I was running a uv5r with stock antenna. It was then running through this mic and I was running an aux cable from that mic to my walker razor slims.
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When I had the aux plugged into my walker slims it greatly reduced active listening from the headphones to the point where you couldn't hear what you needed to hear. There was so much blank fire and airsoft grenades with volume levels similar to a 9mm or .223 that I couldnt go without the earpro and instead gave up the comms. Even when it was "working" but messing up my situational awareness I was still having issues transmitting and receiving.
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I'm going to go with whatever that veteran player suggests. He is using the "earmor" headset. I tried his on and the active listening mics on them are much better than my walker slims and the boom mic can be right or left handed, and as a southpaw that's important to me. Another one was running either comtacs or sordins, so I might go that way, I'm not 100% sure yet.
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I will likely need to swap the antenna, and/or move to a better radio for the transmission distance issue.
I'm not sure what you're working with here? What radio are you hooking up to and what headset are you connecting to said radio. OP was using a UV-5r to MSA Sordins with a 3.5mm Aux jack connection on them.
My cheap/simple baofeng solution was the 8 dollar speaker/mic to act as the PTT and microphone with a 3.5mm speaker aux cable connected between it and the headset for audio output. It's not ideal but it's cheap... and IMO it's not worth spending any real money on a dedicated PTT setup for a cheap-o Baofeng.
As an alternative to this. You can use the mic below and the provided aux cable to run comms through your head set. Just press the mic to talk.
Cheapest setup would be the following:
Radio > Baofeng PTT (speaker) > 3.5mm aux cord > Headset
The PTT (speaker) can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008RZ0EQ0/
Aux cable I used: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01JIYL57K/
The aux cable can be any 3.5mm cable (given your headset has the appropriate input). I found 5-7 inches is enough to go from shoulder to headset, otherwise measure where your PTT would be mounted then get that length aux cable.
This is the cheapest you will get for a basic PTT. The handheld speaker is primarily that, a speaker. However, when the aux cable is inserted into the port on the speaker, the sound will be redirected to your headset. You can then listen to incoming transmissions through your headset, then click the button on the speaker to use it as a microphone when needed. It's a bit chonky, but it works.
Note that there are some speakers that aren't wired correctly and will still throw sound from the speaker even after inserting the cable. I'd return it and get a new one. I've used (and modded) several of these speakers, and it's only happened once out of the 20 or so I've had. You can resolder it yourself if you don't want to deal with the return.
Another note, is that your headset will dictate how the sound comes over. My Howard Leights only do mono sound into the headset, so you will only hear the incoming transmission from one ear. I'd also recommend getting or printing a volume control cover so you don't accidentally turn up the volume as you're rolling around on the carpet.
yeah the actual protruding part of my clip is a half circle thing.
Would this work for what I need?
if you bought one of the many inexpensive microphones - first one found online - you could just jack a standard pair of walkman headphones or earbuds into the jack located below the PPT button.
u/RIICKY recommended me these. I received them yesterday and they're pretty damn good ($4.50 each for a pack of 2).
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008RZ0EQ0/ref=twister_B00GL50XI2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1