convert iphone headset to aviation use

pilotod

Pre-takeoff checklist
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I got this able planet ANR headset that has a microphone which works in the iPhone for phone calls. The headset came with an 1/4 inch adapter so I think it will work in the plane's intercom for sound but I'd like to be able to use the microphone that's on the headset too. This would be for my kid to use. Does anyone know of a splitter that would work in the plane intercom where the microphone would also work?
 
Radio Shack?

Seriously... something like this from them has got to be cheap enough to try. And you can always return if it doesn't function.
 
Nothing RadioSnack nor anything in that amazon link will work in an aviation microphone jack. Further the electret mike in that headset will not directly work in a aviation audio circuit with must plug adapter. There are ways around this, but you're starting to run almost as much as it would cost to just get a real aviation headset.
 
Nothing RadioSnack nor anything in that amazon link will work in an aviation microphone jack. Further the electret mike in that headset will not directly work in a aviation audio circuit with must plug adapter. There are ways around this, but you're starting to run almost as much as it would cost to just get a real aviation headset.
Good point. You'll need adapters for the headphone (1/8" to 1/4" stereo) and for the microphone (1/8" mono to .206" 3 circuit) and the mic adapter will need to isolate the DC mic bias with a capacitor. You might need a preamp for the mic as well.
 
Aviation headphones use 150-ohm speakers, vs. 23-ohms which Apple uses for iPhones. The impedance mismatch means the "civilian" headset will hear sounds at a substantially different volume level than the aviation headsets in the plane. If the able planet headset has its own volume control you might be able to compensate for this.
 
I think I saw and add recently, it might have been in Trade A Plane, for headsets that were priced around fifty or sixty dollars. Sure we scoff at such "bargains", but then if we are considering what the OP is considering, then it probably makes sense to give them a shot.

John
 
Aviation headphones use 150-ohm speakers, vs. 23-ohms which Apple uses for iPhones. The impedance mismatch means the "civilian" headset will hear sounds at a substantially different volume level than the aviation headsets in the plane. If the able planet headset has its own volume control you might be able to compensate for this.
The volume comes out quite a bit lower.

However, matching the impedance of consumer-grade headphones/ear buds just takes $10 of Radio Shack parts:

http://www.bowersflybaby.com/stories/helmet2.html

This works pretty good; the ear buds put more sound volume in my ears than my ANR headset. I'm currently reworking the electrical system of my Fly Baby, and will build-in an adaptor so I can plug 1/8" headphones directly in.

Ron Wanttaja
 
I'm not really any closer to the answer except it seems like there should be an intercom box whereby you plug your cheapo ipod/iphone/whatever headset in and the intercom box has the right outputs for the plane's intercom jacks.

The mic part is what I'm really trying to figure out. The connector on the end of the able planet headset is just like the one on an iphone earbud....it allows sound and use of the mic all in one jack. If that connector is put into one of those standard splitters....those splitters are only for the sound in the ears and don't allow for the microphone part. I understand there's mismatch in the microphone circuit but finding a connector that passes the microphone circuit period has been unsuccessful.

Anyway, I'll keep looking. Or I'll find those cheap aviation headsets for $50-$60 that someone mentioned.
 
I'm not really any closer to the answer except it seems like there should be an intercom box whereby you plug your cheapo ipod/iphone/whatever headset in and the intercom box has the right outputs for the plane's intercom jacks.
I've never seen such a product and I doubt it exists. I have seen something close to the inverse though, a box that lets you use an aviation headset with a PC or maybe an iPhone.

The mic part is what I'm really trying to figure out. The connector on the end of the able planet headset is just like the one on an iphone earbud....it allows sound and use of the mic all in one jack. If that connector is put into one of those standard splitters....those splitters are only for the sound in the ears and don't allow for the microphone part. I understand there's mismatch in the microphone circuit but finding a connector that passes the microphone circuit period has been unsuccessful.[/QUOTE]
The cable adapter/splitter I posted does just that. Plug the iPhone headset into the splitter and the mic will be connected to one (1/8") plug and the earphone into the other. But as has been pointed out in this thread there are many issues not addressed by the splitter such as headphone impedance, mic level, and mic bias.
 
Again, the splitter is NOT going to directly help you. It's not just a mechanical issue of going form 1/8 to .203. The aviation mic circuit expects a carbon mike on it. Your microphone in the earbuds or whatever is not directly compatible. Yes it can be done with a handful of parts, but why bother?
 
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