Elecraft › [K3]

K2 and K3 Key/Phone Connections

Classic

List

Threaded

7 messages Options

Don KA1KU

K2 and K3 Key/Phone Connections

Hi All,
Now that I've added a K3 the plugs for Key and Headphones have changed to 1/4" I'm thinking about building a connection central box with a rig selection switch to switch these to the desired rig. I currently have four rigs and plugging / unplugging these doesn't make sense, let alone the fact that plug sizes differ.
Any ideas about doing this? Any commercial solutions? At this point I'm only interested in Keys/Paddles and headphones. If I do any data modes it most likely would be only with K3.

Thanks,
Don

73,
Don KA1KU

Don Wilhelm-4

Re: K2 and K3 Key/Phone Connections

Don,

Sounds like a good plan to me. I might suggest the EC2 enclosure.
The switches obtained from a 4 port data switch will have more poles
than you will need.

You might also consider building a keyer into that box. The K1EL keyers
are inexpensive and quite good. If you contemplate also keying from the
computer, choose the Winkey.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 7/18/2012 12:13 PM, Don KB1YBG wrote:

> Hi All,
> Now that I've added a K3 the plugs for Key and Headphones have changed to
> 1/4" I'm thinking about building a connection central box with a rig
> selection switch to switch these to the desired rig. I currently have four
> rigs and plugging / unplugging these doesn't make sense, let alone the fact
> that plug sizes differ.
> Any ideas about doing this? Any commercial solutions? At this point I'm
> only interested in Keys/Paddles and headphones. If I do any data modes it
> most likely would be only with K3.
>
> Thanks,
> Don
>

______________________________________________________________
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

Geoffrey Mackenzie-Kennedy-3

Re: K2 and K3 Key/Phone Connections

In reply to this post by Don KA1KU

Don,

I agree with Don, W3FPR, that a connection central box or "Breakout Box", is
a good plan. The box which I built uses toggle switches (each with an
ON-OFF LED indicator) rather than rotary switches, because frequently I want
to listen to two, sometimes but not often to three, of my receivers at the
same time, or switch quickly between transmitters. The beauty of a Breakout
Box is its versatility, and of course there is no risk of damaging
connectors while plugging/ unplugging them.

Thinking ahead, if you add later more functions to your box such as mic
audio, DC power control etc, the number of cables entering the box can
become quite large. To get rid of the rat's nest of cables entering my
Breakout Box, I have been looking into the possibility of using a single
fiber optic cable between the box and each of my receivers and transmitters
to carry the audio and control signals. But this scheme would be difficult
to implement with the K3, and probably with any other commercial "amateur"
transmitter/ receiver.

73,

Geoff
LX2AO

On July 18, 2012 at 6:13 PM, Don KB1YBG wrote:

> Hi All,
> Now that I've added a K3 the plugs for Key and Headphones have changed to
> 1/4" I'm thinking about building a connection central box with a rig
> selection switch to switch these to the desired rig. I currently have
> four
> rigs and plugging / unplugging these doesn't make sense, let alone the
> fact
> that plug sizes differ.
> Any ideas about doing this? Any commercial solutions? At this point I'm
> only interested in Keys/Paddles and headphones. If I do any data modes it
> most likely would be only with K3.
>
> Thanks,
> Don

Terry Schieler

Re: K2 and K3 Key/Phone Connections

In reply to this post by Don KA1KU

Hello Don,

>From the commercial side, I use the NCS 3240 Multi Switcher. Numerous input devices, up to 4 radios. Individual level settings, etc. Love it.

http://www.ncsradio.com/m_switch.html

73,

Terry, W0FM

-----Original Message-----
From: Don KB1YBG [mailto:[hidden email]]
Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2012 11:13 AM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: [Elecraft] K2 and K3 Key/Phone Connections

Hi All,
Now that I've added a K3 the plugs for Key and Headphones have changed to 1/4" I'm thinking about building a connection central box with a rig selection switch to switch these to the desired rig. I currently have four rigs and plugging / unplugging these doesn't make sense, let alone the fact that plug sizes differ.
Any ideas about doing this? Any commercial solutions? At this point I'm only interested in Keys/Paddles and headphones. If I do any data modes it most likely would be only with K3.

