[SEDXC] HEADSET/MIC

[K4PI]

In regard to the discussion on headsets at the ZOOM meeting last night I 
wanted to bring out a couple of points to consider..   I always prefer 
an active noise cancelling headset as they give you the most noise 
rejection and the Bose units have been rated very highly.  The Bose 
requires a single AAA which last a fair amount of time.  I buy the 
batteries in bulk on sale at Harbor Freight HI  30 secs or less to 
replace the battery.  I have tried other noise cancelling headsets but 
the Bose is the best I have tried. Mine are QC15 not sold anymore unless 
you find some used ones.  I think they are up to QC35 now but have never 
tried any.

Top of the list any headset must be comfortable for long periods of time 
and the Bose is to me.

Also any headset I have I want a cord that is easily replaceable,ie the 
cord unplugs from the headset.  The ear pads must be easily replaceable 
and acquired for a reasonable price. Basically you want a headset that 
is easily repaired with the least amount of intervention.  I worked in 
aviation related repair and we were constantly repairing headsets that 
required disassembly and even beyond repair at times.  Now the Bose 
headsets are not the cheapest by any means but I can't give mine up.  
The Bose is easily repaired with parts readily available on the internet.

If a headset has a boom mic, can that be easily replaced and are parts 
available?  Some of them if you rip the mic off you are in a world of 
trouble and no parts available.  The Ant Lion Mod Mic Uni unit I 
mentioned last night is held in place by a magnet and will never damage 
that fixture.  There are times when it comes off when I don't want but 
it easily snaps back as it is held by a magnet the give you 4 different 
90 deg settings.  Normally you would just use two positions.  One for 
the mic in front of you and the other the mic vertical out of your way. 
They make a wireless version but I can't tell you anything about that 
unit.  They do sell headset units etc but I have no experience with 
anything other than the Mod Mic Uni,  $49 so buyer beware.

The Ant Lion Mod Mic Uni is an electret type mic which does require a 
voltage which many radios provide internally to the plug.  I know my K3 
has a setting in the menu you can turn on the voltage for an electret 
and it is supplied right to the mic plug with no wiring.  At one time 
all Icom mics supplied a voltage as the mics supplied with the radios 
were all electret type.

I assume most radios have mic equalization as my K3 has where you can 
make it sound like any mic you want.  I set mine up to mimic a Heil HC4 
DXer Dream element as they always had a lot of punch.  The Ant Lion  Uni 
can be attached to most any headset.  I have used mine for many years.  
They were $32 back when I bought mine.

73 , GL  Mike K4PI