In this article, we are using the following radiosport equipment:
FlexRadio Maestro model C. Hereinafter referred to as simply Maestro C
radiosport RS60CF-10A Boom Mic Headset
radiosport CS6-MAE-C Headset-To-Radio Cable (for the Maestro C)
radiosport PTT-FS-RCA Foot Operated PTT Switch
With this configuration, with the radiosport CS6-MAE-C, both the Headset PTT button (Red button on the Left Ear Dome) and the External Foot (or it could be our Hand Operated PTT Switch) are functional, and a PTT Adapter is not required to connect an external PTT Switch.
Connectors for the radiosport CS6-MAE-C Headset-To-Radio cable
Once the Switchcraft miniXLR connector is attached to the headset (align the keyway and insert to lock in place), you will have 3 connectors to attend to. Two are at the very end of the cable to connect to the Maestro C, and one is a pigtail lead coming out of the 4-port box on the cable for attaching an external PTT Switch.
The two 3.5mm right-angle plugs can be easily identified by the number of connections on each plug.
One is a TRRS plug with Tip, Ring 1, Ring 2, and Sleeve connections, hence referred to as a TRRS plug. This is the plug that will be inserted into the combo mic and headset jack on the lower left rear of the Maestro C, labeled HDST. This connects the Headset Mic and Headset Earphones to the Maestro C.
One is a TS plug with only Tip and Sleeve connections, here referred to as simply TS. This plug will be inserted into the PTT jack on the lower rear of the Maestro C, labeled PTT, and is just above the HDST jack. This is the connection that allows both the Headset PTT button and an External PTT Switch to function with the Maestro C.
Here are the Jacks that the two 3.5mm Plugs will be inserted into. HDST for the TRRS Plug and PTT for the TS Plug
The two 3.5mm plugs are right-angle plugs to help prevent the cables from accidentally being pulled out of the jacks.
Connection for an External PTT Switch
Plug your external PTT Switch into the Pigtail lead from the Headset-To-Radio cable with the RCA Phono jack. All radiosport PTT Switches are equipped with the industry standard (since the 1950s) RCA Phono Plug.
Maestro C TX Menu - Setup of the Maestro C with the headset connected to the Maestro C
1) Pressing the Mic Gain control knob in brings up the Maestro TX Menu as shown above.
2) Far left of the Menu Screen, select the M-HSDT for your headset that is now connected to the Maestro C.
3) From the Mic drop-down on the lower left of the Menu Screen. Select either radiosport DX M20 or radiosport WIDE M20 Mic profile depending on your particular operating style. This loads the appropriate Mic Profile.
4) Typically, once the headset has been adjusted to fit and the Mic is placed directly in front of your lips, approximately 1/8" away from your lips. Then set the Mic Gain such that the Level Meter shows just occasional peaks near 0. Average peaks will be around 50% when properly set. Don't overdrive the Maestro ADC; that may cause audio distortion. The Mic Level may be set without transmitting by enabling the Level Meter in RX.
5) When selecting the radiosport WIDE M20 Mic Profile, the transmit TX Filter may be adjusted for better audio fidelity, when band conditions allow, without causing interference to other stations operating near your operating frequency. For example, a Low setting of 50 and a High setting of 2700 can provide for better audio fidelity when rag chewing with the local gang. Use your panadapter to ensure you are not causing interference to nearby QSOs.
Note: The Downward Expander (DEXP) is only available with the Headset connected directly to the FlexRadio itself.
Maestro Menu Audio to set the Audio out to the Headset
1) Select the Maestro Menu -> Audio as shown above.
2) Select Main Audio Out with Maestro highlighted
3) Select Front Speaker as Disabled, not highlighted, so audio is only sent to the Headset Headphones.
4) Audio should typically be set for Slice Pan: at middle of the Slider between Left and Right, unless operating Split and you want Slice A (typically RX) in the Left Ear ONLY (Slider all the way to the Left (L), and Slice B (typically TX) to hear where the DX is being worked for example, with the Pan then fully Right (R).
5) Typically, the AGC is set for SLW (Slow recovery) for SSB to prevent noise bursts between syllables, while in CW typically set for FST to have quick recovery for Break-in CW operating.