Develop Bugs

XDA2 2,5'' jack PINout !

I didn't find here the pinout description of 2,5mm jack connector from XDA2.
There is stereo out, microphone in and two buttons.
I tried to buy 2,5mm connector, but it is not usable - connector itself fits to the XDA2, but the connector's body is too thick so the connector can not be fully plugged in.
So i bought some Nokia portable handsfree, which is also equipped with 2,5mm jack with four pins. So all i need is to know, how it should be connected.
I also bought a small plastic box, two 3,5mm stereo females and two little buttons. All of those things will be installed into that tiny box (plus the Nokia 2,5mm male connector). So this will work as an universal adaptor: from XDA2 to anything. I already bought big HiFi earphones with built-in microphone - it has two male 3,5mm jacks - one for stereosound, second for the microphone - so I'll be able to connect it to the XDA2 using my homemade tiny box and HiFi telephoning will become the reality ;-))
I'd also like to make a "homemade" simple car handsfree : I'll connect XDA's audio out to AudioIn on my car audio (also suitable for playing MP3 from XDA on car audio system). And I'll connect a standalone external microphone to XDA, microphone will be placed somewhere in the cabine.
Does it sound insane? Or realistic? Does anybody know the XDA2 jack pinout?

http://xda-developers.com/connectors/
this is xda1 but they are suppose to be able to use the same headphones
so it would help a bit
even though the xda1 dont support the 2 button thingy

Hey, as I trashed my cable I had to find out a little bit about the connecter
I write this from memory, so please handle with care ;-) :
from top to bottom
top ring - stereo out (left or right)
next ring - stereo out (right or left)
next - microphone in
next - ground
metallic ring in the inside of the connector - phone switch
By the way.. these pins are protect versus each other.. you'll have some tries..
Alex

The truth is that I can use the system connector instead of the 2,5mm jack.
AudioOut and MicrophoneIn pins are on the system connector as well...
So meybe I'll make SystemConnector-to-3,5mmJack adaptor ;-)
Or is there a difference?

Ehm..I had simply buyed a 2,5 to 3,5 Jack and cut a piece of it to fit into phone:

unapproachable2kx said:
Ehm..I had simply buyed a 2,5 to 3,5 Jack and cut a piece of it to fit into phone:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, OK. But it is only a stereo out, you don't have a microphone in. I'd like both of them plus those two buttons (red and green phone button)...

http://pc-mobile.net/pxdaa.htm
this one have the mic but dont support the pickup and slam down of the phone
So meybe I'll make SystemConnector-to-3,5mmJack adaptor
Or is there a difference?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well if you wanted to connect something else to the sysconnector you would not be able to connect something like charger or GPS
then imho it would make more sence using the 2.5 connection which cant be used for anything but sound anyway

Well, I am looking for such a device, but then one that will work with the XDA2/MDA2
Because I would like to use my own B&O headset, but would like to keep the phone function with microphone and answer buttons
So if somebody would like to spend an hour on the web for a detailed surch :wink:

make it your self...
takes less than 30 minutes (if you know how to use a solder iron)
I did it and I am trulty happy with it.
Alex

but is it not a problem that the lengh of the 3.5mm headset get added to the length of the wire from the device to the buttons and mic
i mean the mic need to be able to reach ones mough but the lenght from ones mouth to ones ears are not that long and with the added 3.5 mm headset lenght it would seme to become a wire mess?

