Kenwood/U94 PTT Compatibility

[Amoki]

It is more than an impedance issue: impedance issue is only when you juggle between dynamic mic and electret mic. The TASC/Bowman headset uses elecret mic and doesnt need an amplified circuit. The SRS PTT is not amplified so this is no an impedance issue at hand (If it is, a $10 Panasonic mic from China would have fixed your problem).

As I said before, Element wires their PTT and comms different to TP120 standard; specifically they swap wire 2 and wire 3 apart. If my memory serves me correctly, wire 2 is an earphone terminal and wire 3 is a mic terminal meaning you're literally losing half of each function as designed.

So Element heaset to RS PTT = no go

RS Headset to Element PTT = swap #2 and #3 and resolder.

[AnthonyG]

Originally Posted by Amoki

It is more than an impedance issue: impedance issue is only when you juggle between dynamic mic and electret mic. The TASC/Bowman headset uses elecret mic and doesnt need an amplified circuit. The SRS PTT is not amplified so this is no an impedance issue at hand (If it is, a $10 Panasonic mic from China would have fixed your problem).

As I said before, Element wires their PTT and comms different to TP120 standard; specifically they swap wire 2 and wire 3 apart. If my memory serves me correctly, wire 2 is an earphone terminal and wire 3 is a mic terminal meaning you're literally losing half of each function as designed.

So Element heaset to RS PTT = no go

RS Headset to Element PTT = swap #2 and #3 and resolder.

This makes perfect sense, and would explain the problems I had. I defaulted to thinking the problem was impedance because this is the only other thing that appeared when I searched online, and was one of the suggestions when I talked to the guys from SRS.

What you've said needs to be propagated as common knowledge.
I wish I had had your advice prior to making my purchase.

Originally Posted by Amoki

My advice? Open up *all* your Element PTT and re-solder the connection. That's how I've been rolling with my Invisio M3 for the last year or so. Throw away anything that uses a PCB board (you're left with their CHEST, U94, and U94 Gen 2 line) Then bring a spare PTT to the field to boot.

I currently have 2 of these. Neither seems to work unless the wire is straightened to a specific angle. Are you suggesting re-solding the connections inside the housing could fix my issue?

[waylander]

Originally Posted by AnthonyG

Just waiting to see if anyone has info on either code red or impact comms equipment. So far I've not been able to gather any info on them from this forum.

I have a buddy running code red and it seems to be pretty solid. His transmit is much better than the repro throat mics but not as good as even a z-tactical boom mic. The bone conduction sound takes a bit of getting used to though as it's transmitted through the bone instead of through an ear piece. one annoying thing is you need to ensure you have good contact between your face and the unit or neither (voice or sound) works well.

[Amoki]

Originally Posted by AnthonyG

This makes perfect sense, and would explain the problems I had. I defaulted to thinking the problem was impedance because this is the only other thing that appeared when I searched online, and was one of the suggestions when I talked to the guys from SRS.

What you've said needs to be propagated as common knowledge.
I wish I had had your advice prior to making my purchase.



I currently have 2 of these. Neither seems to work unless the wire is straightened to a specific angle. Are you suggesting re-solding the connections inside the housing could fix my issue?

It's worth a shot to at least open it up to rule out l simple fixes like buffing the soldering on a wire. A ptt is essentially a mechanical switch until pcb is involved.

The last me I had a broken Element PTT it was pcb corrosion (by sweat). Now I resolder my element PTT all the time anyway for the last 2 years and stick firmly with non-pcb, mechanical only ptt. No isssue ever.

[AnthonyG]

Originally Posted by waylander

I have a buddy running code red and it seems to be pretty solid. His transmit is much better than the repro throat mics but not as good as even a z-tactical boom mic. The bone conduction sound takes a bit of getting used to though as it's transmitted through the bone instead of through an ear piece. one annoying thing is you need to ensure you have good contact between your face and the unit or neither (voice or sound) works well.

Was thinking more about the shoulder mics with earpiece than the bone conduction mics.

Originally Posted by Amoki

It's worth a shot to at least open it up to rule out l simple fixes like buffing the soldering on a wire. A ptt is essentially a mechanical switch until pcb is involved.

The last me I had a broken Element PTT it was pcb corrosion (by sweat). Now I resolder my element PTT all the time anyway for the last 2 years and stick firmly with non-pcb, mechanical only ptt. No isssue ever.

Opened it up. No PCB just straight soldering to terminals.

[Amoki]

Originally Posted by AnthonyG

Opened it up. No PCB just straight soldering to terminals.

If there is nothing obviously wrong with your PTT (no wire coming loose, no corrosion etc) then it is a kink in your wire. Short of tripping out the heatshrink and replacing the wires, there's no really much you can do.

For the last year or so I've come to like the Chest PTT so maybe you should try that. I've used it for the last 1 year + without issue.

Also pays to know that the newer element PTT are much improved as well. Of the two that I have, the newer U94 (version 1, not the ones with a second PTT wire) locks in the TP120 male jack much firmer than the older U94. I'll like to think that that is due to better QC, but I rarely go to a game without an entire set of commo anyways.

SO yeah, worth buying a new PTT jack. You've got nothing to lose anyway. A commercial-grade Nexus U94 would cost about U$100 anyways while an Ztac is about U$20.