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Microphone Jack Cover

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Jim Sheldon

Microphone Jack Cover

Just found a really nice looking SO-239 cover design for 3D printing on Thingiverse.com. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4854560 It just so happens to fit the threads on the 8 pin microphone jack used on the K3, and many other radios.

For those like myself who operate 99 percent CW and don't even keep a microphone connected to their K2, K3, K3S, K4, etc, this is a useful item to protect both the outer threads of the jack and keep crud from entering the pin area.

With the proliferation of 3D printers in many ham workshops these days, if you don't have one, it should be relatively easy to find someone who has.

Jim Sheldon, W0EB

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David Christ

Re: Microphone Jack Cover

Why go to the trouble? Metal and plastic caps for SO-239 are available all over for a small price.

The only reason I can see to 3D print it is because one wants to justify having the printer

David K0LUM

> On May 10, 2021, at 10:20 AM, Jim Sheldon <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Just found a really nice looking SO-239 cover design for 3D printing on Thingiverse.com. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4854560 It just so happens to fit the threads on the 8 pin microphone jack used on the K3, and many other radios.
>
> For those like myself who operate 99 percent CW and don't even keep a microphone connected to their K2, K3, K3S, K4, etc, this is a useful item to protect both the outer threads of the jack and keep crud from entering the pin area.
>
> With the proliferation of 3D printers in many ham workshops these days, if you don't have one, it should be relatively easy to find someone who has.
>
> Jim Sheldon, W0EB
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
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KJ7SOY

Re: Microphone Jack Cover

I think that’s a bit of a negative viewpoint. Here’s another approach:

I have a 3-D printer. I don’t need to justify the fact that I have it. I use it daily, most often multiple times a day, both personally and professionally. It’s always here and always available, I always have filament for it, and it can produce a cap much faster than getting one shipped to me since I live rurally and there’s nowhere local to buy one. Why shouldn’t I simply print one since I already have the printer?

73
-Adrian
KJ7SOY

> On May 10, 2021, at 9:31 AM, David Christ <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> Why go to the trouble? Metal and plastic caps for SO-239 are available all over for a small price.
>
> The only reason I can see to 3D print it is because one wants to justify having the printer
>
> David K0LUM
>
>> On May 10, 2021, at 10:20 AM, Jim Sheldon <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> Just found a really nice looking SO-239 cover design for 3D printing on Thingiverse.com. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4854560 It just so happens to fit the threads on the 8 pin microphone jack used on the K3, and many other radios.
>>
>> For those like myself who operate 99 percent CW and don't even keep a microphone connected to their K2, K3, K3S, K4, etc, this is a useful item to protect both the outer threads of the jack and keep crud from entering the pin area.
>>
>> With the proliferation of 3D printers in many ham workshops these days, if you don't have one, it should be relatively easy to find someone who has.
>>
>> Jim Sheldon, W0EB
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> Elecraft mailing list
>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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>>
>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>
> ______________________________________________________________
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>
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NK7Z

Re: Microphone Jack Cover

In reply to this post by David Christ

Why not use a metal cap from American Radio Supply? See:

https://www.americanradiosupply.com/microphone-connector-cap-dust-cover-most-all-ham-radio-transceivers/

fits the mic connector on the front of the rig.

73, and thanks,
Dave (NK7Z)
https://www.nk7z.net
ARRL Volunteer Examiner
ARRL Technical Specialist, RFI
ARRL Asst. Director, NW Division, Technical Resources

On 5/10/21 9:29 AM, David Christ wrote:

> Why go to the trouble? Metal and plastic caps for SO-239 are available all over for a small price.
>
> The only reason I can see to 3D print it is because one wants to justify having the printer
>
> David K0LUM
>
>> On May 10, 2021, at 10:20 AM, Jim Sheldon <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> Just found a really nice looking SO-239 cover design for 3D printing on Thingiverse.com. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4854560 It just so happens to fit the threads on the 8 pin microphone jack used on the K3, and many other radios.
>>
>> For those like myself who operate 99 percent CW and don't even keep a microphone connected to their K2, K3, K3S, K4, etc, this is a useful item to protect both the outer threads of the jack and keep crud from entering the pin area.
>>
>> With the proliferation of 3D printers in many ham workshops these days, if you don't have one, it should be relatively easy to find someone who has.
>>
>> Jim Sheldon, W0EB
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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
>> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
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>
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>

Julia Tuttle

Re: Microphone Jack Cover

In reply to this post by KJ7SOY

Yeah, it's semi-instant gratification.

