Headset for PRR

[saintM]

Hi, Any of you guys know where to buy an alternative headset for the bowman PRR ( See link) http://www.milspec.ca/radspec/prc-343.html

I'm in a bit of a hurry here, shipping out to A-Stan soon (1-week), so any place in Europe would be nice.. Thanks a bunch!

[DeltaWhisky58]

Hi, Any of you guys know where to buy an alternative headset for the bowman PRR ( See link) http://www.milspec.ca/radspec/prc-343.html

I'm in a bit of a hurry here, shipping out to A-Stan soon (1-week), so any place in Europe would be nice.. Thanks a bunch!

The PRR headset appears adequate for extended use by British Forces and other units (incl. USMC) and has presumably been issued to you by the (Danish) unit you are with. Why do you even need to consider replacing it?

[Roy Batty]

I have never seen a different headset for the PRR. I wear the issued one all the time and find it comfortable and it works well. It is particularly nice when I use the PRR in conection with my 522. I get VHF and PRR comms with only 1 headset and only 1 ear covered.

[goose36]

The PRR headset appears adequate for extended use by British Forces and other units (incl. USMC) and has presumably been issued to you by the (Danish) unit you are with. Why do you even need to consider replacing it?


have you ever used it, if you had you wouldn't be talking like that. most guys just cut the end off and get any headset they like and solder it on. i've seen a few yank websites that sell headsets, just look around, there out there. i dont know the names of the websites though, sorry.

[DeltaWhisky58]

have you ever used it, if you had you wouldn't be talking like that. most guys just cut the end off and get any headset they like and solder it on. i've seen a few yank websites that sell headsets, just look around, there out there. i dont know the names of the websites though, sorry.

My only use of this headset has been in a static location, but not operationally. Most users I've spoken to including those who have used it extensively in combat operations seem quite happy with it, for example Canadian Sig whose opinion I respect. Have you ever used it?

PRR has been around with British Forces for a number of years now, whereas many overseas units have lesser experience of it. Your comment "most guys just cut the end off and get any headset they like and solder it on" is ridiculous in the extreme - tens of thousands of British servicemen and women use the PRR headset on a regular basis, I've never seen an example of a non-standard headset being used, so where on earth does your "most guys" comment come from?

I suspect you have no more experience of this radio than I do, and that you are just applying the same armchair warrior type BS that you use in other posts.

We've just had an expert post from a guy who has used the headset under combat conditions, yet you spout such crap - wind your neck in and perhaps you might learn something.

[Roy Batty]

have you ever used it, if you had you wouldn't be talking like that. most guys just cut the end off and get any headset they like and solder it on. i've seen a few yank websites that sell headsets, just look around, there out there. i dont know the names of the websites though, sorry.

Perhaps I was slightly unclear in my first post. I'm a professional military signaller and I use the Bowman PRR on both exercises and on operational tours in Afghanistan. I have been happy with the issued headset as it leaves me able to monitor two nets on two seperate bands with only one ear. Thats kind of handy as having one ear open while on OP ect is kind of important. My only complaint is that the headset makes my ear kind of sweaty but when its hotter than hell in Kandahar province everything is sweaty. It's a fairly acceptable rig and belive me, I'm a guy that replaces alot of my issued kit with better after-market items.

Just my 2 cents ......but what do I know. Comms are just my trade.

[DeltaWhisky58]

Thank you Canadian Sig - I thought your professional opinion would be the best in this case. I can't go into how I came to use this headset, which despite being in a non-military in a non military situation allwed me to form a positive and evaluative opinion, its use was critical and I found it fine.

I think Goose is giving us a typical armchair warrior opionion based on "most guys" he has seen.

[Roy Batty]

Edit: forgot to add; saintM have a great roto and keep your head down man.

I'll be back over there in April. Take lots of pics and check in here when you can.

[andreen]

DeltaWhisky58 if you are interested, Swedish troops for NBG
Something familiar?

http://www.i19.mil.se/images/local/nbg_kustr_sold.jpg

[DeltaWhisky58]

DeltaWhisky58 if you are interested, Swedish troops for NBG
Something familiar?

http://www.i19.mil.se/images/local/nbg_kustr_sold.jpg

Can't possibly be - according to Goose36 everyone uses something else! ;-)

It tuns out that his massively sweeping generalisation is based on guys he knows, no more than that. His platoon knows better than the entire British Army, Royal Marines and RAF Regiment!

