Looking for a USB Foot switch for PTT

Tom-Freedman

HI,

I have a Flex 6600. I'm setting up a Expert 1.5-KA Amplifier and things are working as far as CAT control and PTT when using the hand mic. However, I'd like to find a way to use a Foot Switch for PTT when needed. I'm very attached to the idea of a foot switch when using headphones, but as far as i can tell I need the PTT RCA #8 connector on the rear panel for the foot switch. However that #8 Connector is used by the interface cable I received from Dan Tassell for Controlling PTT for the Amp.

I'm wondering if I could connect an off the shelf USB foot switch for PTT. I see that there are a number of USB Foot pedals available on AMAZON. I suspect this would require some setup of a USP device in the radio software

Would a USB foot pedal be a good solution, or do folks have other ideas for how to get Foot pedal PTT working when the #8 connector on the rear panel is otherwise occupied?

Thanks, Tom

KD0RC

Hi Tom, RCA jack #8 labeled "PTT" is an input, not an output. TX1 - TX3 are the outputs to the amp. Use TX Band Settings to select the TX port that you will be using for your amp. PTT is where you plug in your foot pedal.

Tom-Freedman

Thanks!

Mike-VA3MW

This should help

https://www.youtube.com/live/3_bSfOxi1sI?si=6ANtXe5vYmYldMi8

John WA7UAR

All good options… I found and use this recent product too from Halibut Electronics for my PTT foot pedal:

https://halibut-electronics.github.io/HaliKey/User%20Guide.pdf

Erika - KØDD

Say, when things go really bad in your shack Tom you dont want to be using anything usb in your ptt line. Usb is very susceptible to rfi blitzing. Arcing amps for instance are throwing lots of hash in your goolash... here's what i have for a foot switch and ive had it since the 1970s... its an old wollensack dictaphone foot switch . It is made of a tough plastic, with a metal base and it is huge. I still miss it every so often in the heat of battle. I got a couple at an electronics surplus store back then. I had to replace the cord as the insulation was rubber based last year though. I had /still have a stack of radioshack 20 foot rca to rca cords still in the packages. I used to use the fast forward and reverse levers on left and right to rotate my rotor cw and ccw back in the olden days through my drake c4 counsole. Now i have mouse clicks. But if something goes badly i can lift my foot and the ptt goes to rcv. Its plugged right in the back of the radio. I still use ferrites on each end but its not an rfi issue. Find a quality switch and treat it well. It will last a lifetime. Erika DD

Tom-Freedman

Thanks, I'll save the USB idea for remote operation If I get around to that