Aviators Headset Question

sheepherder · 04-27-2021, 01:36 PM

I was given this headset back in the '90's when I was a Cargo Courier on our [328 TAS] C-130's. I didn't use it to listen or talk, just to cancel noise (C-130's are loud).

I don't even know if it was USAF issue or USA helicopter. But I kept it and have used it occasionally when shooting.

Now my hearing is deteriorating and although I use a set of cheap Wal-Mart mini-headphones plugged into my flat-screen TV, I would like to use these.

Problem is, the plug is bigger than a 'standard' 1/4" stereo plug, something like 7.2mm.

I've been Searching online for an adapter, but I don't really know avionic nomenclature. There seem to be dozens of adapters, all different.

So, I know there are aviators here, maybe one could tell me what I need in an adapter to go from this headset to a 1/4" stereo jack. (I have 1/4" to 3.5mm adapters).

Astrocom 10178
PAD MX-2509/A1C

I don't need the talk/mic function, just the stereo 'listen' function.

Thanks for any help you can give!

cirelaw · 04-27-2021, 02:21 PM

Astrocam still produces quality earphones~ https://coolmaterial.com/roundup/history-of-headphones/

sheepherder · 04-27-2021, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cirelaw

Astrocam still produces quality earphones~ https://coolmaterial.com/roundup/history-of-headphones/

Astrocom! And they are expensive!

But they're not sold to TV/PC nuts, evidently.

I did find one adapter for headphones to PC flight sims, but they were vague on what headsets - U174, GA, or what...

4 Scale · 04-27-2021, 03:28 PM

I don't know the answer to your question, but if I had your question I'd call/email and maybe send photos of the jack to Sporty's Pilot Shop. Sort of the Walmart/Dollar store for pilots.

https://www.sportys.com

You might also go to a nearby general aviation airport that has a flight school, maybe a flight instructor could take a look and give you some ideas. Or maybe the Experimental Aircraft Association has a nearby chapter and you could ask for help. Aviators are like Luger collectors, a fraternity and they try to help each other out. By owning the headset you're already a member.

mrerick · 04-27-2021, 04:00 PM

This may help you identify the plug nomenclature:

https://www.mypilotstore.com/mypilot...dset-plugs.asp

my guess is this one: "It's generally known as a U-174/U plug or the U-93A/U plug (Nexus TP120)."

Amazon lists things like these, but I don't know if the wiring or impedance involved would match properly:
https://www.amazon.com/Ancable-Helic...Z/ref=pd_sbs_2

Mac Cat · 04-27-2021, 05:02 PM

Most of those professional noise-canceling headsets were designed for powered systems. The noise canceling feature required a powered amplifier in the headsets. The impedance is going to be all wrong (high resistance). That's why the jack is so big. Impractical to convert without a special box.

The military version I used required 24 volts input in prop planes and 48 volts in the jets. My civilian headset required 12 volts. Anyway, those big things always seemed to hot and too heavy for for home use.

Bose and Sony make excellent noise canceling headsets that are battery powered and light weight. Naztech.com has some for $130 (no microphone).

sheepherder · 04-27-2021, 05:52 PM

Thanks for the input! I am most interested in a full-enclosure earmuff and will be using it with my soon-to-be-delivered 55" flat screen TV. I've been using PC speakers/PC headset w/3.5mm stereo audio plug.

I should have looked at the headset plug closer; it does indeed read -

Nexus
U-174/U
M9177/2-1

The link in Marc's post indicates 'helicopter' but doesn't say if low or hi impedance. But if it requires power, then it's useless to me for the TV but I'll still use it for gunfire.

