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CW for those with Poor Hearing

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CW for those with Poor Hearing

While in the Navy I damaged my hearing from exposure to loud noises (Naval Aircraft)Since then I've always had a real struggle copying CW (but I'm stubborn and keep trying)

I was playing around with the pitch and found that the higher frequency toneshave a ringing to them but as I went lower in pitch the ringing faded quite a bit.
So I'm basically looking for tips to help me to be able to copy better.
Thank you

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Elecraft mailing list

Re: CW for those with Poor Hearing

Same way here.. I wear headphones! 73s Bob W5RG

From: Harry Yingst via Elecraft <[hidden email]>
To: Elecraft Reflector <[hidden email]>
Sent: Thursday, February 5, 2015 5:42 PM
Subject: [Elecraft] CW for those with Poor Hearing

While in the Navy I damaged my hearing from exposure to loud noises (Naval Aircraft)Since then I've always had a real struggle copying CW (but I'm stubborn and keep trying)

I was playing around with the pitch and found that the higher frequency toneshave a ringing to them but as I went lower in pitch the ringing faded quite a bit.
So I'm basically looking for tips to help me to be able to copy better.
Thank you

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Gary Smith-2

Re: CW for those with Poor Hearing

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

Harry,

I heartily recommend the Bose QC-15 headphones. They have a marvelous
ability to cancel out almost all background noise at the flip of a
switch, at least 50%. It helps to greatly reduce noises like fan
noise, room acoustics and TV from others in the house. Far more clear
than listening to even a good quality speaker when it comes to
hearing CW well.

It is a headphone but allows replacement cords to be attached and
within the design, unbeknownst to most users, is a mic plug which
also allows for a microphone. You can't easily get such a mic plug
from Bose, they reserve that for their overpriced Aircraft
communications headsets. You can though buy an after-market
microphone attachment which lets you hear & talk. Get that from here:

http://www.headsetbuddy.com/clearmic-noise-canceling-microphone-for-bo
se-qc15-headphones/

or a shorter link:

http://tinyurl.com/lezjfv6

Good luck OM, think this'll help.

73,

Gary
KA1J

> While in the Navy I damaged my hearing from exposure to loud noises (Naval Aircraft)Since then I've always had a real struggle copying CW (but I'm stubborn and keep trying)
>
> I was playing around with the pitch and found that the higher frequency toneshave a ringing to them but as I went lower in pitch the ringing faded quite a bit.
> So I'm basically looking for tips to help me to be able to copy better.
> Thank you
>
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
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>
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>

---
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Jim AB3CV

Re: CW for those with Poor Hearing

I found the Headset Buddy to be a pretty poor excuse for a mike.
Communication fidelity was terrible (and i'm not an ESSB fan), the mike
boom was too weak and left it dangling and the cord had the left and right
headphones reversed from normal which drove me nuts working split.

I contacted their tech support and they sent another which was no better.

Buyer beware.

jim ab3cv

On Thu, Feb 5, 2015 at 7:23 PM, Gary Smith <[hidden email]> wrote:

> Harry,
>
> I heartily recommend the Bose QC-15 headphones. They have a marvelous
> ability to cancel out almost all background noise at the flip of a
> switch, at least 50%. It helps to greatly reduce noises like fan
> noise, room acoustics and TV from others in the house. Far more clear
> than listening to even a good quality speaker when it comes to
> hearing CW well.
>
> It is a headphone but allows replacement cords to be attached and
> within the design, unbeknownst to most users, is a mic plug which
> also allows for a microphone. You can't easily get such a mic plug
> from Bose, they reserve that for their overpriced Aircraft
> communications headsets. You can though buy an after-market
> microphone attachment which lets you hear & talk. Get that from here:
>
> http://www.headsetbuddy.com/clearmic-noise-canceling-microphone-for-bo
> se-qc15-headphones/
>
> or a shorter link:
>
> http://tinyurl.com/lezjfv6
>
> Good luck OM, think this'll help.
>
> 73,
>
> Gary
> KA1J
> > While in the Navy I damaged my hearing from exposure to loud noises
> (Naval Aircraft)Since then I've always had a real struggle copying CW (but
> I'm stubborn and keep trying)
> >
> > I was playing around with the pitch and found that the higher frequency
> toneshave a ringing to them but as I went lower in pitch the ringing faded
> quite a bit.
> > So I'm basically looking for tips to help me to be able to copy better.
> > Thank you
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ______________________________________________________________
> > Elecraft mailing list
> > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> > Post: mailto:[hidden email]
> >
> > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> > Message delivered to [hidden email]
> >
>
>
>
>
> ---
> This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
> http://www.avast.com
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
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stan levandowski

Re: CW for those with Poor Hearing

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

My hearing sensitivity in my right ear is much lower than in my left ear
and, in addition, I have a constant ringing (Tinnitus) which I've become
accustomed to so it's less bothersome than it sounds. I find lower
tones markedly more comfortable. I only operate 100% CW and I always use
headphones. I've tried many different brands,including some of those
modern earbud thingys the young folks jam into their ears but that's
about the most annoying thing I've ever experienced.

