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Foot Switch Doesn't Work

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kg6mzs

Foot Switch Doesn't Work

Hello All,

I've connected a Heil foot switch to to rear panel PTT In RCA jack and
it doesn't key my K3.

I searched the archives here and found that Don W3FPR had suggested
testing the foot switch of another unfortunate, Dick K9OM, who suffered
the same problem. This thread went unresolved, AFAICT.

I've tested the Heil and it checks out.

Any ideas as to why my foot switch will not key the K3?

TIA,

Eric

KG6MZS

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Elecraft mailing list

Re: Foot Switch Doesn't Work

I use a donated Heil FS-3 foot switch plugged into PTT IN and it works
perfectly.

Try plugging a short circuit RCA plug into the K3 and checking if it
keys or not. The only other RCA socket in that line is KEY OUT to the
linear!

Regards,

Mike VP8NO

On 28/07/2020 13:11, kg6mzs wrote:

> Hello All,
>
> I've connected a Heil foot switch to to rear panel PTT In RCA jack and
> it doesn't key my K3.
>
> I searched the archives here and found that Don W3FPR had suggested
> testing the foot switch of another unfortunate, Dick K9OM, who suffered
> the same problem. This thread went unresolved, AFAICT.
>
> I've tested the Heil and it checks out.
>
> Any ideas as to why my foot switch will not key the K3?
>
> TIA,
>
> Eric
>
> KG6MZS

kg6mzs

Re: Foot Switch Doesn't Work

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the reply. K6MKF also suggested that. The shorted RCA
jumper placed in the PTT IN jack also does not key the K3, so it is
looking like it is something under the hood of the K3.

Thanks again,

Eric

KG6MZS

On 7/28/20 10:40 AM, Mike Harris via Elecraft wrote:

> I use a donated Heil FS-3 foot switch plugged into PTT IN and it works
> perfectly.
>
> Try plugging a short circuit RCA plug into the K3 and checking if it
> keys or not. The only other RCA socket in that line is KEY OUT to the
> linear!
>
> Regards,
>
> Mike VP8NO
>
> On 28/07/2020 13:11, kg6mzs wrote:
>> Hello All,
>>
>> I've connected a Heil foot switch to to rear panel PTT In RCA jack
>> and it doesn't key my K3.
>>
>> I searched the archives here and found that Don W3FPR had suggested
>> testing the foot switch of another unfortunate, Dick K9OM, who
>> suffered the same problem. This thread went unresolved, AFAICT.
>>
>> I've tested the Heil and it checks out.
>>
>> Any ideas as to why my foot switch will not key the K3?
>>
>> TIA,
>>
>> Eric
>>
>> KG6MZS
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W3LPL

Re: Foot Switch Doesn't Work

Does the PTT in the microphone connector work?

----- Original Message -----

From: "kg6mzs" <[hidden email]>
To: "Mike Harris" <[hidden email]>, [hidden email]
Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2020 6:17:47 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Foot Switch Doesn't Work

Hi Mike,

Thanks for the reply. K6MKF also suggested that. The shorted RCA
jumper placed in the PTT IN jack also does not key the K3, so it is
looking like it is something under the hood of the K3.

Thanks again,

Eric

KG6MZS

On 7/28/20 10:40 AM, Mike Harris via Elecraft wrote:

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kg6mzs

Re: Foot Switch Doesn't Work

Yes, when connected to the front panel jack, the PTT in the Kenwood
MC-60 works just fine.

Eric KG6MZS

On 7/28/20 2:28 PM, [hidden email] wrote:
> Does the PTT in the microphone connector work?
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
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Jim Rhodes-2

Re: Foot Switch Doesn't Work

When I check my PTT in port it shows about 4.75 V and 0.1 mA at the other
end of an RCA cable. What does yours read?

On Tue, Jul 28, 2020 at 5:33 PM kg6mzs <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Yes, when connected to the front panel jack, the PTT in the Kenwood
> MC-60 works just fine.
>
>
> Eric KG6MZS
>
>
> On 7/28/20 2:28 PM, [hidden email] wrote:
> > Does the PTT in the microphone connector work?
> >
> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
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>

--
Jim K0XU
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kg6mzs

Re: Foot Switch Doesn't Work

4.98v and 000 mA

On 7/28/20 3:50 PM, Jim Rhodes wrote:
> When I check my PTT in port it shows about 4.75 V and 0.1 mA at the
> other end of an RCA cable. What does yours read?
>
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Don Wilhelm

Re: Foot Switch Doesn't Work

In reply to this post by Jim Rhodes-2

Are you certain you have connected to the PTT IN jack. If you just felt
your way behind the K3, you could have plugged into the KEY OUT jack
instead.