Yes and No...
Yes if you do nothing.
No if you wrap it up a little.

well if you wrap the wire you will create a coil line effect
and that damage audio quality
just kidding i'm not a real audiophile

It seems that info in xda-developers.com/connectors/ is aplicable to XDA I.
XDAII headset has 2 buttons, answer and finish.
I'm specially interested in the 22pin pinout, that I've told IS DIFFERENT from the XDA I.
Can anybody point me with updated info on XDA II conneectors?
Thanks

vcp
xant give the wiring of the 2.5mm on the xda2 in this thread
about the 22pin connector then
http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=3929&highlight=22pin+pinout

Xant said:
from top to bottom
top ring - stereo out (left or right)
next ring - stereo out (right or left)
next - microphone in
next - ground
metallic ring in the inside of the connector - phone switch
Alex
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alex,
This is correct. The XDA II uses 5 pins instead of four. The switches are both connected to the 5th ring on the inside.
Until now, I wasn't able to find this connector.
Seems it's only used on the XDA II.
The diagram of the XDA I connector is correct, only the button isn't connected over the microphone to ground. So if you only need audio and mike, use that schematic.
Grtz,
Jos

Alternative way to mount Universal in your car

If you want to know where I got this idea, you should see this one first:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?p=314731#314731
I found this way of mounting my Wallaby last year, very effective and cheap and secure. So, last weekend, I tried to mount my Universal the same way. Its kind of hard, as my Universal metal case has different size of its belt clip mounting pin. So I have to put another belt clip to my car. I was finally moving the Cruise Control button to the right and use that middle spot that was occupied by the Cruise Control before to put on the Universal belt clip. And now the Universal can be mounted exactly in the middle. I do not have the audio connector yet, but I have located one that look exactly like my Wallaby one, but with 3.5mm plug.
Hope this will give some idea to some of you. Btw, I could mount my Universal with its silicon case on, but taking the padding inside the metal case out. So my metal case now primarily used as a mounting place in my car now.

Nice set up. Do you know yet of the PQTAA ( http://pc-mobile.net/pqtaa.htm ) will allow you to run audio from a call through your car speakers while still using the mic?

yes, this is exactly the one i'm getting. exactly the same as shown in my picture above, but with 3.5 mm plug. my old one, with 2.5 mm plug, works perfectly with my wallaby for few years now.

lie_ui said:
yes, this is exactly the one i'm getting. exactly the same as shown in my picture above, but with 3.5 mm plug. my old one, with 2.5 mm plug, works perfectly with my wallaby for few years now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm just still worried that the mic will not be enabled on the Universal... Please do let me know if you've tested this on a Universal.

I just received this email back from the manufacturer (Pc-Mobile) of that headset (it regards to it working with the Universal):
"If it has a 3.5mm audio jack then PTAMS/PQTAA COULD be compatible but there
is no guarantee as the every manufacturer may use different pin configurations."
I'm wondering if I should just roll the dice and place an order?

galt said:
I just received this email back from the manufacturer (Pc-Mobile) of that headset (it regards to it working with the Universal):
"If it has a 3.5mm audio jack then PTAMS/PQTAA COULD be compatible but there
is no guarantee as the every manufacturer may use different pin configurations."
I'm wondering if I should just roll the dice and place an order?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I like to add that, unlike phones with 2.5mm audio jacks, which may have different pin configurations from different manufacturers, phones/pda with 3.5mm audio jacks are likely to use the same configuration.
It is because the jack is to be used for ALL headphones with 3.5mm plug so they must be the same.
The only variable is the ground/mic configuration.
All current PDAs with a 3.5mm audio jack with mic (Ipaq/Loox/Axim) use the same PTAMS/PQTAA ok.

I will be getting the PQTAA from PC-Mobile and will report the compatibility with the Universal once I have and test it out.

lie_ui said:
I will be getting the PQTAA from PC-Mobile and will report the compatibility with the Universal once I have and test it out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Lie_ui. I also have ordered this, hope it works out...

PQTAA works with Universal!
Good news. I received the PQTAA from PC-Mobile and it works with the Universal! I have tested all functions with my Universal:
- Stereo audio output is carried perfectly to the car stereo, no noise whatsoever.
- Microphone is working great, my voice can be heard clearly.
- The call receive button on the unit is working ok too to receive/pick up incoming call.
This is a great audio adapter (in addition to the fact its a handsfree unit). I find its a lot better way to connect the Universal to the car audio system rather than using other method like BT.
As most car mounting solutions do not include audio adapter to connect the Universal to the car audio system, the PQTAA is a perfect solution.
If you have a cassete player, you can combine it with the casette adapter. If you have an AUX input in your car stereo, thats the best.

