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[K3] using a footswitch for PTT

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John Shadle

[K3] using a footswitch for PTT

Hi all,
I am finally getting the ol' radio back up and running after a few months
of packing and moving from NC to WI. In my past life (in NC) I was mostly
CW, but now that the shack is in the basement I want to get back on SSB.

I have an Elecraft desk mic (the Heil version from a few years ago). It has
an input for a 1/4" footswitch controller for PTT. I've never used a
footswitch before, so this is all new to me.

I don't have a Heil footswitch, but do have an older Yamaha foot pedal
which I picked up at a yard sale a couple of years ago. It creates a closed
circuit whenever I depress the switch (and is open otherwise). The odd
thing is that whenever I plug in this footswitch, the PTT is engaged when
the switch is plugged in--and the PTT is disengaged when I depress the
switch. This seems like odd behavior to me. Is there something in the menu
that I need to change? Advanced mic parameters? I'm kinda lost.

I cracked the case open to view the innards, but it's just two wires (tip
and ground for the 1/4" cable) and a switch. I don't think there's anything
I can do in there to modify things.

The model appears to be a Yamaha FC5 (
http://usa.yamaha.com/products/music-production/accessories/footswitches/fc5/?mode=model),
although I can't find a model number on it.

Thanks!
-john W4PAH
Madison, WI
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Rose

Re: [K3] using a footswitch for PTT

Hi John,

Could the switch actually be a DPST and wired to -open- when the
switch is depressed? There are some musical (band) applications
where this would be the case.

73!

Ken - K0PP

On Mon, Jan 9, 2012 at 5:06 PM, John Shadle <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hi all,
> I am finally getting the ol' radio back up and running after a few months
> of packing and moving from NC to WI. In my past life (in NC) I was mostly
> CW, but now that the shack is in the basement I want to get back on SSB.
>
> I have an Elecraft desk mic (the Heil version from a few years ago). It has
> an input for a 1/4" footswitch controller for PTT. I've never used a
> footswitch before, so this is all new to me.
>
> I don't have a Heil footswitch, but do have an older Yamaha foot pedal
> which I picked up at a yard sale a couple of years ago. It creates a closed
> circuit whenever I depress the switch (and is open otherwise). The odd
> thing is that whenever I plug in this footswitch, the PTT is engaged when
> the switch is plugged in--and the PTT is disengaged when I depress the
> switch. This seems like odd behavior to me. Is there something in the menu
> that I need to change? Advanced mic parameters? I'm kinda lost.
>
> I cracked the case open to view the innards, but it's just two wires (tip
> and ground for the 1/4" cable) and a switch. I don't think there's anything
> I can do in there to modify things.
>
> The model appears to be a Yamaha FC5 (
>
> http://usa.yamaha.com/products/music-production/accessories/footswitches/fc5/?mode=model
> ),
> although I can't find a model number on it.
>
> Thanks!
> -john W4PAH
> Madison, WI
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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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John Shadle

Re: [K3] using a footswitch for PTT

I just checked again and, yes, it's wired to OPEN when depressed and CLOSED
otherwise. Hrm.

Can I use this for PTT or is it simply "junque"?

-john W4PAH

On Mon, Jan 9, 2012 at 12:10 PM, Rose <[hidden email]> wrote:

