Elecraft KX2/KX3: An inexpensive adapter for earphone and mic operation

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Mike Hansgen (K8RAT), who shares this message from Wayne (N6KR) of Elecraft. This message was originally posted on the Elecraft email reflector:

Several KX2/KX3 users have asked what I use as an adapter to go from an iPhone headset to the rig’s headphone and mic jacks.

Here it is.

This unit works beautifully with both my old and new iPhone headsets. The combination of the headset and this adapter take a tiny amount of space in my go-bag. Audio reports are great, even with speech compression set to max (MENU:TX CMP).

You’ll need to set MENU:MIC BIAS to ON, and I also recommend setting MIC BTN to OFF.

You can tap the XMIT button to start voice-mode transmit, or use VOX. See VOX menu entries in the owner’s manual.

Note: There’s a rumor that one legacy version of the iPhone headset was different from the others. I don’t have any info on this, but it means there’s a slight risk that this $6 adapter won’t work in your case. But it certainly works with the earpods I bought a couple of months ago.

73,
Wayne
N6KR

Thanks for sharing this, Mike! I’ve just placed an order for this little adapter. When doing field operations, I always use in-ear headphones, but a separate hand mic because I don’t like packing or wearing bulky headsets. I’ve a couple of earbud/mic sets (neither an Apple brand) that should work brilliantly with this adapter.

Click here to view on Amazon.com (affiliate link).

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3 thoughts on “Elecraft KX2/KX3: An inexpensive adapter for earphone and mic operation

  1. Dan laporte

    I have one for my kx3 with earbuds. I get much feedback I can’t use it and had to go back to a mic. What do you guys do about the massive feedback.

    Reply
  2. Michael Fortner

    I use one like that, but with a headphone audio volume control, for hooking up a good cellphone headphones, a pair of Massdrop x Koss Porta Pro X Headphones (Porta Pro’s with a cellphone mike on the cord ) for gaming on my computer. The Porta Pro’s are on the ear headphones so I can still hear things around me somewhat, so I don’t end up yelling in the house while gaming when I use over the ear headphones.

    The headphones in question, for the curious: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-x-koss-porta-pro-x-headphones

    And the audio control: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/massdrop-x-koss-porta-pro-x-headphones

    Reply

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