Make Jim's check on the voltage at the other end of an RCA cable, but as
an extra step, short that RCA cable and see if it lights the red TX LED.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 7/28/2020 6:50 PM, Jim Rhodes wrote:
> When I check my PTT in port it shows about 4.75 V and 0.1 mA at the other
> end of an RCA cable. What does yours read?
>
>
> On Tue, Jul 28, 2020 at 5:33 PM kg6mzs <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> Yes, when connected to the front panel jack, the PTT in the Kenwood
>> MC-60 works just fine.
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W3LPL

Re: Foot Switch Doesn't Work

In reply to this post by kg6mzs

Hi Eric,

My PTT jack has 4.9 volts when unkeyed.

This is certainly a mysterious problem... If your microphone PTT
works then the electronics in your K3 is working properly.

As far as I know the microphone PTT and PTT jack on the rear of the
K3 are connected together! In a pinch it wouldn't be difficult to
build a simple cable that allows you to use the microphone PTT
instead of the rear panel PTT jack. Heil microphone adapters
already do that for you.

73
Frank
W3LPL

----- Original Message -----

From: "kg6mzs" <[hidden email]>
To: [hidden email], [hidden email]
Sent: Tuesday, July 28, 2020 10:32:38 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Foot Switch Doesn't Work

Yes, when connected to the front panel jack, the PTT in the Kenwood MC-60 works just fine.

Eric KG6MZS

On 7/28/20 2:28 PM, [hidden email] wrote:

Does the PTT in the microphone connector work?

----- Original Message -----

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Jim Rhodes-2

Re: Foot Switch Doesn't Work

In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm

Yes, and the 0.1 mA was with the rig in transmit due to the ammeter across
the contacts. ;-) If it doesn't come close to these values look for a
corroded jack or an open connection on the jack.

On Tue, Jul 28, 2020 at 6:19 PM Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Are you certain you have connected to the PTT IN jack. If you just felt
> your way behind the K3, you could have plugged into the KEY OUT jack
> instead.
>
> Make Jim's check on the voltage at the other end of an RCA cable, but as
> an extra step, short that RCA cable and see if it lights the red TX LED.
>
> 73,
> Don W3FPR
>
> On 7/28/2020 6:50 PM, Jim Rhodes wrote:
> > When I check my PTT in port it shows about 4.75 V and 0.1 mA at the other
> > end of an RCA cable. What does yours read?
> >
> >
> > On Tue, Jul 28, 2020 at 5:33 PM kg6mzs <[hidden email]> wrote:
> >
> >> Yes, when connected to the front panel jack, the PTT in the Kenwood
> >> MC-60 works just fine.
> ______________________________________________________________
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>

Andrew Hebden

Re: Foot Switch Doesn't Work

In reply to this post by kg6mzs

Hi,
I went through something similar but it turned out to be the centre contact on the PTT IN phono socket in the K3S. I tested the voltage on the socket and everything seemed fine, also checked the cabling and microswitch on the foot switch. Upon further inspection it looked like the inner connection on the socket appeared to be splayed out slightly and just didn't make contact. In fairness I did get the odd occasion that it worked but was certainly not reliable. I had tried other phono plugs but to no avail.
Rather than open up the box I slightly squeezed the phono plug on the footswitch to an oval shape. Not had a problem since.
Must remember to fix the socket at some point.

Andrew
G8BYB
-----Original Message-----
From: [hidden email] <[hidden email]> On Behalf Of kg6mzs
Sent: 28 July 2020 17:11

Hello All,

I've connected a Heil foot switch to to rear panel PTT In RCA jack and it doesn't key my K3.

I searched the archives here and found that Don W3FPR had suggested testing the foot switch of another unfortunate, Dick K9OM, who suffered the same problem. This thread went unresolved, AFAICT.

I've tested the Heil and it checks out.

Any ideas as to why my foot switch will not key the K3?

TIA,

Eric

KG6MZS

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kg6mzs

Re: Foot Switch Doesn't Work - Now Working

Hello Reflector,

For absolutely no reason I can discern the footswitch is working this
morning.