My TV hearing problem may be aggravated by my room; it's mostly bare, and sound bounces all around and gives an 'echo' effect when watching DVD movies if I don't use headphones.

cirelaw · 04-27-2021, 06:25 PM

Debby just bought a 55' at Walmart for $255 on sale! https://www.walmart.com/browse/elect...489948_3168047

sheepherder · 04-27-2021, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cirelaw

Debby just bought a 55' at Walmart for $255 on sale! https://www.walmart.com/browse/elect...489948_3168047

My nephew bought a 65" and told me he'd bring his 3-yr old 55" down to me when next he comes. I did see a 55" Sceptre on Wal-Mart site for $364 and I thought that was a deal.

My nephews living room is huge; now with the 65" he can push the couch back a bit and still strain his neck watching tennis!

My living room is only 11' x 21' (odd 1942 house) with the long ends east-west with windows, so the TV is on the north side. My head to my 32" flat screen is only 7' but I still can't make out basketball players faces/scroreboard clearly. The 55" should help out with that.

cirelaw · 04-27-2021, 07:59 PM

Good For You! Enjoy!

sheepherder · 04-27-2021, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cirelaw

Good For You! Enjoy!

Yeah, my nephew treats me good. He knows he'll get it all in a few months, so he's not losing anything.

Not at all like my niece. She's been threatening to hire a lawyer and commit me to an old folks home. The latest one she found is some place called "The Villages". I looked it up online and it's a Village of the Damned!!!

People there worship a nuclear-tipped ICBM and some gigantic white beach ball keeps trying to kill anyone who wants to leave!!!

That's not for me! I'd rather be 'unmutual'!!!

cirelaw · 04-28-2021, 10:26 AM

Keep her out of your will!!!

John Sabato · 04-30-2021, 06:36 PM

Best quote from a last will and testament that I ever saw regarding a relative that was similar to your neice:

"and for my cousin Mary, who asked me to remember her in my will, HI THERE MARY!"

lugerholsterrepair · 04-30-2021, 07:08 PM

Pay for TV every month $100, buy a new TV every so often $300, squander hundreds or thousands of hours watching mind bending junk, get fat eating/watching..wasting time/money..not having a TV for 10 years, PRICELESS!

sheepherder · 07-13-2021, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lugerholsterrepair

Pay for TV every month $100, buy a new TV every so often $300, squander hundreds or thousands of hours watching mind bending junk, get fat eating/watching..wasting time/money..not having a TV for 10 years, PRICELESS!

But you're missing PAC-12 Women's College Gymnastics...PRICELESS!!!

Dubar · 07-14-2021, 07:46 AM

You need a headphone jack adapter, but you have to determine what size.

I have hearing loss around the 400Hz range, used to work around the stuff when I worked for the Navy.

A number of times I've worn my electronic hearing protection I use at the range for listening to TV. I have this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight...s%2C154&sr=8-3

Seems to amplify the speech while minimizing background clutter.

ithacaartist · 07-14-2021, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheepherder

Yeah, my nephew treats me good. He knows he'll get it all in a few months, so he's not losing anything.

Not at all like my niece. She's been threatening to hire a lawyer and commit me to an old folks home. The latest one she found is some place called "The Villages". I looked it up online and it's a Village of the Damned!!!

People there worship a nuclear-tipped ICBM and some gigantic white beach ball keeps trying to kill anyone who wants to leave!!!

That's not for me! I'd rather be 'unmutual'!!!

I'm curious, Rich. What number do you think you'd have been assigned?

Edward Tinker · 07-14-2021, 11:54 PM

When I was awaiting school in the army, they issued me a complete set of aviator gear (I was going to be an aerial surveillance recon something or rather, but when I found out there was a year waiting period, I was allowed to switch MOS to MP. I turned in all my gear, shoulda kept my helmet, it seems nobody would have cared. The helmet was much like yours sheepherder

Right now I just have a left ear hearing aid, should get both (VA will pay for it, its going to that darn hospital...)

sheepherder · 07-15-2021, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ithacaartist

I'm curious, Rich. What number do you think you'd have been assigned?

I suspect that I must have been given number 241...

