[sdiy] Frontpanel hook up questions

[Scott Juskiw]

>I plan to use what seems to be the standard approach. Putting the 
>PCB behind the
>panel with some kind of 90 degree brace.

I use Larry Hendry's brackets to do this. Works great, very sturdy.

http://www.wiseguysynth.com/larry/bracket.htm

>
>What kind of hook up wire are people using (gauge, stiff/soft etc.) ?

I use stranded 22 gauge with wire ties to bundle them up and keep 
them tidy. I also twist all the wires that go to one pot/jack/switch 
into a mini-bundle. Here are some construction shots:

http://www.tellun.com/motm/diy/tln156/TLN-156p.html

>
>Is shielded wire required for some inputs / outputs ?

I use sheilded wire for any wire longer than 1 inch that could be 
carrying audio.

>
>Are there any signals that should be kept appart or is it ok to 
>"bundle up" all
>the flying wires ?

I would keep digital signals away from analog signals (if I had 
digital signals).

>
>Any general pitfalls i should avoid when wirering things ?

I mount my PCB to the bracket, then mount the bracket to the panel 
with all pots and switches and jacks on the panel. I then use a piece 
of plastic cord to measure the distance from the PCB to each 
pot/jack/switch and add an extra inch for error. It's better to have 
too much wire than too little. I then take everything apart, solder 
the wires to the pots/jacks/switches, add heat shrink to cover the 
ends of the pot and switch connections, then twist the wires into 
mini-bundles. Then I solder the wire bundles to the PCB and 
reassemble everything.