Stumbled upon a nice looking KXX* CW key port adapter. Does anyone know if you can get these in Europe, or anything similar? Even a 3D print version perhaps?
Thanks all. 
*add your KX model number here.
2 Likes
Why ?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/3-5-Mm-Splitter/s?k=3.5%20Mm%20Splitter¤cy=EUR&refresh=1
Or be a real radio amateur and make your own for coppers.
1 Like
Good idea! What is the little connector the KX2 uses?
EDIT: Never mind. Looks like this?
Need to check the pin wiring and then get a barrel pigtail and that should be that.
Iâm beginning to think youâre some kind of Agentic chatbot system designed to pick the obvious solution to a problem and ignore it. You make a Y cable like the thing Amazon sells, 1x 3.5mm stereo plug, 2x 3.5mm stereo sockets, some wire. 10min job.
If you must use the difficult to use connector this is what you need, plus some veroboard and more wire.
https://de.farnell.com/en-DE/samtec/ssw-102-01-g-d/receptacle-2-54mm-dual-4way/dp/1668329
3 Likes
Thereâs a 3.5mm stereo socket on the left side panel of my kx3. I plug a stock standard 3.5mm stereo cable into that and the other end of the cable plugs into the back of any of my paddles. The paddle on the front of the radio is in the wrong place, I use my right hand with the paddle. The idea of using a fragile specialised connector for the paddle is just puzzling to me.
Edit: the centre of the front panel is equally inconvenient to left and right-handed ops. So they achieved equity on that scoreâŠ
4 Likes
I would put it this way, Andy: You canât blame people if they donât (yet) fully understand what theyâre holding in their hands.
This small male onboard connector was chosen by the designer for the connection with their attachable KXPD2/3 paddles. It is therefore a plug connection within the system and is thus not subject to any mechanical stress.
The solution later offered by Palm Radio for using their Pico Paddles directly attached to the radio takes this into account with a very short, highly flexible adapter cable that doesnât stress the onboard connector.
From this perspective, the 3.5 mm jack plug adapter offered by Pro Audio Engineering, which is permanently attached to the KX2/3, is an absolutely professional solution.
1 Like
Thereâs two Andrews/Andys!
Andy: I think itâs madness to spend $25 on a cable you can buy for $5. Or make for much less depending on how big your junk box is. As for the connector chosen, itâs designed so the paddle can connect and be fixed in place. I have no views on it having used such connectors since the early 80s. I must have crimped hundreds and hundreds of IDC versions of them over the years.
Andrew: Was questioning the choice of connector and the Elecraft paddle physical layout.
1 Like
The Pro-Audio Engineering adapter is very thin. The thickest stereo plug that will fit is about 7.7mm diameter for the plastic. Most of my keys wonât plug into the Pro Audio Engineering adapter. The angle plug in the pic fits. The straight plug is about 8.2mm diameter across the plastic which is pretty thin but it binds before plugging in all the way.
The adapter and Elecraft menus let me configure the side jack as a paddle and the front jack as a straight key. It keeps dirt and grit out of the opening. To me it is useful and Iâm glad I have the adapter. YMMV.
1 Like
There is only one Andy.
1 Like
Also big fan of homebrew here ⊠this was my solution
I also used some PC motherboard connector like Jose, @EA7GV
My paddle attaches with a magnet, no âscrewingâ involved ! 
73
Luc ON7DQ
1 Like