ANR question

[DarkSarcasm]

Hi gang,

 

I have a question about ANR headsets. During flight, when I have the ANR on, I get this sound (not really loud but loud enough to be noticable) that sounds a bit like...I guess the closest thing I can think of is the sound of...crumpling cellophane? It's slightly high-pitched and sounds a bit like something scrunching.

 

The thing is, I don't know if this is a sound that just comes from the ANR working or if there's an issue with my headset (I have a Lightspeed Zulu btw). I do know that it only happens when plugged into the aircraft, I tested the ANR at home and don't get that sound.

 

So yeah, is this noise normal or do I need to (again) take my headset in for repairs? (I think if I need it repaired again, I'm going to sell it and buy a Bose :|...)

 

I apologise if this post is a bit confusing, I'm not really sure how to describe the noise...

 

Cheers :)

 

I just noticed that I've hit 400 posts and been promoted to Group Captain...:thumb_up:

 

 

[Thx1137]

I have a Pilot PA 18-50 and there are no such noises in mine. It is hard to tell from the description but I wonder whether there is poor contact between the headphone plugs and sockets? While wearing the headset and power supplied to the intercom, twist the plugs around back and forth and listen to see if the noise gets worse.

 

Steven.

 

 

[dazza 38]

Hello, is it (the noise) intermittent, or is it their a soon as you, plug it in? Does it alter whilst you are talking? It sounds like interference, if it is intermittent, it could be harder to narrow down the cause.

 

 

[DarkSarcasm]

The noise disppears when I talk or when someone else is transmitting over the radio...although I guess it's possible that the noise is still there but the other noise (intercom/radio etc) just covers it up?

 

 

[dazza 38]

I will ask my brother if you like, was a radio tecnician, in the RAAF. He works for Australian aerospace in brissy. He pretty switched on with this type of thing. Ps- just check that your two plugs dont have any corrosion on them. It does happen from time to time. Just use a cloth with Brasso- and rub/polish them, until their shiny, ive done it a few times, it works well. Cheers

 

 

[DarkSarcasm]

That'd be great, thanks.

 

The plugs are still nice and shiny so I don't think it's corrosion. I'll have another listen on Saturday and see if I can add any more info :)

 

Maybe I haven't fitted it properly and there's a gap between it and my ears? Is that likely to cause this kind of noise d'u think?

 

 

[dazza 38]

I will ask him, but as destiny has already mentioned, it is realy difficult to narrow the cause unless pluged in to the particular a/c. He will have idea, of what to look for. I will get back to you.

 

 

[DarkSarcasm]

Yeah it definitely isn't 'dead quiet'. It was the first time I used it after purchasing it but things seem to have gone downhill since then....

 

Do you mean different types of aircraft or just different aircraft? I've used it in two different J160s recently and had the same problem in both...maybe it's related to the Jab?

 

I'm going to have to have a play around on Saturday I reckon :)

 

 

[Guest Maj Millard]

Try it in a different type of aircraft Darky, like a Sporty or even a GA aircraft and see if it is there still. Also check that the mic is not around the wrong way if that is possible.

 

 

[dazza 38]

Hi darky, i just rang my brother he's at RAAF richmond at the moment. He said without looking, it is difficult. He doesnt seam, to think it is the head set, more likely the intercom. As i have just read from Major, that was the next step. Try it in another a/c. If you have tried it in both jabirus, it might the their particular intercom. Are they the same brand ? It comes down to a process of elimination.

 

 

[DarkSarcasm]

Are the intercoms the same brand? I've no idea, they're the school planes...all I know is that they were factory built by Jabiru :confused:

 

The thing I'm wondering is that when I first got the headset it was totally fine, completely silent like it's meant to be etc, it's only recently started with this problem which is making me wonder if it's the headset. Although that might also be because I'm not really trusting that my headset is working since I had to get it repaired recently, I tend to wonder what's going to go wrong next (even if there's no reason to think that)...if I'd had it for longer then it wouldn't bother me so much but when something has a problem after less than 2 months of occasional use it makes me panic about it breaking again...

 

Maybe I can try and convince LightSpeed that I got a lemon and they should replace it under warranty? Maybe I'll email them...

 

 

[dazza 38]

Its a difficult one, it could be as simple as a lose terminal wire, or a broken wire, it might even have something to do with the batteries starting to go flat, although i doubt that batteries going flat would cause it. As discussed i would try it in a different intercom.

 

 

[DarkSarcasm]

I'm going to buy an adaptor (only a couple of dollars apparantly) that'll let me plug it into my laptop and see if it makes the noise then too (so lets me check the plug).

 

I'm seriously thinking of trying to get a replacement from LightSpeed though. I've used it for maybe 10 hours now and it's had two problems so far, I'm not too pleased considering how much I paid for it...

 

 

[Thx1137]

The plugs are still nice and shiny so I don't think it's corrosion. I'll have another listen on Saturday and see if I can add any more info :)

The plugs might be new but how about the sockets? The issues isn't so much corrosion but wear and tear (the sockets and/or plugs) and/or the oils from the fingers that get deposited on the plugs if touched. My electric piano sometimes gets scratchy and cleaning the plug with a clean cloth fixes it. It probably isn't this but it is easy to check for :-)

 

Steven.

