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Old 4th Jul 2020, 9:34 pm   #1
Steve G4WCS
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Default For once in my life I'm stumped- headphone wire.

Got an old pair of Sony stereo headphones that I want to use mono on the old Yaesu radios.
No problems, cut the 3.5mm stereo jack off and fit a 1/4” mono.

Except, was confronted with this. Thought they would be screened twisted pair , but the green and red don’t have an insulated inner conductor, they are both just fibre and copper braid.

Its probably immaterial now as there's no way they will solder but what on earth is going on, why isnt everything just shorting out ?
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Old 4th Jul 2020, 9:48 pm   #2
tony brady
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Default Re: For once in my life Im stumped- headphone wire

I think you'll find the copper wire is enamelled - you can burn it off with a soldering iron. Just leave the tails long enough so they don't short out
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Old 4th Jul 2020, 10:16 pm   #3
Steve G4WCS
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Default Re: For once in my life Im stumped- headphone wire

Thanks for clearing that up, that would make sense, I'll try it with a hot soldering iron.
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Old 5th Jul 2020, 12:11 am   #4
turretslug
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Default Re: For once in my life I'm stumped- headphone wire.

I've encountered something like this in headphone/earphone leads when fitting a replacement jack (often the lead goes intermittent close to the original moulded jack after much use) and, yes, it's reluctant to tin but persistence with hot, clean iron and fresh solder gives a nicely tinned tip in the end.
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Old 5th Jul 2020, 12:27 am   #5
Dave757
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Default Re: For once in my life I'm stumped- headphone wire.

Hi,

I put together a little box featuring a stereo jack socket, with a flying lead terminated in a 3.5mm mono jack plug to get roundthis problem.

It has the great advantage that you can still use your headsets with stereo equipment.

Kind regards, Dave.
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Old 5th Jul 2020, 9:12 pm   #6
Steve G4WCS
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Default Re: For once in my life I'm stumped- headphone wire.

The headphones will only be used for radios, and I'd assumed as experienced before normal screened cable inside it was going to be a quick 10 minute job. If I'd known they contained audiophoolery wire I'd have purchased an adaptor. We live and learn.
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Old 5th Jul 2020, 9:25 pm   #7
David G4EBT
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Default Re: For once in my life I'm stumped- headphone wire.

Don’t want to rub it in, but for future reference, you can buy a 1/4“ mono male jack to 3.5mm female stereo adaptor quite cheaply:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/kenable-Ste...XRTF4HAYKW5E95

As to soldering the wires, as has been said, generally, nowadays enamelled wire is solderable so should tin nicely without cleaning.

Good luck with it Steve.
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Old 5th Jul 2020, 10:38 pm   #8
Steve G4WCS
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Default Re: For once in my life I'm stumped- headphone wire.

Thanks David, no it's fine may buy one for the other headphones I have. On the plus side there's loads of room in an old school 1/4” jack to get the wires terminated properly and in
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Old 6th Jul 2020, 1:27 am   #9
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Default Re: For once in my life I'm stumped- headphone wire.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve G4WCS View Post
The headphones will only be used for radios, and Id assumed as experienced before normal screened cable inside it was going to be a quick 10 minute job. If Id known they contained audiophoolery wire Id have purchased an adaptor. We live and learn
It's not audiophoolery it's cheapskatery.
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