[Milsurplus] PL-54 vs PL-55

[WA5CAB at cs.com]

Tom,

The brass shaft of the PL-54 is about 2/3 the length of the one on the PL-55. 
 The backshell, connections and cable clamp areas of the two are the same.  
PL-354 is same as PL-54 except for red rather than black plastic sleeve.  It 
was originally intended to be used to ID Lo-Z headsets from Hi-Z ones, during 
the period of changeover (roughly 43-45).  The common 1/4" two-wire commercial 
phone plugs are decendants of the PL-55, although most are more cheaply made 
(no cable clamp or cable support, etc.).

PL-54 was used on headsets as a bailout plug.  Headsets so equipped required 
an extension cable, commonly the Signal Corps CD-307(*), Navy Cxx-49534 or AN 
CX-4548/U.

PL-54 and PL-55 became PJ-054B and PJ-055B.  PL-354 became PJ-054R.

Mating connector (cable only) for PL-54 is JK-26 or JJ-026.

In a message dated 7/9/2005 10:02:48 AM Central Daylight Time, 
tlinbeck at sbcglobal.net writes: 
> Can anyone tell me how the PL-54 differs from the PL-55?  I
> assume that the PL-55 is identical mechanically with our 1/4
> two-conductor phone plugs.  However, I seem to be unable to
> locate any specs on the PL-54.  Thanks in advance!

Robert Downs - Houston
<http://www.wa5cab.com> (Web Store)
MVPA 9480
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