My dad somehow ended up with this Flightcom E-13 headset. It's a military issue headset, and thus has the single plug like a helicopter. This thing is stout! It's built more like a Dave Clark.

These military headsets are low impedance, so I bought a $60 adapter that supposedly ramps the mic impedance up from 5 ohms to...I dunno, in addition to splitting the plug into the 2 standard GA-style plugs. My dad said he tested it the other day, and he could hear himself in the intercom on the pilot's side but not when he keyed the mic for the radio. I need to do some further testing to verify this and I'll get back to you guys.

Has anyone use these impedance adapters successfully?

Can you hear me now?

let me know when you find out, I have the same issue

I use splitters and adapters to go from civilian helo to ga and vica versa, but have not had the greatest luck with switching impedance. Usually just stick a new mic on, which in most cases ends up being cheaper, and only slightly more complicated to switch out between military and civilian if you are a switch pilot...
Take care, Rob

Your best bet is a new mic, like the David Clark M-1A. It's about $70 bucks at Aircraft Spruce (http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/a ... dc_mic.php) Any other electret mic (like a gentex) will probably cost you $90 bucks.

The only other issue will still be with the speakers. They are most likely 15ohm, and your GA are probably wired to be 150ohm, which will draw down the volume on anyone else in the airplane. A new pair is $40 bucks, but just try the mic first and see how it works.

Like most people, I've done the converters, etc for my surplus helmets, but ended up just buying all the "right" stuff in the end.

M-1A on my helmet, I've got it taped off for wind noise.




Chris

Well I tried it first hand this afternoon. It sounds fine though the headset speakers, I can hear myself in the intercom, but there's a REALLY bad squeal when the PTT is depressed.