[amsat-bb] 2nd/backup FM HT recommendations

[Philip Jenkins]

Thanks Patrick, Robert, and John

Patrick, the former is pretty much what I've been doing at demos. A fairly
large unpowered Radio Shack speaker with a long cord, plugged directly into
the D72's output jack. I then point the speaker away from me and stand
several feet away and use the D72's internal mike, full duplex

.This has worked well for the audience being able to hear.  No feedback
problems reported yet. I would like to be able to hear better though, hence
the point of my post. ;-) I think I've only made a couple of Q's for this
reason.

I'll check out the Amazon link. I think Fry's Electronics may have
something similar. (I need a good reason to go to Atlanta anyway <grin>;
Ham Radio Outlet is only about 5 miles away from Fry's). I'll look for a
Bluetooth speaker like you described too.

John, come to think of it, you did tell me - and sent pics - of the adapter
you made using the resistors . (The plug was from a TI calculator, I
think.). I'll have to look for that email

Robert, the clip on speaker idea sounds great. Did you use it at the AMSAT
Academy demos?

Philip N4HF





On Thu, Jun 20, 2019 at 7:07 PM Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) <
amsat-bb at wd9ewk.net> wrote:

> Philip,
>
> I often use my TH-D72 for demonstrations, and have gone
> with a simpler setup than in the past. I use an unpowered
> external speaker with a long patch cable, and put it a
> few feet away from me. I also make sure the speaker isn't
> firing back at me, to avoid audio feedback when I am
> transmitting. I use this short cable with right-angle plug
> to go into the TH-D72's 2.5mm speaker jack:
>
> https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KOJAJKW/
>
> I find the TH-D72 has enough audio output to drive an
> unpowered external speaker to a reasonable audio level.
> I sometimes plug a splitter into this short cable with
> adapter plug, if I want to directly record the downlink
> audio, but usually skip the splitter and put an audio
> recorder in my pocket - or hold it in the same hand as
> the TH-D72. Then I make sure to say the call sign of
> each station I work, so the recorder at least picks that
> up.
>
> I also have a no-name Bluetooth speaker, which also has
> a jack for a patch cable on the back side. This is an
> amplified speaker with a built-in battery (which can also
> be used to power or charge devices through a USB
> connection), so there are no extra cables needed when I
> use this speaker instead of the unpowered speaker I
> normally use.
>
> If you would like to see pictures of my setup, please let
> me know. I will e-mail you some pictures directly.
>
> 73!
>
>
>
>
>
> Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK
> http://www.wd9ewk.net/
> Twitter: @WD9EWK or http://twitter.com/WD9EWK
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> For those of you who have attempted to use just a D72 for a demo - with an
>> external speaker as well as the  headset/mic - this results in a rat's
>> nest
>> of adapters/connectors/wires. I have the adapter sold on eBay, but
>> unfortunately it attenuates the audio signal (for digital voice
>> recorders),
>> instead of amplifying it for an external speaker , which is what I need.
>> (I
>> guess I could use a powered speaker on that output, but that's one more
>> thing to carry - and power-up! :-) )
>>
>> So I think *two* radios might work better - wiring wise - for demos. If I
>> buy a Baofeng (or similar), I won't use it for the receive part due to the
>> desense problems on some models (looking at  the section in 2019's
>> "Getting
>> Started with Amateur Satellites").  I'm considering the Alinco, since it
>> does have 1.2 Ghz, and using the D72 for receive in that set up (but that
>> still doesn't easily solve the wiring/connector mess for an external
>> speaker/headphones for that radio).
>>
>> Are there other radios which are more "external speaker" friendly which I
>> should consider? I'm open to almost any combination of manufacturers
>> (except for the Baofeng types for receive, as noted above).  I'm even open
>> to buying another D72 (but probably hoarding it except for special
>> occasions.)
>>
>> In short, what are your recommendations for a second, spare, radio for the
>> FM birds?
>>
>> I'm also curious how others have wired their single HTs - or two HTs - for
>> demos using an external speaker. So if you could explain - with or without
>> pictures - how you accomplish this, I'd appreciate it.
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> Philip N4HF
>>
>>