[CQ-Contest] Headphones...hard wired

[K9MA]

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
>>
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-- 
Scott  K9MA

k9ma at sdellington.us