Shortly after buying the first FT-60R, I purchased a headset with
integral boom mike.
A popular 3rd party headset/mike and optional hand switch was
selected using the manufacturer's guide for various handheld
products. The almost instant wart was the connection with the
handheld. While it seemed to insert ok, any mechanical force,
lateral or pulling resulted in the connector popping partially out.
This invariably resulted in continuous keying of the radio and
providing potential transmission of comments or other sounds
one rather not share.
Later I thought a speaker mike, might be a better solution as it
was less obvious to eager law enforcement officers on a rampage
to enforce the new cellular use bans. Again lower cost 3rd party
products were surveyed and this time note of the connector seating
was a hot item of focus. I did not find any 3rd party products that
did not suffer the same malady of the high dollar headset purchased
previously.
Later I examined a Yaesu OEM speaker mike combo and upon
inserting the connector the noticeable difference was the Yaesu
molded connector seemed to enter easier than earlier products
tried, and there was also a distinctive audible and tactile click. I
purchased the Yaesu brand speaker mike.
Three things where obvious when comparing the 3rd party products
to the Yaesu OEM item. First was that although the Yaesu speaker
mike could be pulled out, it was much more resistant to pullout due
to applied torque of the cable movement.? 3rd party products
alternatively seemed like they were a hair triggered devices waiting
to pop out.
Another simple item was Yaesu's included? plastic ring that fit
around the rubber duck antenna base with integral clip to hold the
speaker mike cable upright on the side of the handheld. That
blocked a lot of the forces of the cable movement from reaching
the speaker mike connector.
Lastly when comparing the connectors on the third party headset
and speaker mikes to the Yaesu OEM speaker mike connector,
the length of the metal portion of the connector on the Yaesu
product was noticeably longer. Not more than maybe a 1/32 to
1/16 of an inch or so but it allowed the connector to engage the
radio's connector and produce an audible and tactile feedback
from the type one finds with bigger brother 1/4 inch phone jacks
when they correctly mate.
It may be a nutinburger but I have been more satisfied using the
Yaesu OEM? accessories than 3rd party products.
Chuck
Chris Smart
Kelly Bersch