[Elecraft] David Clark headsets

[Bill Coleman]

On 3/5/02 10:53 PM, Kirby J. Davis at kb4utz@usa.net wrote:

>Would anyone know if it is possible to use a David Clark H10-30 
>noise-attenuating aviation headset as a headset for the K2?

I'm sure it is possible, but there are certainly a lot more comfortable 
and compatable headsets to use.

>I have 
>one of these from my private pilot days about a decade ago... no 
>plane and no active pilot license but I do still have the headset!

Pilot licenses never expire -- unless you had to surrender yours....

>Any ideas or thoughts? The headset is quite nice and I would think 
>that it could find good use in "ham service"... seems like it would 
>be a waste not to try to use it.

I'm pretty sure you can drive the headphones, but the microphone may be 
more problematic. Aviation headsets either use or simulate a carbon mike 
element, so you have to provide a bias voltage across the microphone 
leads to get them to work.

Aviation headsets were designed to be used in a very noisy environment 
for modest periods (eg 1-4 hours). The typical hamshack isn't nearly that 
noisy. The tradeoff for headsets is protection over comfort. These 
headsets aren't very comfortable. They will hurt your head after just 
5-10 minutes. However, in an aircraft, it is better than going deaf. If 
you trying wearing them for 10-20 hours (as in a contest), you'll 
definitely give yourself a head-vice headache.

There are much more comfortable aviation headsets than David Clark. I'm 
most impressed with the Peltors. They are light, comfortable, and just as 
effective. I bought two of their hearing protectors (no speakers or mike, 
just the headset) for use in my workshop. 



Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL        Mail: aa4lr@arrl.net
Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
            -- Wilbur Wright, 1901