>
> Hi John,
>
> Could the switch actually be a DPST and wired to -open- when the
> switch is depressed? There are some musical (band) applications
> where this would be the case.
>
> 73!
>
> Ken - K0PP
>
> On Mon, Jan 9, 2012 at 5:06 PM, John Shadle <[hidden email]>wrote:
>
>> Hi all,
>> I am finally getting the ol' radio back up and running after a few months
>> of packing and moving from NC to WI. In my past life (in NC) I was mostly
>> CW, but now that the shack is in the basement I want to get back on SSB.
>>
>> I have an Elecraft desk mic (the Heil version from a few years ago). It
>> has
>> an input for a 1/4" footswitch controller for PTT. I've never used a
>> footswitch before, so this is all new to me.
>>
>> I don't have a Heil footswitch, but do have an older Yamaha foot pedal
>> which I picked up at a yard sale a couple of years ago. It creates a
>> closed
>> circuit whenever I depress the switch (and is open otherwise). The odd
>> thing is that whenever I plug in this footswitch, the PTT is engaged when
>> the switch is plugged in--and the PTT is disengaged when I depress the
>> switch. This seems like odd behavior to me. Is there something in the menu
>> that I need to change? Advanced mic parameters? I'm kinda lost.
>>
>> I cracked the case open to view the innards, but it's just two wires (tip
>> and ground for the 1/4" cable) and a switch. I don't think there's
>> anything
>> I can do in there to modify things.
>>
>> The model appears to be a Yamaha FC5 (
>>
>> http://usa.yamaha.com/products/music-production/accessories/footswitches/fc5/?mode=model
>> ),
>> although I can't find a model number on it.
>>
>> Thanks!
>> -john W4PAH
>> Madison, WI
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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
>>
>
>

Mike Reublin

Re: [K3] using a footswitch for PTT

Sure. Just rewire it to work the other way.

73, Mike NF4L

On 1/9/2012 12:20 PM, John Shadle wrote:
> I just checked again and, yes, it's wired to OPEN when depressed and CLOSED
> otherwise. Hrm.
>
> Can I use this for PTT or is it simply "junque"?
>
> -john W4PAH
>

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

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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: [K3] using a footswitch for PTT

In reply to this post by John Shadle

John,

Worst case would be to open it and replace the switch with one that has
the same physical characteristics but it normally open.

Best case - it may be a double-throw switch that just needs to be re-wired.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 1/9/2012 12:20 PM, John Shadle wrote:

> I just checked again and, yes, it's wired to OPEN when depressed and CLOSED
> otherwise. Hrm.
>
> Can I use this for PTT or is it simply "junque"?
>
> -john W4PAH
>
> On Mon, Jan 9, 2012 at 12:10 PM, Rose<[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> Hi John,
>>
>> Could the switch actually be a DPST and wired to -open- when the
>> switch is depressed? There are some musical (band) applications
>> where this would be the case.
>>
>> 73!
>>
>> Ken - K0PP
>>
>> On Mon, Jan 9, 2012 at 5:06 PM, John Shadle<[hidden email]>wrote:
>>
>>> Hi all,
>>> I am finally getting the ol' radio back up and running after a few months
>>> of packing and moving from NC to WI. In my past life (in NC) I was mostly
>>> CW, but now that the shack is in the basement I want to get back on SSB.
>>>
>>> I have an Elecraft desk mic (the Heil version from a few years ago). It
>>> has
>>> an input for a 1/4" footswitch controller for PTT. I've never used a
>>> footswitch before, so this is all new to me.
>>>
>>> I don't have a Heil footswitch, but do have an older Yamaha foot pedal
>>> which I picked up at a yard sale a couple of years ago. It creates a
>>> closed
>>> circuit whenever I depress the switch (and is open otherwise). The odd
>>> thing is that whenever I plug in this footswitch, the PTT is engaged when
>>> the switch is plugged in--and the PTT is disengaged when I depress the
>>> switch. This seems like odd behavior to me. Is there something in the menu
>>> that I need to change? Advanced mic parameters? I'm kinda lost.
>>>
>>> I cracked the case open to view the innards, but it's just two wires (tip
>>> and ground for the 1/4" cable) and a switch. I don't think there's
>>> anything
>>> I can do in there to modify things.
>>>
>>> The model appears to be a Yamaha FC5 (
>>>
>>> http://usa.yamaha.com/products/music-production/accessories/footswitches/fc5/?mode=model
>>> ),
>>> although I can't find a model number on it.
>>>
>>> Thanks!
>>> -john W4PAH
>>> Madison, WI
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> 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
>>>
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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
>

John Shadle

Re: [K3] using a footswitch for PTT

In reply to this post by John Shadle

Here's an update with photos of the innards.