Thanks for the info Lei. I also received mine today, haven't been able to really test it out, but it seems nice and it does function as required. Finally!

I finally got a chance to try mine out. The PQTAA works FANTASTICALLY with the Universal!
I tried it in my car, with air conditioning running full blast - the call came in, I was able to answer and hang up using the button on the adaptor. The call was perfectly clear over the car speakers, even with the volume turned up very high the caller reported zero echo from their own voice. They were able to hear me very well even with the mic unit dangling from the rear view mirror (not clipped to my shirt).
Excellent work by PC-Mobile! http://www.pc-mobile.net/pqtaa.htm

can someone tell me step by step ob how to connect universal to car audio ( cd player) what stuff do i need ?
cheers for any info
cudo

cudo said:
can someone tell me step by step ob how to connect universal to car audio ( cd player) what stuff do i need ?
cheers for any info
cudo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If youve got a cassette player then buy one of those audio cassettes (Sony does a great one) that includes a cable to plug into the headphone socket on the universal.
Then just start your audio player on the universal and the sound is routed through to your car player.
Hope thats what you meant
Matt

thanks for the idea but I have got only cd player..and it has no aux input.is there any chance to onnect my uni to car audio?
cheers, cudo

Here are some options to connect Uni to a car stereo:
1. If the car stereo has AUX input, this is the best.
Get the adapter we discussed above (PQTAA) and connect it from your Uni then link it to your car AUX input. If you connect it directly from the Uni to your AUX input without that adapter, you only get audio routed to the car audio system, but you will not be able to accept phone calls as a normal audio plug will disable the Uni internal microphone.
2. No AUX input, but has casette player, get the casette adapter. I used this in the past and it worked well, too, until I decided to get an MP3 car stereo and then I made sure I got the one with AUX input.
You will also need to the PQTAA adapter.
3. No AUX input, no cassette, only CD....
You better have FM radio, as this is your last option.
Get a FM transmitter, plus the PQTAA adapter. You will feed the audio through the FM to your car audio system. I used this method before and I did not really like it as its kind of troublesome, you have to turn on the FM transmitter, then select the macthing frequency in your car radio, etc. And in my city, its very hard to find unoccupied frequency, thus I always got bad interference with other radio stations.
4. If you do not like connected/cabled mode, then go with Bluetooth.
You car audio must have an AUX input, though. Get a Bluetooth adapter like this one:
http://www.usglobalsat.com/item.asp?itemid=98
Then connect it to the car AUX input. This way, you do not need to plug something to your Uni and can keep it inside your case/purse.
5. Finally, none works for you, and you would like to upgrade your car audio system, then get the new one that has the Bluetooth. This is the cleanest and best solution I guess.
I was looking at this one:
http://www.parrot.biz/products/index.php?id=rhythmnblue
This one even can sync your Contacts and it has a dial pad in the car audio system. Very nice.
Hope this shines you up.

hi Guys,
Yeah been installing plenty of Parrot kits (LS3200, CK3100 and LS3400 with GPS) for the Exec and Mini s etc.
The parrot kits also have a microphone and audio mute, you may need an SOT audio lead depending on your cars configuration, but these kits are simply superb, call quality is fantastic, syncs all your contacts, and the LS range have colour screens with Voice recognition on all.
I can supply these and install them in the UK if your interested, other than that google or ask a local installer nearer to your location,
Ill be Fitting an Exec with a LS3200 soon, ill try and take some images and upload if anyone interested.....basically with the parrot kit, you get the best of both worlds, a nokia style car kit at last for phone based PDAs like the Xda Exec,
Hope that helps,
Bryson

