(Part 2) Best two-way radio headsets & microphones according to redditors

You are actually on to something. I've been a filmworker for decades. The few times I have ever brought friends/family to a set, they were always most impressed by the food. We are spoiled. The food overall is fantastic -- stuff I would pay a lot for in a restaurant.

The key is the walkie headset. You can get a cheap one on Amazon.



Chances are, no one will even check to see if it's actually plugged into a radio or not. They will just accept you as one of them.

EDIT: A belt with a small pouch, or a fannypack, anything like that will probably seal the deal. It doesn't even need to have anything in it.

People come and go. Positions are filled with "day-players" when someone can't show up. No one really questions a new person on set for the most part.

I live in the hot South. You don't even need the Patagonia here, just shorts and a tee shirt.

How to drive your Suburban anywhere you want to:

• Paint it black
  
• Tint the windows
  
• Install a bull bar
  
• Wear sunglasses
  
• Wear one of these earpieces

We have Motorola APX6000 radios, I simply searched for the compatible Motorola mic speaker with the 3.5mm jack. This guy with this ugly but super practical earpiece

I haven't TXed with it because I dont have my license yet, but the RX is pretty good. I've been listening to my local nets every night and seem to have decent pickup.

Based on the reviews it's a pretty good antenna. A few minor things, but for $20...

ABBREE 42.5" Dual Band 144/430Mhz Foldable CS Tactical Antenna

The handset is working out so far as well. Good build quality.

WishRing Z117 H-250 PTT Handset Handheld Microphone

I used this file for the PTT/Volume cover

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2172755

I made a few modifications to fit my usage. M3 screws because I couldn't find m2.5, had to drill out the belt clip ever so slightly, and I wound up cutting off the mic wing because it interferes with my particular mic plug and it mostly blocks the charge port kn the extended battery.

I'm gonna tool around with this a bit and remix it to eliminate the wing and enlarge the screw holes.

Edit: biggest issue I'm having is that the connector between the whip and the induction coil tends to work itself loose. It's the work of a moment to fix it, but it keeps doing it. I hit it with some electrical tape to prevent that.

I just use these wired ear pieces and cheap $10 generic ear muffs over. $20 total and work perfectly and comfortable. Plus, I can still hear the radio when I go to the concourse and don't need hearing protection.

Edit: In full disclosure, I linked a Smile Amazon link. It's not a referral link, but donates a portion of the sales to charity. All of my Amazon links do that, so I forgot that when I linked, wasn't trying to pull any wool over anyone's eyes.

That one is for ICOM radios, won't fit a Kenwood/Baofeng.

Here is the Kenwood model:

https://smile.amazon.com/Z-TAC-Tactical-Headphone-Headset-Military/dp/B01LX1ZAK0/

and the same one from another seller:

https://smile.amazon.com/WishRing-Z-tactical-Military-Adapter-Version/dp/B011OE8X6S/

Be sure to check the one-star reviews on both listings! One review on the second listing has a tip to make the adapter work with Baofengs. Apparently the pins don't go in far enough and you have to file away some plastic on the adapter to let them go in farther.

I've never in my entire career seen one of these in use on set. With 15 seconds of Googling, I found this one, but it has terrible reviews.

Nothing beats a wire, and a surveillance headset is cheap compared to one of these Bluetooth devices. I've never had an issue of getting tangled up in my surveillance wires.

Probably need a new screen & speaker.
This phone is very fixable. If it still boots, chances are good for recovery. Might be wise to disassemble it completely & make sure no water it inside.

I've tried to repair 2 v20's so far, both were water damage. One was salt water and clearly had visible damage to the screen connector where it got fried & shorted. It non-salvageble.

The other was fresh water & was salvaged with the below product.

