I am building a tube based audio mixer which I want to make modular. So I plan to have plug in mic channel modules. I am looking for some simple straightforward low cost way to make screened plug in modules. I am aware of the system made by companies like \\Schroff but that is prohibitively expensive. The best I have come up with so far is to use a large diecast box with an added faceplate for fixing.
Any ideas?
Cheers
Ian
I assume that it is only the audio in/out that need to be screened.
Have you considered F connectors?
Secure a 'push-on' F male to F female adaptor on the chassis and an F splice on the module (or vice-versa).
Find a suitable screened cable/F plug combination for onward connection.
If your module is completely screened (I assume it will be) the splice could be replaced by a chassis mount female.
They meet your requirement of being simple and low cost.
Similar components are used for thousands of plug-in CATV modules working up to 1GHz or more, so I'm sure they'll be ok for your audio!
A chassis mount male push-on may be harder to find but they do exist:
Gilbert used to list a wide range of connectors which would be suitable but I can't find any trace of them now. In any case, in the small quantities you're interested in, sourcing them might be expensive, which blows your spec - so stay with the cheap and cheerful version - just make sure the push-on adaptor is a good one!
All you need now is something cheap for power ...
Terry
Since tubes are quite susceptible to stray magnetic and electrostatic fields, the entire circuit needs to be screened for lowest noise.
No, but I remember using them many many many years ago for an RF ATE project. Thanks for the tip, I'll check them out.
Cheers
Ian
Look into NIM bins maybe. The size is about right for toob electronics.
John
No argument - but you don't need fully screened power connectors!
They're certainly cheap enough!
Anyway, I've realised why I couldn't find the other type I mentioned - they're actually called GSK type - similar size, etc. to F but without the thread and specifically designed for the purpose. Take a look here:
Terry
Indeed not, but I think we may be talking at cross purposes. I am wanting to house the entire microphone pre-amplifier electronics, including its controls, in a screened removable module (box). Clearly it will have a multi-pole connector for power supplies (unscreened) and screened connectors for the audio in and out. But is is the low cost and simple construction of the module (box/enclosure) that I am really looking for advice on.
Hope that is a little clearer.
Cheers
ian
use a soup can?
At the extreme, you can use copper plumbing parts to make enclosures.
How about just using sheet metal boxes?
In either case, it seems that you need a blind mating connector. I have used Sub-D connectors with extra guide pins as blind mating connectors. You can use nylon locking hardware like "aviation" nuts on the bolds that hold them. The trick is not to do them up tight so that the connector can shift a bit as needed.
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