[Elecraft] Who needs Sidetone?? (WAS: Which Heil Prosets should we carry?)

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

I find it strange to hear "sidetone" on a phone rig. None of the radios that
I've used professionally do that. It's been almost ten years since I last
operated a commercial system, so maybe things are changing but, if so, it's
very, very new. 

Since we sound completely different to ourselves than we do to others -
thanks to bone conduction in our heads - I can't see that phone sidetone
does anything useful and the issue with sidetone volume is very real, as the
phone company found out decades ago. 

Back when the phone company owned all the telephones (and no one could
legally connect a different instrument to the phone line) they provided some
models with a thumbwheel or screwdriver sidetone adjustment on the bottom
that could be turned up to help the hard of hearing understand and to keep
them from shouting at the instrument. 

I discovered it when we had a "shouter" in the office who heard just fine,
but who habitually talked in a **LOUD** voice all the time.  Without his
knowledge we fitted his desk with such an instrument and turned up the
sidetone full volume. He spoke rather quietly on the phone thereafter. 

If you really want to know how you sound to others, you MUST record your
voice and play it back. It's best to do that on another rig so you get the
full effect to the second rig's SSB filters (for better or for worse <G>). 

Ron AC7AC