Sounds great Colin.  Never under estimate the power of positive thinking. 
Gary KB2YAA
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Colin McDonald" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, March 07, 2008 12:27 AM
Subject: function button box completed


> Hey all:
> I finished up the box this evening.
> So, it is a small project box, about 3 and a half inches by 2 and a 
> quarter
> inches by two and a quarter inches.
> On the top, in a row are the PF switches 1 through four as they are on the
> MC45DM microphone.
> I didn't mount the 8 pin chassis connecter in the box, but instead used an
> old xlr cable that i had laying around, cut one end off and wired it to 
> the
> terminal binding strip that I used inside the box.
> I used a short peace of cat5 8 conducter cable to go from the terminal 
> strip
> inside the box out to an 8 pin kenwood mike connecter, which, by the way,
> only uses 7 pins anyway.
> So i hooked up one of my studio microphones to the xlr cable, and just
> plugged the box into the radio.  I have full control over all four PF keys
> via the toggle switches.
> I haven't yet wired up a PTT control of any kind, but that is next.
>
> If anyone wants a more detailed explanation of the building process or 
> what
> components i used, and how I put it all together, just say the word.
> If you want part numbers and brands, let me know that too so i can get 
> them
> off the invoice which i think I still have from the perchase.
> Again, it cost me around $25 for all the parts including rolls of 100 of 
> the
> two values of resisters i used.
> I think If I want to put in a chassis mount XLR connecter and an RCA
> connecter or anything extra, I'll have to use a slightly wider or longer
> project box.
>
> If instructions aren't enough, I may consider building a few of these 
> boxes
> for anyone who doesn't feel comfortable tackling the project themselves.
> It isn't a problem putting the regular mike socket on the project box so 
> you
> can have control of PTT and audio through a desk mike, as well as your
> typical up/down buttons, but have the PF keys availible.
> a female balanced XLR jack for a studio mike, and an RCA jack for ptt 
> isn't
> a problem either.
> I opted out of the metal type hammond box because they were about twice 
> the
> price.
> However, a metal box would make life a bit easier as far as common 
> grounding
> goes...a little neater inside as well; not so many wires having to get to
> pin 7, or ground.
>
> There are all sorts of neat possibilities here and its only limited by
> imagination and technical know how on my part.
> 73
> Colin, V A6BKX
>
>
>
>
> -- 
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> 6:38 PM
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>