Ham Radio: A Cheap Headset for Your ICOM 7300!

After my Heil ProSet fell apart I’d thought I would try the KOSS SB-45. So far, so good!
Connect with my channel by subscribing and commenting.

[@timjohnson5250]

I've bought one of these on the basis of your video. I got the SB40, dynamic, as I already had the adapter for my Behringer boom mic. Works really well with plenty of good audio reports. Thanks Tim

[@timg5tm941]

Thanks Tim and I hope all is well mate

[@yorkshirebikerbitsnbobs]

Thanks for the useful info Tim.

[@timg5tm941]

My pleasure, thanks for stopping by and commenting 73

[@hamradiohef]

Wonderful review!

[@timg5tm941]

Thank you!

[@stevegibson9671]

Great video. I also use the Icom supplied hand mic as well as the Koss SB-45 with my 7300. I have received "great audio" comments while using both. The SB-45 does the job well!

[@timg5tm941]

Nice one!! Both work well

[@fishing540]

Great review i have 2 sets sb45 and I love mine,had all heil sets and got nothing but headache thanks

[@timg5tm941]

Thanks Paul, that’s my experience too.

[@FreeStuffGuy916]

Great video, Tim. I've been using cheap (less than $50USD) PC gamer headsets on my IC-7300 and Yaesu FT-857D from Amazon. I typically get unsolicited good on-air audio reports and guys are surprised when I tell them I'm using a cheap PC gamer electret headset. I built my own interface cables for the Icom and Yaesu radios which work well. So far, no reports of RF getting into the mic. I like the headsets with memory foam ear pieces. The problem I have with most headsets is the edge of me ear rubs against the speaker housing which can be quite fatiguing after a few hours of operating. Thanks for the video. 73 de N6EF.

[@timg5tm941]

Yes not all fit well for sure!

[@garyh8315]

I have also noticed RF on the Heil headphone since increasing in power. Tried ferrites, not worked so far. Good vid Tim, 73

[@timg5tm941]

Interesting Gary, a few say the same thing

[@jan-peter6305]

Nice video Tim, I also first fell for a then still Heil Eilite 6 and could not produce decent audio performance in SSB. Whether dynamic or electret. Now I've ended up with a good 50 Euro gaming headset, the Lioncast 55, which works perfectly with the Heil adapter, both the microphone and the headphones. Nice sound and actually always good rapports. I have a relatively low voice "bass lowered by -2 and the treble raised by +2. best regards Jan-Peter - DL3KVT-

[@timg5tm941]

Good info thank you

[@stevetelford2821]

Interesting video Tim. I use a set of Byerdynamic DT220 headphones and a studio microphone, but been thinking about getting some DT108s with the built in microphone. £150 for professional bit of kit and I find them very comfortable to wear.

[@timg5tm941]

Sound great Steve 👍

[@markramsay6399]

Nice video Tim as always. I have a Pro 7 headset and to be honest it is way over priced, heavy but does the job overall. Having done music a lot in the past, and still have a little studio, I was used to spending reasonable cash on headphones - but then I was looking at detecting subtle changes of frequency in music compositions. But with the tiny bandwidth of SSB I think the Pro 7 is perhaps way over the top!? What I would say I do get nice audio reports with hardly any audio processing, so I think the mic does the job. Anyway, keep these videos coming Tim, very enjoyable. Mark, 2E0MSR.

[@timg5tm941]

Great points Mark, thanks

[@NICKGAR7]

SB45 is great. Use them with Icom , 2 x Kenwood, Yaesu. All with Tecnofix adapters. I think I have 5 sets now! All with 3.5mm plugs.

[@timg5tm941]

Thanks Nick, they are very good value

[@45auto]

Thanks for that. 👍

[@timg5tm941]

You’re welcome!

[@lostcaggy]

Managed to get one for £15 from Amazon warehouse this week. It's a bit lighter than my Heil, so will be great for portable.

[@timg5tm941]

Good deal!!

