Lightspeed Zulu and Icom handheld = useless?

Sandiegoflyr

Sandiegoflyr

New Member
Hello all,

Today I had some fun with a 1940 J3 Cub. Unfortunately using the radio was no fun at all. As the plane has no electrical system (you even have to hand-prop it), I used my ICom handheld that I always carry with me in my flight bag. Using the headset adapter I thought everything will be fine. Unfortunately the tower controller said that I was completely unreadable.

I played around with volumes on the Icom and on my Lightspeed Zulu, but couldn't really get it working. I heard the tower loud and clear, I heard other planes calling in loud and clear, but my mic was only transmitting hiss, noise and my voice was unreadable.

Is there anything I did wrong? Is an ANR headset like the Zulu not usable on an ICOM handheld? Any suggestions?

Cheers,
Sandiegoflyr
 
Sandiegoflyr said:
Hello all,

Today I had some fun with a 1940 J3 Cub. Unfortunately using the radio was no fun at all. As the plane has no electrical system (you even have to hand-prop it), I used my ICom handheld that I always carry with me in my flight bag. Using the headset adapter I thought everything will be fine. Unfortunately the tower controller said that I was completely unreadable.

I played around with volumes on the Icom and on my Lightspeed Zulu, but couldn't really get it working. I heard the tower loud and clear, I heard other planes calling in loud and clear, but my mic was only transmitting hiss, noise and my voice was unreadable.

Is there anything I did wrong? Is an ANR headset like the Zulu not usable on an ICOM handheld? Any suggestions?

Cheers,
Sandiegoflyr
Click to expand...

If you use the headset adapter you need to also attach it to a push to talk switch.

this way:

plug the headset mic to the ptt switch, then the ptt switch into the adapter, the other plug straight into the adapter.

I fly a lot on a Piper cub, with no radios, I just keep the handheld radio loose and works just fine.
I have also noticed that handheld and ANR headset don't go along...lately I've been using just ear plugs.
 
Oh well, that's an easy explanation :)

Thanks a lot! I will try to get a PTT switch next week and give it a try...

Cheers!
 
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