Overcomplicated magnetic iambic paddle

prusaprinters

<p>This is a somewhat overcomplicated, but nice, iambic &nbsp;key for portable radio operation. &nbsp;It has a magnetic base to attach to your radio's chassis, allowing for easier use in the field without needing a heavy base of its own.</p><p>It uses a small PCB (included as a KiCAD project in the ZIP file) to carry a headphone jack with some robustness. &nbsp;Headphone jack is specified below. &nbsp;PCB can be clearcoated (or propertly conformally coated, if you have that available) after assembly.</p><p>It uses the following parts:</p><p>* 3x6x2.5mm ball bearings to carry the paddles (L630ZZ / MR63ZZ)<br>* #6 ring terminals (I used Wirefy marine ones, which have waterproof heat shrink ends)<br>* Return spring is the spring out of a Pilot Precise V5 retractable rollerball pen<br>* ¼" / 6mm neodymium magnets<br>* M3-16 buttonhead screws and nuts (which allows tweaking and/or complete disassembly in the field with a single allen key, and makes all parts interchangeable)<br>* One nyloc locking nut is used for the center post<br>* headphone jack is Kobiconn 161-2903-E (unfortunately discontinued, but I have a bunch on hand)<br>* 22 AWG (0.34mm²) wire</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Assembly should be straightforward, but a picture of an assembled unit with the lid removed is included in case it's unclear where nuts go.</p>