[Elecraft] Audio Mixer in the Ham Shack

[Clay Autery]

Here's an idea for the shared key...

Assuming a key with 2 leads and 4 rigs...

Build a switch box around something like an NKK MRX204 rotary switch
(This one switches 2 common leads simultaneously to 4 pairs of 2
switched leads)  Add a perf board or custom PCB with appropriate chassis
and 3.5mm TS sockets... add a Key IN 2-conductor cable, and an 8
conductor to 4 x 2 conductor breakout cable on the other side to connect
to the 4 rigs, and you have a neat, easily sharable key.  Here's the
data sheet...  http://www.mouser.com/ds/2/295/MRpowerLevel-22799.pdf

A million different switch types you could use...  Maybe even one with
spade connectors as switch terminals, where ALL the box internals would
be hookup wires from the switch to the TS sockets.  The breakout cable
could be locally made bu you with some 2 conductor cable and the right
heat shrink.

You could reduce the number of OUT sockets to 1 each, if you used
something like a MIL Type 8-conductor bulkhead shell and matching plug
on one end, and then broke out to 4 each Tip/Sleeve plugs or whatever
you need to plug into the 4 rigs on the other end....


Clean, clean, clean...

______________________
Clay Autery, KG5LKV
(318) 518-1389

On 2/17/2016 5:43 PM, Ken Talbott wrote:
> I hate swapping cables!  To avoid it, I use a Shure Model SCM800 8/9 input mixer ($50 to $150 on that auction site) and a Dave Clark headset.  I have audio on demand from 4 hf rigs, a vhf/uhf rig, and XM radio. Not a word of complaint from the XYL when I listen to 2 or more sources at once!  Antennas managed by two MFJ 6-in/6-out switches.  Now I just need to do something about the key!  I am considering using an old RS-232 mechanical switch to solve that problem.  I don't do microphones.  BTW, everything is mounted in standard 6 foot relay rack, on wheels for easy access to rear. 
> Ken - ke4rg
>
>