Is there no way to control the mic from being turned off when you plug in normal headphones? This is what I posted in another thread I created:
Hello everyone.
I have a great pair of wired headphones that I love to use for watching movies and listening to mp3's... noise canceling, enhanced bass, extended range, the works... =)
The only problem though is that when I get an incoming call on gsm, there is no way to listen to the call from the headphones and still use the built-in mic of the universal. I'm forced to unplug the headphones and just use the jasjar's built-in speakers like a regular phone. This is especially horrible on the bus, train, etc.
Funny thing is if I use skype on the jasjar, I can hear out of my great headphones and still talk through the built-in mic... i recorded a few voice notes using the built-in mic while having the headphones plugged in the universal...
clearly, from this... the function is available?
but how do I do this using the gsm phone?
I suppose you may want os details and such... I'm using the newest official i-mate jasjar rom
Thanks in advance!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=278604

I can confirm that your findings are indeed true. Other than the phone, other applications that use the microphone (such as Voice Recorder) works regardless there is a normal headphone plugged in or not.
I guess you are right, there should be a way to tweak the OS to enable the microphone all times.
In a meanwhile, the adapter we discussed above would solve your problem too. (It has a microphone and a normal 3.5mm headphone socket).

adapter for sound *in*?

Hi all!
For sound out, there are adapters (I already have one), which convert from that custom 2.5" jack to a standard 3.5" - which even let the built in microphone active. OK.
But is there any adapter for the opposite? Converting the microphone / sound in part of that custom 2.5" to an e.g. 3.5" - so that some standard microphone or some other sound pickup could be attached?
Wether built in speaker would be left active or not isn't relevant for me.
Background: I have one of those programs for tuning musical instruments. It works fine with the built in mic in relatively silent rooms and for acoustic instruments. But imagine beeing on stage between two songs while the crowd is cheering!
If no such accessory is available: I would spend some extra Euros for a second hands free thing, cut off the side with the 2.5" plug and tinker a 3.5" on the open end.
But will this work - or have I to include some resistors or such?
Thanks, greetings
Manfred

There are such adapter on sales
http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=113967&tab=0
As for the issue of resister, I don't think you will be needing any. I've no experience on electric musical instruments, but a microphone is a essentially an active resistor/capacitor that convert sounds to resistance/capacitance-variation and hence electric signals. It does not produce any form of voltage itself (eg. you do not need battery for microphone).
Hence, it depends on your musical instruments. If you were to get the adaptor above, perform a voltage test on all 6 combinations (of the 3 contacts) to make sure your instruments does not produce any form of voltage/current. If it does not produce any form of voltage, you ought to be safe for a direct plug-in.

(oops, did I mix up " with mm in my initial post )
Are you using this adaptor yourself? With a Prophet? Does it work?
Not to appear nagging, but there are three facts that make me doubt:
- the description there tells me, that it "converts the standard 2.5mm three conductor jack"
- which can also be seen on the "larger image" (those pictures at expansys often are near causing eye cancer >;-) ), where the plug has *three* contacts
- description also tells us, the adaptor converts to a "3.5mm Mono Headphone Jack".
Well, the jack of Prophet has *four* contacts, and sound out comes in *stereo*. I guess that: tip and first ring are - stereo - out; 2nd ring is mic in; last "ring" obviously is ground. This I take from the fact, that my adaptor for standard 2.5mm to standard 3.5mm stereo earphones really delivers stereo out, but the internal mic is still working.
So I also guess, that this adaptor here has e.g. *mono* out on tip, mic in on 1st ring - and ground on third and last ring - which also would lead to connecting Prophet's mic to ground.
Or am I totally wrong here?
The question about resistors (and such) comes from looking at
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=Connectors
(but that's Wallaby and Himalaya wiring, and with the latter there's also an extra (5th!) "outer sleeve" connector); but you can see in the drawing there, that there are a diode and three capacitors between mic and ground, and serially a resistor (but all without values).
So I fear, that just connecting a (passive) guitar pickup won't deliver satisfying results.