For years now,I've been using the David Clark model 10-S-DC listen only
stereo headset. These are aviation-grade but non-TSOd and are meant for
passengers who want to listen to their personal electronics as well as
connect into the aircraft intercom system. These have excellent clarity
and independent volume controls which complements DXing with my KX3's
Dual Watch function. The clamping pressure is LESS than the standard
aviation grade DCs but enough to work just great as a passive noise
reduction feature. The sensitivity ("loudness") of this "consumer"
model clearly exceeds my original aviation DCs.

So that's how I've solved my problem and I don't even think about it
anymore as I operate.

73, Stan WB2LQF

On Thu, Feb 05, 2015 at 06:55 PM, Bob Gibson via Elecraft wrote:

> Same way here.. I wear headphones! 73s Bob W5RG
>
> From: Harry Yingst via Elecraft To: Elecraft Reflector Sent:
> Thursday, February 5, 2015 5:42 PM
> Subject: [Elecraft] CW for those with Poor Hearing
> While in the Navy I damaged my hearing from exposure to loud noises
> (Naval Aircraft)Since then I've always had a real struggle copying CW
> (but I'm stubborn and keep trying)
>
> I was playing around with the pitch and found that the higher
> frequency toneshave a ringing to them but as I went lower in pitch the
> ringing faded quite a bit.
> So I'm basically looking for tips to help me to be able to copy
> better.
> Thank you
>
>
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
> Message delivered to [hidden email]
>
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
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Don Wilhelm-4

Re: CW for those with Poor Hearing

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

Henry,

Your real answer depends on your particular hearing loss, so no one else
can say what your particular "desired pitch" can be.

I suggest you experiment with different pitches in real time CW QSOs.
Tune the station to the pitch that you can copy best - then figure out
what that audio frequency is.
You can play the CW through an audio spectrum analyzer to determine the
pitch that you hear best. One such analyzer is Spectrogram, and the 2
freeware versions (5.71 and 16) can be downloaded from my website
www.w3fpr.com. Look for the links near the bottom of the opening page.
These are local copies of the Spectrogram files that have been virus
scanned numerous times. I hear reports that some sources of Spectrogram
contain bad stuff, but these are clean copies.

SpectrumLab and other audio spectrum analyzers can do the same thing.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 2/5/2015 6:42 PM, Harry Yingst via Elecraft wrote:
> While in the Navy I damaged my hearing from exposure to loud noises (Naval Aircraft)Since then I've always had a real struggle copying CW (but I'm stubborn and keep trying)
>
> I was playing around with the pitch and found that the higher frequency toneshave a ringing to them but as I went lower in pitch the ringing faded quite a bit.
> So I'm basically looking for tips to help me to be able to copy better.
> Thank you
>

______________________________________________________________
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Elecraft mailing list

Re: CW for those with Poor Hearing

Thank you

PS I'm Harry.... Henry's that other guy I think he makes amps ;)

From: Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]>
To: Harry Yingst <[hidden email]>; Elecraft Reflector <[hidden email]>
Sent: Thursday, February 5, 2015 7:45 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] CW for those with Poor Hearing

Henry,

Your real answer depends on your particular hearing loss, so no one else
can say what your particular "desired pitch" can be.

I suggest you experiment with different pitches in real time CW QSOs.
Tune the station to the pitch that you can copy best - then figure out
what that audio frequency is.
You can play the CW through an audio spectrum analyzer to determine the
pitch that you hear best. One such analyzer is Spectrogram, and the 2
freeware versions (5.71 and 16) can be downloaded from my website
www.w3fpr.com. Look for the links near the bottom of the opening page.
These are local copies of the Spectrogram files that have been virus
scanned numerous times. I hear reports that some sources of Spectrogram
contain bad stuff, but these are clean copies.

SpectrumLab and other audio spectrum analyzers can do the same thing.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 2/5/2015 6:42 PM, Harry Yingst via Elecraft wrote:
> While in the Navy I damaged my hearing from exposure to loud noises (Naval Aircraft)Since then I've always had a real struggle copying CW (but I'm stubborn and keep trying)
>
> I was playing around with the pitch and found that the higher frequency toneshave a ringing to them but as I went lower in pitch the ringing faded quite a bit.
> So I'm basically looking for tips to help me to be able to copy better.
> Thank you
>

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Don Wilhelm-5

Re: CW for those with Poor Hearing

Harry,

Sorry, but it is getting late in the evening here.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 2/5/2015 7:56 PM, Harry Yingst via Elecraft wrote:
> Thank you
>
> PS I'm Harry.... Henry's that other guy I think he makes amps ;)
>
>
>

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Elecraft mailing list

Re: CW for those with Poor Hearing

No problem I get called Henry all the time.

From: Don Wilhelm <[hidden email]>
To: Harry Yingst <[hidden email]>; Elecraft Reflector <[hidden email]>
Sent: Thursday, February 5, 2015 8:05 PM
Subject: Re: [Elecraft] CW for those with Poor Hearing

Harry,

Sorry, but it is getting late in the evening here.

