G'day Bill,
We all know what you are going through.
I think the numbering is the way it is because originally the DIN plug was
just 3 pins numbered 1-2-3 in a row as you would expect. When more pins
were added, pins 1, 2 and 3 stayed as they were and the new pin numbers
were slotted in between as required. This made for a very messy numbering
scheme.
If your pins are moving in the plastic as you solder them, it means you
have bought el cheapo plugs. Good quality plugs have a material which does
not melt when you solder the pins. If you want to keep the plugs you
bought, try soldering the wires on whilst plugging the connector into a
socket. That will hold the pins and sink away the heat more quickly.
73 from sunny Perth,
Alek. VK6APK
At 08:16 AM 25/02/2006, Bill Turner wrote:
>Earlier today I was wiring up the 8-pin DIN plug for my new IC-756PRO
>III which is in the mail. I have a copy of the manual so I thought
>I'd get started on the accessory plug wiring.
>
>My first thoughts came as I looked up the pin number layout. Whoever
>laid out the numbering of the 8-pin DIN plug needs a long vacation in
>a nice, restful place. The pin numbers are, clockwise from lower
>left, 6-1-4-2-5-3-7 with number 8 in the center. Yes, the pins are in
>a circle just like tubes are, but not in the usual 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8. I
>wonder if the first letter in DIN stands for dyslexia.
>
>My next thoughts came as the plastic holding the pins in place
>softened as I was soldering them. My pins wandered around and when
>the plastic hardened again, they look like a game of pick-up-sticks.
>I now realize that soldering the wires is a two step process: solder
>the wire, then melt the pins back in place. I could never get them
>back exactly right. I hope the DIN jack is sloppy enough that they
>will fit anyway. I suspect it will be.
>
>My next thought came as a dream. I dream that am appointed President
>of ICOM. My first act is to locate the engineer who specified DIN
>connectors on our otherwise fine radios. I call him into my office
>and we have a chat. I ask why he spoiled a fine rig with DIN plugs.
>He tells me and we have a good laugh. I ask if he has ever heard of
>RCA plugs. He asks "How do you spell that?" and we have another good
>laugh. His body is never found.
>
>I then dream that I am made President of Germany, where the DIN plug
>originated. Before long, maps of Europe no longer have any place
>called "Germany" on them, only a large blank space. Mail to Germany
>is returned undelivered, even email does not go through and web sites
>are all 404. Psychologists everywhere notice that people's
>frustration levels are dropping dramatically and assaults and murders
>decline to practically nothing.
>
>The world is now a much better place to live.
>
>You're welcome.
>
>73, Bill W6WRT
>
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