While I am happy about that, I know that it just didn't start working
because it "felt like it" like some woo woo types might suggest. I sure
would like to know what the ghost in the machine really was.

I guess we don't get to know everything.

Thanks to all who took time to help me. I really appreciate it!

73 Eric KG6MZS

On 7/29/20 5:54 AM, Andrew Hebden wrote:

> Hi,
> I went through something similar but it turned out to be the centre contact on the PTT IN phono socket in the K3S. I tested the voltage on the socket and everything seemed fine, also checked the cabling and microswitch on the foot switch. Upon further inspection it looked like the inner connection on the socket appeared to be splayed out slightly and just didn't make contact. In fairness I did get the odd occasion that it worked but was certainly not reliable. I had tried other phono plugs but to no avail.
> Rather than open up the box I slightly squeezed the phono plug on the footswitch to an oval shape. Not had a problem since.
> Must remember to fix the socket at some point.
>
> Andrew
> G8BYB
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Rick Robinson

Re: Foot Switch Doesn't Work - Now Working

Along the same line, use this thinking with your PL259/SO239 connectors.
Sometimes even new ones don’t make a solid connection.

>
>
> --
Rick Genesis 1-29
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W3LPL

Reliable PL-259 UHF connector engagement

PL-259's are excellent connectors when installed and used correctly.
Unlike N and BNC connectors, a PL-259 is dependent on proper
engagement of its outer shell and interconnecting teeth to the mating
SO-239 socket.

Use a small pair of pliers to snug up -- not tighten -- the shell.
Be careful not to crush the shell by exuberant use of force!
It takes just a few seconds to assure a reliable connection.

When engaging the center pin, be suspicious if the mating force
is unusually low.

73
Frank
W3LPL

----- Original Message -----

From: "Rick Robinson" <[hidden email]>
Cc: [hidden email]
Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2020 4:34:52 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Foot Switch Doesn't Work - Now Working

Along the same line, use this thinking with your PL259/SO239 connectors.
Sometimes even new ones don’t make a solid connection.

>
>
> --
Rick Genesis 1-29
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ANDY DURBIN

Reliable PL-259 UHF connector engagement

When I worked in the aerospace industry it was common practice to use special "pliers" for removing "Cannon" multi-pin round connectors. These were not any old plumber's pipe wrench (you know - the ones that plumbers use to destroy chrome finish bathroom fittings) but a special tool designed for this purpose. The jaws were rubber padded and exactly the right shape to match the connector locking ring.

If a tool is need to secure a PL-259 then someone will have manufactured a similar tool. Can anyone point me to an advertisement or data sheet for one? If not, I'll continue to use my fingers.

Andy, k3wyc
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Jim Brown-10

Re: Reliable PL-259 UHF connector engagement

In reply to this post by W3LPL

On 7/29/2020 11:21 AM, Walter Underwood wrote:
> That is exactly why I consider UHF connectors to be a poor design.

There's nothing wrong with REAL UHF connectors, like Amphenol 83-1SP,
and surplus adapters stamped with MIL spec numbers. It's the cheap junk
connectors that cause the problems. My definition of a junk connector
(in North America) is one that doesn't carry an Amphenol part number or
MIL-spec number.

73, Jim K9YC
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George Danner-2

Re: Reliable PL-259 UHF connector engagement

In reply to this post by ANDY DURBIN

Andy,

In the 60s & 70s, we had a screwdriver like tool for removing and
inserting PL-259 connectors in patch-bays in TV stations. It was a
screwdriver handle and shaft with a steel tube slightly smaller than the
pl-259. The tube had a longitudinal slot that was big enough for the
cable to slip through. The side of the tube away from the slot was
welded to the screwdriver shaft. You slipped the tube over the cable and
then followed the cable to the connector. We had 3 of these with various
lengths from a few inches to a very long one that was probably 18" or so.

We switched from UHF to BNC connectors for video because the connector
density with solid state equipment had increase the connector density so
that most of the rack space was for connector panels not electronics. We
quickly found the equivalent for BNC as well. I believe we bought them
from Pasternak but not sure.

I suspect that the tools were far more expensive than should have been
since we only had two sets. One set at the studio & one set at the
transmitter.

