Recycled mice

By Matt Erickson KK5DR

Many of us have a number of old computer mice laying around the radio shack. What to do with them? They are hardly worth selling, and you don't need them anymore for your new computer (replaced).

I have come up with a suggestion, use a computer mouse to PTT (Press To Talk) your ICOM HF radio.

I "rewired" a few old mice as hand PTT units for my 756PRO & PRO II.

The "soft-touch" buttons are great and low fatigue on the fingers, & can be placed anywhere on the desk.

Below is a drawing of the "rewire" modification of most common mice.

Pin 2 & 3 of the ACC-1 & 2 on the back panel of most ICOM HF radios can be used. All you need is a 7 or 8 pin DIN plug. Connect the wires from the mouse as shown above.

Either or both switches will activate the transmitter.

Remove any components from the mouse circuit board prior to use, this can be done by clipping them off with wire cutters.

The wiring can easily be altered to use on most radios. Most mouse button switches are rated at 1Amp @ 125vac. Should key most any radio.

73 de Matt KK5DR