Thread started by lackflag at 08.2.10 - 8:30 pm

i am thinking about converting the microphone on my megaphone to an input jack.

are you knowledgeable about such things, and would you maybe want to help me?

as far as i know, there are two functions on the microphone: on/off, and volume. it is a 50 watt model from harbor freight.

i would like to be able to plug an ipod (or similar) into it via a 1/8 inch jack, and ideally be able to easily switch back and forth between the original microphone and the 1/8 jack. however, i will probably be willing to pursue a more hard-wired conversion.

help? know someone that can help? appreciation will follow. thanks in advance.

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Before you go through too much trouble, you should consider that megaphones make lousy music speakers.



petr0lb0mb
08.2.10 - 10:20 pm

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ur gonna need a soldering iron n some solder



amodone
08.2.10 - 11:10 pm

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instructables is always a great source. Here's one,

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Build-a-Megaphone-Bike-Stereo/



DArK ENERgY
08.2.10 - 11:28 pm

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you can get a 1/4" input jack at Ametron for under $5
if you have a soldering iron you can just cut the cut off the walkie talkie part
then attach the wires to the 1/4" female jack.
Then you can plug in any 1/"4 device.
If you got real excited you could get a male 1"4 jack rewire the walkie talkie part so you could optionally use it with its original function.



trickmilla
08.3.10 - 9:32 am

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@ petr0lb0mb: im hoping to prove your blanket value judgement to be wrong as fuck

@ DArK ENERgY: That site is really neat. thanks.

@ trickmilla: i hope i get real excited. thats a good idea.


im still wondering about the volume function on the microphone, and if i need to account for an extra wire or what.



lackflag
08.3.10 - 2:02 pm

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I assume if there is a preamp circuit for the microphone, the place to tap into would be after the preamp. A 1/8 jack, the switching type, would be ideal. That way when the jack is in use, the mic is cut off, and when the jack is unplugged the mic is connected.

I'm just a hobbyist and not an EE, but I've built guitar effect pedals from scratch. This project will take some experimentation. Have you searched for a schematic?



Ed
08.3.10 - 3:25 pm

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ed, i recognize the words but unfortunately i don't speak the language. i wouldn't know how to read a schematic if i had one, but im comfortable enough with tools and electronics to experiment my way to success.however, i am poor enough right now that i dont want to risk fucking up the megaphone i just bought, which is why im here.

to be perfectly honest, what i would really like is for someone with some knowhow and a little free time to hold my stupid hand on this. otherwise i might just buy a mini-cassete recorder and tape it to the mic. (i know this sounds like a recipe for horrible noise, but one thing i do know how to do is create tracks that will take advantage of the strengths and weaknesses of a given set-up)



lackflag
responding to a comment by Ed
08.3.10 - 3:45 pm

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Behold - THE OBNOXICATOR!

http://www.acmeengineering.net/diy_obnoxicator.html

I have one of these myself.



Joe Borfo
08.3.10 - 3:45 pm

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and then join our church.

http://megaphone.tribe.net/





Joe Borfo
08.3.10 - 3:47 pm

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ok now i want to just rip the thing open and see what it looks like in there. i have the harbor freight one.



lackflag
responding to a comment by Joe Borfo
08.3.10 - 4:00 pm

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"THE OBNOXICATOR"

Well, the name sounds appropriate.
I'll start carrying earplugs with me on rides just in case I come across this thing.



petr0lb0mb
responding to a comment by Joe Borfo
08.3.10 - 4:57 pm

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lackflag: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQ5bkO1Ij2o&feature=related

ipod ear buds ---> mic



Ed
responding to a comment by lackflag
08.3.10 - 6:06 pm

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Thanks! Coincidentally, this is what I figured out once I got home and started fiddling with it.

It looks like I can just pop open the microphone case and solder the leads from a set of headphones to where the microphone contacts are. Then run the wire out one of the air holes in the mic case. If it works I think I'll even be able to retain use of the mic.

Gotta visit my dad's house and dig my soldering iron out of the garage.

Huzzah!



lackflag
responding to a comment by Ed
08.3.10 - 6:49 pm

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