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Also, please check the composition and specifications of the wires you buy
Author: John Bisset ⋅ Published: September 13, 2021
Mike Johnson is the chief engineer of Mike Johnson Broadcast Technology in Portland, Oregon. He read our column on CATV F-to-RJ45 adapters and realized that he can contribute to the discussion.
In 2014, when Mike was helping to build a new facility for All Classical Portland, a colleague showed him an adapter he discovered that could simplify the connection between StudioHub and AES3 digital audio.
The solution was to use the three-pin XLR DMX lighting standard, which was later adapted to work over RJ45 cables. Like the CATV adapter we described, it uses the first pair of category cables. These adapters can be used as a short three-pin XLR male or female plug with one end connected to the RJ45 jack. The photos shown here are typical; you can find the connector on markertek.com and enter DMX-5XF-CAT5 in the search field.
The DMX standard starts with a five-pin XLR, but it does not require all five pins. Sweetwater has a discussion about understanding DMX.
These DMX adapters do not need to use a dual XLR to RJ45 adapter dongle for AES3 digital, which can result in an unnecessary and awkward right channel XLR connector (because the AES3 signal is only transmitted on the left analog connector). The DMX adapter is very short and can be directly plugged into the device to achieve a neat and tidy conversion.
San Diego’s Marc Mann said that Frank Hertel’s choice of silicone sheath in his LED luminaire dimmer project reminded him of an interesting experience.
First, Marc pointed out that as far as he knows, silicone-coated wires are dedicated to high-quality test leads because the flexibility of the sheath allows the probe holder to stay in place. The silicone formula also has heat resistance.
If you don't have at least one pair of test leads burned by the soldering iron, please raise your hand! When Marc needed to make some six-foot-long leads for his power supply, he chose silicone covered wires. He bought some 16 and 18 AWG (American Wire Gauge) wires from Ali Express and eBay. Each piece of cable is manufactured at sea.
When he stripped the wire from the 18th wire, the wire was pulled straight out of the sheath. Not just one thread, but all threads. No matter how carefully Marc peeled off the sheath, the wire would still be pulled through-the silicone sheath did not stick to the wire!
The wires are also marked incorrectly. Although the jacket says 18 Gauge, it is actually closer to 20 AWG.
Marc then discovered that he did not have 100% copper wire, but CCA or copper clad aluminum.
Marc learned from another website that the advantage of the CCA line is that it is lighter and more flexible. The cost of CCA and oxygen-free copper wire is also much lower.
Therefore, Marc reminds buyers to confirm the composition and specifications of the wires you buy, especially from online sources. If your application is critical, such as in high-power transmitters, changes may have an impact.
Glynn Walden also left us a description of Frank Hertel's LED dimmer circuit and commented on how far LED has come since he first experienced LED.
Glynn was in the fourth year of studying engineering at Florida International University, when someone brought a new diode, which emits a visible red light when it is placed on the curve tracer! Glynn said this is the time when the 555 integrated circuit (IC) replaces all old mechanical timers.
He wrote that he never dreamed that one day this tiny light-emitting chip would replace the incandescent bulbs in the console, let alone car headlights or home bulbs. Or, for that matter, the beacon on the tower.
agree. We are fortunate to live in such an era of continuous innovation and improvement.
Glynn retired from CBS Radio as the senior vice president of engineering, but he is probably best known as the father of the in-band channel digital broadcasting system, now known as HD Radio.
Speaking of improvements, 3M’s Filtrete pleated air filter department provides an app that allows you to set reminders to replace filters or order replacement parts. The app can also take into account the air quality in your area, so you can change filters not only based on time, but also based on air quality.
In online reviews, users stated that the app saves them money because they will not change the filter prematurely. Filtrete also has a filter model with a built-in sensor connected to your phone via Bluetooth, but according to some reviewers, the reliability of this new feature seems questionable.
In any case, if you are looking for a quick reminder to replace the filter, this app may be for you. It can be purchased on the Apple Store or Google Play, or search for "Filtrete Smart App".
Related to this, I recently repaired my home air-conditioning system, and I noticed that the technician had written something on his hand. I asked what it was, and he told me it was remembering the thermostat set point when he reset the thermostat after the test.
He told me that he was using "original handheld navigation."
CPBE's John Bisset (John Bisset) has worked in the broadcasting field for more than 50 years and is now in his 31st year of writing Workbench. He is responsible for the sales of the Telos Alliance’s Western US radio station. Workbench submissions are encouraged and are eligible for SBE recertification credits. Email [email protection].
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