It probably also saves money because you're not paying shipping or retail
markup.

It might also save some carbon emissions depending on how frequently your
delivery folks come by, if that's something that concerns you.

But please do not discount that "3D printers are cool" is a valid reason to
own and use one!

On Mon, May 10, 2021, 12:46 KJ7SOY <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I think that’s a bit of a negative viewpoint. Here’s another approach:
>
> I have a 3-D printer. I don’t need to justify the fact that I have it. I
> use it daily, most often multiple times a day, both personally and
> professionally. It’s always here and always available, I always have
> filament for it, and it can produce a cap much faster than getting one
> shipped to me since I live rurally and there’s nowhere local to buy one.
> Why shouldn’t I simply print one since I already have the printer?
>
> 73
> -Adrian
> KJ7SOY
>
>
> > On May 10, 2021, at 9:31 AM, David Christ <[hidden email]> wrote:
> >
> > Why go to the trouble? Metal and plastic caps for SO-239 are available
> all over for a small price.
> >
> > The only reason I can see to 3D print it is because one wants to justify
> having the printer
> >
> > David K0LUM
> >
> >> On May 10, 2021, at 10:20 AM, Jim Sheldon <[hidden email]> wrote:
> >>
> >> Just found a really nice looking SO-239 cover design for 3D printing on
> Thingiverse.com. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4854560 It just so
> happens to fit the threads on the 8 pin microphone jack used on the K3, and
> many other radios.
> >>
> >> For those like myself who operate 99 percent CW and don't even keep a
> microphone connected to their K2, K3, K3S, K4, etc, this is a useful item
> to protect both the outer threads of the jack and keep crud from entering
> the pin area.
> >>
> >> With the proliferation of 3D printers in many ham workshops these days,
> if you don't have one, it should be relatively easy to find someone who has.
> >>
> >> Jim Sheldon, W0EB
> >>
> >> ______________________________________________________________
> >> 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
> >> Message delivered to [hidden email]
> >
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > 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
> > Message delivered to [hidden email]
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
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>
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David Christ

Re: Microphone Jack Cover

In reply to this post by KJ7SOY

Sorry you felt it was unduly negative. Written language is poor at transmitting nuance. If I had such a printer I might consider making a cover. But I don’t and I too live in a less populated area and the closest person I know who has a printer is in Arizona. I am long retired and soon will need to be moving out of my house. I have no professional reason to support the purchase of a 3D printer and before long I would be needing to get rid of it anyway. So for me the obvious choice is to buy a cover. And I prefer chrome anyway.

I think my question of why is legitimate and was answered satisfactorily by W0EB in a private email. I will admit that my comment on 3D printers may have seemed a bit harsh. However, I don’t see them as common as he does (it would be interesting to know what percentage of hams have one) and examining my own life, short of having a business that supports one, I find it hard to see the economic value for the average ham to have one. My lack of Ideas does not mean there are not compelling uses. In fact I would love to hear from other hams as to how they have found a 3D printer useful especially for problems for which no other solution is available.

Again sorry if you felt offended.

Peace

73

David K0LUM

> On May 10, 2021, at 11:44 AM, KJ7SOY <[hidden email]> wrote:
>
> I think that’s a bit of a negative viewpoint. Here’s another approach:
>
> I have a 3-D printer. I don’t need to justify the fact that I have it. I use it daily, most often multiple times a day, both personally and professionally. It’s always here and always available, I always have filament for it, and it can produce a cap much faster than getting one shipped to me since I live rurally and there’s nowhere local to buy one. Why shouldn’t I simply print one since I already have the printer?
>
> 73
> -Adrian
> KJ7SOY
>
>
>> On May 10, 2021, at 9:31 AM, David Christ <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>
>> Why go to the trouble? Metal and plastic caps for SO-239 are available all over for a small price.
>>
>> The only reason I can see to 3D print it is because one wants to justify having the printer
>>
>> David K0LUM
>>
>>> On May 10, 2021, at 10:20 AM, Jim Sheldon <[hidden email]> wrote:
>>>
>>> Just found a really nice looking SO-239 cover design for 3D printing on Thingiverse.com. https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4854560 It just so happens to fit the threads on the 8 pin microphone jack used on the K3, and many other radios.
>>>
>>> For those like myself who operate 99 percent CW and don't even keep a microphone connected to their K2, K3, K3S, K4, etc, this is a useful item to protect both the outer threads of the jack and keep crud from entering the pin area.
>>>
>>> With the proliferation of 3D printers in many ham workshops these days, if you don't have one, it should be relatively easy to find someone who has.
>>>
>>> Jim Sheldon, W0EB
>>>
>>> ______________________________________________________________
>>> 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
>>> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>>
>> ______________________________________________________________
>> 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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Jim Brown-10