[@acestudioscouk-Ace-G0ACE]

Very interesting and surprising you should pick up RF on such a high-end headset. Even if your new headset falls apart, you can afford to replace it another 3 times for the same money! I'm just about to buy an IC 7300, so was particularly interested in your comments. Best 73 .

[@timg5tm941]

My thinking exactly!! 73

[@andrewwood9281]

Great review Tim, very useful 73, M0LSL

[@timg5tm941]

Thank you Andrew 73

[@haramanggapuja]

Nice video & review. Just got a 7300 here and have been fiddling with getting it hooked up to all the other junk in the shack. Have an old abused mic that runs to the IC718 and the IC7300. But I'm thinking a headset might be nice once I get all inspired to contest with it. Especially with conditions improving as they are. So your suggestions are very helpful. Spent enough on the radio; figure I'll cheap on the headset ;-) 73 de W8IJN

[@timg5tm941]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@aeron-mw7ofs]

Cheers Tim , im considering a headset 👍. Hwyl .

[@timg5tm941]

Da Iawn!

[@renaat9829]

I've had the KOSS SB/45 for x number of years, and many hams told me that I have an excellent audio, and asked me what microphone I use. When I tell them that I use the Koss SB/45, a simple 45$ gaming headset, they are very surprised.

[@timg5tm941]

Absolutely the same here

[@adyg6ad73]

Looks good value for money Tim but I think I would wear that model out in no time. ps It is quite hard to make an IC-7300 sound bad, although one or two have succeeded LOL

[@timg5tm941]

Indeed!

[@DonDegidio]

Hi Tim, Thanks for that review. Luckily my Proset headset does not have any issues on the FT-450. Still need more time on the FT-891 to determine if it does or doesn't have any issues. I checked on the SB-45 and it mentions using a dynamic element. Wouldn't that work on Yaesu radios? Stay safe. 73 WJ3U

[@timg5tm941]

Hi Don, my impression is that the sb40 is useable with yaesu radios but I’m prepared to be wrong on that. 73

[@eddycuypers7621]

Nice one. The microphone input of the icom ic7300 Impedance: 600 Ω and the Kos SB45 is 100 Ω. Do You use any type of audio transformer?

[@timg5tm941]

No just the technofix cable

[@jackolsen8677]

I have SB 40 and it works great with ft891 and ftdx10 abt $50 cdn great videos ve7gde

[@timg5tm941]

Glad it works well and thank you!

[@Danybad1972]

Hi Jack, I have FTDx10 and 891 as well and I'm thinking about headset... you thing the Koss SB-40 are ok for our radios...? What is it with the connection to these radios ...? Many tnx for your reply ! Dany OK2BAD

[@Danybad1972]

@@jackolsen8677 many TNX Jack ! I appreciate it !!! 👍🏻

[@markramsay6399]

PS - your audio quality is very good on videos - yes a "tiny" bit of echo, but you said the ceiling was quite high. What mic and position are you using to record the video ? Mark, 2E0MSR

[@timg5tm941]

Just the iPhone about 4 feet away Mark

[@garyhinson3876]

An electret mic need a bias voltage, which is why one pin on the IC7300 mic socket is at 8V, I had big problems with RF when trying to use a condenser mic with my 7300, tried everything to cure it, so I then tried a dynamic mic, and this was problematic because the radios mic gain would not cope with it. Solution, a small one transistor amplifier and a good old SM58 microphone

[@timg5tm941]

Good information thank you Gary

[@RealWorldNLPAndHuna]

Thanks Tim, what do you use for PTT with this headset? Best Wishes David M7CZM

[@danev1969]

My question too. Dan N7DKE

[@timg5tm941]

Hi David I use a Heil footswitch 73

[@OJ71081]

Hi Tim, according to the specs the hb45 has an electret mic does this mean it's incompatible with my yaesu ft991a which uses a dynamic mic? Koss also have the sb40 that seems to have a dynamic mic but is a fair bit dearer.

[@timg5tm941]

Hi there - yes for the Yaesu you would need to use the 40 not the 45.

