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General => The Control Room Floor => Topic started by: Colton Davis on September 26, 2011, 09:55:22 AM

Title: ATC Headsets
Post by: Colton Davis on September 26, 2011, 09:55:22 AM
Hey everyone, I saw a a thread that seems to be outdated and about a year old, but I was wondering about any ATC headsets that anyone uses or recommends and a method to connect it with my computer (PTT would be great if possible too)

Thanks!
Title: ATC Headsets
Post by: Nate Coffield on September 26, 2011, 10:39:55 AM
Colton,

I use a poor man's version of a PTT and headset.  I am sure others will reply with their fancy Plantronics real world headsets (which I would love to have) and foot switches.  A while back I was looking into purchasing a foot switch.  I found that the cost really wasn't worth the reward for me. Espically when I found my poor man's work around.

I have a Creative Fatal1ty USB headset.  Was like $60 when I bought it a few years back. I recommend USB headsets as the virtually act like a second sound card and allows you to route whatever you want through it.  For me I have my Teamspeak chatter coming through my headset and my Primary Frequency coming through my Speakers.  That way if I need to ignore TS I can just slip the headset off my ears and provide my full attention to my primary frequency.

For my PTT I use my pedals that I use when flying.  Any will work.  I use a program caled JoyToKey (http://www.electracode.com/4/joy2key/JoyToKey%20English%20Version.htm) to turn my pedals into a PTT.  It takes inputs from your Joysitck Axis' and turns them into keyboard or mouse presses.  My left pedal is my PTT for Euroscope and my right pedal is set as my PTT for Teamspeak.  It works out great.

Hope that helps.
Title: ATC Headsets
Post by: Kenneth Haught on September 26, 2011, 11:21:38 AM
What a great idea Nate, I'll have to give that a shot when/if I get a set of pedals.
Title: ATC Headsets
Post by: Colton Davis on September 26, 2011, 12:57:31 PM
Thanks a lot for the tips! I'm still trying to decide on getting a good USB headset, I'd really like to know what the voice quality difference would be vs the expensive route
Title: ATC Headsets
Post by: Harold Rutila on September 26, 2011, 01:42:07 PM
A lot of people disagree with me, but I no longer recommend the Starset H31 for VATSIM controlling. Mine completely broke after spending around $80 on it. I have a different headset from Plantronics with noise cancelling capability, which is a nice feature. The key to getting any headset is comfort and clarity. In terms of comfort, you want something light for those long sessions. In terms of clarity, you should be able to understand your own Voice ATIS. I highly recommend getting a USB one, too.
Title: ATC Headsets
Post by: Colton Davis on September 26, 2011, 03:40:20 PM
Thanks for the heads up Harold, so which headset do you use now?
Title: ATC Headsets
Post by: Dhruv Kalra on September 26, 2011, 03:50:38 PM
Quote from: Harold Rutila
A lot of people disagree with me, but I no longer recommend the Starset H31 for VATSIM controlling. Mine completely broke after spending around $80 on it. I have a different headset from Plantronics with noise cancelling capability, which is a nice feature. The key to getting any headset is comfort and clarity. In terms of comfort, you want something light for those long sessions. In terms of clarity, you should be able to understand your own Voice ATIS. I highly recommend getting a USB one, too.

Still think you got a bad one. Mine's going strong 2 years in...
Title: ATC Headsets
Post by: Harold Rutila on September 26, 2011, 04:22:01 PM
Quote from: Dhruv Kalra
Still think you got a bad one. Mine's going strong 2 years in...
I'm very tempted to try it again, but I'm a poor college student!

I use a Plantronics .Audio 476 DSP. You could actually get a similar model with the mini-boom style of the Starset H31 if you wanted to try that model.
Title: ATC Headsets
Post by: Colton Davis on September 26, 2011, 04:28:02 PM
Thanks again Harold I'll look into that one for sure, and Dhruv! I spoke with you in ZMP a couple days ago, you mic sounded superb except a couple times where it was really quiet. Would that have just been from setting down the mic or something of the sort?
Title: ATC Headsets
Post by: Bryan Wollenberg on September 26, 2011, 05:54:47 PM
Quote from: Dhruv Kalra
Still think you got a bad one. Mine's going strong 2 years in...

