Baofeng How to use standard wired headphones with 3.5 mm jack on Baofeng type radios?

[mm9351]

I realize this may have already been discussed, but like many of you I have countless pairs of old wired headphones with nicely padded ear cups that I wanted to use with by Baofeng and Quansheng radios with the K-style connector. As we know the standard headphone jack is 3.5mm, but the HT's use the 2.5mm jack. For $0.59 cents each (not a typo) I just picked up a couple of 2.5mm to 3.5 mm adapters at Monoprice. https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=7124

Note that for certain HT's it's best if you don't fully insert the adapter, otherwise you may only get mono. So I just pull the adapter slightly out of the socket, and I was able to get full quality sound to both sides of my headset. I already bought a pair of headphones with a boom mic with the K style connector, priced at $50 and above) but in my opinion the sound quality is superior with the old-style headphones. Just wanted to share this with the Radio Reference community.

 

[paulears]

Adaptors break radios. Keep in mind that a straight adaptor puts an incredible amount of strain on the jack socket - which are often only attached by the solder pads on the PCB. A plug shoved in firmly might be what? ½" or 13mm or so sticking out, and if you yank the cable, or jam it on a pocket, you'll probably survive, but if you add the adaptor, the plug might easily stick out 50mm/2" or more and the same force on the cable could snap the socket internals. It's really easy to do. If you must change a connector type - make up a short flexible cable with a plug on one end and a socket the other. NOT doing this can really cost you.

 

[bharvey2]

When I've wanted to do this in the pst I've either purchased or made a pigtail adapter. This minimizes the strain that occurs with a straight adapter. It does, though require both a male plug and a female inline jack as well as the labor involved to put it together. It's easier on the radio in the long run though.

 

[kf8yk]

An adapter exists for this: BAOFENG 2 Pin to 3.5mm Walkie Talkies Earpiece Adapter,Headset Adapter Cable New | eBay

With this adapter there's no need to partially pull out the plug to get sound in the right & left side when using stereo headphones.

 

[hill]

I would just use a speaker mic with a listening port. Most have a 3.5 MM jack on them.