Hmm. didn't notice that one is a mono output. Anyway, can't really find one with mic and headphone out for streo (actually, gave up searching). I guess there aren't enough market for people pluging in their own mic.
As for the diagram, it looks like that, for the micrphone, the circular wiring thing is an inductor, not a resistor, since it is marked as L1. From what it seems, it looks like those capacitors and inductor is there to bias the circuit such that the mic is to be in the right impedance to pickup speech. That is more to "adjust" the mic such that it will gives the correct values (probably due to its small size?). So, if you were to plugin in your instruments directly, the result may not be that good. But probably it will. You may need to tune your software to adjust for this?
As for the z-diode there, it is a mystery to me. Can't think of anything useful for it, except to ensure the mic-in is always >= 0 (greater or equals to zero).

Well, first of all: thanks a lot for your answers!!
I also gave up searching before posting here; also searched for a separate 4-ring 2.5mm plug; but before investing in a second headset just to get that plug, I thought I'd ask here ...
Inductors, resistors et all ... it's been way too long since my physics intensive course on grammar school ...
Your thoughts sound logical.
So I'll get me the headset for the plug and tinker an adaptor myself - without any extra inductors or capacitors. Will see how it works - if not, well, I'll come back here again to ask for the values of them ... and tinker along ;-)

I build an adapter on my own out of the standard hands free headphone which was included in delivery.Unfortuately I had to destroy the case a bit I just made a kabel with a 3,5 mm jack and soldered it on the circuit board and bridged the build in mikrophone.Now I am able to connect a stand alone microphone to my Prophet.
Cheers

you can order one @ http://mobile.brando.com.hk/

@ Repose: you mean the handsfree headphone? I already ordered one at expansys
@ colida: that's another idea, keeping the circuit board. Such, all capacitors etc. are in place ... maybe just looks a bit ugly, you really have to break that little housing.

Mini USB > 3.5 Jack?

Any adaptors that will allow me to use proper 3.5 inch headphone jack in place of the mini USB ones ( i dont like the in ear phones) checked ebay and couldnt see anything?

you want get one of these http://www.expansys.com/p.aspx?i=142090 - Mike

Ouch, that thing is both horribly badly designed and prohibitively expensive- it's going to stick out what looks like an inch by itself, most headphone plugs will add another inch on top of that- I need something that fits flush with the bottom of the phone (comes out at a right angle) AND supplies an input for the charger. One can only dream!
The orbit would make a great on-mains Wifi internet radio if such a gubbin existed- hook up some speakers, start TCPMP, sorted!

in which case if you don't like wires stop messing around and get a set of A2DP compatible headphones - the quality is very good, but far more costly than a cable addaptor - the choice is yours - Mike

Might have been worth while if I didn't use an iPod for all my portable audio needs- have you seen any A2DP compatible speakers around?
Looks like there are hacks out there, but no official products, the combination really would just turn the Orbit into an incredibly expensive Wifi radio! But where's the fun in just going out and buying a proper one!

Have a look at the products made by Parrot there are a few Bluetooth audio add on boxes, I fail to see the relevance to WiFi?? as the A2DP profile is Bluetooth - it even works on the T-Mobile MDA-CIII which has no WiFi - Mike

I say wifi radio because I listen to internet radio stations around the house using the Orbit, and the ol' tinternet comes via the wifi doohickey!
A2DP is, of course, a bluetooth profile and would be the method over which I get decent sounding audio from the Orbit to some speakers whilst still having the Orbit plugged into mains so the battery doesn't get sucked dry... that said I think the Orbit will last a good few hours streaming internet radio, although I have yet to put that to the test.
My other solution would be, as mentioned above, an adaptor that allows both the charger AND headset to be plugged in- I can't see this as being technically impossible.
With a brief cursory investigation I have discovered, I think, that the headset uses a proprietary 6-pin connection on the opposite side of the mini-usb connector. The headphones do not use the 4-pin standard mini-usb connector on the other side, but a connector that uses both should be reasonably simple to produce. Ergo it should be childs play for a third party to produce an Artemis dock that contains not only a connection to USB but a standard 3.5mm amplified microphone socket alongside a standard 3.5mm amplified stero audio jack... not to mention a button on the front of the dock for picking up calls and a volume slider if you really wanted them.
Call me crazy, but I want one of those!

