[RTTY] RadioShack isolation transformer replacement

[john at kk9a.com]

It is unfortunate that Radio Shack discontinued their isolation transformer 
which was great for home brew projects.   Last year I purchased their ground 
loop isolator and with the enclosed adapters it was plug and play.  The unit 
worked fine.

John KK9A



To:"'RTTY'" <rtty at contesting.com>
Subject:[RTTY] RadioShack isolation transformer replacement
From:"Don Hill AA5AU" <aa5au at bellsouth.net>
Date:Tue, 3 Apr 2012 23:18:30 -0500

Since I couldn't operate because of weather last night, I took time to
fabricate a RadioShack audio isolation transformer that I had
in the junk drawer (was p/n 273-1374) into a small plastic project box with 
two
RCA jacks so I could use it on a 2nd radio for JT65
AFSK transmission.

Today I decided to check the local RadioShack store to see if they still 
sold
this transformer and I couldn't find it. I looked
online on their website and that part number is no longer valid and I could 
not
find the transformer. Instead I found what they are
calling a "Ground Loop Isolator". I have a strong suspicion that it's 
basically
the same thing built into an enclosure with leads
coming out of it with RCA audio plugs. It's on their website as p/n 270-054,
shown here:

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062214

I wonder if anyone is using one of these to route audio to/from their PC to
their radio? Seems like a slick solution. I need to
update my RTTY webpages if indeed this "Ground Loop Isolator" will replace 
the
old audio isolation transformer. I read through all
the reviews. All but two were positive at getting rid of hum on audio but 
all
were from those using it with sound systems and none
from hams. I see no reason why it wouldn't work for us hams.

The only problem I see with it, is that you would have to use an RCA female 
to
1/8" phono plug adapter in order to plug it into your
PC sound card or else cut off the RCA plugs install your own 1/8" phono 
plugs.

Some of us still use homebrew interfaces and audio cables!

Thanks!