Best Ham Radio Headset? Heil BM-17 Dual Side Boomset Review #HamradioQA

I've been using the Heil BM-17 on my Parks on the Air activations for the last few months. The Heil BM-17 is a lightweight single-side or dual-side headset designed for Amateur Radio use. In this video I examine the headset and discuss the good and bad points about it.

Heil BM-17 Dual Headset:

Heil AD-1-YM adapter cable (For Yaesu FT-891)

Build it: Microphone push-button hand switch:

RJ45 Extension Cable (1ft)

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KB9VBR VHF/UHF Antennas:

Timestamp
00:00 Introduction
00:26 Heil BM-17 Dual Side Headset
01:28 Specifications
03:28 Operation
05:08 Sound Quality
06:01 How do they feel
06:44 Good/Bad about the Heil BM-17
08:18 Final Words

My Parks on the Air setup:

Video Production Equipment:

Music by license:

#heilheadset #heilsound #hamradio #POTA #parksontheair #portableheadset #hamradioheadphones

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[allenpadgett]

I use the single earpiece model and love it when doing POTA. Leaves both hands free for logging or like me I talk with my hands waving about! I have both the hand trigger and the foot switch also. The foot switch is the easiest and have not had a problem using it in the field with dirt and such. At home have to use the hand switch as the dog likes to curl up at my feet and key the mic at inappropriate times.

[peterdekeles.]

Thanks. Have been trying to decide if I want to use a headset during POTA. This helps.

[mikewasserburger]

I use this headset for POTA work. Love it. Even better when paired with the ICOM bluetooth adaptor so I can use bluetooth to my ICOM 705 and not be "tethered" to the radio. The bluetooth adapter even has a PTT button built in, so everything I need to be able to walk around a bit and not be tied to the radio. The headset is great when I don't want to disturb others with any audio coming from the radio.

[HisWayHomestead]

I'm definitely going to look into this headset. The Pro7 can get a little heavy and the BM-17 would be better for portable operation. Hope to catch you at a park again soon. 73 de WA4CB

[marcinmichigan]

picked a set up, like it alot, thanks for the review Michael.

[raymondglidewell]

If your are looking for a budget option I’ve had excellent results with the KOSS Sb40 headset. There are options for both the Yaesu FT-891 and Icom radios. I built a foot switch using a doorbell button and a cheap doorstop (also made a hand switch. Prefer the foot switch). Also built a interface using a 3d printed box, a CAT5 computer jack and patch cable, and an audio jack. Have less than $50 in the whole setup. Pinouts and instructions all found online. This is all for the FT-891.

[gustavo.ptgo]

Very good, Michael! 73, from Brazil! TKS!

[DaveWOOD]

Thanks for the video. I'm mainly a Yaesu user so the BM-17 dual was just the ticket. But, when I got a lab599 TX-500 there was a problem getting enough mic volume and I found that I needed a powered mic model. There must be a similar circuit design between the lab599 and the Icom rigs. I finally got a PRO-SET PLUS IC model and that works fine. IMHO, BM-17 would look great in army green especially with the black accents.

[sethirwin]

Have had one for a couple years love it!

[kdyou]

I considered buying this headset but I want to wait until I really need a new headset. I bought the Pro-Set Plus many years ago, and I didn't realize the DX microphone didn't work until years later. I honestly never tried it until then. I'm very satisfied with Heil headsets and their company in general. I do recommend getting Heil's foot switch to activate the transmitter along with any of their headsets.

[instafax]

Situational awareness can be very important. We have lots of bears in the POTA parks near me, and I don't want one sneaking up and stealing my lunch while I'm on the air. Great show! Very informative, as always. Thanks!

[hamradiowithkevin]

Michael, I certainly understand what you mean about noise and disturbing others from a few recent activation's that I have done.
Have you experimented with operating with hands-free with VOX ? I am thinking about trying VOX on a future activation. Great review of the BM-17

[mark]

I got a single sided Heil PMS-6-iC for my 7300. I prefer to keep one ear open when in the field so I can be aware of my surroundings. Far easier to use a headset than a hand mic when logging. You get both hands free. I have a little finger switch for PTT, but VOX also works.

[woodsbikes]

That's a great video Michael, thank you for sharing your thoughts. I personally use the Heil Pro Set Elite mainly for my base station (a Kenwood brand) and I recently acquired a FT-891 for portable use. So I'm considering just getting the headset adapter or possibly even getting a new headset for my gokit.

Keep up the great videos.

Stay safe everyone and happy hamming. 😁😎

[kevingoshe]

Thanks Michael! I was really hoping you'd do a review on that headset. Salute!

[averageguysradio]

Nice review Michael,
I had been considering this headset for Publis Service Event use (PSE), and POTA as I hope to be starting that soon.
Again thank you and keep up the great work/content.

[oldpreach]

That's funny... At the end you talk to Arnold kc4zua, a well known HAM here in Atlanta. He has a very unique accent that really cracked me up when I first heard him after moving here years ago. Hope we can talk p2p sometime. Do you post your activations ahead of time on the POTA page?

[Bradsyoutube]

Great video. I’m searching for a lightweight headset I can use with my radios so this was very timely. Are there other comparable options you would recommend looking at?

[KevinBasilMagnus-syrm]

As a beginer I Bought 1 for my FT-991A because of your Video.
73s
9V1KM KK7QGL

[thomaswtlq]

Hey Micheal thanks for the honest opinion!