My original question was how to use this headphone as a headphone for my TV, not as a noise canceling/isolating device. I detest earbuds of any kind and avoid the foam earmuffs because they deteriorate too quickly.

Edward Tinker · 07-15-2021, 01:40 PM

It used to be that if you went to Radio shack you could find almost anything.

I'd go to ebay / google 'adaptor for xxxxx"

I imagine that an adaptor exists - the question is whether you can get a wire that long. I know that I was checking out hearing aids and some of them are bluetooth enabled, that it can work with some TV's. I would imagine it would have to be newer. And some hearing aids are not the expensive kind but called hearing assist? That they connect to the TV and it allows you to hear, but I have not looked it up, just read this in passing.

04-27-2021, 01:36 PM	#1
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,181 Thanks: 1,398 Thanked 4,438 Times in 2,327 Posts	Aviators Headset Question I was given this headset back in the '90's when I was a Cargo Courier on our [328 TAS] C-130's. I didn't use it to listen or talk, just to cancel noise (C-130's are *loud*). I don't even know if it was USAF issue or USA helicopter. But I kept it and have used it occasionally when shooting. Now my hearing is deteriorating and although I use a set of cheap Wal-Mart mini-headphones plugged into my flat-screen TV, I would like to use these. Problem is, the plug is bigger than a 'standard' 1/4" stereo plug, something like 7.2mm. I've been Searching online for an adapter, but I don't really know avionic nomenclature. There seem to be dozens of adapters, all different. So, I know there are aviators here, maybe one could tell me what I need in an adapter to go from this headset to a 1/4" stereo jack. (I have 1/4" to 3.5mm adapters). Astrocom 10178 PAD MX-2509/A1C I don't need the talk/mic function, just the stereo 'listen' function. Thanks for any help you can give! Attached Thumbnails __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

04-27-2021, 02:21 PM	#2
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	Astrocam still produces quality earphones~ https://coolmaterial.com/roundup/history-of-headphones/ Attached Thumbnails

04-27-2021, 04:00 PM	#5
mrerick Super Moderator - Patron LugerForum Life Patron Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Eastern North Carolina, USA Posts: 3,900 Thanks: 1,370 Thanked 3,094 Times in 1,503 Posts	This may help you identify the plug nomenclature: https://www.mypilotstore.com/mypilot...dset-plugs.asp my guess is this one: "It's generally known as a U-174/U plug or the U-93A/U plug (Nexus TP120)." Amazon lists things like these, but I don't know if the wiring or impedance involved would match properly: https://www.amazon.com/Ancable-Helic...Z/ref=pd_sbs_2 __________________ Igitur si vis pacem, para bellum - - Therefore if you want peace, prepare for war.

04-27-2021, 05:52 PM	#7
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,181 Thanks: 1,398 Thanked 4,438 Times in 2,327 Posts	Thanks for the input! I am most interested in a full-enclosure earmuff and will be using it with my soon-to-be-delivered 55" flat screen TV. I've been using PC speakers/PC headset w/3.5mm stereo audio plug. I should have looked at the headset plug closer; it does indeed read - Nexus U-174/U M9177/2-1 The link in Marc's post indicates 'helicopter' but doesn't say if low or hi impedance. But if it requires power, then it's useless to me for the TV but I'll still use it for gunfire. My TV hearing problem may be aggravated by my room; it's mostly bare, and sound bounces all around and gives an 'echo' effect when watching DVD movies if I don't use headphones. __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

04-30-2021, 06:36 PM	#13
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,150 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,304 Times in 1,096 Posts	Best quote from a last will and testament that I ever saw regarding a relative that was similar to your neice: "and for my cousin Mary, who asked me to remember her in my will, HI THERE MARY!" __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

04-27-2021, 03:28 PM	#4
4 Scale User Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 544 Thanks: 194 Thanked 489 Times in 251 Posts	I don't know the answer to your question, but if I had your question I'd call/email and maybe send photos of the jack to Sporty's Pilot Shop. Sort of the Walmart/Dollar store for pilots. https://www.sportys.com You might also go to a nearby general aviation airport that has a flight school, maybe a flight instructor could take a look and give you some ideas. Or maybe the Experimental Aircraft Association has a nearby chapter and you could ask for help. Aviators are like Luger collectors, a fraternity and they try to help each other out. By owning the headset you're already a member.

