PTT footswitch is an addition that was developed especially for SSB contesting. Contesting does not allow to use a hand microphone – hands are used to control RIG, rotator, power amplifier, antenna switches and logging contacts. So we decide to use a headset with microphone with a PTT footswitch.
Commercial headsets for amateur radio are very expensive. So we choose cheaper headset for personal computer with an electret microphone and RX/TX switching is done by homemade PTT footswitch.
PTT footswitch is made from printed circuit board (PCB). It's an ideal material for a simple mechanical constructions in amateur radio praxis. Simply cut out all parts and solder them together.
Collect all parts before you cut PCB. Dimensons showed are only approximate and are depending on the dimensons of microswitches and joints.
Now cut all parts from PCB. Bottom plate is few milimeter narrower than top plate (150 x 96mm). Solder parts together. You will got a top and bottom side of PTT footswitch. Drill the holes for joints and screw them to both plates.
The back side is holding two microswitches and CINCH connector. We have used two microwitches instead one – it's much reliable. Assembly on the back side connector and microswitches.
Stop is made by screw. For the exact lengh is screw grinded until you will find a lenght where are microswitches closed but not crushed yet. Steel spring is from the battery holder. Two stop screws are improving the stability of footswitch (on the each side).
PTT footswitch is ready for operation but looks terrible. We have spreyed side and backside plates with a black colored spray. On the top plate is glued a sand paper. On the bottom plate is glued a rubber from the old tyre's inner tube.
Completed PTT footwitch costs around 5 pounds and it's improving the comfort of SSB work.
PTT footswitch is an addition that was developed especially for SSB contesting. Contesting does not allow to use a hand microphone – hands are used to control RIG, rotator, power amplifier, antenna switches and logging contacts. So we decide to use a headset with microphone with a PTT footswitch.
PTT footswitch is made from printed circuit board (PCB). It's an ideal material for a simple mechanical constructions in amateur radio praxis. Simply cut out all parts and solder them together.
