Radio/PTT compatibility

[PanzerFaust]

A while back I bought an element PTT to use with a midland radio. After I received it I couldn't get the thing to work. I bought the one with the Icon dual pin setup after a little research to determine compatibility wasn't going to be a problem. I'm now wondering if anyone else has had any similar issues with matching PTT's to Radios? What pin setup works best for you with the Midland radios?

[Deleteplz]

My Midland headset works with my ICOM F-21. Good to know I'm not the only one who got it to work between the two.

[Jebus!]

I bought an ICOM 2 pin PTT off redwolf awhile back for use in my Midland GXT radio. I could only recieve, and not transmit.

[PanzerFaust]

That's the issue I'm having with mine currently, can't send traffic. I really don't want to have to tear the thing apart and rewire it, but my options seem to be limited.

[Jewish Ninja]

I've heard you need to remove the insulator ring on the mic pin and fill it in with solder. I have no idea how accurate that is though...

[PanzerFaust]

Can you cite a source or two for that info? I might end up trying that out.

[Jewish Ninja]

I think wombat said something along those lines...

It might even have been when jebus was having issues and made a thread about it.

[PanzerFaust]

Sounds good, I'll give it try and post results when I can test the thing . Thanks JN

[Attack37]

Anyone have suggestions on a good radio and headset to pick up? Links would be appriciated.

[mystery43_4]

I currently have a Morotola Talkabout, it works just fine and isn't complicated....

http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&q= ... 1&oi=spell

And i just ordered the Matrix / Element Military Grade Tactical Communications Headset (Selex TASC Type) and the Matrix / Element TCI Style Tactical PTT Military Standard Version with Headset Adapter (Motorola Talkabout) but have yet to try them out. I assume that they will work just dandy:)

http://www.airsoftpost.com/product_info ... s_id=33067

http://www.airsoftpost.com/product_info ... s_id=32836

[Jester316]

Ron, all of PSC uses Icom F-21 UHF 4 watt radios. They are amazing. A standard FRS radio will put out AT MOST .5 watt of power. This means that the signal is very weak. The Icoms are 4 watts, and will cover any terrain we play on. I used my Icom to talk to Jewish Ninja at Ivan's farm in Silverton, when I was in Salem (12+ miles non line of sight). The icoms worked from meat cooler to meat cooler across a super market (through heavy insulation and metal walls). They worked perfectly from the basement at CAGE (which was surrounded by heavy concrete walls) to the front desk with 0 transmission interruption. These are the only radios that have yet to garble a transmission, fail to transmit due to range issues.

The downside is that they only have 16 programmable channels. Currently we use channels 1-14 as normal FRS channels 1-14 (with no codes programmed in), and channels 15 and 16 as 2 PSC only channels. I know that SOTA is switching to this same set up as they got to play with our Icom's and were very impressed.

I get the feeling that you want something that will work every time, not something that might not work due to being in the deepest darkest corner of the forest. If you are at a game we are at, just ask to see one. You do need the computer programming software to be able to program it, but I'm sure PSC would program it for you if you wanted.

Headsets range depending on what you like. I have both a should speaker mic for mine, and one of the "security" air tube headsets. Both work like they should.


Feel free to PM me, or come over to our website if you wanna talk about them more so we don't hijack this thread.

[PanzerFaust]

Sounds good, I'll give it try and post results when I can test the thing . Thanks JN

Well no joy. I'm borrowing a set of midlands from a friend and he included a couple headsets for them. The jacks on the headsets look like:



The jack on the two pin PTT I have looked like (before I soldered it, nothing ventured nothing gained):




So now I think I'm going to try and track down a compatible cheapie headset $10 or less, and cannibalize it for the jack and wire it into the PTT.

[PanzerFaust]

The PTT was bleeding WIRED BACKWARDS!!! I opened up the PTT and after 30 solid minutes of swearing and cursing Element and it's origins (just ask Alex and Pat) I switched red to white and and yellow to ground and now it works. God I hate the chinese sometimes. If it weren't for A&K and kung pao chicken...

off to radio shack for heat shrink and zip ties.

[danneskjold]

I assume you are using a replica headset?

I have never handled the actual headsets...but I know as far as real headsets go with replica PTT that you have to swap a couple wires - I believe red to white as you said was the ones I did.

I have never been the impressed with the quality period though..

[mossy]

I'm having the same problem with my real steal MSA sordin headset...