Ham Radio Headphones - The Hidden Benefits

[@johnwest7993]

Over my last 60 years of listening to receivers it has become abundantly clear that headphones make a poor receiver acceptable and a good receiver highly enjoyable. While my Hallicrafters SX-25 speaker sounded golden, the stations buried in the noise could only be pulled out with the headphones. They put the signals in the middle of my head, and with the right pair of headphones will allow my brain to do a serious job of filtering that the DSP in $10,000 rigs is only now approaching in capability. I think the ability to listen with a good pair of headphones and pulling weak-signal stations out of the noise is over half of what makes a good ham radio operator, and I spent years developing that skill. While other hams have worked diligently at making the received signals louder, I spent my time learning to copy ever weaker signals, and headphones are the key to doing that.

[@watersstanton]

Well said and many thanks for the information. 73 Peter

[@l.a.2646]

I've been helping a couple of new hams , I've been trying to teach them how to "ride" the RF Gain control under very noisy band conditions whilst using a good set of 'cans' I have an old 1970s set of G.E. phones, I wish more ham manufacturing companies would inform people to try cranking the RF Gain up past the peak of the noise floor of the band and turn the AF gain up almost the whole way then ride the RF gain to pull in weak signals. In the old days of using 'valve' or tube radios it was mostly ( other than the attenuator ) or if lucky enough to have a tone control as well was the only way to pull out those weak signals. Now with DSP this practice ( along with a good set of headphones) really makes weak signal reception comfortable. Thanks for your work Peter! 73 ..

[@watersstanton]

Yes I totally agree. In the old days it was juggling the RF gain and antenna trimmer, 73 Peter

[@Captcasper7]

Wardrobe changes galore in this video well done

[@KD9ZHF]

If you have it, flaunt it!

[@SimonWilton]

Perfect video as usual. I'd like to add that yes avoid bass boost. But if using for just ham then look at the frequency response charts on most of their packaging and select ones with better response at the low end, as you have no requirement at the top end of tinny music. just voice at say 300 to 3400 Hz. and realise the plots you see are usually logarithmic.

[@W4BIN]

A most excellent dissertation on an important subject. He forgot: Every HAM station needs to have a desk MIC, it is to hang your "cans" (headphones) on when the signals are Q5. Ron W4BIN

[@aandpman]

The big question I have, though, is how to manage large variations in signal strength. For instance, Sometime I'll try to work a weak dx signal and have the volume way up & the rf gain & dnr tweaked. Then suddenly, another, closer-to-me station running an amp will pipe in an try to work the weak station. He's hitting me at 40 over and darn nearly blows my speaker out. I would not like to be wearing headphones when that happens. Is there some sort of device that could be used to clamp down, compress, or limit the volume reaching my speaker or ears (if using headphones)? K5MWA

[@geraldkrause8840]

Good video Peter. I am looking to get some headphones for my rig. Perhaps a video on microphones would be a good idea for the future.

[@andy2E0JIU]

Hi Peter,thanks again for another good video.i love my heil pro 7's but they are quite heavy,use them about an hour at a time but got lovely set of beyerdynamic dt770 pro's which are soooo comfortable and can wear all day:)

[@garyhuber3462]

Could you do a similar piece on external DSP like the WOLFWAVE DSP? 73, AB9M

[@davem0udb]

Another great video Peter, I was astonished by the number of stations I could hear once I had headphones, cheapest upgrade around. Also the playing with settings is not something you are taught before you take your exams and if you don’t belong to a club, you may struggle for advice.

[@watersstanton]

Great to hear from you. 73 Peter

[@hullblerk9597]

Poundland do headphones at £4:50 a pair with 3.5mm plug. Using a 1/4 inch adapter they work a treat on my ft 101zd

[@watersstanton]

Fair enough.

[@brian.7966]

you get what you pay for,.

[@bartsta603]

I’m looking for one headphones for field and home work. In my focus there are two heil bm-17 and heil pro-set, both dynamic for yaesu. What you think which one should I get.

[@RobertLeeAtYT]

I use a pair of cheap noise cancelling earbuds. It’s perfect for field operations. It’s super small and light. The noise cancellation is tremendously helpful in more urban environments, e.g. close to nearby roadways.

[@tkflanagan4449]

You are soooo AWESOME!!! Thank you VERY much......👍👍

[@grs6262]

In 64 years of jamming, and 4 years as a morse intercept op while in the service, I suspect that I dont have 3 hours of listening time thru a speaker..cans are the easiest improvement that can be added to any receiver..

[@norrinradd8952]

Good advice, PW. A good pair of headphones will keep the boss happy and might even get you out of some chores. :)

[@watersstanton]

Thanks for sharing. 73 Peter

[@ben2e0omr]

Interesting video Peter. Maybe one on headsets in the future. Crack on.......

[@watersstanton]

Ok many thanks.

[@kengrey7263]

I find the combination of headphones and the Heil PRAS (bought from W&S) really helps with weak signals on noisy bands, especially as I am at that age where the high frequencies are somewhat dulled. G3WNR

[@watersstanton]

Thanks for sharing Ken. 73 Peter

[@paulmason3665]

Thanks Peter

[@SirJohnRobert]

Awesome video, thank you.

[@watersstanton]

Glad you liked it!

[@wrote8]

I've found that Tesco's cheapest headphones are absolutely spot-on for radio work.

[@watersstanton]

Also available at other supermarkets!

[@wild-radio7373]

Fantastic!👍

[@roberth5435]

The requirments for voice HF or CW ARE different than other purposes to which headphones are used. Bandwidth for voice over HF is 1 - 2.7KHz. There will be no high pitched audio components in the signal. This is not FM, requiring 20-20,000 Hz. It is true that you DON'T want good bass response. Take your cue from the aviation industry. The radio output is 300Hz to 3KHz. Aviation headsets are designed to reproduce in that range, the range where most of human voice is encoded.. Civilian aviation headsets are inappropriate for hams. Their impedance is 300-500 Ohms. Military would be fine. They are low impedance. Neither of the plugs are compatible with amateur radios., though.

[@Roddy1965]

Indispensable in difficult conditions, I find. Omits room acoustics, external distractions etc. Yes, and even a cheap set will outlast any British PM!

[@kevinkc3onohelijeepworld953]

Bear dynamics bt 770 20ohms are one of the best lower priced studio head phones ever made 😉😉 stay far away from heil/sony/kenwoo

[@CamilleCullen-ow6qj]

Nice video, many thanks!! Robert K5TPC

[@watersstanton]

You are welcome!

[@nr3rful]

There is no coice to make....Heil all the way !