Threetom Wiretap Panel (2xPCB)
Threetom Wiretap panel (2xPCB)
f you’re a DIY enthousiast, you know the pain of connecting 3.5mm jacks to an oscilloscope. The THREETOM Wiretap solves this problem as it allows you to mount a 2-way multiple directly on a BNC jack. The 2-way multiple conveniently allows you to visualize a signal on your oscilloscope and then take that same signal back out to your modular! As a result the Wiretap provides the most convenient way of bridging the gap between your modular synthesizer and your test-equipment.
Product update: When ordering this product you will now receive two PCB’s, already cut out of the panel. This makes it even easier and faster to build your own Wiretaps.
Description
When I visualize the signals from my modular synthesizer on the oscilloscope, I often found a need to redistribute them (either to somewhere else in the patch or to my mixer). Of course this is a problem you can solve with some extra cables and mults. However, when you’re working in a small lab space such as mine, the ensuing cable spaghetti tends to make things confusing after a while. For this reason I decided to create the THREETOM Wiretap, a 2-way mult that you can directly mount onto a BNC connector. This way, I have my connections directly at the oscilloscope, making it much easier to keep track of my test patch.
Build info
Please refer to the DIY page.
Some notes on strain relief
The Wiretap is designed to handle the weight of regular modular cables hanging down from them. The Wiretaps are strain-relieved in three ways:
- The 3.5mm CUI jacks have two mechanical pins that stick through the PCB, this redirects any force/moment put on the jacks to the PCB instead of to the solder joints
- If the SMA to BNC adaptor is not overtightened, the Wiretap can freely rotate around it’s axis, so unwanted forces are converted into rotation rather than moment.
- The BNC connector has a spring that prevents force/moment put on the Wiretap from being transferred to the BNC connector on your test-equipment
Now, all of this being said : As with any other type of connector/adaptor we don’t recommend any excessive force or moment/lever to be applied to the Wiretap.
