MX Connector (KVL)

[cs361]

I am looking for the socket MX connector that would be similar to the MX300, but that sits in a KVL. I am making a custom cable, and I need a socket (female).

I have searched everywhere I can think of to find one, but no luck. Any ideas? Or am I searching the wrong thing?

I'm looking to turn a MX connector to Hirose, without cables and need it to be female. I want to use my existing KVL cables on a different key loader that doesn't use the MX connector, and don't really want to butcher my current ones, or buy more.

I know I can get Motorola Hirose keyload adapters, but I'm also loading Harris XL200P and XL200M, and a Tait TP9900.

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[KD9RTX]

This will work if you have the Harris Key Admin application. Not sure about the Tait
Harris Programming Cable for Unity XG-100P and XL-200/185P Portable Radios | eBay

 

[cs361]

This will work if you have the Harris Key Admin application. Not sure about the Tait
Harris Programming Cable for Unity XG-100P and XL-200/185P Portable Radios | eBay

I don't have the key admin application. We do everything with a KVL.

 

[ElroyJetson]

Get a parts donor MX radio off ebay and extract the connector from it. As I recall it is a separate part that fits in the frame and is sealed with a small o-ring.

 

[KevinC]

Get a parts donor MX radio off ebay and extract the connector from it. As I recall it is a separate part that fits in the frame and is sealed with a small o-ring.

Or a STX. And yes, it’s a separate part that you can pop out of the case/frame. I may even have a junker STX I can salvage one from.

 

[cs361]

Or a STX. And yes, it’s a separate part that you can pop out of the case/frame. I may even have a junker STX I can salvage one from.

That would be great. I would buy it from you if you'd be willing to do that and have one lying around.

 

[RFI-EMI-GUY]

When you get a donor female MX or STX connector, chances are there is gooey rubber in the center where the speaker/mike switch is located. Just pry the goo out and clean up with alcohol.

 

[KevinC]

When you get a donor female MX or STX connector, chances are there is gooey rubber in the center where the speaker/mike switch is located. Just pry the goo out and clean up with alcohol.

Correct.

 

[KevinC]

That would be great. I would buy it from you if you'd be willing to do that and have one lying around.

I'll send some pics tomorrow to see if you think it will help you out.

 

[cs361]

I'll send some pics tomorrow to see if you think it will help you out.

Thank you!

 

[ElroyJetson]

Same connector in both the MX and STX. It's pressed in. See the little dot in the middle? That's the rubber seal that turns to goo.
Windex (real with ammonia) and a q-tip is the way to clean it out nicely.

Basically the back side of it is configured like a DIP integrated circuit. (Dual Inline Package) I think it fits in a DIP socket, if my memory serves me correctly.

There was a time when I worked on MX radios enough that I re-framed a few. That's a fair amount of labor, and you had to be really careful with the flex circuits. They'd develop faults if you looked at them wrong.

 

[KevinC]

I can just send you the complete top housing and you can build out from there.

 

[KevinC]

View attachment 170923

Same connector in both the MX and STX. It's pressed in. See the little dot in the middle? That's the rubber seal that turns to goo.
Windex (real with ammonia) and a q-tip is the way to clean it out nicely.

Basically the back side of it is configured like a DIP integrated circuit. (Dual Inline Package) I think it fits in a DIP socket, if my memory serves me correctly.

There was a time when I worked on MX radios enough that I re-framed a few. That's a fair amount of labor, and you had to be really careful with the flex circuits. They'd develop faults if you looked at them wrong.

You're not a real portable tech until you've changed a control flex on a MX360. And in the late 90's being the only shop in town that still did that and being the only tech at that shop that could do it ensured job security.

 

[cs361]

I can just send you the complete top housing and you can build out from there.

Awesome! I think I can make that work.

 

[ElroyJetson]

Heck, I remember converting a 4 channel MX300S to a 48 channel model. It's incredible how well I remember every part in the process. Moving squelch to an internal control. And then installing hand selected "best of the best" modules for highest performance.
MXs were the most fun radio platform to work on of any portable radio EVER.