I was looking through a new Mouser ( www.mouser.com ) catalog and saw a new Xicon Alpha pulse switch which may operate like a Knitter.The switch is small like a Knitter, 10mm x 11.2mm, but has a 1/4"D shaft. The diagram shows pins 1 & 2 close on a clockwise rotation. Pins 3 & 4 close on a counter-clockwise rotation. $4.95 each.Mouser part number is: 105-SR-100030-PS.http://www.mouser.com/catalog/616/864.pdfRichard

Richard,I posted a thread on this info a few weeks ago as well. I also bought one unit and it works great! The only concerns: - detents are fairly rigid and spaced out: this gives the switch a 'tough, coarse' feel. Works fine, but feels less 'smooth' than others (not sure about knitter).- PCB mounted...with the 'rigidity' mentioned above, I am not sure if the soldered mounting will be overstressed by the heavy cycles in both directions. Otherwise, works very well...no skipping on turns...unless you turn VERY fast! No need for Redec or intermediate interfaces before a keypress connection.Thanks...anyone have any additional experience with this product?

Are "pulse" switches different from a regular rotary switch? I ask because I need to come up with something that will drive my trim wheels and I'm not sure of which kind of switch to use. Any advise is appreciated. Also - if I don't need a pulse switch for this application, can someone recommend a part number for the rotaries I do need?Thanks!

Hi...will these pulse switches allow you to change integers by turning one way and then change decimals going the other way. I am using FSBUS and and currently I can only turn the decimals up or down or integers up or down ?Many thanks...JB

You could set it up that way, JB, but it would be awkward. You could only either ncrement or only decrement each. If you were at 124 and wanted to go to 123 you'd have to go "all the way round the clock" to get there.Richard

>Hi...will these pulse switches allow you to change integers>by turning one way and then change decimals going the other>way. I am using FSBUS and and currently I can only turn the>decimals up or down or integers up or down ?Just have two knobs, many older radios had that. Or build yourself a concentric setup from some metal tubes and gears or something. www.opencockpits.com has a tutorial about this, I did mine like that and they work fine.Also you can just set the knob to adjust 25kHz steps and set the "acceleration" so you can turn fast to adjust the integer part and then when you get closer you can turn more carefully and slow to get the fraction right.Tuomas