Thanks,
Don

--
View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-and-K3-Key-Phone-Connections-tp7559376.html
Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.

______________________________________________________________
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

Guy, K2AV

Re: K2 and K3 Key/Phone Connections

Should note they are discontinuing these, per the referenced web page.
Apparently not enough demand to maintain production. 73, Guy.

On Thu, Jul 19, 2012 at 10:22 AM, Terry Schieler <
[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hello Don,
>
> >From the commercial side, I use the NCS 3240 Multi Switcher. Numerous
> input devices, up to 4 radios. Individual level settings, etc. Love it.
>
> http://www.ncsradio.com/m_switch.html
>
> 73,
>
> Terry, W0FM
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Don KB1YBG [mailto:[hidden email]]
> Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2012 11:13 AM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: [Elecraft] K2 and K3 Key/Phone Connections
>
> Hi All,
> Now that I've added a K3 the plugs for Key and Headphones have changed to
> 1/4" I'm thinking about building a connection central box with a rig
> selection switch to switch these to the desired rig. I currently have four
> rigs and plugging / unplugging these doesn't make sense, let alone the fact
> that plug sizes differ.
> Any ideas about doing this? Any commercial solutions? At this point I'm
> only interested in Keys/Paddles and headphones. If I do any data modes it
> most likely would be only with K3.
>
> Thanks,
> Don
>
>
> --
> View this message in context:
> http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-and-K3-Key-Phone-Connections-tp7559376.html
> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>

Terry Schieler

Re: K2 and K3 Key/Phone Connections

Yes Guy, I noticed that but sent my post anyway. NCS appears to have a similar device to replace the 3240 with more capacity, more features (and, of course, more money). I have to say that I was impressed with the quality of construction and design of the NCS gear, some of it being used commercially today in the public safety field.

No connection to the company, blah, blah, blah, etc.

Terry, W0FM

From: [hidden email] [mailto:[hidden email]] On Behalf Of Guy Olinger K2AV
Sent: Thursday, July 19, 2012 10:23 AM
To: Terry Schieler
Cc: Don KB1YBG; [hidden email]
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] K2 and K3 Key/Phone Connections

Should note they are discontinuing these, per the referenced web page. Apparently not enough demand to maintain production. 73, Guy.
On Thu, Jul 19, 2012 at 10:22 AM, Terry Schieler <[hidden email]> wrote:
Hello Don,

>From the commercial side, I use the NCS 3240 Multi Switcher. Numerous input devices, up to 4 radios. Individual level settings, etc. Love it.

http://www.ncsradio.com/m_switch.html

73,

Terry, W0FM

______________________________________________________________
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

W1SRD

Re: K2 and K3 Key/Phone Connections

In reply to this post by Terry Schieler

No longer available for individual sale...
Steve
W1SRD

> Hello Don,
>
> >From the commercial side, I use the NCS 3240 Multi Switcher. Numerous input devices, up to 4 radios. Individual level settings, etc. Love it.
>
> http://www.ncsradio.com/m_switch.html
>
> 73,
>
> Terry, W0FM
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Don KB1YBG [mailto:[hidden email]]
> Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2012 11:13 AM
> To: [hidden email]
> Subject: [Elecraft] K2 and K3 Key/Phone Connections
>
> Hi All,
> Now that I've added a K3 the plugs for Key and Headphones have changed to 1/4" I'm thinking about building a connection central box with a rig selection switch to switch these to the desired rig. I currently have four rigs and plugging / unplugging these doesn't make sense, let alone the fact that plug sizes differ.
> Any ideas about doing this? Any commercial solutions? At this point I'm only interested in Keys/Paddles and headphones. If I do any data modes it most likely would be only with K3.
>
> Thanks,
> Don
>
>
> --
> View this message in context: http://elecraft.365791.n2.nabble.com/K2-and-K3-Key-Phone-Connections-tp7559376.html
> Sent from the Elecraft mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>