[Elecraft] Headphones and extension cable - leave plugged in?

[K8JHR]

On 7/19/2014 11:39 AM, Barry wrote:
  >
> My question - is it better to unplug the headphones from the extension cable
> when not in use, ... Or, would repeatedly plugging/unplugging it cause more
> fatigue in the connection over time?

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	The plugs/jacks are meant to be connected
	all the time, so it is better to just leave
	them connected.  I believe the usual culprit
	is a break in the little wires inside the
	cable, and not usually the spring clips that
	comprise the jack.  They usually break close to
	where the strain relieve ends.  One can usually
	repair them by cutting the jack off the cable
	(NO pun intended... I assure you) ;-)
	and installing an inexpensive replacement for
	around $1.  The same goes for the plugs on the
	headphones, although the little cables on the
	headphones are typically much smaller gauge than
	that of the extension cable inner conductors, so
	they are much harder to fix than extension cables.

	I have no argument with the suggested de-oxit
	treatment, but in my experience, the jack is
	not the usual suspect (although sometimes the
	jack contacts do break occasionally) and the
	usual problem is a break down the line just
	after beyond the strain relief, so close to
	the jack we suspect it, instead of the cable.

	Shoot, these little extension cables cost
	about  $2 or less at www.allelectronics.com
	so it behooves one  to have several extras
	on hand and just toss them when they go flaky.
	I cannibalize them for the good ends and use
	them for other things when building projects.

	I took extra cables, an extra headset, and
	some odd connectors to my first time at the
	big contest station along with my radio and
	favorite headset - just in case I encountered
	any problems with my gear... and that enabled
	me to provide instant replacement of a
	flaky cable and headset on the most important
	40 meter station, saving them from having to
	effect time-consuming repairs.  I felt pretty
	stud because I was prepared and was able to
	solve the problem in a flash.

	So, buy extra cables and just swap them out
	whenever they go bad, tossing the good ends
	into your "wish box" for use in future building
	projects.
		 			
Just MY take, anyway.

------------------------ K8JHR ------------------






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