Topband: best headphones for cw

[wb6rse1 at mac.com]

Chuck -

I’ve been very pleased with Heil ProSets for both CW and SSB.

If you can, borrow the recommended models to see how you like them.

What’s “best” is always going to be subjective just because there are so many variables.

Communications frequency response vs full range.
Over the ear or on the ear cushions.
Built in microphone boom; dynamic or electret element.
Mic frequency response.
Cord as a Y vs on one side or wireless.
Overall comfort and aural fatigue.
Price.
Etc.


The question begs a second question: Amplifier QSK relay noise.

My reference standard for a legal limit amp is the Alpha 87A with PIN diodes. The diodes are expensive vs vacuum relays that are popular with manufacturers. The Alpha 9500 relays could wake up the dead wearing earphones. A deal breaker for some.

Expert Linears has a mod to quiet the stock SPE 2K-FA relays which is supposed to be very effective although I don’t have any first hand knowledge. The SPE 1.3-FA review in July 2016 says that you might want to use headphones when operating QSK. No mention is made of any kind of quieting mod having been done.

The Elecraft KPA-500 amp uses inexpensive switching diodes for T/R switching and is as seamlessly quiet as the Alpha 87A. No doubt their legal limit amp that never came to market used the same design.

I’d like to see manufacturers use solid state diodes vs relays as T/R switches. Elecraft has shown this to be a commercially viable design.

73 - Steve WB6RSE