Handheld PTT switch continuous or momentary which do you perfer?

[gdotts]

Wondering on a handheld PTT do you go... continuous or momentary. I don't talk for long periods and sometimes forget to click off. How about you?

 

[jwt873]

I push to talk and let go to listen.

Out of curiosity, what handheld do you have that lets you lock the PTT in transmit mode? I have six different handhelds sitting here beside me and none of them have that feature.

 

[bharvey2]

I push to talk and let go to listen.

Out of curiosity, what handheld do you have that lets you lock the PTT in transmit mode? I have six different handhelds sitting here beside me and none of them have that feature.

Ditto on this. I've only seen momentary PTT mics for handhelds. 100% duty cycle could burn up an HT's finals. I've seen desk top mics with locking PTT buttons. Not really a fan of those though. I think it's best to switch to receive when human intervention isn't present. After all, ham, GMRS, LMR and such isn't for broadcasting. - My opinion. Yours may vary.

 

[gdotts]

Its actually a foot switch... bought a Electric Parts Outlet store and they had both types in a foot switch. I now want to get away from a foot switch and continuous.

 

[edweirdFL]

I've only ever used PTT in all my years of radio usage. I think I'd only prefer a footswitch if I was running a net or doing a lot of contesting. I'm not the kind of operator that's going to run a 2 minute continuous transmission during a ragchew.

 

[jwt873]

They do make momentary contact foot switches. Step on 'em to talk, then take your foot off to listen. (I have two like that). But.... Why not just press the button on the side of the radio when you want to talk


Edit.. Just to add, I sometimes use a foot switch in my Jeep Wrangler along with a BlueTooth headset so I can keep both hands on the wheel while driving. https://forums.radioreference.com/a...851-bluetooth-amateur-radios.html#post2808055

 

[k6cpo]

I interpreted the original post to mean a PTT switch the operator held in their hand, not a PTT switch for a handheld radio.

Like this one:

https://www.hamradio.com/detail.cfm?pid=H0-007504

 

[jaspence]

Continous vs momentary

There is no good argument for continuous transmit. Locking up a repeater is at the least aggravating and could in storm spotting or an emergency be dangerous. Forgetting to release the PTT could also result in a fine from the FCC for jamming, interfering, or failure to identify. If you are too weak or lazy to hold down a button to transmit, maybe a radio with vox should be in your future.

 

[cmdrwill]

There is no good argument for continuous transmit. Locking up a repeater is at the least aggravating and could in storm spotting or an emergency be dangerous. Forgetting to release the PTT could also result in a fine from the FCC for jamming, interfering, or failure to identify. If you are too weak or lazy to hold down a button to transmit, maybe a radio with vox should be in your future.

EXACTLY why you need to set the transmit time limiter, AKA TOT, in your radio.

Too lazy to hold the button? Get a push on push off switch. And yes the do make them, and a nice little box used with a HF radio for rag chewers..

 

[jwt873]

Ii think a lot of confusion would be cleared up if we knew what kind of radio the OP is using.

 

[wrath]

I am a high function quad, and I use a Heil foot switch, have ironclad medical justification for a locking key if I was so inclined ,but honestly it's only a guy who can't shut up that needs one , operating a radio is as much listening & standing by as it is transmitting. And with newer equipment a locking key forgotten can result in expensive repair or replacement from heat ( try telling the YL you need a new rig because you melted this one) , plus using a locking key takes the same amount of effort to use as a momentary but introduces another point of failure in your station. YMMV

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