73,
Don W3FPR

On 2/5/2015 7:56 PM, Harry Yingst via Elecraft wrote:
> Thank you
>
> PS I'm Harry.... Henry's that other guy I think he makes amps ;)
>
>
>

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Jim Brown-10

Re: CW for those with Poor Hearing

In reply to this post by Don Wilhelm-4

On Thu,2/5/2015 4:45 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
> Your real answer depends on your particular hearing loss, so no one
> else can say what your particular "desired pitch" can be.

Yes. There are several types of hearing loss. That which comes with old
age is a loss of high frequencies; what you appear to have is likely the
result of excessive noise exposure, and can be anything from a big
"hole" in the middle of frequency response to massive loss of highs to
ringing.

If your loss is mostly highs, it can be PARTIALLY compensated using
RXEQ. Simply turn down the lower bands and turn up the higher ones. If
it's the ringing that drives you nuts, try setting the CW RX pitch
lower. Play with it and see what works for you. You can also do these
things in combination.

73, Jim K9YC
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NK7Z

Re: CW for those with Poor Hearing

In reply to this post by Elecraft mailing list

Hi,
I am also a bit hard of hearing... I had a hearing test, and asked for
a copy of the Frequency, vs amplitude graph. This shows me my best
frequency for being able to hear...

I then set the Zero beat to that frequency, and I was able to copy about
50% more than what I set by listening...
--
Thanks and 73's,
For equipment, and software setups and reviews see:
www.nk7z.net
for MixW support see;
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/mixw/info
for Dopplergram information see:
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/dopplergram/info
for MM-SSTV see:
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/MM-SSTV/info

On Thu, 2015-02-05 at 23:42 +0000, Harry Yingst via Elecraft wrote:

k6dgw

Re: CW for those with Poor Hearing

In reply to this post by Jim Brown-10

Jim has helped me in a number of ways, both RXEQ and getting good TX
audio from my K3.

I'm pretty much deaf above 1200 Hz, lots of sudden, very loud noises in
my bulletproof and immortal period 50 years ago. Jim's RXEQ suggestion
gave me about 30 dB of higher frequency boost ... turn down the lows,
raise the highs, and turn up the AF Gain. I generally run mine around
12 o'clock, much above that and distortion gets really bad. I don't
know if that's in my headset [Heil ProSet from Elecraft], or clipping in
the audio amp. 30 dB is only about a third of my hearing loss above
1200 Hz, but it does still make a BIG difference.

I found my "sweet spot" for pitch just by experimentation with the pitch
control. On sideband ... which you won't find me on much, very hard
copy ... at DSP BW around 2.1 or a little less, I shift it down. For
RTTY, I use the 915 Hz setting in the K3 and MMTTY.

Many years ago, while a high school senior with a part-time relief op
job at a coastal marine station, the OT's taught me that when the noise
on the Holy Frequency was really bad, lay the cans on the desk.
Somehow, this lowers the noise and not the signal. The VA has given me
some very good hearing aids, they don'w work under the headphones, but
using them with the headphones on the desk does often improve the SNR of
very weak signals.

Good luck,

73,

Fred K6DGW
- Northern California Contest Club
- CU in the 50th Running of the Cal QSO Party 3-4 Oct 2015
- www.cqp.org

On 2/5/2015 5:36 PM, Jim Brown wrote:

> On Thu,2/5/2015 4:45 PM, Don Wilhelm wrote:
>> Your real answer depends on your particular hearing loss, so no one
>> else can say what your particular "desired pitch" can be.
>
> Yes. There are several types of hearing loss. That which comes with old
> age is a loss of high frequencies; what you appear to have is likely the
> result of excessive noise exposure, and can be anything from a big
> "hole" in the middle of frequency response to massive loss of highs to
> ringing.
>
> If your loss is mostly highs, it can be PARTIALLY compensated using
> RXEQ. Simply turn down the lower bands and turn up the higher ones. If
> it's the ringing that drives you nuts, try setting the CW RX pitch
> lower. Play with it and see what works for you. You can also do these
> things in combination.

Vic Rosenthal

Re: CW for those with Poor Hearing

This is a fascinating remark, because I recently noted that I could copy
a weak signal in the middle of a lot of noise better by holding the
phones in my hand with the ear cushions together and putting the
cushions up to my ears.

Something is going on here that is worth pursuing.

On 6 Feb 2015 04:47, Fred Jensen wrote:
> Many years ago, while a high school senior with a part-time relief op
> job at a coastal marine station, the OT's taught me that when the noise
> on the Holy Frequency was really bad, lay the cans on the desk. Somehow,
> this lowers the noise and not the signal. The VA has given me some very
> good hearing aids, they don'w work under the headphones, but using them
> with the headphones on the desk does often improve the SNR of very weak
> signals.

--
73,
Vic, 4X6GP/K2VCO
Rehovot, Israel
http://www.qsl.net/k2vco/
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