{"id":1821,"date":"2021-03-15T15:30:00","date_gmt":"2021-03-15T15:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.impactcomms.com\/?p=1821"},"modified":"2021-03-16T16:20:45","modified_gmt":"2021-03-16T16:20:45","slug":"guide-portable-2-way-radio-accessory-slang","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.impactcomms.com\/blog\/guide-portable-2-way-radio-accessory-slang\/","title":{"rendered":"A Guide to Portable 2-Way Radio Accessory Slang"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you\u2019re in an industry that uses 2-way radio communication equipment, you may have heard some unfamiliar lingo and aren’t sure what it all means. Here, we will demystify common slang terms used when talking about 2-way radios.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"PBM-1
PBM-1 (Close up of PTT)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. PTT (Push-to-Talk)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Refers to a switch or button on an earpiece<\/a> (or other audio accessory) for cell phones and\/or 2-way radios. Engaging the switch activates the microphone and allows for instant communication with other users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. 1-Wire<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Refers to the style or configuration of an earpiece cable, commonly used on portable 2-way radios. 1-wire earpieces can either be with PTT (push-to-talk) or listen only<\/a>, which has no microphone and is used only for monitoring or listening in on radio communications. In the case of a 1-wire equipped with PTT, the cable comes out of the radio connector, up to the push-to-talk switch and microphone, then out of the PTT and up to the earpiece. View Impact’s 1-wire earpieces and surveillance kits<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listen Only<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

With a 1-wire listen only, there is no PTT and the cable goes directly from the radio connector all the way up to the earpiece. 1-wire earpieces are commonly used by hotel and hospitality<\/a> staff, in the school and educational<\/a> environment, event staff<\/a> and in commercial applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The diagram below outlines some of the various wire configurations available. From left to right: 1-Wire with PTT, 2-Wire, Listen only to the radio, and Listen only to the speaker microphone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
3. 2-Wire <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"G2W
G2W 2-Wire Surveillance Kit<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2-Wire is another style or configuration of an earpiece cable, commonly used on portable 2-way radios.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A 2-wire earpiece has one cable that goes from the radio connector up to the earpiece, while the second cable also comes from the radio connector and goes to a PTT\/microphone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 2-wire configuration gives the user the option of wearing the PTT\/microphone on their shirt collar or running it down their sleeve and holding it in the palm of their hand. They are commonly used by police and security personnel<\/a>. View Impact’s 2-wire earpieces<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

4. 3-Wire <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"P3W-AT1\"
P3W-AT1<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Similarly to 1-wire and 2-wire, this also refers to the style or configuration of an earpiece cable. 3-wire earpieces have 3 cables<\/strong>, all coming from the radio connector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first cable is for the earpiece, the second cable is for the microphone that typically clips or pins to the users\u2019 shirt collar or lapel, and the third wire is a handheld PTT switch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3-wire earpieces are most often used in police departments for undercover or surveillance applications. View all our 3-wire earpieces<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"GLO
GLO Gold Series 1-Wire Listen-Only Surveillance Kit (Directly to Two-Way Radio)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. Listen Only <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These include two types of earpieces: The first is to listen to the radio, while the second is to listen to a speaker microphone. The functionality is the same, with the main difference being cable length<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. A \u2018listen only to the radio<\/strong>\u2019 earpiece typically has a longer cable ranging from 25-35 inches in length as radios are commonly worn on the users belt and may or may not include a coil for greater flexibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. \u2018Speaker mic listen only\u2019<\/strong> cables are shorter as they are only meant to connect to the speaker microphone<\/a>, which is commonly worn on the user\u2019s shoulder or shirt collar. A \u2018speaker microphone listen only\u2019 allows the user to keep radio communications private.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Lapel Microphone<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Commonly refers to an earpiece, usually a 1-wire earpiece with PTT (push-to-talk switch) with a microphone that clips to one\u2019s shirt collar, lapel, or chest pocket. See 1-Wire<\/strong> above for more detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Palm \/ Shoulder Microphone<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Can describe two types of audio accessories for 2-way radios including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"PRSM-HD2-NC
PRSM-HD2-NC Speaker Mic<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
  1. Speaker microphone –<\/strong> Speaker mics are the most commonly used audio accessories for portable 2-way radios across most industries and applications. They tend to clip to the user\u2019s chest or shoulder epaulette.<\/li>
  2. 2-wire earpiece<\/strong> (see 2-Wire<\/strong> above) – The microphone and PTT (push-to-talk) switch is run down the user\u2019s sleeve and held in the palm of the hand. 2-wire earpieces are more covert and unobtrusive than 1-wire earpieces, and are commonly used by police, security, and personal protection applications.<\/span><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    8. Covert Kit \/ Surveillance Kit<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Another term for earpieces – most commonly 2-wire earpieces as they tend to be more covert and unobtrusive compared to a 1-wire earpiece with PTT or other audio accessories like headsets and speaker microphones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    9. Quick Disconnect<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    \"Black
    Black Ear Buds With WE-1 Quick Disconnect<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Is a broad term used to describe many different points of connection. Quick disconnect commonly refers to a male\/female connection that can be quickly and easily disconnected and reconnected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Quick disconnect can refer to the following connections:<\/p>\n\n\n\n