Just an update on my headset dilemma, for those who were wondering (), my earpiece is about to snap off yet again.  I couldn't tell if the plastic on the headset itself cracked this time as has happened in the past, as I didn't want to mess with it, but I'll find out in a few days.  As well, for about 2 weeks, I have needed to double the volume just to hear anything.  That just magically resolved itself a couple days ago.  That's on the Starset.

Who knows...
Title: ATC Headsets
Post by: Colton Davis on September 26, 2011, 05:56:37 PM
Ah, good to know. Just curious if you're using the H31 or the H31N? I actually plan on being a real controller so I'm wondering if it would be worth picking one of these up.
Title: ATC Headsets
Post by: Don Desfosse on September 26, 2011, 07:19:53 PM
It's not a Starset, doesn't have a PTT, not something that real ATC uses etc. but if you're looking for a simple USB headset that has excellent sound and voice quality, is very comfortable and is still comfortable on your head after 8+ hours, I highly recommend the Logitech USB 350.  You can get them shipped for under $13 refurbished or under $20 new on eBay.  I bought 2 about 3 years ago and finally killed one from running it over with my chair one too many times.  My other, which I bought as a backup, is working just as well as the first.
Title: ATC Headsets
Post by: Bryan Wollenberg on September 26, 2011, 07:19:58 PM
Quote from: Colton Davis
Ah, good to know. Just curious if you're using the H31 or the H31N? I actually plan on being a real controller so I'm wondering if it would be worth picking one of these up.

If you're controlling real world in the US, you get them for free to your heart's content, for use at work.    You don't have to worry about buying your own.  I use the H81.
Title: ATC Headsets
Post by: Colton Davis on September 26, 2011, 07:42:45 PM
Thank you both for in suggestions! I almost hate to say it but I'm leaning towards getting the H31 setup even though its pricey. I already have some great headphones and would feel bad not using them as much as I can/do. On a side note getting them for free wouldn't be too bad
Title: ATC Headsets
Post by: Dhruv Kalra on September 26, 2011, 07:58:42 PM
Quote from: Colton Davis
Thanks again Harold I'll look into that one for sure, and Dhruv! I spoke with you in ZMP a couple days ago, you mic sounded superb except a couple times where it was really quiet. Would that have just been from setting down the mic or something of the sort?

It might have been the mic was moving around a bit, but mine generally stays pretty stationary. I was also working with a student who was transmitting on frequency half the time (except when I needed to take over for him) so that might have been part of the discrepancy in volume levels. My H31 has been rock solid for 2+ years and I wholeheartedly recommend it as a good voice-carrying headset. It's not really anything that you can keep on and pump out the jams to as it were, but it was designed to do one thing, and it does that extremely well in my opinion.
Title: ATC Headsets
Post by: Colton Davis on September 26, 2011, 08:40:24 PM
Ok, thanks a lot! Well the plan is the make the headset only transmit voice into the earpiece and let my speakers or whatever take care of the rest.  I think I'm just about sold on the H31 now
Title: ATC Headsets
Post by: Dhruv Kalra on September 27, 2011, 12:30:14 PM
If you're eBay capable: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Plantronics-H31-St...#ht_3723wt_1378 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Plantronics-H31-StarSet-Headset-p-n-26088-11-use-w-M12-MX10-M22-M10-NEW-BOX-/350492289597?pt=Headsets&hash=item519af7ea3d#ht_3723wt_1378)

Also, you'll need some sort of USB amplifier to connect it to your computer. If you don't necessarily need PTT functionality (or plan on buying a footswitch), you get get the Plantronics DA40 for as little as $25 depending on where you look.

The PTT part number is the SHS2355, and as of late I have yet to find it for less than $125.
Title: ATC Headsets
Post by: Colton Davis on September 27, 2011, 09:58:30 PM
Thanks for the links! I bought a H31 for $40 on ebay last night and picked up the DA40 as well for $30! I figured the PTT wasn't worth the extra $100 but I would really love to be able to get one for cheaper if they were available.
Title: ATC Headsets
Post by: Harold Rutila on September 27, 2011, 10:48:42 PM
Ok...Dhruv got me with the price. I have a new one on the way.
Title: ATC Headsets
Post by: Matthew Bartels on September 28, 2011, 10:42:24 AM
Quote from: Colton Davis
Thanks for the links! I bought a H31 for $40 on ebay last night and picked up the DA40 as well for $30! I figured the PTT wasn't worth the extra $100 but I would really love to be able to get one for cheaper if they were available.

