Icom: 746 Pro PTT Switch

[TailGator911]

To all IC-746 Pro users. I am in the market for a PTT switch for my 746 as I just purchased a mic boom/shock mount and XLR-to-Icom 8-pin adapter setup. I am reading that foot switches are a problem for the 746? I just want a hand switch and looking for a good affordable one so any ideas and/or suggestions greatly appreciated - thanks!

JD
kf4anc

 

[AK9R]

I don't understand why foot switches would be a problem for the IC-746Pro (I used to own one).

A Heil Sound CC-1-XLR-I may be the adapter you need. It goes from a 3-pin XLR female to 8-pin female mic connector and it is wired for Icom mic connectors. You plug the hand switch or foot switch into the pig tail on the mic connector of this adapter. Heil Sound hand switches or foot switches would do the job.

Here's a link to the DX Engineering listing for the adapter cable: https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/hls-cc-1-xlr-i

 

[TailGator911]

I have already purchased the entire setup - boom/mic/xlr adapter (w/pigtail), pop screen/shock mount, just looking for suggestions on the PTT switch.

I read (somewhere in another forum, maybe eHam) that people were having problems with foot switches. maybe it was a particular brand, but I recall reading something about the rear panel pin sockets not compatible with any PTT switches other than Icom?

I will browse DX, I have bought from them before - thanks!

JD
kf4anc

 

[k6cpo]

When I wanted a headset for my iCom IC-751A, I went to HRO and came home with an appropriate headset, adapter pigtail and foot switch. The adapter plugs into the microphone socket on the front of the rig and the foot switch and headset microphone connector plug into the adapter. The headset earphone connector plugs into the headphone jack on the front of the radio, right next to the microphone plug. Nothing plugs into the back of the radio.

I made my own hand PTT switch which will plug into the adapter in place of the foot switch. I prefer the foot switch because it leaves both hand free for logging or copying CW or whatever else I might need to do.

 

[AK9R]

The PTT should connect to the mic socket on the front of the radio as that's what it's intended for.

OTOH I don't think there would be a problem using the ACC socket on the back of the radio as you only have to ground the SEND pin on the ACC socket. Maybe some of these unknown foot switches were inducing a voltage onto the SEND pin.

I moved on from a 746Pro to a 7600 and now a 9100. With all of them, I have used the Heil adapters and foot switches which connect to the mic socket.

Heil has both foot switches and hand switches that are fairly robust. I have another hand switch from another vendor that's just a panel mount push button switch with heat shrink tubing to insulate the terminals. It's very small and you have to hold it just right to operate with your thumb. I would not recommend it.

 

[TailGator911]

What I ended up with...wanted to use the MXL V63M condenser mic for ham radio since it is so good on voice on my home studio recordings plugged straight into an 8-track Tascam digital porta-studio with just a touch of EQ. So, I purchased a table mounted mic boom with shock mount and pop filter (to help reduce the bass overdrive on the vocal mic) a while back. Then I got a Neewer 48v XLR in/out phantom power supply and ended up going with the W2ENY PTT hand switch connected to the rear of the 746 Pro. I am going to rearrange a few things on that side of the desk to accommodate the boom mount swing radius. I will post pics when it's all said and done. What will be nice is to have the mic all mounted and ready to go - when I want to use it to record, simply switch the XLR mic plug from the ps to the digi-studio. The art of complex simplicity.

Thanks for the suggestions!

JD
kf4anc

 

[wrath]

You can get a simple mic switchbox from MFJ and then just press a button for where you want the audio to go ,i have multiple Icom and Kenwoods all sharing one boom mic on a foot switch from Heil.it will accomodate both XLR and RJ connections.

What I ended up with...wanted to use the MXL V63M condenser mic for ham radio since it is so good on voice on my home studio recordings plugged straight into an 8-track Tascam digital porta-studio with just a touch of EQ. So, I purchased a table mounted mic boom with shock mount and pop filter (to help reduce the bass overdrive on the vocal mic) a while back. Then I got a Neewer 48v XLR in/out phantom power supply and ended up going with the W2ENY PTT hand switch connected to the rear of the 746 Pro. I am going to rearrange a few things on that side of the desk to accommodate the boom mount swing radius. I will post pics when it's all said and done. What will be nice is to have the mic all mounted and ready to go - when I want to use it to record, simply switch the XLR mic plug from the ps to the digi-studio. The art of complex simplicity.

Thanks for the suggestions!

JD
kf4anc

Sent from my SM-T810 using Tapatalk

 

[TailGator911]

Thanks for that, wrath. I just remembered what it was about hassles with a foot/hand PTT switch connected to the rear of the 746 Pro. That if you plan on using VHF (which I do, I use the rig primarily for 2-meter ops) you will have to install a 'jumper' to the ACC (2) socket on a certain pin from the ACC socket (1). Not sure how that goes. I haven't gotten around to installing it yet and now wondering if I purchased the wrong accessory. The MFJ mic box sounds like the better option. Ugh.

 

[TailGator911]

Is the W2ENY foot or hand switch plug and play on the 746 Pro? Or do I have to do the jumper from ACC (1) to ACC (2) on the rear panel?? Anybody here know? I am trying not to spend another $100 on this condenser mic setup and I am waiting to know for sure before I key up and burn up here - halp! I cannot get any response from the seller, W2ENY, as he does not accept messages or inquiries on eBay....no go on his email on his website , either.....so, any help would be appreciated - thanks much


JD
kf4anc

 

[TailGator911]

Got it worked out with a hand switch. Did a return/exchange for a front-connected PTT switch. Problem solved.