Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/739629
HeADSeTS COMMUnICATIOnS In contrast to passive hearing protection, ear cups have electronic circuits inside, power supply, and – in some cases – a socket for external devices and a microphone. The average SNR of the protectors is within the range of 25-28 dB. The electronic circuit is powered with batteries placed in one or both ear cups – this devices uses AA or AAA batteries. Battery compartments and hearing protection as a whole might comply with water resistance standards, but it basically refers to solutions of leading companies and results in significantly higher prices for sets. The average lifetime of one set of batteries is from several dozen to 600 hours of continues work. Microphones that gather ambient sounds are usually placed in the front part of the ear cup, directed forward – one should remember about that and should not wear protectors with the microphones directed backwards. It may distort identification of the direction of sounds. Control of the electronics is handled thanks to buttons or knobs placed on the body of ear cups. Although potentiometers seem to be more accurate and provide smooth adjustment, in my opinion simple buttons are better as they are more convenient to be used with gloves on and it is more difficult to accidentally change settings, while smooth adjustment, e.g. of sound intensity, is not significant, because these are not headphones for audiophile. Usually, there are three (volume up, volume down, power) or two buttons (volume up, volume down). In the second case, you turn the set on and off by pressing and holding both buttons for few seconds. More advanced models have also voice walk-through menu that is operated by pressing buttons in the correct sequence. Thanks to such a feature, it is possible to adjust individual parameters of the headset, like e.g. level of radio communication amplification, warning signals, etc. In products with the option to connect a mobile phone, there is usually a 3.5 mm jack socket in the back of the ear cup. Some may even feature the Bluetooth connectivity. Communication headsets are equipped with wires to connect with the push-to-talk (PTT) switches (one or two in case of dual comm sets) and a microphone. In order to provide convenience for shooters, such protectors could offered in versions for the right-handed (microphone and buttons in the left ear cup) and left-handed (microphone and buttons in the right ear cup) as most of MSA Sordin devices or in ambidextrous (mostly 3M/ Peltor) where the user can detach the microphone and switch the sides. The most frequently used are boom, gooseneck, or throat microphones, but some sets have bone conductive microphones that collect speech sounds from the skull. Some of the manufacturers give the possibility of replacing microphones with the other types, including throat microphones. In order to connect the set with a radio, it is required to have a PTT switch with a control button or buttons (Transmission/Receiving). www.fragoutmag.com