Has anyone got one of the new Icoms to work with a headset?

[Shaggy Sheep Driver]

I am in the market for a handheld transciever for use in our Chippy, so bought an Icom A-6E with OPC499 haedset adaptor. Worked fine without the headset, but on fitting the OPC499 and headset, it just gave feedback whistle on transmit. So I took it back to the dealer.

He got another A-6E out of stock, another OPC499, and a new headset - same result. Tried different headsets - same result. Same OPC499 and headsets worked fine with an A-3 transceiver the dealer had in stock.

I got a refund from the dealer, and e-mailed Icom who said they were aware of the problem (RF feedback) and had a fix. Someone off the 'Flyer' forum who had the same problem had Icom apply the fix to his A-6E. But when he got it back, it still had the same problem.

Has anyone out there got an A-6E or A-24E that works OK with a headset?

SSD

[Whopity]

RF Feedback dos not cause a whistle on transmit. It usually goes unnoticed at the transmit end and is heard at the receive end as a distorted and broken signal.

A whistle implies audio feedback, probably due to excessive Mic gain and or sidetone gain in the in the transceiver/headset

[justinmg]

I also posted on the flyer thread.
If used with an old Harry Mendelson set.......feeds back & unusable.
If I use my new Flightcom headset in Mono mode, the same.
If I switch to stereo on headset, all works perfectly.

[windy1]

I think this issue may have wider implications:

This thread and those on Flyer made me check my A22E with the ICOM- supplied headset adaptor. I was astonished to discover that the internal mic on the transceiver is NOT muted when the headset adaptor is inserted and the internal PTT is keyed. (The internal speaker IS muted under those conditions)

The headset mic works, but the internal mic. is live as well. So all these years I have been carrying this damn thing for emergencies when if the crunch really came, it would be as much use as an ashtray on a motorbike, since ATC wouldn't hear a damn thing with the cockpit racket in a PA28.

Why haven't ICOM arranged for the internal mic to be disconnected when the headset adaptor mic lead is inserted?

...and picking up on Flyer threads, this was unaffected by type of headset (DC 13.4 and Sigtronics clone) neither of which have a mono-stereo switching.

So in desperation I picked up the Transair catalogue to look for the alternative ICOM Heaset adaptor WITH built in PTT switch and guess what, there is no such thing!

Would someone - ideally from ICOM - please explain why they do not supply such an important accessory, or even caution users on this important point.

.............or have I missed something?

[muffin]

Without getting too complicated, in this series of Icom radios, the mic is in series with the PTT switch. The small current flowing through the mic when the button is pressed is sensed by the radio and it goes over to transmit. Therefore if you press the internal PTT on the side of the radio, it is wired in series with the internal mic, so the mic works. If you press an external PTT in series with the external mic in the headset, then that mic works. So the choice of which mic works depends on which PTT is pressed, not whether a headset has been plugged in or not.

Beware though, different series of Icom radios use different PTT arrangements.

[IO540]

For what this is worth, I've used an Icom A22 with their headset adaptor and their velcro'd PTT switch, in flight, with no problems. It would appear that the internal mike doesn't get turned on at that time.

However the A22 is a 10 year old product.

[Shaggy Sheep Driver]

So, as yet, no-one has posted to say they've got the new Icoms to work with a headset.

That isn't conclusive, but all the evidence so far points to these radios not working with head sets which I find quite amazing. Surely Icom would have tested them exhaustively before releasing them to the market?

SSD

[Shaggy Sheep Driver]

Not looking good for Icom UK. I'm OK - I took it back to the dealer and got a full refund. I can always buy a second hand 'old model' - but I'd prefer the new one if it worked.

SSD

[PeterX60]

Having (as a dealer) been in discussion with ICOM, who are aware of the problem and very helpful on this, the story so far:

The problem is RF feedback into the mic amplifier causing 'howl around' on transmit. The mic input is not adequately filtered.

The effect is very headset dependant, with David Clarks the worst affected of those I have tried. The cheapest headset tried (Flightcom 4DX) was least affected, with assorted Sennheisers usable but an annoying background buzz.

ICOM have already produced a modification to the mic circuit for a different problem, which improves the behaviour, but doesn't cure it. ICOM UK are still working on a fix with the worst case setup we could find.

Update when available........

[Zulu Alpha]

And I read this just after I sent off for a new A6 with pro pack.

I hope ICOM come up with a free fix, especially as they are selling it with a headset adapter.

Isn't there something in the sale of goods act about fitness for purpose... Bit of a pain having to send it back though.

[Shaggy Sheep Driver]

Someone on the 'Flyer' forum sent his A6 back for the mod - it came back still exhibiting the fault!

I find this a quite unbelievable situation. Anyone from Icom reading this and willing to comment?

SSD