I've noticed most CB's seem to have the same plug for power, it this an
industry standard? They all have a three pin plug with only the outer pins
used for power and ground, has the center pin ever been used/defined?

Eugene Nine wrote:
I've noticed most CB's seem to have the same plug for power, it this an
industry standard? They all have a three pin plug with only the outer pins
used for power and ground, has the center pin ever been used/defined?

The two closer together have always been ground.

Now they cheap out and only connect one?

o o o
+ - -

Scott in Baltimore wrote:

Eugene Nine wrote:
I've noticed most CB's seem to have the same plug for power, it this an
industry standard? They all have a three pin plug with only the outer
pins used for power and ground, has the center pin ever been
used/defined?

The two closer together have always been ground.

Now they cheap out and only connect one?

o o o
+ - -
Well, I haven't opened my new one yet, but the cheap radio shack one had the
middle disconnected

"Eugene Nine" wrote in message
news:x8CdnVJKVY4KeAjZnZ2dnUVZ_t2dnZ2d@wideopenwest .com...
Scott in Baltimore wrote:

Eugene Nine wrote:
I've noticed most CB's seem to have the same plug for power, it this an
industry standard? They all have a three pin plug with only the outer
pins used for power and ground, has the center pin ever been
used/defined?

The two closer together have always been ground.

Now they cheap out and only connect one?

o o o
+ - -
Well, I haven't opened my new one yet, but the cheap radio shack one had
the
middle disconnected

I've seen the other pin used with a yellow wire that was supposed to be tied
hot at all times to retain the channel memory, but I forget what model and
brand that was.

DrDeath wrote:

"Eugene Nine" wrote in message
news:x8CdnVJKVY4KeAjZnZ2dnUVZ_t2dnZ2d@wideopenwest .com...
Scott in Baltimore wrote:

Eugene Nine wrote:
I've noticed most CB's seem to have the same plug for power, it this an
industry standard? They all have a three pin plug with only the outer
pins used for power and ground, has the center pin ever been
used/defined?

The two closer together have always been ground.

Now they cheap out and only connect one?

o o o
+ - -
Well, I haven't opened my new one yet, but the cheap radio shack one had
the
middle disconnected

I've seen the other pin used with a yellow wire that was supposed to be
tied hot at all times to retain the channel memory, but I forget what
model and brand that was.

Sounds like there isn't much of a standard then. I was wanting to use it to
feed power in for the lights on the front and then use the dimmer knob for
the lights for something like a talkback circuit.

"Eugene Nine" wrote in message
news:0f2dnZQ8b6mNZATZnZ2dnUVZ_tSdnZ2d@wideopenwest .com...
DrDeath wrote:

"Eugene Nine" wrote in message
news:x8CdnVJKVY4KeAjZnZ2dnUVZ_t2dnZ2d@wideopenwest .com...
Scott in Baltimore wrote:

Eugene Nine wrote:
I've noticed most CB's seem to have the same plug for power, it this
an
industry standard? They all have a three pin plug with only the outer
pins used for power and ground, has the center pin ever been
used/defined?

The two closer together have always been ground.

Now they cheap out and only connect one?

o o o
+ - -
Well, I haven't opened my new one yet, but the cheap radio shack one had
the
middle disconnected

I've seen the other pin used with a yellow wire that was supposed to be
tied hot at all times to retain the channel memory, but I forget what
model and brand that was.

Sounds like there isn't much of a standard then. I was wanting to use it
to
feed power in for the lights on the front and then use the dimmer knob for
the lights for something like a talkback circuit.

Feed the lights from the power switch and you can still use the dimmer for
talkback. If the center pin is not connected to anything (in most cases it's
not), you can still use it, but it will need to be switched or the lights
will remain on when the unit is off. I would go with using the power switch
to control your lights.

"DrDeath" wrote...

I've seen the other pin used with a yellow wire that was supposed to be tied
hot at all times to retain the channel memory, but I forget what model and
brand that was.

Maxon?
I believe that is where I have seen it done that way, but there may also be Midland type radios
with it wired that way.


Regards,

Peter.

http://www.citizensband.radiouk.com/

"Peter" wrote in message
news:449d021c.0@entanet...
"DrDeath" wrote...

I've seen the other pin used with a yellow wire that was supposed to be
tied
hot at all times to retain the channel memory, but I forget what model
and
brand that was.

Maxon?
I believe that is where I have seen it done that way, but there may also
be Midland type radios
with it wired that way.


I was thinking Midland, but it was a long time ago when I saw it. Could be a
Maxon, your guess is as good as mine. But that's the only thing I have ever
seen it used for unless it was a modification someone made. I think some of
the power lead plugs in the past had small screws allowing you access to the
inside of the plug. What I don't get is why CBs still have a PA switch and
jack, even the cheapest of the cheap have them. I rarely see anyone have it
hooked up and can count on one hand the amount of times I've seen it used.
I'm glad the switch is there though, it comes in handy.