[bluffcove]

Id love to see the face of a CQMS when you hand in your butchered Serial numbered item with a tandy headset botched on the end.

[DeltaWhisky58]

Id love to see the face of a CQMS when you hand in your butchered Serial numbered item with a tandy headset botched on the end.

Ah, but clearly the armchair warriors see that differently to the mere mortals amongst us.

[bluffcove]

Having been a quasi armchair warrior myself in the past, Im nervous to accuse this guy of being a couch colonel when the word TW@T is so much more accurate. Most armchair warriors make inane comments but dont argue their points once corrected.

[Erki]

Hi, Any of you guys know where to buy an alternative headset for the bowman PRR ( See link) http://www.milspec.ca/radspec/prc-343.html

I'm in a bit of a hurry here, shipping out to A-Stan soon (1-week), so any place in Europe would be nice.. Thanks a bunch!

Here are two swedish manufacturers who produce active hearing protection easily transformed into radio headsets. I have used the Comtac Headset and really like it. Sordins are rumoured to be even better. Not sure how anyones of these interact with the danish helmet though. All of them work fine with the swedish one. A neat thing with the Comtac XS is that you can monitor two nets at the same time.

http://www.peltor.se/int/Page.asp?PageNumber=151&ProductCategory_Id=36

http://www.sordin.se/EN/produkter.asp?mId=103

Contact them and they will help you sort out which combination of headset and cables/connectors that you need.

[Roy Batty]

Both of those companies specialise in dual ear headsets which are not a great idea on ops. What part of masking one of the 5 senses seems like a great idea to you guys?

[Erki]

They won't block your hearing since they actively amplify and let through all sounds except those who are damageing for your hearing (such as weapons being fired). For me they've worked quite well during excercises. Never used them on ops though.

They also seem to be well liked by many americans and I have read positive comments from people who have used them in Iraq.

@SaintM: At 02:13 in this video you'll see a dane(?) firing the MAG whos wearing peltors. But I cant determine what kind of helmet he's wearing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YPIcfuOdgk

[Roy Batty]

........For me they've worked quite well during excercises. Never used them on ops though..........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YPIcfuOdgk

I have used "amplification" headsets under all kinds of environments, both exercise and operational, and I would not advocate them over a naked ear.

I use one, currently, in my LAV III but it comes off before I dismount. Period. Full stop.

[Erki]

There's something i've been wondering about. What will happen to someone who sustains hearing damage in the CF? I know that it's pretty lax in the US whilst in some european armies you'll have to leave the service due to no longer fullfilling the medical standards or you might get lucky and it's just your deployment days who are over.

[Roy Batty]

There's something i've been wondering about. What will happen to someone who sustains hearing damage in the CF? I know that it's pretty lax in the US whilst in some european armies you'll have to leave the service due to no longer fullfilling the medical standards or you might get lucky and it's just your deployment days who are over.

All our trades have different hearing standard requierments. In some trades it's more important than others. We also have a level of fitness that everyone must meet and a certain level of hearing is part of it. If you fail to meet universality of service then your headed for civi life. If your hearing is damaged in the service you will get a pension for it even if you stay in or not.

[Erki]

And would you happen to know what the minimum requirements are. Max 15db on all measured frequencies or such?

[Roy Batty]

And would you happen to know what the minimum requirements are. Max 15db on all measured frequencies or such?

I will find out and let you know.

[RAFREGT.]

Id love to see the face of a CQMS when you hand in your butchered Serial numbered item with a tandy headset botched on the end.

hahaha yep, the sigs sgt is just gonna let you cut it up and do what you want to it! NOT! "if it ain't broke, don't fix it!".....
One of the benefits of the PRR headset is that its only over one ear, anyone who has done a night patrol, with both ears covered will know just how much of a mong that turns you into!

[saintM]

have you ever used it, if you had you wouldn't be talking like that. most guys just cut the end off and get any headset they like and solder it on. i've seen a few yank websites that sell headsets, just look around, there out there. i dont know the names of the websites though, sorry.

Yep… I have been using it for 1½ year by now.. I find it unnecessary big to wear under my helmet all together with Wiley-X glasses and everything else..