 

 

[GraemeK]

Next time you're up there, try it in one of the Warriors and see if you get the same thing.

 

I'd be inclined to suspect something in the Jab intercom - but if it's still a problem in a different aircraft then that eliminates one variable.

 

 

[dazza 38]

I'm going to buy an adaptor (only a couple of dollars apparantly) that'll let me plug it into my laptop and see if it makes the noise then too (so lets me check the plug).I'm seriously thinking of trying to get a replacement from LightSpeed though. I've used it for maybe 10 hours now and it's had two problems so far, I'm not too pleased considering how much I paid for it...

Good idea darky, they are a expensive bit of kit. But they might put it on their test bench and say, their is nothing wrong. If they say that, just stick to your guns, and tell them about your previous problems. If their worth their salt, so to speak, they should replace them. I mean, they will send your old headset to the manufacturer, and be refunded one way or another. If your gut instinct thinks their something wrong with them, you are probably right. Cheers and good luck

 

 

[DarkSarcasm]

The main reason I don't think that it's the intercom's fault is that when I first got the headset and used it in the exact same planes, it worked perfectly (worked like a dream). I don't see why it would've changed now. If I hadn't had the previous problem with the headset then I might be more likely to wonder if it's the intercom but, yeah, I reckon it's the headset.

 

I'm going to email LightSpeed I think. I mean they can constantly repair it under warranty or they can just replace it, they may as well just replace it...

 

Also, you know when you get something new and it breaks down soon after, even if you get it repaired it never seems quite the same and you always wonder about it?...that's where I am at the moment, and if I can manage it, I definitely want to get a new one....now let's see how good my negotiation skills are (Ian, methinks you need a *rubbing hands together evilly* smiley :))

 

 

[skydog]

Darky

 

Dazza`s suggestion is worth a try.

 

I had an issue with my el cheapo david clarks a couple of years ago and it cost me 60 bucks for a headset specialist (Dr Headset) to clean the jacks with brasso!!!!

 

Was I brassed off or what!

 

Worked perfect after that so regularly, like every few months I give the jacks a polish up. Makes them perform much better.

 

Since then I have bought some ANR`s , lightspeed thirty G`s.

 

Brilliant product especially in a noisy cockpit like my RV but I do get some odd noises when the batteries are running out.

 

So try changing the batteries too if you have not done so already.

 

:rilla::rilla::rilla::rilla::rilla::rilla:

 

 

[ahlocks]

.. try changing the batteries too if you have not done so already.

Darks,

 

I've had a few issues with Bose headsets and flakey batteries that have been fixed by using FRESH lithium batteries in them. The batteries aren't really under load until the ambient noise picks up, so they'll test OK at startup and then go belly up when it gets noisy during the take off.

 

The crackling noise can also be caused by poor ear cup seal owing to glasses, hair (.....top hats ) and from dirty ANR pickup mic(s).

 

To save having to buy an adaptor, try plugging the headset into a home stereo with a 1/4" headphone jack and playing something while giving the cable a wriggle to test for a cracked or broken conductor in the lead.

 

Seeing as how the set has been in for a repair, check that the DIP switch settings are correctly set and have a look if the serial numbers on the control unit and headset frame match the original packaging. You may have had parts exchanged.

 

 

[Guest Maj Millard]

One of my morning duties as a Safety Equippo in the RAAF was to clean all the helmet jacks with Brasso. That's 14 helmets X 2. You got pretty good at it after a while..........Thing to remember though is the current headset jacks may be gold plated, and not brass like the old ones, so using brass on them may actually degrade them...just clean often with a soft rag......

 

 

[DarkSarcasm]

The crackling noise can also be caused by poor ear cup seal owing to glasses, hair (.....top hats )

You mean I can't fly with my hat on? :ah_oh: But it looks so stylish!

 

 

[Guest Maj Millard]

Hats can be very usefull when your flying...I've seen more than a few people walking away from less than successfull landings with hats full of broken wheels , props etc.............:lol 8:

 

 

[dazza 38]

One of my morning duties as a Safety Equippo in the RAAF was to clean all the helmet jacks with Brasso. That's 14 helmets X 2. You got pretty good at it after a while..........Thing to remember though is the current headset jacks may be gold plated, and not brass like the old ones, so using brass on them may actually degrade them...just clean often with a soft rag......

Good point major, my david clarks are mid ninety vintage, i never though of gold plated ones.Cheers

 

 

[Guest drizzt1978]

Stupid obvious thing, the squelch thing isn't turned up too high and you are picking up background noise.

 

 

[Ultralights]

i was just about to mention that, 99% of the problems we have in our fleet is the squelch settings on the intercom.

 

I also have a set of Lightspeed Zulus, never had a problem with them, but for some reason, in the Jabiru, and the student or someone else uses older DC's, then i will have issues, and cannot hear them over the constant buzzing. when they unplug their headset, all is well.

 

its something we have never been able to sort out.