I think there might be a way to rewire this one, but it would require
cutting part of the switch. Not sure about that... Right now it's shaped
like an "S" when not depressed:

---- (white wire connects here)
{
---
}
---- (black wire connects here)

When the pedal is depressed, it looks more like this:

---- (white wire connects here)

---
/ }
---- (black wire connects here)

So, the switch is open. See the photos here.

https://picasaweb.google.com/john.shadle/YamahaFootswitchForPTTOnTheK3?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCNTGxcrS-qLoeg&feat=directlink

-john

On Mon, Jan 9, 2012 at 12:06 PM, John Shadle <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Hi all,
> I am finally getting the ol' radio back up and running after a few months
> of packing and moving from NC to WI. In my past life (in NC) I was mostly
> CW, but now that the shack is in the basement I want to get back on SSB.
>
> I have an Elecraft desk mic (the Heil version from a few years ago). It
> has an input for a 1/4" footswitch controller for PTT. I've never used a
> footswitch before, so this is all new to me.
>
> I don't have a Heil footswitch, but do have an older Yamaha foot pedal
> which I picked up at a yard sale a couple of years ago. It creates a closed
> circuit whenever I depress the switch (and is open otherwise). The odd
> thing is that whenever I plug in this footswitch, the PTT is engaged when
> the switch is plugged in--and the PTT is disengaged when I depress the
> switch. This seems like odd behavior to me. Is there something in the menu
> that I need to change? Advanced mic parameters? I'm kinda lost.
>
> I cracked the case open to view the innards, but it's just two wires (tip
> and ground for the 1/4" cable) and a switch. I don't think there's anything
> I can do in there to modify things.
>
> The model appears to be a Yamaha FC5 (
> http://usa.yamaha.com/products/music-production/accessories/footswitches/fc5/?mode=model),
> although I can't find a model number on it.
>
> Thanks!
> -john W4PAH
> Madison, WI
>

Ross Primrose N4RP

Re: [K3] using a footswitch for PTT

Looking at the pictures, it looks like the center arm of the switch is
connected to the pole the black wire is connected to just to the left of
where the black wire is soldered. It looks like if you broke that
connection, and connected the white wire to the center arm of the
switch, it would only be connected to the black wire when the switch is
depressed....

73, Ross N4RP

On 1/9/2012 1:31 PM, John Shadle wrote:

> Here's an update with photos of the innards.
>
> I think there might be a way to rewire this one, but it would require
> cutting part of the switch. Not sure about that... Right now it's shaped
> like an "S" when not depressed:
>
> ---- (white wire connects here)
> {
> ---
> }
> ---- (black wire connects here)
>
> When the pedal is depressed, it looks more like this:
>
> ---- (white wire connects here)
>
> ---
> / }
> ---- (black wire connects here)
>
> So, the switch is open. See the photos here.
>
> https://picasaweb.google.com/john.shadle/YamahaFootswitchForPTTOnTheK3?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCNTGxcrS-qLoeg&feat=directlink
>
> -john
>
> On Mon, Jan 9, 2012 at 12:06 PM, John Shadle<[hidden email]> wrote:
>
>> Hi all,
>> I am finally getting the ol' radio back up and running after a few months
>> of packing and moving from NC to WI. In my past life (in NC) I was mostly
>> CW, but now that the shack is in the basement I want to get back on SSB.
>>
>> I have an Elecraft desk mic (the Heil version from a few years ago). It
>> has an input for a 1/4" footswitch controller for PTT. I've never used a
>> footswitch before, so this is all new to me.
>>
>> I don't have a Heil footswitch, but do have an older Yamaha foot pedal
>> which I picked up at a yard sale a couple of years ago. It creates a closed
>> circuit whenever I depress the switch (and is open otherwise). The odd
>> thing is that whenever I plug in this footswitch, the PTT is engaged when
>> the switch is plugged in--and the PTT is disengaged when I depress the
>> switch. This seems like odd behavior to me. Is there something in the menu
>> that I need to change? Advanced mic parameters? I'm kinda lost.
>>
>> I cracked the case open to view the innards, but it's just two wires (tip
>> and ground for the 1/4" cable) and a switch. I don't think there's anything
>> I can do in there to modify things.
>>
>> The model appears to be a Yamaha FC5 (
>> http://usa.yamaha.com/products/music-production/accessories/footswitches/fc5/?mode=model),
>> although I can't find a model number on it.
>>
>> Thanks!
>> -john W4PAH
>> Madison, WI
>>
> ______________________________________________________________
> 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

--
FCC Section 97.313(a) “At all times, an amateur station must use the minimum transmitter power necessary to carry out the desired communications.”