KNONEW LCD Display Touch Screen Digitizer Assembly Replacement+Frame For LG V20 F800L H910 H915 H990 LS997 LCD https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MXZXX3R/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_9KNLzb1NA7002

ePartSolution_LG V20 F800L H910 H915 H990 LS997 US996 Ringer Ringtone Loud Speaker Buzzer Sound Replacement Part USA Seller https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073MSZHNR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_ERNLzb0K3MMGG

ePartSolution_LG V20 F800L H910 H915 H990 LS997 US996 Sound Ear Speaker Ear Piece Earpiece Replacement Part USA Seller https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073MS8S7F/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_aSNLzbPEWANQQ

I bought this one from Amazon and it works great. Wire is a little long, but I keep it under my vest and it doesn't get caught on anything.

I'd probably try a throat mic. Like this but higher quality, linking this as it shows how you wear it. Most Sena devices support external earbuds/mic so you might have to wire up an adapter, but this seems doable.

Lsgoodcare 3.5MM Plug Adjustable Throat Mic Anti-Noise Tactical Neckband Vocal Hands-Free in-Ear Military Air Tube Covert Earpiece Headset Compatible for PC Computer PS5 Cellphone Ect 3.5MM Device https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01JOVE9PW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_qM4VCbS5CBWBN

I think its this one. I have the UV 5R as well.

https://www.amazon.ca/Tactical-Accessories-tactical-headphones-Z113-KEN/dp/B06XF8WJNM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1542864849&sr=8-1&keywords=ptt

this is what I use. Depending on your headset, a slight bit of modification may be necessary.

Bluetooth speakermics exist. https://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-Microphone-Button-speaker-Android/dp/B01NBB7DU0

$13 isn't expensive to me...
https://www.amazon.com/Acoustic-Earpiece-Connector-Reinforced-Transmission/dp/B01NAPDHAV/ref=pd_aw_lpo_23_tr_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=ZBAN0WYFFBGQXQQ4ZVAS

I order mine off Amazon.

GoodQbuy 2 Pin PTT Mic Covert... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N4L7N2F?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

They tend to break after a couple of months... So I keep a couple at home as backup.

It's all personal preference. I use a shoulder mic with an ear piece for most events. I have a David Clark aviation headset for extremely loud environments (maybe twice). I know people who use boom headsets regularly, but I don't like them unless I absolutely need them.

Even with ear pieces, there are options. I like the acoustic tubing like https://www.amazon.com/Acoustic-Earpiece-Earmolds-Speaker-HYS/dp/B01M9C31OR/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?crid=1Y9NRQ3PZ34MQ&keywords=earpiece+acoustic+tube&qid=1554729022&s=gateway&sprefix=ear+piece+acoustic+&sr=8-6, because the open ear design allows me to hear my surroundings better, but one of the mushroom tips like https://www.amazon.com/Keyblu-Surveillance-Acoustic-Listen-only-Earpiece/dp/B01871KU3U/ref=mp_s_a_1_2_sspa?crid=1Y9NRQ3PZ34MQ&keywords=earpiece+acoustic+tube&qid=1554729124&s=gateway&sprefix=ear+piece+acoustic+&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1 help knock down the background noise when it gets loud.

Unless you know your going to be by an announcer stand or a PA system, a shoulder mic with the open ear piece is what I would use.

Its a K1 connector, and I don't know what you're trying to do with it - reuse the headset/mic on a different piece of equipment, or plug something else into that type of socket on your radio?

If the latter, there are adapter like this -

https://www.amazon.com/Retevis-Adapter-Talkies-Headset-Baofeng/dp/B078KJKK2C/

https://www.amazon.com/Earpiece-Reinforced-Motorola-Acoustic-Surveillance/dp/B07D6SRDTK

When I was on the sales floor I bought something similar to the ones security would use, and they worked so much better because it was inside my ear and not over it. They also make a headphone version with one earphone for each ear but I always felt I’d look like I’m Actually wearing headphones with that piece


Reyinl RYL13 Two Way Radio Headset Noise Canceling Transparent Security Earpiece for Midland GMRS/FRS Radios with PTT/VOX – Pair https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HD9MP72/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_wQw0Cb3S4KHY0

For some reason it won’t become a link when I add it but these are the ones similar to the ones I got

They make wired versions they are just more difficult to find...
Here is a wireless one.