04-27-2021, 05:02 PM	#6
Mac Cat Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 670 Thanks: 2,009 Thanked 542 Times in 292 Posts	Most of those professional noise-canceling headsets were designed for powered systems. The noise canceling feature required a powered amplifier in the headsets. The impedance is going to be all wrong (high resistance). That's why the jack is so big. Impractical to convert without a special box. The military version I used required 24 volts input in prop planes and 48 volts in the jets. My civilian headset required 12 volts. Anyway, those big things always seemed to hot and too heavy for for home use. Bose and Sony make excellent noise canceling headsets that are battery powered and light weight. Naztech.com has some for $130 (no microphone).

04-27-2021, 06:25 PM	#8
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	Debby just bought a 55' at Walmart for $255 on sale! https://www.walmart.com/browse/elect...489948_3168047

04-27-2021, 07:59 PM	#10
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	Good For You! Enjoy!

04-28-2021, 10:26 AM	#12
cirelaw Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PORT ST LUCIE, FLORIDA Posts: 12,216 Thanks: 6,209 Thanked 4,133 Times in 2,173 Posts	Keep her out of your will!!!

04-30-2021, 07:08 PM	#14
lugerholsterrepair Moderator Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Arizona/Colorado Posts: 7,760 Thanks: 4,848 Thanked 3,099 Times in 1,426 Posts	Pay for TV every month $100, buy a new TV every so often $300, squander hundreds or thousands of hours watching mind bending junk, get fat eating/watching..wasting time/money..not having a TV for 10 years, PRICELESS! __________________ Jerry Burney 11491 S. Guadalupe Drive Yuma AZ 85367-6182 lugerholsterrepair@earthlink.net 928 342-7583 (CO & AZ) Year Round 719 207-3331 (cell) "For those who Fight For It, Life has a flavor the protected will never know."

07-14-2021, 07:46 AM	#16
Dubar User Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Virginia Posts: 34 Thanks: 25 Thanked 29 Times in 14 Posts	You need a headphone jack adapter, but you have to determine what size. I have hearing loss around the 400Hz range, used to work around the stuff when I worked for the Navy. A number of times I've worn my electronic hearing protection I use at the range for listening to TV. I have this one: https://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight...s%2C154&sr=8-3 Seems to amplify the speech while minimizing background clutter.

07-14-2021, 11:54 PM	#18
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,909 Thanks: 1,986 Thanked 4,500 Times in 2,076 Posts	When I was awaiting school in the army, they issued me a complete set of aviator gear (I was going to be an aerial surveillance recon something or rather, but when I found out there was a year waiting period, I was allowed to switch MOS to MP. I turned in all my gear, shoulda kept my helmet, it seems nobody would have cared. The helmet was much like yours sheepherder Right now I just have a left ear hearing aid, should get both (VA will pay for it, its going to that darn hospital...)

07-15-2021, 01:40 PM	#20
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,909 Thanks: 1,986 Thanked 4,500 Times in 2,076 Posts	It used to be that if you went to Radio shack you could find almost anything. I'd go to ebay / google 'adaptor for xxxxx" I imagine that an adaptor exists - the question is whether you can get a wire that long. I know that I was checking out hearing aids and some of them are bluetooth enabled, that it can work with some TV's. I would imagine it would have to be newer. And some hearing aids are not the expensive kind but called hearing assist? That they connect to the TV and it allows you to hear, but I have not looked it up, just read this in passing.