General handheld VHF w/earpiece question

[blacksapphirez]

I have a cobra handheld VHF with 2.5mm earpiece jack.

bought a cheap 2.5mm mono ear piece that had integrated mic which didn't work so I cut it and rigged it so it would transmit through the ear piece...but I am unable to transmit via the radio's built in mic.

I think its because the 2.5mm ear piece jack it self is already wired for a mic and its looking for that external mic that is not there... now, how can I hear through ear piece but transmit via handheld?

thanks!

 

[Bill D]

This is a picture of the optional "Cobra VHF Lapel Speaker / Mic Accessory". Notice the little black lines on the plug. These separate the different connection points. (Left channel, right channel, microphone, and negative) As you can see, you have 4 points coming back from the mic and one of those little black lines goes away in the adapter. You would either need the adapter, or to map the channels and splice the wires in your earpiece. If anyone is interested, this is a pretty good article on the topic. https://www.wired.com/2016/09/physics-earphone-jack-works-just-time-say-goodbye/

 

[Bruce]

VHF headsets typically use a standard diameter jack but often have a non standard number or placement of connectors as they need to connect a speaker, microphone and push to talk button.

It is possible that your mono male plug is shorting out more than one connector inside the female jack. Do you have a pin out of the female side?

The best solution would likely be to purchase a headset designed to work with the radio. Even then I am guessing that the female jack disables the radios built in speaker and mic when anything is plugged into it.

 

[blacksapphirez]

yea thats what I'm thinking...

the ear piece has 2 ring...the female "may" have been designed for the 3 ring jack (speaker & mic) and like you said it may be shorting out.

 

[blacksapphirez]

will have to unplug to talk lol but i don't imagine I would be doing a lot of talking during the Bimini crossing. more listening

 

[Bruce]

I worry that shorting out the mic circuit could damage the radio.

 

[blacksapphirez]

it does not transmit when plugged in so i don't think it will damage it ?

In its original form with mic, it kept transmitting. But after i removed the mic it went away

 

[Bruce]

@ArmyChief, do you have experience here?