DX Engineering Transceiver Key Line Splitter

DX Engineering Transceiver Key Line Splitter – a handy gadget designed to be connected to the ‘Ground-On-Transmit’ amplifier keying line of a transceiver. This single-input, triple-output passive DC only unit provides multiple PTT keying lines, two for other accessories in addition to one for the amplifier. All four connectors are female RCA phono.

Many special Amateur Radio devices, from receive accessories to simple phasing units and even automatic antenna switches, need to use the same T/R keying line as your amplifier. But they don’t have a keying line pass-through for the amplifier. The Transceiver Key Line Splitter is that handy item that is needed in almost every shack!

Developed by Ed, K8IV, you can think of it as an “IV” line for your radio’s amp keying output, allowing more than just an amplifier to switch when your transceiver goes to transmit. Each keying output of this device is guarded with a separate 45V 2A Schottky diode, providing ground-on-transmit isolation between each accessory keying line. Therefore, this splitter will keep the load or voltage of any one device from affecting the others. But, the KEYLINE-3 input depends upon the voltage and current rating of your transceiver’s transistor or relay keying circuit for an amplifier, so check your manual for the total that it will safely handle. Most accessory keying lines send 13.8 Vdc at only a few milliamps, so this combination typically works without issue. The KEYLINE-3 is passive, meaning that it requires no power to function. It is not a transistor buffer and it has no relays.

They really want to call it the “Key Line 3.14” – (key line pi). You know… three outputs from one input with a total of four phono female connectors. But we can’t call it a “pie” because someone might think they are buying some kind of non-raspberry micro-PC or something! No, it’s just a splitter.

DXE-KEYLINE-3 Features

• Works with most transceivers
• Allow multiple items to be connected to a transceiver’s T/R or Send line
• Center Positive Keying
• Schottky diode protection between outputs
• Common RCA Phono connections
• Unit is passive – does not require power to operate