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Reviews For: Linemaster Foot Switches - Clipper Model

Category: Contesting Hardware

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Review Summary For : Linemaster Foot Switches - Clipper Model
Reviews: 13MSRP: 37.76
Description:
Device that provide PTT (Push to talk) functions when depressed with your foot. Used to keep your hands free when using a boom-mounted or headset mounted microphone. The Linemaster Clipper unit lasts virtually forever. Very well made.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.linemaster.com/clipper.html
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00135
KA2LIM Rating: 2021-09-26
the best Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Have used these foot switches for 20+ years in a contest station environment, NEVER fail - ALWAYS work. Use at the home station and now in use in a mobile/portable setup. Work every time because they are made for industrial use. Old story: If you want the best, price in no option.
VE7REN Rating: 2021-09-25
THE ABSOLUTE BEST FOOTSWITCH! PERIOD! Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
i recently bought one from a big box store for my station to replace a heil fs-2 . i wanted something more toe operated,and better build over the heil. i had been eyeballing these for many years,and finally bought it. IT IS HEAVY,SOLID,AND HAD A NICE CLICK TO IT,they are easy to engage with my tootsies. i liked the first one so much,i bought 2 more from amazon,and wired them myself using 2- 1/4 shielded cables i had kicking around from some audio technica mic packages i owned. these thing will outlast me,and another generation for sure. dx engineering sell these already wired. catalogue number-DXE-FS-002 . used in conjunction with any of the heil cc-1 xlr mic cables with the 1/4 female pigtail for icom,kenwood,or yaesu,these just plain integrate smoothly! i have since sold all 3 of my heil footswitches.
W0FEN Rating: 2016-05-17
10 on a 5 SCALE Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This switch is fantastic!! It is heavy so it does not move around. Make SURE you get the 636-S. It costs more but is the progressive FS with two micro-switches each adjustable for timing. Key the AMP before TXCVR. Beware-- The timing was out of adjustment when I received it. It must be opened up to connect the cords, so no problem. THIS is THE ONE. It beats all others hands down. A phillips #2 screwdriver and a 5/32" allen wrench are all you need to get this running.
AB4D Rating: 2015-11-27
Best I've found Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I recently began using a Linemaster Clipper 636-S footswitch. I finally had enough fun chasing the lightweight dual contact footswitch I was using from the H brand. The Clipper 636-S is a cast body dual stage foot switch, with adjustable timing. However, because it's not pre-wired, I simply exchanged the cables from my old footswitch to the new Clipper.

I like the dual stage design 636-S versus a single stage, as it allows the operator to key an amplifier before the transceiver, thus preventing any hot switching of the amplifier's relay. The internal switch timing is adjustable via a small set screw.

In comparison, the Clipper footswitch has very smooth movement. Now keying my radio/amplifier requires very little effort, and can be done with a toe, rather than using my whole foot to both depress and stabilize the old footswitch because of it lightweight sheet metal design.

The only negative thing I can report about the Clipper. I have smooth floors in the shack, and even this switch can slide around a bit, but it's much less of a problem than before.

In closing, it's a much better product than I was using before and definitely worth what I paid.
WQ8Q Rating: 2014-08-20
Just what I needed Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
Is there any simpler device in electronics than a switch? You’d think it would be easy.
Last weekend I was casually contesting in the NAQP but spent most of my time chasing my footswitch around under the operating desk. I’ve tried several musical instrument footswitches, and the latest of which is a digital piano pedal and I thought that would be the cat’s pajamas for switching the rig into transmit. I found I had to take my shoe off so I could feel where it was. Operating it was no fun.
So, hoping to avoid some of the big ham radio accessory manufacturers, ( I have an MFJ-free shack) I checked here on eHam and found this Linemaster 632-S Clipper Foot Switch which had good reviews, and ordered it from that large online retailer that everyone knows who ships free in two days with a Prime membership. I ordered it Monday and it arrived Wednesday and it took me about fifteen minutes to open it up, attach a guitar cord to it (I had one on hand, and it already had the ¼” plug on one end), and hook it to the radio. It has a non-skid base and they're not kidding. I tried everything I could to make this thing shift around on the carpeted floor. It would not budge. If you're really desperate the switch has mounting holes for a permanent installation to the floor. The switch (which is not wired when you get it) allows you to choose how you want to wire it (normally open or normally closed) and something like the guitar cord is thick enough that the strain relief clamps the cord tightly. Cast iron, weighs a couple of pounds. A real keeper. Not only that, but it works on my digital piano! Guess I’ll have to order another one for that.
73 de Rick WQ8Q
N1KDO Rating: 2012-02-28
this is what you want Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The Linemaster foot switches are pro-quality and the Clipper series is very likely indestructible in amateur radio shack or contesting use.

Like another poster wrote, these are the foot switches that are used by radio dispatchers 24-by-7, so you can expect to get a lifetime of contesting use from one of these.

Look for them on that online auction site, I've bought some new in box for $20.

AE7KB Rating: 2011-11-22
632s-Built Like a Tank Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
This is the first one of these that I've actually owned but I'm no stranger to them as PTT switches. In years past, I've dispatched tow trucks and taxi cabs with them. They are ideal for use by people that sit at a radio console eight hours a day for a living. Rated for 15amps at 125v, closing a PTT circut is hardly taxing. New ones are available at a well known on-line auction site for about $35 to $40 with shipping. When I needed a foot switch for contesting, I never considered anything else. Why the ham radio suppliers don't carry them is a mystery to me.
K6CF Rating: 2011-09-26
Lasts forever! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have been using a Linemaster Clipper for over 20 years. I bought it used so I really have no idea how old it really is. I wish I had a dollar for every time I have pushed down on this switch. I would be a rich! It has worked perfectly as a PTT foot switch for all this time without once failing. Over the years, I have upgraded every piece of gear in my shack except my Linemaster Clipper. I take it for granted, but I really do appreciate the quality of this great product.
W5SXD Rating: 2010-06-18
super switch! Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
I broke both my main and spare footswitches, both Heils, during the VHF contest last weekend. Repaired one of them during a big six meter run. After a bit of research on the contesting sites I ordered two new ones.

'Tis a Linemaster Clipper model 632-s, about $39 from Allied Electronics. It weighs in at several pounds and is built like the proverbial brick building. Has a non-slide pad and is designed for medical and industrial equipment.

It came without any cord so I got a long heavy duty guitar amp cord, cut it in half to make two.
VE4EAR Rating: 2010-01-01
Rock Solid Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have two of the clipper footswitches, the wide model. These work great, solidly built, reliable, and they stay on the floor where you want them. The wide version makes it difficult to miss the footswitch under the pressures of high rate contesting.

These are professional grade switches. Motorola supplies these switches with their radio consoles systems and you will find them in public safety dispatch centers all over the world.

I have used the Heil FS-2 and while it worked OK, the narrow design and lightweight made it prone to sliding.

If you want a professional quality footswitch, do not hesitate to look at the Linemaster Clipper product line.