ipod and VHF Simultaneous Input to Amp?

[Baddox]

Is it possible to connect an ipod and my VHF external speaker output to an amp so I can hear both at the same time? If so, how?

I like the look of the TA2020 type from the auction site, if the amp is important.

 

[Rivers & creeks]

Easy. Use a "splitter" which is two audio female jacks to one male jack. Or connect one device to phonos and one to the mp3 input. Problem will be your VHF jack will be mono so buy a mono to stereo converter if you want the VHF to come out of both speakers - 70p from Maplin.

http://www.sourcingmap.com/35mm-plug-jack-splitter-audio-cable-for-speaker-and-headphones-p-32469.html?currency=GBP&utm_source=google&utm_medium=froogle&utm_campaign=ukfroogle

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[Baddox]

Thanks Muddy Paws.

I’ve seen the splitters for output, but didn’t know if they were suitable for input in case the devices somehow interfered with each other.

 

[john_morris_uk]

Thanks Muddy Paws.

I’ve seen the splitters for output, but didn’t know if they were suitable for input in case the devices somehow interfered with each other.

You can try it - and it might work, but I am not wholly confident. The trouble is that the external speaker connection from your VHF comes out at a level already suitable for driving a speaker, and your i-pod output is an order of magnitude lower. If you have the VHF turned right down, then it might be OK - although if like us, the VHF microphone is at the chart table and you go below to actually use it, the local volume will be very low. We just have separate speakers for the VHF and the entertainment system. The latter also includes an i-pod dock.

 

[William_H]

Parallel speaker outputs

You can just parallel the outputs of speakers. But in your case as said Ipod is low level and stereo.
I would suggest the Ipod go straight to a stereo amplifier to the 2 speakers. The VHF can be wired also to one of the speakers. Obviously if the connect VHF to both speakers you will also connect both speakers in parallel so negating stereo effect. If you insist on VHF to both speakers you can fit 2 small resistor about 5 ohms is good from the VHF output to the 2 stereo speakers. Just the "+" wire in each case. This means that 10 ohms isolates one channel from the other. So only partial loss of stereo effect.
Or you can connect the VHF output to 2 larger resistors 1 meg ohm each connected to input of the amplifier in paralell with 2 inputs from Ipod. The value of these resistors depending somewhat on the input resistance of the amp but 1meg should give plenty of stereo isolation and reduce level of VHF to that appropriate to . VHF. good luck olewill

 

[john_morris_uk]

You can just parallel the outputs of speakers. But in your case as said Ipod is low level and stereo.
I would suggest the Ipod go straight to a stereo amplifier to the 2 speakers. The VHF can be wired also to one of the speakers. Obviously if the connect VHF to both speakers you will also connect both speakers in parallel so negating stereo effect. If you insist on VHF to both speakers you can fit 2 small resistor about 5 ohms is good from the VHF output to the 2 stereo speakers. Just the "+" wire in each case. This means that 10 ohms isolates one channel from the other. So only partial loss of stereo effect.
Or you can connect the VHF output to 2 larger resistors 1 meg ohm each connected to input of the amplifier in paralell with 2 inputs from Ipod. The value of these resistors depending somewhat on the input resistance of the amp but 1meg should give plenty of stereo isolation and reduce level of VHF to that appropriate to . VHF. good luck olewill

Good point Will, and I have had another thought - if he is prepared to only have the VHF coming out of one channel, there are in line attenuators available ready made up - if he is not confident with soldering resistors into the circuit then one of those would be a plug and play. He might have to experiment with how much attenuation he needed - and just use a splitter on one of the inputs for the VHF input... Depends how the amp inputs are configured as well...

 

[Baddox]

Thanks for the guidance. I think I'll run the VHF to the amp as mono via a resistor and then couple in the ipod. I have a 13YO son who is fascinated with electronics so it will give him a little project to work out what resistance we need and solder it in.

 

[Freshbreeze]

From my experience of planning and setting up sound systems, you will probably find connecting both signals (that is VHF & MPS) to the same amp input, the signals from each device could 'cancel out' each other, resulting in very low audio levels and possibly feedback.

You will find that if you install a simple level controller, that is a mixing unit, and the problem should be overcome. Maplin sell a small mixer box that you can plug 3 microphones into, and that should solve the problem. I am sure your son will have great joy, as I did at his age, in creating one of these mixer units himself. It works on the basis of resisting the signals, so you are right to use them. You may also need a way of stopping the signal from the MP3 traveling to the VHF, or the other way around. I think the resistors do this job, but it has been a few years since I last played with these things!

Hope this helps