Van Johnston
Pattern Altitude
Background: Bought a David Clark H10-40 when I began training in 1986, and still use it today. All my time is in small pistons (172, PA-28, AA-5). I flew actively from 86-92, took about 20 yrs off, then resumed flying in 2012. I fly for recreation only, and even though my DC works fine, have been considering upgrading to an ANR headset. However, since my student pilot son still has hearing worth trying to save, I got him a LS Zulu 2, which he reports works great.
2 weeks ago I was going on a solo cross country, so I asked to borrow his headset so I could try it out. Got the AWOS with no problem that I recall. No one else was in the pattern. After departure, I called the local approach facility to ask for FF, and they sounded very garbled, and they were having trouble understanding me. Finally got to the edge of their space and they gave up and told me to contact the next facility. Same thing; I could barely understand what they were saying, and vice versa. Finally I told them to stand by while I changed headsets. Plugged in my DC and asked how they read me and they replied loud and clear, and I could hear them loud and clear also. I did have the ANR turned on on the LS. I also had foam earplugs in my ears as taught by my original instructor.
So my question is...do your ears and brain get accustomed to your headset the way your back does to your mattress, or your rear to your favorite chair? Would that make a supposedly superior headset sound so much worse, and the headset I am used to sound so much better? Or maybe operator error with the LS? Should foam earplugs not be worn with ANR?
I'd still like to upgrade to a state-of-the-art ANR headset, and I know everyone offers a 30 day trial, but now I'm gun shy after this experience.
Appreciate any feedback.
2 weeks ago I was going on a solo cross country, so I asked to borrow his headset so I could try it out. Got the AWOS with no problem that I recall. No one else was in the pattern. After departure, I called the local approach facility to ask for FF, and they sounded very garbled, and they were having trouble understanding me. Finally got to the edge of their space and they gave up and told me to contact the next facility. Same thing; I could barely understand what they were saying, and vice versa. Finally I told them to stand by while I changed headsets. Plugged in my DC and asked how they read me and they replied loud and clear, and I could hear them loud and clear also. I did have the ANR turned on on the LS. I also had foam earplugs in my ears as taught by my original instructor.
So my question is...do your ears and brain get accustomed to your headset the way your back does to your mattress, or your rear to your favorite chair? Would that make a supposedly superior headset sound so much worse, and the headset I am used to sound so much better? Or maybe operator error with the LS? Should foam earplugs not be worn with ANR?
I'd still like to upgrade to a state-of-the-art ANR headset, and I know everyone offers a 30 day trial, but now I'm gun shy after this experience.
Appreciate any feedback.