaker (not recommended for contesting or for SSB
operation of any kind).  The device is a Sima SVS-14 and cost about $25
shipped from an Amazon secondary vendor.  For me, that beat finding adequate
switches and building a box with a lot of connectors. Prices vary wildly and
today's price appears to be $40+shipping, which seems high for the
application.

It's actually an A/V switch intended for home entertainment systems, so it
also switches four sources of composite or S-video. There is no video in my
shack but I did try using the composite connectors (RCA jacks) to switch my
hand key "backwards" through the switch to either K3. That didn't work
because the switch grounds the unused video "inputs" which in my case were
keying outputs and held the un-switched rig key-down. But I'm still happy
with the audio switching. Maybe some day I'll open the box and see if there
is a trace I can cut to disable the intentional grounding.

73,

/Rick

--

Rick Tavan N6XI
Truckee, CA
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[Joe Subich, W4TV-4]

Similar switches are available from many sources.  In the US,
try www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2049645#
which should be available in most stores for $21.99.

Radio Shack also lists the Sima switch for < $30 on-line
but it is currently out of stock.  

73,

   ... Joe, W4TV
 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: [hidden email]
> [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Rick Tavan N6XI
> Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2010 12:40 AM
> To: Elecraft Reflector
> Subject: [Elecraft] Cute audio switch for dual K3s and a computer
>
>
> I found a nifty audio switch box that lets me route audio
> from either of two K3s or my computer to a single pair of
> shack speakers. It even has a leftover switch position that I
> configured for Rig A on the left speaker and Rig B on the
> right speaker (not recommended for contesting or for SSB
> operation of any kind).  The device is a Sima SVS-14 and cost
> about $25 shipped from an Amazon secondary vendor.  For me,
> that beat finding adequate switches and building a box with a
> lot of connectors. Prices vary wildly and today's price
> appears to be $40+shipping, which seems high for the application.
>
> It's actually an A/V switch intended for home entertainment
> systems, so it also switches four sources of composite or
> S-video. There is no video in my shack but I did try using
> the composite connectors (RCA jacks) to switch my hand key
> "backwards" through the switch to either K3. That didn't work
> because the switch grounds the unused video "inputs" which in
> my case were keying outputs and held the un-switched rig
> key-down. But I'm still happy with the audio switching. Maybe
> some day I'll open the box and see if there is a trace I can
> cut to disable the intentional grounding.
>
> 73,
>
> /Rick
>
> --
>
> Rick Tavan N6XI
> Truckee, CA
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

______________________________________________________________
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Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

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