Manager


Manager - NA4M
Manager Notes

Reviews For: Heil FS-2 dual footswitch

Category: Contesting Hardware

eMail Subscription

Registered users are allowed to subscribe to specific review topics and receive eMail notifications when new reviews are posted.
Review Summary For : Heil FS-2 dual footswitch
Reviews: 28MSRP: 39.95
Description:
This is the perfect answer for saving your relays in most brands of radios, especially Icom. You no longer need external relays or cables as the footswitch has two heavy duty switches, one that keys your amp right before keying you rig. If you have two radios as I do, and use the W2IHY EQ and noise gate, YOu can run two radios through the same EQ and Noise gate and switch between the two radios with the flip of a switch on the W2IHY EQ and run them one at a time through the same amp, again without having to use relay cables from you radios to your amp. Well built, simple idea that solves a lot of two radio set ups and interfacing radios, especially older rigs to newer amps. Great idea Bob, keep up the great work and it solved my problem and is much more comfortable to use than the old footswitch.
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.heilsound.com
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
00283.5
NT8F Rating: 2020-09-04
Cheap Time Owned: 0 to 3 months.
After two weeks the spring attachment inside the switch broke causing the transceiver to go into key down transmit. Had to fish out and unplug the switch from the mic line. Took it apart and was amazed of how cheap it was built. Would expect more from Heil.
AB4D Rating: 2015-06-22
Ok, but needs improvement Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I've been using this switch in my station for a few years. It hasn't failed yet, but it could be improved, and is too light for my use.

My station has laminate flooring and a hard plastic chair mat. I constantly have to chase this switch with my foot, as it tries to slip out of reach under my operating desk. It likes to slip and slide around quite a bit. My desk bears the scars from that. During use, I have to position my foot to both depress and try to hold the switch in place. That action makes it a chore to use, and at times is a distraction from operating.

Function is as advertised, and the timing is perfect to protect your amplifier from hot keying. In concept, it's a great addition to your ham shack, but I wish this switch was heavier and was made from better materials. Construction is painted sheet metal, and is a simple clam shell design.

I recently purchased a line master single foot/dual switch for about the same price. Construction on that seems much better. Soon, I will change the Heil switch for the line master. If I could, I would rate the FS-2 at a 3.5, a bit less than Great.
W6LBV Rating: 2015-06-19
"Not Ready for Prime Time!" Time Owned: more than 12 months.
The FS-2 foot switch is another in a string of Heil products which have not lived up to expectations for me. I’ve owned an FS-2 for about ten years, and I no longer bother to try to use it.

But it may be inaccurate even to identify the FS-2 as a “Heil product.” It’s probably more likely that Heil buys it from Asian OEMs and stencils his own name onto it, in a manner similar to many of the products that carry the MFJ name.

As indicated in other reviews, the switch is problem-prone. In addition to the problems already mentioned, I also had trouble with the hinge on the switch going out of alignment. That made an already foot pressure-heavy switch even more difficult and tiring to use while transmitting.

There are better products than the FS-2 available for the purpose; go and look for them. At the risk of being repetitious, “not everything in a Amateur station needs to be a ‘made exclusively for the Amateur market’ product!” There’s a wide world of choices out there.

K2CBI Rating: 2015-06-18
Follow up 5 years later Time Owned: more than 12 months.
As I mentioned in an earlier comment it takes six to nine months for the strong odor from the rubber coating to dissipate. About two years ago I had to replace one of the micro-switches, which was not expensive.

Other than those issues the footswitch is pretty rugged and works well in almost daily use.
VE7IG Rating: 2015-06-18
Works well Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Several years of use with no problems at all.
N4MJG Rating: 2015-06-17
No Problem ! Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have never ever have any problem with my since i own it about 5 years still going strong !

----------------------
Earlier 5-star review posted by N4MJG on 2006-06-14

i love mine,it help when you need your hands free to your net or rag crew.try it i think you'll love as much as i did,you be glad if you did.


73
Jackie
KG4ORX
Website http://webpages.charter.net/kg4orx
W4KVW Rating: 2015-06-17
GREAT switch for me. {:>) Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have owned & used the HEIL FS-2 footswitch for 10 years or more with (3) different amplifiers & (2) different transceivers & have had Zero issues. It works just as designed & I have not seen any of the problems other describe in their reviews.If this one ever fails I would buy another FS-2 too replace it without hesitation.I use it because it works & always has with no problems & that's what I purchased it for. {:>)
N9AOP Rating: 2015-06-17
fair Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have to agree with the previous post. For the same price you can get a Linemaster Clipper. Mine came from 10 years use in a PSAP an looks like it has another 50 years in it.
WZ4K Rating: 2015-06-16
Unreliable; poor quality Time Owned: more than 12 months.
Well, I have owned mine for about 6 years and have disassembled and repaired it 3 times. the screws that hold the micro-switches fall out. As stated by others, the alignment of the pedal must be 'square' to the base to properly engage the switches. I'm done with it. I expect better from Heil.
K1HC Rating: 2013-05-28
Disappointing Time Owned: more than 12 months.
I have three of these in the shack (FT-817 as an IF for a 220 MHZ transverter; TS-2000 and 432 MHZ brick; TS-2000X and 2 meter amp), and I have replaced two of them already because of mechanical failures (and I am only using them rarely for a few hours each VHF contest). However, I have not found another product which has the dual switch action. As others have stated, the rubber used smells bad. I just had my Heil single foot switch fail again and I have now found another supplier so I will try that out. At least most of my Heil mikes are very good (only one failure of a button switch there on a Goldline mike).