73

George AI4VZ

On 7/29/20 2:12 PM, Andy Durbin wrote:
> When I worked in the aerospace industry it was common practice to use special "pliers" for removing "Cannon" multi-pin round connectors. These were not any old plumber's pipe wrench (you know - the ones that plumbers use to destroy chrome finish bathroom fittings) but a special tool designed for this purpose. The jaws were rubber padded and exactly the right shape to match the connector locking ring.
>
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Elecraft mailing list

Re: Reliable PL-259 UHF connector engagement

Perhaps looking something like this one (BNC)? https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=6510 <https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=6510>

73, Bill-AK5X

> On Jul 29, 2020, at 2:02 PM, George Danner <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Andy,
>
> In the 60s & 70s, we had a screwdriver like tool for removing and inserting PL-259 connectors in patch-bays in TV stations. It was a screwdriver handle and shaft with a steel tube slightly smaller than the pl-259. The tube had a longitudinal slot that was big enough for the cable to slip through. The side of the tube away from the slot was welded to the screwdriver shaft. You slipped the tube over the cable and then followed the cable to the connector. We had 3 of these with various lengths from a few inches to a very long one that was probably 18" or so.
>
> We switched from UHF to BNC connectors for video because the connector density with solid state equipment had increase the connector density so that most of the rack space was for connector panels not electronics. We quickly found the equivalent for BNC as well. I believe we bought them from Pasternak but not sure.
>
> I suspect that the tools were far more expensive than should have been since we only had two sets. One set at the studio & one set at the transmitter.
>
> 73
>
> George AI4VZ
>
> On 7/29/20 2:12 PM, Andy Durbin wrote:
>> When I worked in the aerospace industry it was common practice to use special "pliers" for removing "Cannon" multi-pin round connectors. These were not any old plumber's pipe wrench (you know - the ones that plumbers use to destroy chrome finish bathroom fittings) but a special tool designed for this purpose. The jaws were rubber padded and exactly the right shape to match the connector locking ring.
>>
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Arliss

Re: Reliable PL-259 UHF connector engagement

In reply to this post by Jim Brown-10

Except that several REAL Amphenol UHF connectors I ordered, which
arrived in sealed plastic bags, had no threads on the inside of
the coupling rings. The remainder of the connectors in the
shipment were just fine.

73, Arliss W7XU

On 7/29/2020 1:32 PM, Jim Brown wrote:

> On 7/29/2020 11:21 AM, Walter Underwood wrote:
>> That is exactly why I consider UHF connectors to be a poor design.
>
> There's nothing wrong with REAL UHF connectors, like Amphenol
> 83-1SP, and surplus adapters stamped with MIL spec numbers. It's
> the cheap junk connectors that cause the problems. My definition
> of a junk connector (in North America) is one that doesn't carry
> an Amphenol part number or MIL-spec number.
>
> 73, Jim K9YC

Jim Rhodes-2

Re: Foot Switch Doesn't Work - Now Working

In reply to this post by kg6mzs

Maybe there was some corrosion or something similar one the inside of the
jack and all the plugging and unplugging I imagine you did the last couple
of days cleared enough to bring the resistance down to the point it will
work. You might want to spray some contact cleaner in there and exercise it
some more. Just to keep it working.

On Wed, Jul 29, 2020, 09:55 kg6mzs <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hello Reflector,
>
> For absolutely no reason I can discern the footswitch is working this
> morning.
>
> While I am happy about that, I know that it just didn't start working
> because it "felt like it" like some woo woo types might suggest. I sure
> would like to know what the ghost in the machine really was.
>
> I guess we don't get to know everything.
>
> Thanks to all who took time to help me. I really appreciate it!
>
> 73 Eric KG6MZS
>
> On 7/29/20 5:54 AM, Andrew Hebden wrote:
>
> > Hi,
> > I went through something similar but it turned out to be the centre
> contact on the PTT IN phono socket in the K3S. I tested the voltage on the
> socket and everything seemed fine, also checked the cabling and microswitch
> on the foot switch. Upon further inspection it looked like the inner
> connection on the socket appeared to be splayed out slightly and just
> didn't make contact. In fairness I did get the odd occasion that it worked
> but was certainly not reliable. I had tried other phono plugs but to no
> avail.
> > Rather than open up the box I slightly squeezed the phono plug on the
> footswitch to an oval shape. Not had a problem since.
> > Must remember to fix the socket at some point.
> >
> > Andrew
> > G8BYB
> ______________________________________________________________
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