Re: Microphone Jack Cover

I don't understand the need to have a cover for an unused jack that's
not outside, exposed to the elements.

73, Jim K9YC
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Gwen Patton

Re: Microphone Jack Cover

I think the assumption is that if it's a portable radio (such as the KX3)
or a radio that's made sort of portable by putting it in a crash case and
taking it on a DXPedition (such as the various flavors of K3), that maybe
somewhere along the way an albatross might leave a deposit on the threads
or something.

I've got a 3d printer. I used it a bunch a year ago. Now, the only thing
that keeps it from becoming a coat rack is that it's nowhere near where the
coats are. Not because I don't see good uses for it -- heaven forfend! --
but I simply don't have the energy to putter around with it! I've got all
the cool software, I've played around with the various slicers and splicers
and modelers (oh, my!) and I find that I simply don't have the spoons to
deal with the thing very often, much as I would like to. I'm not as good at
modeling as I thought I was -- back in the old ray-tracing days I did okay
-- but the current crop of tools (Great Ghu on a pogo stick, don't get me
started on how much of a pain in the tuchis Blender is!) can be a kilometer
the other side of too damn much. And just as soon as I start getting the
hang of a tool, the company that makes it changes their (dingbatted,
expurgated, censored) licensing for the program and suddenly I can't afford
to use it. (I'm looking at YOU, Fusion 360!) So now I'm back to Tinkercad
and trying to make sense out of AC3D to see if it'll serve (I think it
will, last time I had the energy to look at it). I've got lots of ideas for
stuff to make, and could even see myself making a 3d printer project for
the key socket adapter box I made someday.

It's a nice little box that consolidates the key sockets in one place, and
the same kind of connectors, instead of one kind on the left side of my KX3
and another, totally-incompatible with anything but the Elecraft paddle on
the bottom. I have 4 TRS sockets, two of which are set up for Paddle and
run to a jumper cable into the left side key socket, and two of which
connect to the bottom 2x2 header and are set for Hand Key. I used the
paddle screws for the bottom connector to hold the box to the bottom of the
radio, where it fits very neatly. If I want to plug in a straight key, I
use one of the two right-hand sockets. If I want to connect a paddle, it
goes into one of the sockets on the right. I get an extra socket for each
type as well. Right now, I have my Torsion Bar Cootie Paddle plugged into
it on the "Paddle" side, but if I want it to be a Cootie, I just move it to
the jacks on the right -- they're pre-jumpered to serve for a Cootie,
straight key, or bug. Very convenient! But I digress...

The whole "cover up the ports so they don't get filled with schmutz"
concept is a good one IF you take the radio where there be schmutz. My KX3
is on a RAM mount clamped to the wire "bread" rack next to my recliner, the
PX3 right above it. I used SideFX mounts, so I can unclip the radio and/or
Panadapter at any time...if I want to hurt myself, as that (more dingbats,
expurgations, and censoriousness) polycarbonate stuff is STIFF, and my
fingers aren't what they used to be. So the KX3 stays in the house and the
cheaper and less-dear IQ32 or other kit built rigs go with me to the park.
Or DID go with me to the park...we'll see if I'm able to do that any more
once it warms up a bit more and stops raining every 43.5 minutes out of
nowhere. The lockdowns really messed up my ability to get any meaningful
exercise, and I find it hard to do a whole heck of a lot of walking these
days.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
73,
Gwen, NG3P

On Mon, May 10, 2021 at 1:53 PM Jim Brown <[hidden email]> wrote:

> I don't understand the need to have a cover for an unused jack that's
> not outside, exposed to the elements.
>
> 73, Jim K9YC
> ______________________________________________________________
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>