New Headset

I have been needing a new Computer Headset for a long time. My old set was getting tired and recently one of the plastic brackets/bands broke and was unusable. I had been looking for a replacement for a long time, but could not find anything that I liked.

Must locally available Headsets (in stores) are of the "pad on the ear" type, for radio work and Echolink, I wanted "around the ear" cup type for better noise rejection. Web searches found several, but they seemed expensive and lacked the personal recommendation that I was looking for.

I requested recommendations on the Sunday Night Echolink "QRP" QSO, someone suggested the following:

SONCM
Stereo Dynamic Headphones
SM-750M.V
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170466481487

The Headset looked good on the web page and the price was right (only $6.38 with free shipping), but at that low price how could they be of any good?

But, for only six dollars and change, how can I go wrong, my order was placed that night.

I received the Headset on Friday, and have been using the new Headset since. They feel good, sounds good, and are light on my ears and head. The new Headset has an inline volume control, which is nice, as my old set lacked the local control. The slight angle of the ear cups (with respect to the band) and the limited mic boom rotation angle, requires the mic to be located on the left side only. My old headset allowed the mic on either side. I previously used the mic on the right side, I will have to get use to the mic on the left side only.

The Headset is mostly plastic, but if they hold together, I think they will be a good valued addition to my shack.

I talked with John - KB0ADD, he also placed a set on order, it will be interesting to hear his evaluation report.

To the person on EchoLink QRP that suggested this Headset - Thanks.

Interesting: I see the Headset has increased in price, they are now $7.09

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UPDATE
I have now been using this Headset for a couple of weeks, I like them and found the inline volume control very useful. The cord is about 18 inches shorter than my previous set, but still very usable. I purchased two additional sets, one for each of my other workstation locations.

A very good value!

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Another PCB in the Bag

John - KB0ADD, is planning to build an IOIO Antenna and wanted me to build the PCB for the Duplexer. The "KI0AG Micro-Duplexer" design is documented by K0LEE on his web site at: http://k0lee.com/duplexer.htm. John and I chat often about his projects on Google Chat, and on the Sunday Evening EchoLink "QRP" conference call.

It is a cold bright winter day in the Pacific Northwest, just the kind of day for an indoor shop project.

Winter in the Pacific Northwest - Near Seattle

About 30 Deg F

For this project, I used the "Toner Transfer Paper" and GBC Laminator from Pulsar, , and the following "Etch In a Bag" method to produce the PCB, it is fast and easy.

Etch In a Bag

I use a little Ferric Chloride in a Zip Lock Bag, warmed under hot running water - it took about 6 minutes (dependant on the freshness of the etch) for this 1/2 oz copper clad board. Running Hot water over the Bag while etching provides gentle agitation of the etch. A small air pocket within the bag assist in etch movement.

Ready to go to the sink and running hot water
Trouble spots can be helped by rubbing them
through the bag with your fingers
Photo taken at 12:26:49

A Quick Look - Finished and ready for Clean Up

Photo taken at 12:32:21

A Flawless Print/Etch, Ready for Resist Removal

Photo taken after Clean Up and Inspection at 12:39:24

I did not use the suggested "Green Foil" (see Fab-in-A-Box) to cover the Toner, as the laser print was very dark and full, the result was much-much better than I expected.

Clean Up

Normally I store the Bag with Etch within yet another Zip Lock Bag hanging via a clip for later use. Storing the bag vertical prevents the etch from invading the bag zipper.

The Bags that I use are brand name "Ziploc" Heavy Duty Freeze Bags.

I will use Scotch Brite and warm running water to remove the Resist, it is easy and not a chemical mess.

Note: this batch of Ferric Chloride is about spent. The next project will go into a fresh bag and etch.

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UPDATE

I did not start with fresh the Etch for the next project (see next post), I was lazy. This old stuff etched a bit slower, but it worked OK with the aid of heat from running hot water over the bag.

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