You could try this
http://www.expansys.com/htc/p_htc_item.aspx?i=145066
Might do the trick even if it is a bit long
Rich

Dear lord! You've made my day! Hmmm, a little jiggery pokery and I might even be able to incorporate that into a dock but it'll be fantastic for charging and listening to net radio at work- takes that little extra load off my desktop PC.
Cheers!

Glad I could help

richiev4 said:
You could try this
http://www.expansys.com/htc/p_htc_item.aspx?i=145066
Might do the trick even if it is a bit long
Rich
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
Does anyone know if the above would work with a set of mini stereo speakers with a 3.5mm headphone jack (like the walkman speakers i used to have, back in the day...) to listen to the FM radio while charging the phone from mains? Or would you still need the headphones plugged into get any FM reception?
Daft question maybe, but I wondered whether the device would just use the speaker wires as an antenna instead of the headphone wires?

It will work fine, I am going to use mine to connect my orbit to my home stereo and charge it at the same time.
Rich

2.5mm 3 pole jack plug
Hi,
Anybody know of an Artemis mini usb to 2.5mm 3 pole jack plug adapter which allows the connection to deliver audio and microphone capability ?
I would like to connet my Artemis/Orbit to the Autocom intercom system on my motorcycle . This uses a lead with a 2.5mm jack plug at the phone end and a 3.5mm jack at the Autocom system end. Both are 3 pole.
Thanks
P.S. hope you don't mind me jumping in your postings

http://www.expansys.com/s.aspx
try doing a search for "2.5mm"

A very good Items for the Artemis on EbaY :
look :
http://cgi.ebay.fr/FOR-ORANGE-SPV-E...ryZ14419QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

2.5mm 3 pole jack plug adatper
I think I've found exactly what I'm looking for at:
http://igonemobile.com/products/html/61315310.html
I've got one on order and I'll let you know if it works.

cegmawr said:
Hi,
Anybody know of an Artemis mini usb to 2.5mm 3 pole jack plug adapter which allows the connection to deliver audio and microphone capability ?
I would like to connet my Artemis/Orbit to the Autocom intercom system on my motorcycle . This uses a lead with a 2.5mm jack plug at the phone end and a 3.5mm jack at the Autocom system end. Both are 3 pole.
Thanks
P.S. hope you don't mind me jumping in your postings
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is this so you can listen to music from the Orbit? I've had difficulty on my bike with this...music cuts out and wont restart after phone call is over. In the end, I bought the Autocom bluetooth dongle and now bluetooth the Orbit to the bike. I get phone calls and GPS just fine, but I use a wired iPod for music.

cegmawr said:
I think I've found exactly what I'm looking for at:
http://igonemobile.com/products/html/61315310.html
I've got one on order and I'll let you know if it works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does this support the Artemis? It isn't in the list....

There was a posting for the mini USB PinOut some Time ago. Look in the wiki Section to find it. Here is what they showed up with.
Maybe This will Help someone to build their own Adapter or whatsoever.
Greetings
Jabami

so what was the general concensus with using Autocom? Did the 2.5mm jack work?
I want to avoid using the bluetooth option on autocom, since I might just as well go for a Scala bluetooth headset instead if the jack doesnt work...

