Bluetooth adapter for handheld radio?

[RussR]

I have an Icom IC-A6 which is a perfectly fine radio for my needs. I would like to connect a (non-aviation) bluetooth headset (basically one that you could connect to your phone) to it. It seems that bluetooth adapters are made for this purpose, but it gets rather confusing trying to verify compatibility.

The IC-A6 has a dual-mini jack on the side, for external speaker and microphone. It looks like there are bluetooth adapters that plug into this dual jack, although I don't know if the plug size/spacing is standardized or not, and sometimes the products do not list compatibility information.

For example, this one seems like it would work, at least superficially:

PRYMEBLU BT-530-V2 Bluetooth Adapter for ICOM Two Pin

Premier Dealer for Kenwood, ICOM, Motorola, Blackbox and Vertex Standard Two- Way Radios, Headsets, and Accessories at Discounted Price.

www.hitechwireless.com

But Icom makes a ton of radios, aviation and non-aviation, for many different uses, and the compatibility list on the website does not specifically list the IC-A6.

Does anybody have any advice on doing what I want?

More detail because I know it's going to come up - when I'm not flying for my day job, I fly an ultralight. I have a helmet onto which I have mounted a Sena motorcycle headset, which Bluetooths to my phone to make calls, listen to music, whatever. I would like to connect this headset to an aviation radio so that when I fly around or at actual airports, I can monitor and make radio calls on CTAF. Thanks!

 

[GeorgeC]

ObPoA: I'd just get a handheld that groks bluetooth natively.

 

[Dana]

The Icom uses standard plugs, the mike is a 2.5mm and the speaker is a 3.5mm, both 3 conductor. The dual connector combining the two is Icom proprietary, but you can use ordinary plugs, they just won't be combined together. I had the A24 which is the same as the A6 with VOR, but I don't know if all Icoms use the same configuration. I did it that way when I made a homemade wiring harness to connect to the single plug Comtronics helmet I used in my Kolb, with the PTT in the stick. I later repurposed that harness to connect the radio to wired earbuds and a separate mike in a different plane.

But if you don't want the hassle of making your own adapter, why not contact the manufacturer and ask if it's compatible with the A6? Though it may be that they're deliberately not listing the aviation radios for liability reasons. Or ask Icom if all their radios use the same connector, Icom support is pretty responsive (but not always correct).

 

[Pinecone]

If the radio has a 3.5mm speaker/earphone/headset jack, most any of the BT adapters will work. The radio doesn't care what is plugged into the jack (within reason) and the device doesn't care what it is plugged into.

Of course, you will not have a boom mic on that headset.

 

[wanttaja]

If the radio has a 3.5mm speaker/earphone/headset jack, most any of the BT adapters will work. The radio doesn't care what is plugged into the jack (within reason) and the device doesn't care what it is plugged into.

Of course, you will not have a boom mic on that headset.

Probably more to the point, you won't have a mic designed for high-noise environments. Won't be as suited for in-flight use...picking up the engine noise.

Ron Wanttaja

 

[RussR]

If the radio has a 3.5mm speaker/earphone/headset jack, most any of the BT adapters will work. The radio doesn't care what is plugged into the jack (within reason) and the device doesn't care what it is plugged into.

Of course, you will not have a boom mic on that headset.

Probably more to the point, you won't have a mic designed for high-noise environments. Won't be as suited for in-flight use...picking up the engine noise.

Ron Wanttaja

In this case, the bluetooth "headset" in question is a Sena system designed for use with motorcycles, so it does have a boom mic and I suspect is designed for high-noise environments.

 

[RussR]

ObPoA: I'd just get a handheld that groks bluetooth natively.

I looked at that. It seems like aviation radios by Yaesu and Icom that support bluetooth are in the $500 range (new). A little more than I wanted to spend considering I already have a radio.

 

[Dana]

If the radio has a 3.5mm speaker/earphone/headset jack, most any of the BT adapters will work. The radio doesn't care what is plugged into the jack (within reason) and the device doesn't care what it is plugged into.

This radio has a 3.5mm speaker/earphone jack with no mike connection and a separate 2.5mm microphone jack, so that won't work. And consumer BT adapters generally don't support a separate PTT switch.

 

[RussR]

But if you don't want the hassle of making your own adapter, why not contact the manufacturer and ask if it's compatible with the A6? Though it may be that they're deliberately not listing the aviation radios for liability reasons. Or ask Icom if all their radios use the same connector, Icom support is pretty responsive (but not always correct).

Make my own bluetooth adapter? Sounds complicated, but if you have some knowledge about that or know of a DIY project, I'd be willing to look at it.

I will try contacting the manufacturer, thanks.

 

[Shawn]

I went down this rabbit hole trying to get an airband radios to work with my bluetooth headset for Power Paragliding...Airband and FRS radios are different mic impedance and although they may be the same connector on the same brand radio they each also use a different pin out configuration so the available bluetooth adapters that work on the FRS radios won't work with airband radios (airband also has an extra ring for PPT mic key up)...hence why you won't find one with listed compatibility...and even if you did a DIY rewire a plug to correct pin out the mic impedance is still the roadblock.

Only real viable solution is to find a used Rexon 530BT (discontinued...and there are non BT models of the 530) or the Icom A16B both of which have Bluetooth built in...there may be one or two more now that also have BT built in

I spent COUNTLESS hours trying of research and DIY hacks to get one of my two existing GA airband handhelds to work with my SENA and ultimately gave up in defeat and picked up the Rexon 530BT

 

[RussR]

I went down this rabbit hole trying to get an airband radios to work with my bluetooth headset for Power Paragliding...Airband and FRS radios are different mic impedance and although they may be the same connector on the same brand radio they each also use a different pin out configuration so the available bluetooth adapters that work on the FRS radios won't work with airband radios (airband also has an extra ring for PPT mic key up)...hence why you won't find one with listed compatibility...and even if you did a DIY rewire a plug to correct pin out the mic impedance is still the roadblock.

Only real viable solution is to find a used Rexon 530BT (discontinued...and there are non BT models of the 530) or the Icom A16B both of which have Bluetooth built in...there may be now or two more now that also have BT built in

I spent COUNTLESS hours trying of research and DIY hacks to get one of my two existing GA airband handhelds to work with my SENA and ultimately gave up in defeat and picked up the Rexon 530BT

Shawn, thank you! That is exactly my use case, and exactly the feedback and experience I was looking for.

You probably just saved me similar countless hours.

I guess I'll just start looking for a 530BT or A16B (there are other fancier ones by Yaesu and Icom but they also include GPS and VOR features, neither of which I need, for significantly higher cost).

 

[Shawn]

I guess I'll just start looking for a 530BT or A16B

If I recall correctly there are three different variants of the 530 and at least on or maybe two don't have BT...just be sure the ones you are looking at have BT function.

 

[Dana]

Make my own bluetooth adapter? Sounds complicated, but if you have some knowledge about that or know of a DIY project, I'd be willing to look at it.

No, I was just thinking a wiring adapter. But as @Shawn said impedance mismatch might be an issue... though IIRC I was successfully using the Icom with a cheap electret mike salvaged from an old computer headset. I used consumer earbuds with it, the Icom can drive 8 ohm speakers just fine.