The radio is either a FT-60R or FT-60E - take the battery off and look at the label. It is likely the US "R" version.
The "ultimate" earpiece is one that is custom-molded to your ear. Optometrists do this. But upwards of a hundred bucks.
For a speaker-mic, nothing beats the original Yaesu MH-34 from a reputable dealer. Some aftermarket copycats have the tip of the 3.5mm/4-conductor pin machined a little "differently" and there are documented cases of the plug accidentally disengaging a wee bit during use: causing the radio to TX when you don;t know it. In the past 12+ years with FT-60R and MH-34 mics, I have NEVER had that phenomenon occur.
ADDED BENEFIT to the use of a speaker mic: You save on battery life! Think about it ... What takes up batteru power? TRANSMITTING and LOUD AUDIO. With the use of an earpiece or speaker-mic clipped to your shoulder, you will be turning the volume DOWN - thus saving on time between having to charge the battery.
Want to save even MORE battery life? TURN THE RADIO DOWN TO MIDDLE TX POWER - but add one of those 17" floppy whip antennas. Or, better yet - the Smiley 270A antenna - which collapses to 7 inches and will perform like your stock duck. But extended, it's a quarter-wave on 2M! Beefy spring in the base to protect your radio's SMA connector. LESS THAT $25, and it out-performs the $50 SRH-320 from Diamond.
2M and 440 is all line-of-site: If you're not hitting your intended station with one of these improved antennas at 2W, chances are you won't be hitting it with 4W.
SO - save TREMENDOUSLY on battery longevity with a speaker-mic and/or earpiece, and a better antenna!
Clint K6LCS
http://www.work-sat.com
