I have been using a set of Sony wired earbuds with my KX3, but recently started wearing hearing aids. Clearly I can’t use both together. Two days ago, I tried to use the KX3 speaker, and while I did manage to complete my activation, it was sub-optimal at best. Good signals were easy to hear, but quieter signals were difficult to hear. Yesterday, I did another activation on a different hill in my locality and went back to using the earbuds, taking out my hearing aids first. This was better, but I would love to hear your suggestions for over the ear headsets which are lightweight, and usable with the hearing aids in place.
The other question I have - I am looking for the 2m board for my KX3, but it seems these are now unobtanium from Elecraft. If any of you have one sat unused that you would like to move on, please get in touch!
My hearing aids (which btw cost much more than my radios!) seem to work OK with over the ear headphones, but the ones I normally use are wireless and too heavy to lug up a hill. I quite like look of the examples from Armin - reminds me of the early 80’s, when rare earth magnet headphones like this were brought onto the market with Sony Walkman type units! For 5 EUR, I might just get some and see…
Looking at sources of KX3 accessory boards, it looks like they are available, just not in the UK. Lutz in Switzerland have them. Interestingly, while browsing their site, I also see they recommend the Heil BM-17 headset for SOTA activities. They are a bit more pricey than 5 EUR, but would also work with hearing aids.
Hello Paul, after some audio level issues with my KX2 I found that the Sony MDR-ZX110 headphones are a good match for Elecraft radios (or pretty much any other modern rig).
They’re the most inexpensive on-ear model from Sony, widely available from any online store, €10 on the yellow site right now.
Another benefit is that they neatly fold for storage.
Other than when using a handheld rig, I have never used a speaker on an activation as the sound can get lost in the elements. On summits where there are members of the public it can also be a nuisance. I use Sony MDR-V150 on ear headphones which I find suit me better than over ear types, though it is a personal preference. Like Armin, I cannot abide in ear buds - they just annoy me intensely.
I got mine through placing an ad on the G3CWI Flea Market site. They are not cheap, but perform very well. The output suits my Microwave Modules 2m linear amp with integral preamp and I have had excellent reports from the rig.
The delays in Bluetooth audio (digitising, packetising, sending, receiving, de-packetising, analog recosntruction) make Bluetooth audio for CW just about unusable.