The PTT was worth every cent I paid for it 5 (can't believe it's been that long) years ago for around $250 (  @ Dhruv) It is only now starting to fail on me. Wear and tear at the USB connector causes the whole shebang to disconnect if the connection is moved anywhere but the right place. Very annoying if you have a lot of aircraft on frequency and your voice goes out.

I will be purchasing a new one as soon as I can free up the funding. 5 years is quite impressive for a usb device that's been abused by me.
Title: ATC Headsets
Post by: Rahul Parkar on September 28, 2011, 11:49:25 AM
Quote from: Matthew Bartels
The PTT was worth every cent I paid for it 5 (can't believe it's been that long) years ago for around $250 (  @ Dhruv) It is only now starting to fail on me. Wear and tear at the USB connector causes the whole shebang to disconnect if the connection is moved anywhere but the right place. Very annoying if you have a lot of aircraft on frequency and your voice goes out.

I will be purchasing a new one as soon as I can free up the funding. 5 years is quite impressive for a usb device that's been abused by me.

Matt,

A cheap and cheerful way of fixing this is to get an unused USB cable, doesn't matter what it's for... Chop off the USB end on both the unused cable and your PTT. Attach the cables, duck tape with some electrical tape if you have some, or regular insulation tape. Problem solved!

Main reason this works is because USB is universal, hence the name, Universal Serial Bus...

Let's say that me and USB abuse go hand in hand... My current USB headset is on it's 5th generation USB connector, currently using the connector from an old cell phone USB wire. Saying that I have had the one I'm currently using for only 2 years... That shows you how unkind I am to my devices.

EDIT : You may want to wait until the PTT goes out completely, that way even if it doesn't work with the makeshift fix, it's already broken so it shouldn't matter. But if you do it now and something doesn't work... Don't blame me

Cheers!
Rahul
Title: ATC Headsets
Post by: Colton Davis on September 28, 2011, 03:41:16 PM
Quote from: Matthew Bartels
The PTT was worth every cent I paid for it 5 (can't believe it's been that long) years ago for around $250 (  @ Dhruv) It is only now starting to fail on me. Wear and tear at the USB connector causes the whole shebang to disconnect if the connection is moved anywhere but the right place. Very annoying if you have a lot of aircraft on frequency and your voice goes out.

I will be purchasing a new one as soon as I can free up the funding. 5 years is quite impressive for a usb device that's been abused by me.


Sounds like its well built,  I wouldn't complain at all if anyone else comes across these for a cheaper price.   I don't seem to be having too much luck.
Title: ATC Headsets
Post by: Cameron Negrete on October 02, 2011, 01:43:41 AM
Foot Push to talk is the best.  Tried once and loved it, really frees up the hands.
Title: ATC Headsets
Post by: Andrew Doubleday on October 04, 2011, 06:05:50 PM
Hey there... Just recently put in an order for work through Albany Distributors (USB PTT Adapter)... I can send the personal contact info of one of the leads there who can put an order in.

www.albanyheadsets.com/plantronics is the website.

They've got some of the cheapest prices I've seen out there for the headsets and all sorts of accessories (eartips, extension cables, etc.).

They offer both the H31 Starset and the H81 TriStar for good rates there. They're webpage is still under development, but we got in touch with the main company customer service, Albany Distributors, and they sorted our orders out very quickly (again, I'll send the contact info for this guy should anyone be interested).
Title: ATC Headsets
Post by: Andrew Doubleday on October 04, 2011, 06:10:32 PM
The foot petals are also quite good, Delcom sells some decent ones that will run you around $40 or so. I prefer that when sitting down as apposed to the handheld PTT as Cameron mentioned, it frees up your hands for strip marking/keyboard entries.

