>      If you are using a PIC with an ADC.  use binary weighted resistors eg:
>      on each contact (12 resistors) for three BCD thumbwheels, and use
>      three channels of the ADC.

Unfortunately, using four switched resistors in parallel will give you
resistance values that are clumped rather annoyingly at the low side.  A
somewhat better arrangement may be to use resistors wired thus [assume the
switch terminals are ABCD and K, and the settable resistance should be
between nodes X and Y]

X to K via 1K resistor
X to B via 1K resistor
X to A via 2.2K resistor
Y to K via 830ohm resistor
Y to C via 830ohm resistor
Y to D via wire

The resistance from X to Y will vary from 686 ohms (A and D shorted to K)
to 1.83K (all contact open); the ten thumbwheel positions will all yield
resistances that differ by at least 80 ohms, though they will not be in
any sort of useful sequence.

These resistances should be distinct enough to be easily measurable using
a PicBasic-style RC measurement.  Three port pins, fifteen resistors, and
three caps.  If you want to allow software calibration, that'll take another
port pin and three more resistors.