[CQ-Contest] CW Optimized Headphones

[Eric Scace]

   I prefer to have a minimum amount of items which modify the signals between the antenna and my ears.  Beside the "peaked for CW
reception" concept described below, some folks have mentioned headphones with active noise-cancellation circuitry and wireless
headphones as something they enjoy using.  Each of these introduces some additional points of potential distortion.

   I have never seen measurements of noise-canceling or wireless headphones that compares signal input to signal output in the kind
of complex listening environment we enjoy during contests.  I would be very interested to see the results of a careful study, as my
fears may be without merit.  But, until then, I'll stick with the KISS principle.  The station already has many places to mess up
the signals...

-- Eric K3NA

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-cq-contest at contesting.com
[mailto:owner-cq-contest at contesting.com]On Behalf Of Dale L Martin
Sent: 2001 December 6 Thu 17:17
To: CQ Contest Reflector
Subject: [CQ-Contest] CW Optimized Headphones




The Riding the RF Gain thread has been very interesting reading.  I have
used the RF Gain for many years to reduce the effects of frequency
congestion, noise, etc.  It's a comfortable way to operate.

Don/WX3M's and others discussion about headphones has added another
interesting element.  I have always used full-size, cover the ears
completely headphones.

One thing I have not seen addressed is whether there are any headphones that
are optimized for CW or what modifications can be made to optimize them for
CW.  That is, make the lower and upper frequency rolloffs about 200 HZ and
1200 HZ (or something similar), respectively.

Would this help to reduce 'white noise fatigue' as mentioned in a couple of
the posts?

Would it help to reduce the 'fog of war' (why don't we have a term like 'fog
of contest'?) noise (adjacent frequency signal activity) and effects
(distraction, interference)?

Aside from external audio filters, is anyone doing anything
mechanically/electrically to their headphones to optimize them for CW?

73,
dale, kg5u


--
CQ-Contest on WWW: http://lists.contesting.com/_cq-contest/
Administrative requests: cq-contest-REQUEST at contesting.com


--
CQ-Contest on WWW: http://lists.contesting.com/_cq-contest/
Administrative requests: cq-contest-REQUEST at contesting.com