Something else I noticed, the H31 Dhruv has here is definitely a bargain price, but I don't believe that is the Controller/Dispatch version (at least it doesn't appear to be). I used to use that headset and it definitely lasted a while, but one thing I've learned to appreciate about the C/D version is the thinner wire to the quick disconnect makes it easier to move around with and I believe the audio quality is a a bit more boosted on the C/D version. I bought mine over the summer from ebay as well, but the one from Albany headsets for $50 is a steal for that version...

I've probably gone way too much into Plantronics products here, but they make a solid headset (I think someone is pulling pranks on BW at work  )... I've never really had a major problem with anything from them that I've purchased.
Title: ATC Headsets
Post by: Harold Rutila on October 04, 2011, 09:56:49 PM
Quote from: Andrew Doubleday
The foot petals are also quite good, Delcom sells some decent ones that will run you around $40 or so. I prefer that when sitting down as apposed to the handheld PTT as Cameron mentioned, it frees up your hands for strip marking/keyboard entries.

Something else I noticed, the H31 Dhruv has here is definitely a bargain price, but I don't believe that is the Controller/Dispatch version (at least it doesn't appear to be). I used to use that headset and it definitely lasted a while, but one thing I've learned to appreciate about the C/D version is the thinner wire to the quick disconnect makes it easier to move around with and I believe the audio quality is a a bit more boosted on the C/D version. I bought mine over the summer from ebay as well, but the one from Albany headsets for $50 is a steal for that version...

I've probably gone way too much into Plantronics products here, but they make a solid headset (I think someone is pulling pranks on BW at work  )... I've never really had a major problem with anything from them that I've purchased.
AJ,

Could you PM me the contact? I could probably get them a decent order from the guys at ZDV.
Title: ATC Headsets
Post by: Wesley Miles on October 05, 2011, 09:35:56 AM
Quote from: Harold Rutila
AJ,

Could you PM me the contact? I could probably get them a decent order from the guys at ZDV.

Same here Andrew, I've got my own headset I use in the tower and I'd like to get that USB adapter you spoke of.  Thanks!
Title: ATC Headsets
Post by: Kevin Kelm on December 01, 2011, 12:32:51 PM
Foot pedal idea seems like a good one. Due to the very old codecs used by VRC, I honestly don't think a quality microphone is worth really worth it besides for controller comfort. Its amazing how much controllers sound alike because of the current codecs; we'll see what happens with vStars.
Title: ATC Headsets
Post by: Harold Rutila on December 02, 2011, 08:38:05 AM
Quote from: Kevin Kelm
Foot pedal idea seems like a good one. Due to the very old codecs used by VRC, I honestly don't think a quality microphone is worth really worth it besides for controller comfort. Its amazing how much controllers sound alike because of the current codecs; we'll see what happens with vStars.
Trust me, a good quality microphone makes all the difference between sounding like talking through a can of Progresso (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsJ_kcK2EjI&feature=related&t=4) or actually being understandable. Not all pilots use the "realistic VHF frequency" setting, either. And how is vSTARS going to change the network codec?
Title: ATC Headsets
Post by: Kevin Kelm on December 02, 2011, 03:43:04 PM
Quote from: Harold Rutila
Trust me, a good quality microphone makes all the difference between sounding like talking through a can of Progresso (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsJ_kcK2EjI&feature=related&t=4) or actually being understandable. Not all pilots use the "realistic VHF frequency" setting, either. And how is vSTARS going to change the network codec?

It is my understanding that it is the radar client that controls the voice codecs. See Ross's response to the poster (post #2) here:

http://www.metacraft.com/VRC/forums/viewto...1c60ad25524bb37 (http://www.metacraft.com/VRC/forums/viewtopic.php?t=832&sid=a85e777b7ee01c1581c60ad25524bb37)
Title: ATC Headsets
Post by: Rahul Parkar on December 02, 2011, 04:02:33 PM
Negative,

ASRC used a different voice codec due to it's age, the standardized VVL hadn't been created back then (to my belief)

All VATSIM clients use the same Voice library at this point not including ASRC.

Cheers!
Rahul
Title: ATC Headsets
Post by: Brian Gabel on January 29, 2012, 05:00:09 PM
I found the SHS2355-01 USB PTT on ebay if anyone is interested.  http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?V...em=140676669817 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140676669817)