______________________________________________________________
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

John Shadle

Re: [K3] using a footswitch for PTT

That's exactly the case--and what I was thinking about doing.

I was also considering desoldering the center arm of the switch and bending
it up, to connect it to the top arm of the switch; however, being that the
center part is plastic, I'm not sure it would survive this process.

-john W4PAH

On Mon, Jan 9, 2012 at 1:38 PM, Ross Primrose N4RP <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Looking at the pictures, it looks like the center arm of the switch is
> connected to the pole the black wire is connected to just to the left of
> where the black wire is soldered. It looks like if you broke that
> connection, and connected the white wire to the center arm of the switch,
> it would only be connected to the black wire when the switch is
> depressed....
>
> 73, Ross N4RP
>
>
> On 1/9/2012 1:31 PM, John Shadle wrote:
>
>> Here's an update with photos of the innards.
>>
>> I think there might be a way to rewire this one, but it would require
>> cutting part of the switch. Not sure about that... Right now it's shaped
>> like an "S" when not depressed:
>>
>> ---- (white wire connects here)
>> {
>> ---
>> }
>> ---- (black wire connects here)
>>
>> When the pedal is depressed, it looks more like this:
>>
>> ---- (white wire connects here)
>>
>> ---
>> / }
>> ---- (black wire connects here)
>>
>> So, the switch is open. See the photos here.
>>
>> https://picasaweb.google.com/**john.shadle/**
>> YamahaFootswitchForPTTOnTheK3?**authuser=0&authkey=**
>> Gv1sRgCNTGxcrS-qLoeg&feat=**directlink<https://picasaweb.google.com/john.shadle/YamahaFootswitchForPTTOnTheK3?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCNTGxcrS-qLoeg&feat=directlink>
>>
>> -john
>>
>> On Mon, Jan 9, 2012 at 12:06 PM, John Shadle<[hidden email]>
>> wrote:
>>
>> Hi all,
>>> I am finally getting the ol' radio back up and running after a few months
>>> of packing and moving from NC to WI. In my past life (in NC) I was mostly
>>> CW, but now that the shack is in the basement I want to get back on SSB.
>>>
>>> I have an Elecraft desk mic (the Heil version from a few years ago). It
>>> has an input for a 1/4" footswitch controller for PTT. I've never used a
>>> footswitch before, so this is all new to me.
>>>
>>> I don't have a Heil footswitch, but do have an older Yamaha foot pedal
>>> which I picked up at a yard sale a couple of years ago. It creates a
>>> closed
>>> circuit whenever I depress the switch (and is open otherwise). The odd
>>> thing is that whenever I plug in this footswitch, the PTT is engaged when
>>> the switch is plugged in--and the PTT is disengaged when I depress the
>>> switch. This seems like odd behavior to me. Is there something in the
>>> menu
>>> that I need to change? Advanced mic parameters? I'm kinda lost.
>>>
>>> I cracked the case open to view the innards, but it's just two wires (tip
>>> and ground for the 1/4" cable) and a switch. I don't think there's
>>> anything
>>> I can do in there to modify things.
>>>
>>> The model appears to be a Yamaha FC5 (
>>> http://usa.yamaha.com/**products/music-production/**
>>> accessories/footswitches/fc5/?**mode=model<http://usa.yamaha.com/products/music-production/accessories/footswitches/fc5/?mode=model>
>>> ),
>>> although I can't find a model number on it.
>>>
>>> Thanks!
>>> -john W4PAH
>>> Madison, WI
>>>
>>> ______________________________**______________________________**__
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/**mailman/listinfo/elecraft<http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft>
>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.**htm<http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm>
>> Post: mailto:[hidden email].**net <[hidden email]>
>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>>
>
>
> --
> FCC Section 97.313(a) “At all times, an amateur station must use the
> minimum transmitter power necessary to carry out the desired
> communications.”
>
>