control stick ptt

[skysigns]

looking on the best way to put a ptt on the top of the control stick and were to find parts

 

[sjohnson]

Put a small switch (miniature momentary pushbutton, normally off) on the stick tube, where you can press it with your pinky. This keeps it out of the way of the top of the stick for fingertip flying, and if you have a traditional stick, you won't have to drill the ball. You'll need to drill a hole in the tube.

Use a connector where the wires exit the stick, so you can remove it for maintenance. Run both wires all the way back to the radio - don't try to use the airframe or stick for the "ground".

 

[skysigns]

looking to install in the top of the ball if i can

 

[CubCruiser]

American Legend has these in single and double switch varieties.

 

[Farmboy]

Lots of options. Do a little google search for stick grips.

I don’t like the pinky PTT, must have a weak pinky. But I like the front mounted switches.
You can drill a hole in your cap and stick a switch in it. Or replace with all sorts of grips or anything that fits the stick.
I really dislike ray allen buttons but they make caps with top switches.

I’ve used motorcycle grips with a button in the top.
I’ve used Tosten grips and the new pioneer grips. Both of these are trigger position ptt switches.
Google is my friend on this due to the huge variety.

I had bent up a new stick in the pa-18-95 and used a motorcycle grip on that. Here’s photos.

 

[Farmboy]

I added a Tosten to a new “helicopter” stick I made for the Wag Aero.

 

[cubdrvr]

What sjohnson said.

 

[pcj_5189]

I had a difficult time trying to find what I liked. Wanted a wood grip but it ended up extending too high and hit my panel before full forward travel. I ended up cobbling my own by buying a plastic disc made to be the foot of a barstool that had the correct diameter to fit into the stick and drilled a hole in it for the PTT. I bought the foam grips from Cub Crafters and it turned out pretty good.

 

[Oliver]

Look up Ray Allen G101 PTT
spruce item

 

[Aerowerk]

Here is what I did for my homebuilt (non-cub). Before we had 3D printers, I made up some bushings on the lathe. That let me get some big chunky pushbuttons but recess them in the stick so I didn't have interference issues with the instrument panel.

Here it is in the stick. I also put a bicycle grip over the stick but I don't have that picture handy.

This is the button I ordered:

https://www.newark.com/mcm/26-725/pushbutton-switch-3a-125vac-panel/dp/29C8785

Like sjohnson, I put disconnects on each of my sticks. That comes in handy. Two pin Deans connectors, like we use in RC, work great.

Edit: found this picture which shows the sticks with the grips.

 

[cubdriver2]

I quit putting PTT on top of stick. I've broken them off when on skis getting in and out with bulky clothes and boots

Glenn

 

[DENNY]

All the cool pilots use the pinky switch
DENNY

 

[flybynite]

I turned an aluminum plug to fit the top of the control stick and used a foam ar buffer tube cover on the J3 that looks like the pic in post #8

 

[KeithO]

I originally thought I would go with a PTT on top of the stick - but the plane I got had the "pinky PTT" already installed. I ended up replacing the original pinky PTT switch with one that had a very good tactile feel to it - and also did not dig into my pinky when I pressed it.

After doing some long ferry flights (22 hrs over three days, 44 hours over 5 days) throug busy airspace up the west coast I can say that I like the pinky PTT a lot.
Turns out the ball is a great place to rest your hand when you have to fly without an autopilot.

Yes I know you could recess the switch on the ball but then it's more work to press it. To each his own but that's my experience.

 

[skywagon8a]

No need to overthink this. It's only a ptt button.