[@lonewolfeire9176]

Hi Tim, what technofix adapter is to be used with these headphones..(7300)..thanks in advance......ps..great video by the way..73 de.. EI7IAB

[@timg5tm941]

shop.technofix.uk/cable-for-pc-headsets-3-5mm-jack-8-pin-round-for-icom-transceivers - try this one

[@2E0YKD]

Thank you for the video. Can you tell me where to get a PTT button for the adaptor please?

[@2E0YKD]

It's OK I found it on the Technofix site. Sorry to trouble you Tim.

[@timg5tm941]

No worries. 73

[@buttyboy100]

.I have the SB-40 for my Kenwood radio and the SB-45 for my PC. My ears stick out, so are not as streamlined as yours, Tim! Consequently I find that the SB-45 is harder wear for long periods, while the SB-40 is fine. There must be a slight difference between the two headsets, like ear cushion depth, perhaps? 73 Gareth GW4JPC

[@timg5tm941]

Interesting observation, there must be a physical difference

[@n1kkri]

Would their be a wiring how to for this headset/mic and the IC-7300 ?

[@n1kkri]

I know the IC-7300 mic pin out but I would like to know the the pin out of the 2 plugs on the SB45

[@timg5tm941]

I just use the adapter plug mentioned

[@russellsurrey2465]

Any chance we could contact one another so I could ask your advice? Can’t do it by radio unfortunately but if there is some way I can get my details to you I’d appreciate it.

[@timg5tm941]

Email me via my QRZ profile

[@brianfields4479]

Hi Tim, well presented video again. Must be the teacher coming out in you, that makes me sit up straight in my chair when I watch your video hi. Iam still trying to find a headset for my ts480hx, ringing and emailing people and companies all over the planet, no one has any info for me. Couple of things mate, headaches wearing headphones, grow your hair a bit more hi, but probably the main problem is your using ssb not cw hi, cw forever hi.keep up the good work. Ps : 40m and 20m open to uk around 6- 7 am your local time, and how dare I say this now, but worked g4air last night on 40m ssb hi, no headset though hi. Take care mate, enjoy your weekend, 73 zl3xdj.

[@timg5tm941]

Great to hear the bands opening Brian. Appreciate the comments 73

[@robertbatchelor908]

Have you tried the Yamaha CM500

[@timg5tm941]

No I haven’t but I believe these koss headsets are very similar

[@mi0lpo]

This HS can be bought on Amazon cheaper than Currys if anyone interested

[@timg5tm941]

Yep I’m not surprised

[@GateKommand]

If it ain't broke don't fix it!

[@timg5tm941]

Indeed!

[@hyperionsixzeroeight5064]

Heil is overrated, mine was and is a disaster. The connection where it plugs into the Yaesu RJ mike jack broke the first time it was used. The cable between the headset and radio must go kluged through first, an 8 pin mike plug and jack and then to the RJ plug on end of cable. The one time it did work it was very uncomfortable. In my opinion high priced and overrated.

[@timg5tm941]

Sorry you’ve had a bad experience .. not good

[@dannelson8556]

Well let's start off with the fact that these are not the same headset as the CM500s. The SB45s have a much smaller ear cup, which is fine if you have smaller ears, but if you're a larger person like me then you might find them uncomfortable. The CM500 ear cups will cover your entire ear, whereas the SB45 sit on top of your ears and press down on them. oh and for God's sakes don't put tape over the microphone element, this is a noise canceling microphone, the element facing away from you is part of the phase noise canceling circuitry It's what measures the ambient noise and is used to phase cancel cancel background noise. It's not as good as an aviation Clark headset but it works well enough and If you put tape over The front sensor then you defeat the noise canceling abilities of the microphone. You would think ham radio operators who are supposed to be technologically literate with regards to communications equipment would understand how a noise canceling microphone works, but to read on E-Ham that hams are telling you to put tape over the microphone just demonstrates an humiliating level of ignorance with radio electronics.. I guess it all boils down to the dumbing down of the amateur radio tests, at one time you had to be able to read schematics and design electronic circuits to get a ham radio ticket, nowadays you just need to memorize a few questions to a test. Oh and by the way good job on the video.