For those of us (like me) who have other types of docking stations with tuners installed, I may eventually extend this test to look for a specific tuner-ID (that little rotary switch on the tuner module) when a real tuner is connected.

Okay, this has now been implemented, in parallel with the loopback test. Hijack v321, under the "Force AC/DC Power Mode" entry on the Hijack menu.

-ml

And more and more payment notices went out again today.. quite a few docks will soon be ready to ship.. putting this project *beyond* the midway point for docks shipped!

Also, a certain amount of list reordering has been done, to help clear out a pile of preassembled wiring for "Cool" docks.

Cheers

-ml

Have you considered making a digital out on there? or if i buy it with your current kit, would it be pretty easy to add the digital out later?

At least two people are running the Digital out on the microphone pins of the docking connector. They then just add a mic jack to the rear of the dock (drill a small hole, and insert connector, with two wires running to pins on the docking connector.

How common are these?

Cheers

Is there room for another RCA on the back? That's probably how I would do it, well that or BNC. No reason really to terminate it with a mic jack of any kind if there's room for a proper connector.

Stu

Yes, there's room for even a couple more RCA jacks, or a BNC. Not too much depth on the inside for largish connectors which protrude internally, though, but most of them should fit fine.

If we were to standardize on something here, I could ship it prewired in the dock to those who ask for it. Cost would be a few bucks extra.

I could help standardize something if you like. I suppose RCA is the most commonly used for coaxial outputs, so you should probably use that. 75 ohm BNC is better, but larger and less compatible. I guess just a black or orange panel mount RCA would work fine.

In reply to:

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I could ship it prewired in the dock to those who ask for it.

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So you would crimp a cable to a pair of contacts and install them in the mic in line postitions? It would probably be best to use 75 ohm coax or video cable between the contacts and the connector on the back of the dock, if that is what you are planning to do.

Stu

Let me know how this pans out... The only place I'd really get use out of a digital out board is the same place I'd use a docking station. What else would need to be done to the empeg? Just a standard digi out board?

ps - I'm more of a Toslink kinda guy, but I'll take what I can get. And I'm queued up in Mark's workshop at 40 or so, so we gotta move on this!

Please see this thread for details on what is involved internally. Most of what I did is optional, but it makes it more reversable. You could skip the external connectors entirely and just route the signal through the Mic In lines. This would make it 100% reversable, ie. no holes in the Empeg case. Yes a standard coax board (DIG-C) would be fine here.

In reply to:

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ps - I'm more of a Toslink kinda guy, but I'll take what I can get.

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Coax is better anyway. If you have to have TOSlink, then just buy one of these.

Stu

I just received mine today and it's very beautiful Mark. I was wondering how they might look stained? Everyone has mentioned painting but I kind of like the natural wood look if it would turn out decent.

I have two of mine that have just a blond shellac finish on them, and I like the look. You can do something very similar yourself. Just hit the home center and pick up a spraycan of clear polyurethane -- ask for the solvent-free stuff (mostly solvent-free).

Use masking tape to cover the rear connectors, and stuff some newspaper into the front opening to protect the docking connector, fan, etc..

Hang the dock with a string or small piece of wire through the side or rear holes, and spray on a nice LIGHT coat. Let it dry, and do it again.

After each spray session, turn the spraycan upside down, and press the nozzle for about 2 seconds -- this clears the spray nozzle so it doesn't gum up and waste the rest of the can.

You probably knew most/all of that, but..

Cheers

You probably knew most/all of that, but

No I didn't, so thanks. I may try that myself.

If you are ever ready to tackle making a MKl box, let me know

Mark, can you post a pic of the final product?

It looks just like dock #001, as pictured on the web site http://rtr.ca/docks/
The only changes since then have been mostly internal, though the dock is about 1/64" narrower now, and about 1/16" shorter in height. No photo would show that, though.

Well, usually like #001. Because there are two varieties of MDF being used in the shop right now, some docks have a "two-tone" appearance, with slightly lighter coloured side panels, and darker tops/bottoms. But those few from the "transition period" (between MDF stocks) are pretty much all out there now. New ones are mostly being made from the lighter colour MDF stock now.

When I run out of the current stock, I'll be getting the darker MDF again for one final run of docks -- I recently found a place 20Km from here that still carries the darker stuff.

Cheers

thank you very mutch!
i just got it.
what a well done product.
everybody should have one!!!

cheers Tim 303

[copied from the General thread]

Thanks to some horse trading with Rob, I now have a limited supply of the original RioCar USA-style 120VAC power adaptors (the ultra-small ones!) for sale along with the Docking Stations.

Anyone who purchases a docking station, can opt to have a new AC adaptor (power supply) shipped along with it for US$11 extra, S&H included. EDIT: Or more than one, if you like, at US$11 each.

This is only for new dock shipments, so if you want a power supply, just sign up for another dock!

To reserve a power supply for your dock, email me at docks@rtr.ca

I will NOT respond to your email. Instead, I will just make a note on your dock order, which you can verify by viewing the status page with your email address: http://rtr.ca/docks/

Cheers

Mark,
Thanks for the hard work and design on these sleds. Pretty slick. And the fan is whisper quiet...

I really like that Empeg self detects that the unit is at home, even though it is using the rear connector for power... Again Pretty slick...

Here's a quick poll...

How long has it taken for your dock to arrive?

I'm still waiting patiently for mine... shipped on March 27th... today is April 11th, which is 15 regular days or 11 business days later and it still isn't here!

According to canadapost.com, the delivery time is 6 to 9 business days. On Mark's tracking website it says 5-10 days.

still waiting for mine, but hey, I'm in South Africa, the only thing you get quickly here is aids.

I'm hoping mine arrived before 15th May, which is when I depart back for the UK. Although if it doesn't it's not that much of a problem, as it just means a friend will have to forward it on to me.

From what those who have received have said, it's going to be a wonderful day when it arrives (even if I have ordered 2 more to go to the UK).

I think Mark should start signing the remaining docks as he sends them out, as they are works of art (well he can sign mine if he wants).

It's gonna depend on where you live. I'm in Texas and it took 15 business days.

-Chuck

Now remember rednecks, y'all are at warr rat naw! Sah thangs is guna be slowere then thay mayght normallys be. Y'heeere?

And for the humour impaired, the point is that, with the current threat levels against the USA, packages crossing their borders are taking a little longer than normal these days.

Cheers

I never knew you canucks had the redneck lingo in you, "a"?

From the sounds of it, I'm sure it will be well worth the wait and anticipation.

effen ah dud n no budder. ah wud tank yu wuz makn fun uf us her en Texas.

Quoting the great Christopher Walkin from a recent SNL appearance, "wow. wowee wow wow".

My docks arrived today (12 business days after shipment). I must compliment Lord on the superiour crafstmanship and manufacturing. This guy definately knows his tools.

Now to figure out if what finish will compliment best...

-lothar

wau? yoose fokes sveeks phunnie doun thar two?

Add me to another happy customer. Got my dock today and it's beautiful. Now I need to stain it cherry...

- Jon

Excellent!

I am fast running out of the pre-milled wood parts, and will soon have to get more MDF and hardboard to run the final batch of 100 more docks.

The wiring and hardware stuff is trickling in, and SWMBO is busy crimping wires now for them.

I think there'll be a lull in shipments for a week or two while we get the next batch through the pipeline, after which thinks should start moving again at a good pace..

Cheers all!

100 more docks? Does that mean there's room at the end of the current queue? About how many of those 100 aren't accounted for by current orders?

There's about 20 sets of dock components that are as yet unclaimed by anyone.

Cheers