Expert: Marc Ebelini - 10/2/2006

Question
Where can I find a replacement Push to Talk Switch for a BE 55 Baron Yoke.  The head broke off of mine and I want to replace the switch.  Thanks,  Mark Millis

Answer
Cannot answer your question because I do not know if the switch was a retrofit or original equipment. If the switch was factory installed then it would be listed in the parts list. Some installations are made at the distributor, others by owners at their own Avionics shop. For example, when I did an installation of a flight director all the push buttons were custom installed and not per the original King drawing. King added the installation to their drawings to cover my work but doubted that other shops with do it that way because it required special tooling that was proprietary to my shop. Most of my designs used Grayhill 39-1 push button switches. Since I have been out of the business for many years I have know idea if the switch is still available. About that time the Japanese where getting into the market with their clones. Because you also did not give me any dimensions I cannot even look into some catalogs for you. So here is one source you might search, www.mouser.com that carries C&K and mountain switches that are similar to the ones that were used in aircraft  installations. It switches very little current so that is not a problem, as long as it fits the location and it’s normally open.
Brought one of those clones, the switch case melted before I could get the tabs soldered, so went back to paying the big bucks for the Grayhill’s. Used C&K sometimes and can say the quality was good.