DIY FM Antenna With 3.5mm Audio Jack

This is not something new and have been shown many times in YouTube. It is interesting to have for any phone with 3.5mm audio jack that can be easily done within a few minutes. I do not use my headset with my phone so this would be a nice hack to have around to listen with your friends on some local radio without consuming your data plan and phone battery.
Find a headset that you do not need. We only want the part with the 3.5mm audio jack. Just trim it down to about 20cm in length and fold it in half and tie a knot at the end. I tied a lasso knot at the end just so I can adjust the length of the receiver later on though it may not help much in reception quality.
Tested several length from 1 meter all the way to 20 centimetres and found not much difference in reception quality for a fact that you will be using your loudspeaker to listen to the FM radio. The same with whether to loop or not to loop the receiver but looping the receiver gives it a cleaner look while maintaining the same reception frequency.
Putting your phone too close to a human body greatly interferes with the FM signal. On the other hand, placing your phone on a metal table may enhance the FM reception.
Perhaps those who have knowledge in electronics can shed some light to optimize this simple hack further.
Have fun...

I didn't know. Works like a charm !! Thank You

Doesn't work for me. When I plug in the trimmed headset cable with the ear pieces cut off, the FM App keeps asking me to plug in a headset. Works OK when I plug in an untrimmed headset and switch to speaker in FM App menu.
Is there a further trick to getting this to work? Are you using the stock FM App?

I had the same problem myself, and it stems from the fact that smartphones will interrogate any headset you plug in to check if it is suitable. There are basic stereo headphones with three contacts on the jack plug (from the tip they are left, right and ground) and should work on any phone regardless. But there are two variants of headset (i.e. those with a microphone) that use four contacts, the difference being whether they connect the mic on the third or fourth contact.
As of 2016 most manufacturers have standardised on one system (left, right, mic then ground), but there are enough older phones and matching headsets out there that use the alternative pinout scheme. For example my old Sony Xperia used L-R-G-M (the same as say Blackberry), necessitating the use of an adapter for certain accessories. My latest Z5 however, has moved to the L-R-M-G pattern, which means I can no longer use my favourite old Sony headset anymore, not even as plain headphones, the Z5 just refused to talk to them.
That explains why a dumb wire might not work with a smartphone, because it is looking for a signal loop on all four (or three) contacts to try and figure out what's been plugged into it. The solution is to short out the wires to fool the phone into thinking there actually is something on the other end. Simply bare all of the wires at the cut end of the cable, burn off the fine lacquer or cotton that is used as an insulation, then twist the wires together to short them all to the ground. Better still, solder them together and cover with a bit of heat-shrink for a proper finish.

Found some pre-made antennas in ebay, you can try searching for 3.5mm antenna. They look pretty decent. I am also looking for compatible antenna, if any, that is compatible for steven303's new headphone jack.
Edit: did some research and found that the 3.5mm steven303 mentioned is called '3.5mm 4 conductor' or 'TRRS antenna 3.5mm', you can try searching for them in ebay or look for similar ones lying around with wires long enough to be loops around to be used as antenna for new phones with the new type of head jack.
I got two item I think can be suitable for this purpose; search with the following keyword in ebay;
1. 3.5mm 1/8'' Male To Male 4-Pole 3 Ring TRRS AV Audio Extension Cable 1.2M/4Feet
2. 4-Pole 3Ring TRRS 3.5mm (1/8'') Male To Female AV Extension Cable 3FT/1M Black

I have an additional issue. I use my phone's fm radio feature with an old pair of headphones for an antenna and listen via blue tooth headphones when I'm running or just working around the house, etc. My problem is that as the phone moves around in my pocket, the movement causes the phone to think the headphones came unplugged for a second and the radio turns off. When that happens I have to take the phone out and turn the radio back on. This happens often enough that it is a pain in the neck.
A separate but related issue. With some old, non functioning headphone cables the phone doesn't think there is anything plugged into it. I am lucky in that my phone gives me the option to "Play anyway through speaker or bluetooth". So even though it thinks there isn't anything plugged into it, I do, and I have good FM reception.
Here is what I want: I want to know what to do to my old headphone wire so that my phone doesn't think there is anything plugged into it when it is, in fact, plugged in. I hope that makes sense!