Sport Pilot Talk

N918KT

When I flew the Skycatcher today, as soon as we were in the air, I hear static on the radio frequency that comes from my headset. So my CFI unplugged my headset and gave me a new one (though it's not to keep) when we were in the sky and continued the lesson. Why does my headset give off static? Does that mean I need a new one? My stepdad told me that I should fly one more time, next time using my headset and see if it still has static in it or not.

Helen · Joined: 23 Apr 2007 Posts: 119 Location: Maryland

What is the make and model of your headset?

Helen

N918KT · Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2011 9:14 am Post subject:

Make: Marv Golden
Model: MG-20

My step grandfather actually gave that headset to me around the time on my 18th birthday. He actually used to be a student pilot but then dropped out. I believe he flew in the early 1990s so I assume that this headset must be at least 20 years old.

N918KT · Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2011 6:03 pm Post subject:

What could I do about the headset? Should I just buy a new one? Or should I fly the 162 again and see if it still has static on the radio frequency or not?

3Dreaming · Joined: 10 Jan 2010 Posts: 301 Location: noble, IL USA

Kevin, it's a little hard to trouble shoot some problems over the computer. It would be like me saying my arm hurts, what's wrong with it. Some thing to check on an old headset is if the plugs are clean. You might hit them with some steel wool or a Scotchbrite pad. Also wiggle the wires to check for a loose connection.

bitten192 · Joined: 21 Dec 2009 Posts: 61 Location: RICHLAND WA USA

Some times an "on" cell phone sounds like static. Try turning your cell phone off.

Ernie

Helen · Joined: 23 Apr 2007 Posts: 119 Location: Maryland

Adjust the squelch on the intercom. If that fixes the problem, you may just need a mic muff on your headset. (I'm assuming that after 20 years yours no longer has one.)

If that doesn't solve the problem try your headset in a different plane.

Also, I'm not familiar with your brand but check to see if there isn't a gain adjustment somewhere on the headset. Some models of David Clarks have one that can cause this problem. In the DC's it is a very small screw on the mic.

Helen

N918KT · Posted: Tue Jul 12, 2011 10:37 pm Post subject:

Helen wrote: Adjust the squelch on the intercom. If that fixes the problem, you may just need a mic muff on your headset. (I'm assuming that after 20 years yours no longer has one.)

If that doesn't solve the problem try your headset in a different plane.

Also, I'm not familiar with your brand but check to see if there isn't a gain adjustment somewhere on the headset. Some models of David Clarks have one that can cause this problem. In the DC's it is a very small screw on the mic.

Helen

What's a squelch and where is it located? You said it is on the intercom but is it on the radio controls inside the plane or somewhere on my headset?

What is a gain adjustment exactly?

And also, I believed that I had my phone off during the flight, as far as I know.

billgr1 · Joined: 18 Sep 2009 Posts: 6 Location: jacksonville,fl

ask your CFI at next pre flight briefing.

3Dreaming · Joined: 10 Jan 2010 Posts: 301 Location: noble, IL USA

I kind of think if it was the sqelch the instructor would have been hearing it too and adjusted it. It could have been the instructors cell phone.

Jon V · Joined: 21 Apr 2011 Posts: 156 Location: Dallas...

You can test the speaker side of your headset fairly easily if you have any audio equipment with a 1/4" headphone jack, or a 3.5mm to 1/4" adapter. Just plug it in like a pair of headphones and listen. It won't sound great (mono, bad frequency response), and it may not have much volume, but it should be clear and noise-free. Move around, shake the cord, and listen for any noise.

Testing the mic side is harder. That thin plug isn't common outside of aviation headsets as far as I know.

Most cell phone interference comes in bursts and has a very distinctive sound. I suspect you've heard it before and would recognize the sound.

The times I've had horrible "static" usually came when the intercom squelch was set wrong... but I would think most CFIs would recognize that and adjust the problem away rather than having you swap headsets.

bryancobb · Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2011 11:37 am Post subject: My 2 cents

For-the-most-part, the QUALITY of what you hear is directly proportional to the amount of bucks you are willing to spend on a headset.

I flew with budget bottom Fightcom headsets. Noisy and sounded awful.
I accepted that.

Then I put David Clark expensive electronics that I bought off Ebay into my SPH-4 Helmets and WoW!!!! Sounded grrrrreat!

N918KT · Posted: Wed Jul 13, 2011 12:51 pm Post subject:

I don't really know how much money my step grandfather spent on the headset he gave me. I don't think he really told me. Are Marv Golden headsets good quality?

What about the David Clark headsets that cost around $300? How much sound quality would I get for 300 bucks?

SSDriver · Joined: 15 Apr 2011 Posts: 31 Location: NJ

Kevin,
I was using the schools headsets and I rolled the dice and picked a ANR headset online. The price is pretty good if you look around and while it's branded for their store its built by Lightspeed and the documentation that comes with the headset reflects that as well. Compared to what they had me using I'm happy with it. Heres the one I bought.

http://www.pilotmall.com/product/PilotMallcom-Sound-Silencer-Headset-ANR/pilotmall-headsets

N918KT · Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 8:15 am Post subject:

SSDriver wrote: Kevin,
I was using the schools headsets and I rolled the dice and picked a ANR headset online. The price is pretty good if you look around and while it's branded for their store its built by Lightspeed and the documentation that comes with the headset reflects that as well. Compared to what they had me using I'm happy with it. Heres the one I bought.

http://www.pilotmall.com/product/PilotMallcom-Sound-Silencer-Headset-ANR/pilotmall-headsets

When you say "the school's headsets", did you mean you used Aero Safety Training flight school's headsets.

I looked at the link you sent and I thought wow, it's cheap, but looks good. But it has to run on batteries? Is that true? I didn't even know that headsets have to run on batteries. I thought you simply just plug them in?