Just a simple request.. Yes – I have tried it.. If you don’t know – Fair enough.. no need to let me know that you don’t know then, is there? ;-)

[saintM]

Edit: forgot to add; saintM have a great roto and keep your head down man.

I'll be back over there in April. Take lots of pics and check in here when you can.

Cheers mate!! ;-)

[saintM]

@SaintM: At 02:13 in this video you'll see a dane(?) firing the MAG whos wearing peltors. But I cant determine what kind of helmet he's wearing.

Thank Erki.. This guy I suspect being Danish army-SF. Seen quite a lot of the videoes from Musa Quala. This guy.. In his Greens - Sneakers m- Different helmet (looks home painted btw?).. Yep - his no "regular army".. But dane - in deed..

[bluffcove]

I wear an amplivox for work on occasion and the thing lets you hear people speak but not loud noises. Its also brilliant for closing you eyes imagining a beuatiful tropical shore line and falling asleep.

[christopherh]

found a pair in work send me a pers message and i might be able to send them to you. its a spare pair not on our books...

[tikwi]

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd255/lancero111/outubro/51bf85b9.jpg

how would it compare to the one used by us soldier?

[bluffcove]

It has a microphone?
It will stay put when your ear gets sweaty.
It wont fall out if your helmet straps get caught in it
It is overbuilt and rugged rather than high speed low drag and fragile.

You wont look like a doorman in a nightclub.

[Pete031]

You wont look like a doorman in a nightclub.

Most importantly!!

I like this peace of kit too. Great for inter platoon comms.

[saintM]

found a pair in work send me a pers message and i might be able to send them to you. its a spare pair not on our books...

For some reason I can't send you an PM.. You know the reason for that..

[bluffcove]

in the photo the bloke has fancy under armour shirt, fancy vest, fancy glasses, fancy gloves, fancy Sunglasses, fancy weapon...

But he has issue PRR headset, it might just be that he uses it because its practical.

[bolagnaise]

Hi, Any of you guys know where to buy an alternative headset for the bowman PRR ( See link) http://www.milspec.ca/radspec/prc-343.html

I'm in a bit of a hurry here, shipping out to A-Stan soon (1-week), so any place in Europe would be nice.. Thanks a bunch!


http://www.defcon.com.au/index1.html

these guys make some good custom headsets and they also supply us[aussie] with new sets and they are also doing a trial for a new headset as alot of guys are not liking the issued one. i got a old headset that i like and got the techy's to put a prr connection on it from the a broken one, its a smaller earpiece and does not crush the ear like the current one, the new duel mode prr is bloody great too, to have two radios hooked up to the one headset is gold. i juust wish they would start giving us peltors with boom mikes and stop trialing it, it all ready proven as a great bit of kit.

[UKWolf]

If I might just chip in here...

Be glad you don't operate with the clansman earpiece still. That thing is awful. Cups around your ear and cuts out any sound save the radio, meaning you lose directional hearing, which, if you've got experince, you'll know is very useful when 'Locating the Enemy'.

Now, the Bowman PRR headset I have only used once, but I see it as a lot better than every headset I've used in the past (All the clansman models, and a couple of Motorola in-ear jobbies), as it allows you to retain some sense, and is a lot clearer.

- Wolf

[Cdt.Hawkins]

This may sound stupid but does the prr earpiece offer any hearing protection?

[Royal]

This may sound stupid but does the prr earpiece offer any hearing protection?

No..............

[Kartoon]

Earlier there was discussion about comtacs and other kinds of active hearing protection, and I have to say that I would never recommend anybody to use them on an operation.
When I was in the artillery we used them for our hearing protection, and we would still be able to communicate with each other while on the cannon yard. That was pretty much something we had to live with, but boy were they uncomfortable. We used peltor ones and taking them off was to die for. They would chafe your scalp and press your ears into an unnatural position making them very achy.
Being the only ideal solution to the situation we used them, but how could you ever even concider using such equipment in a situation where you have to keep situational awareness in the form of observing and listening your surroundings.
Wearing them improves your hearing allright: you can hear s**t from a nice distance, but I believe it would be more important to hear 'less' with better sence of direction and distance than having to listen your fellow soldiers tonsil vibrate into the rhytm of his breath. You'll find yourself hearing more.