One crucial consideration is background noise levels. If your operating
position is quiet, with no amplifier fans, etc., noise reduction by the
headphones isn't important, so you can choose on the basis of comfort
and other things. On the other hand, if you DO operate in a noisy
environment, noise reduction is crucial, especially if you want to
preserve your hearing. When listening to weak signals, often way below
the noise coming out of the receiver, the AF gain has to be high enough
that the receiver noise dominates over acoustic noise. The louder that
acoustic noise, the more punishment your ears take, and it doesn't take
all that high a sound level to cause permanent damage.
Active noise reduction works only at low frequencies; to reduce noise at
higher frequencies, the headphones have to fit tightly. That's an
unavoidable trade-off. I've found the Radiosport headset to be the most
effective and least uncomfortable.
73,
Scott K9MA
On 12/6/2017 14:50, Barry wrote:
The worst headphones I ever experienced were at a HST competition.
They were Russian military headphones that reminded me of the image of
Uncle Fster with his head in a vice. Not sure if this list accepts
pictures, but guess we'll find out:
Getting back to the original question, I prefer ear buds and have a
set of J2 jbuds. In the days I did operate the entire contest, I
could wear them the whole time without discomfort.
Barry W2UP
On 12/6/2017 12:41 PM, Jim Brown wrote:
On 12/6/2017 7:47 AM, Ria Jairam wrote:
I use an Arlan Communications RadioSport headset.
I have a contrarian view of that family of headsets. I've tried them
on several times, when they were first introduced and in the last
year at Visalia. I find them to be VERY uncomfortable, to the point
of being an instrument of torture. Anyone considering one of these
headsets ought to try them on. Even better, trying borrowing a set
and wearing it for a long contest session.
Many years ago, in my role as sound system consultant, I had one of
the early Sennheiser noise cancelling headsets, and was able to try
it out on a couple of airline flights. I liked it, and found it
pretty effective. That was at least 25 years ago, and it's reasonable
to expect that designs by quality mfrs have improved.
Two cautions. First, try them out for RFI. Second, avoid anything
with digital signal processing -- the latency could make it difficult
to send with a paddle.
73, Jim K9YC
_______________________________________________
CQ-Contest mailing list
CQ-Contest@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
_______________________________________________
CQ-Contest mailing list
CQ-Contest@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
--
Scott K9MA
k9ma@sdellington.us
_______________________________________________
CQ-Contest mailing list
CQ-Contest@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
|