Parts Supplier

[ramjet]

Hello,

Forgive me for being rather niave to electronics. I am a software engineer and so I like technical things but am new to this field. I am trying to build a project (we homeschool our kids) that involves a 3.5mm TRS jack. The female side is in existence it is the male 3.5mm (1/8) jack that I am trying to buy. I've looked at allelectronics.com and found hundreds of different options for male pre-molded or "raw" female jacks for a circuit boards. What I need help with is either a reputable supplier where I can get good components as well as a little hand holding or help with my search terminology. I've tried 3.5mm TRS 3.5mm jack etc.

The end result is I want to power the circuit from the male 3.5mm jack so I need something "raw" that I can use to run from the tip, ring, or sleeve to the other components on the board.

Again my apologies for being such a noobie.

Thank You
JB

P.S. I am in Denver but just assumed I would order online.

 

[shrtrnd]

Here's a few on-line:
www.partsexpress.com
www.Jameco.com
www.MCMelectronics.com

Have you got a 'Fry's Electronics' in your area?
Check the phone book, a Radio & TV electronics parts supply store?
Just for trivia, the 'TRS jack' is probably just 'Tandy Radio Shack', from whatever
literature your project came from.
There are several of the plug/jack sizes in the type of connector you're looking for.
(The inside and outside diameter of the connector). So be careful you get the correct
mating part, or you'll have intermittent connection problems.
Good luck with the project. You'll probably find a shop in-town that'll carry the part
you're looking for. Bring it with you, if you find a store that sells them, to be sure you're
getting the correct mating connector.

 

[ramjet]

TRS from my reading is for tip ring and sleeve. The project is my own concotion soooooo may not be perfectly smooth but it will be a learning experience. Thank you for your reply. I will check with Fry's as there are a couple around.

 

[shrtrnd]

Alright!
I learned something new from this post too.

 

[TBennettcc]

From my experience, RadioShack usually has this sort of thing...

Here is the Store Locator page for RadioShack. Looks to me they have around 20 stores in the Denver area. Should be one close to your house:

http://www.radioshack.com/storeLocator3/index.jsp

How about these?

http://www.radioshack.com/category/index.jsp?categoryId=2032231

http://www.radioshack.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2032280

http://www.radioshack.com/family/in...terName=Cable+type&filterValue=Audio+adapters

http://www.radioshack.com/product/i...type&filterValue=Other+plugs+&+jacks

You should be able to find something there that suits your needs. Be sure to read the reviews on the parts you look at, especially if you're intending to use this on perfboard, as some of the components are not exactly spaced for perfboard spacing (thanks a lot, RS...)

By the way, for future reference, a female part is usually referred to as a 'jack', while the male part is usually referred to as a 'plug'. RCA connections are sometimes referred to as 'phono', and TRS connections sometimes referred to as 'phone'.

Also, when you are on the page for a particular product, there should be a button to the right of the picture that says "Find It In Store". If you click on this, it will launch a pop-up window. Type in your ZIP code, and it will tell you all of the stores around you that have that part in stock. (Can you tell I shop at RadioShack quite a bit?)

Disclaimer: I have no connections to RadioShack Corporation in any way, other than as a frequent customer.

Good luck with your project!