Gyro headset options

[Rotor-Blade]

Hi Guys
Herewith is the little circuit, that cuts out the PAX mike when transmitting to improve the signal to noise ratio, when carrying a one. I also change the VOX level from 3 to around 4~5 when in flight with a PAX onboard to avoid the intercom being activated all the time, hence avoiding listening to the constent outside noise, when on the ground, VOX back to level 3 and normal chatting can occur whilst taxing and shutting down.

The use of the circuit is at your own descretion. hope it can assist...

Regards
Rotor Blade

[weedy]

OK, Project in progress, please understand that we may not get it right the first time...but we have to start somewhere. Low Level will get some toys to play with.

Cheers Paul

Hi Paul and Leon, how is the progress on this project?

Went nearly deaf this last week on the trip to Haziwiew and back.

[t-bird]

The ear institute in Pretoria makes custom earplugs for helicopter pilots.
They make a mold of your inner ear and a custom ear piece.
This filters the noise out but you will hear the radio coms through your current headset.

I am going to try this and give you guys feedback.

[Low Level]

Paul has sent me two sets of headsets wich I received last week via Piet Meyer - thanx Piet.

The two headsets are linked via an Air magic intercom system, without a radio interface, BUT our major problem is windnoise through the intercom anyway, so that is what we'll be testing. According to Zulu the radio interface for various radios is a piece of cake if the system works.

First impressions - WOW - great headsets, comfortable, high quality, intercom clear as though not through a headset - tested in my office. Unfortunately my gyro's rotorhead is in for a service and I've been away for the long weekend. Me and Mak decided to give it a test, but the crappy weather snookered us the past week. Tomorrow if all goes well, we'll be in the air - testing.

According to Piet Meyer this stuff is ehhhrrr........ MAGIC on the trikes.

If anyone intends buying new headsets, maybe wait a week or two.

[mak]

So after all Low Level’s excuses ran out not to fly with me and his failed attempt to do a conversion to fly from the back seat legally (as he is "currently" grounded) we finally got to test the headsets that Paul has sent us and we are very impressed. They are comfortable with a good fit around the ears. We only had the two headsets connected without the radio interface, no Vox or squelch setting possible, but even without this interface and Low Level hanging out in the wind (to test the system) the outside noise was minimum and the intercom worked perfectly and was very clear. We could speak in a normal tone, no shouting required to hear each other over the wind or engine noise.
I can only think that with the radio interface and correct Vox & squelch setting this would be the almost perfect system for open gyros with zero engine or wind noise.
Hopefully we will get a report from T-bird once he has tested the headsets.

[Low Level]

Yip, I can only echo mak's sentiments. These headsets are BRILLIANT. After the testing we flew with mak's helmets,Pilot headset combination. The difference is eminent. The Airmagic system is clear, no shouting, no windnoise. On the Airmagic, I used half volume and used normal tone of voice, where on the Pilot sets I had to strain my voice to make conversation. The sound quality difference is best described as the difference between a clock radio and a good hi-fi. The windnoise interference is basically zero.

All in all I am very impressed and has already asked Paul to make me a set with a radio interface. I have the intercom system with me. I have confirmed with Paul - anybody is welcome to test it. Gimme a call - oh82 577 2593 - or PM. I am in Pretoria and is willing to take it up to Midrand or that area, or organise a time and fly in to Rhino park. I'll meet you there or make a plan with André at Microflight. Good chance I'll be there on Saturday morning.

Remember - there is no radio when testing - therefore recommended to do it in the circuit with someone on the ground doing your radio calls or someone flying with you in another aerie.

Connected

Showing the 7 pin plugs and intercom interface

[t-bird]

I went to the ear institute and had a custom set of earplugs made.
These earplugs are used by drummers in bands and in noisy environments.
The filter is adjustable from 27 db – 34 db
I have kept mine at 27 db.
You put the earplugs in your ears with your headset over it.
I have tested it now for 3 hours and am very impressed.
It filters out the engine noise and makes the reception 100 % more readable.
I have used an old Light speed QFR solo headset with these earplugs and I could hear every transmission clearly even when my friends were talking to me on a hand held.
http://www.hass.co.za/noiseban.asp?area=noise_ban
You need to get use to the feeling of something in your ear channel.
It takes a minute or so to get them into your ears.

[ZULU1]

An update, after discussing with low level we have made the units in the picture ANR (Active noise reduction) with our inbuilt wind reducing microphone array. They will be sent up early next week with a interface so they can operate with a microair radio. They have a on/off switch, trouble is I think that as you hear nothing they may be dangerous for the pilot.. Maybe the worlds first headset designed for a open gyro ?

Proof of the pudding is in the flying. We will continue the research with him.

Cheers Paul