Looking for info on headsets

[Oliver.o...@xerox.com]

Doug, seems I can't send direct to you.

First, I applaude your decision to use a headset. Not only will it help
extended your years of hearing but they make radio communication much
less a chore. When coupled with an intercom there should be a lot less
"what?"s in the cockpit.

A few years ago I bought David Clark's model 10-40 for my own use and 6
months later I got another one for my wife. I now use them with the
Radio System's Technology intercom I put together from a kit. I am
happy with all this gear and recomend them. Note that because of the
large signal produced by the electret microphones in the H10-40's, the
intercoms and/or the COM radio's input can be overloaded. A simple
resistor change in the intercom and/or a Mike gain adjustment in the COM
radios takes care of this annoyance. This is a guess, but I think that
all headsets with an electret mic share this high signal level anomolly.

David Clark's model 10-30 is the same headset but with a dynamic mike
instead of an electret. This set's microphone characteristics are a
much closer match to what is installed in most rental aircraft. If I
was still a renter I would probably opt for these. (mucking with the mic
gain on an aircraft which you are renting is very poor form indeed.)

I'm sure that the electrets are clearly (ooh, I made a pun) a superior
microphone. So, my rule of thumb is; If the headset stays with the
airplane use H10-40s. If the headset wanders from airlane to airplane
use H10-30s. Note that I have a crude thumb.

Also, find yourself a current copy of TRADE A PLANE and check out the
prices in the adds. I found this to be the cheapest way to buy
headsets. I haven't checked recently but two years ago I got my H10-40
for $155 and they threw in a push-to-talk switch with the deal. This
was from a place in So. Cal. Delivery was swift,too.

Blue skies to ya,
Ollie

[i...@harpo.uucp]

I have the Clark headset with the electret mike. I also
got the liquid cuffs and the cloth headset covers. The liquid
conforms better to your head, and particularly glasses.
The sound reduction is wonderfull. I use to fly with a Telex
about 12 years old, and to get good sound reduction I used to
use the EAR ear plugs along with the headset. With the Clark's,
I get excellent sound reduction with having to use ear plugs.
It sure makes it a lot easier to understand the controllers.

Irv McNair

[no...@harpo.uucp]

[Alan Marcum]

I've flown with an intercom and headsets since very early in my
student pilot days, when my instructor got a Dave Clark 10-30, a
Telex D-950, and a portable intercom. I consider myself very
fortunate to have been able to learn in this kind of an environment,
both for my private and for my instrument. I was so impressed with
the difference between headsets-intercom and plugs-shouting that I
bought my own headset, then an intercom and more headsets. I'm now
on my second intercom (a Telex), have four headsets (all Telex; the
original D-950 and three E-951s), and love it! I'm planning on getting
the new Dave Clark 10-80 sometime in the future, especially given the
reviews I've seen on it. Incidentally, I've never had any noticeable
trouble with the electret mikes in the planes I use (flying club),
both with an without the intercom. I've also never had any trouble
mixing both electret and dynamic mikes with either the Telex intercom
or the RST I used to use.

I can STRONGLY recommend getting (borrowing if necessary) a reasonable
headset. I find the Telex 950/951 much more comfortable than the Dave
Clark 10-30/10-40; if the plane is very noisy, I'll use earplugs as
well as the headset. I tried on the 10-80 in a shop, and was very
impressed with how it felt, and the noise reduction (in the store; I
haven't had the chance to fly with one yet). If you tend to fly with
other people, do everyone a favor and get another headset (or few if
needed) and an intercom. And, if you're an instructor, please, PLEASE
get an intercom and a couple of headsets. It's said the an airplane
is a lousy classroom; why make it any worse than it must be?
--
Alan M. Marcum Sun Microsystems, Technical Consulting
...!{dual,ihnp4}!sun!nescorna!marcum Mountain View, California