The headphone needs of splicers have not been addressed since the 1950s. Until recently, splicers were required to wear two headphones--one for voice communication and another for tone identification. Outside plant technicians, including those at Illinois Bell in Chicago, have complained for years that their headphones were heavy, cumbersome and uncomfortable. In the cramped quarters of a manhole, they found it awkward and exhausting to wear two headphones under a hard hat for eight hours. Illinois Bell personnel also found that their headphones' performance was less than adequate. Though talk performance seemed adequate over short loops, receive levels became muffled over longer loops. Aggravating this were the high sidetone levels masking receive signals. Two years ago, Illinois Bell decided to look for a better product. Some technicians even tried to design their own. Company management was familiar with Plantronics, manufacturer of headphones for office and aviation applications, and contacted them to help find a solution. Together, technicians from Plantronics and Illinois Bell worked to determine splicers' headphone problems and needs. Plantronics found that splicers wanted a single lightweight headphone combining talking and tone identification functions, offering compatibility with existing test equipment and extended wear comfort. In response, Plantronics developed and perfected the Splicers Supra, a two-in-one headphone that brings technology, performance and comfort to the splicer's workplace. Using one receiver and transmitter for voice communication and a second passive receiver for tone identification and monitoring, the new headphone allows fast, efficient cable splicing and installation. After testing headphone prototypes, Illinois Bell technicians were asked to complete feedback cards. According to the construction staff assistant manager, "Overwhelmingly, the responses indicated personnel really appreciate the headphone's comfort and light weight.' Most splicers specifically noted the product's excellence in identifying tone and superior reception when tagging pairs. Identifying tone with Splicers Supra is simple and can be accomplished with or without metallic contact. If metallic contact is available, a stud terminal on the side of the amp case (the equivalent of the condenser on the older headphones) with or without added jumper cables is used. Without metallic contact, the splicer can use either a cable with plug for 147-type amplifiers (included with the headphone) or an optional cable with dual alligator clips for "banana'-style amplified probes. During tone identification, high impedance of 600 ohms minimizes line disturbance by making the headphone electrically "invisible.' After identifying tone on a conductor or pair, the splicer only has to connect the alligator clips to that pair (or, if the splicer is on the opposite end of the line, to test set terminals) to begin voice communication. In the talk mode Splicers Supra's advanced technology contributes most significantly to better headphone performance. Through Plantronics' Transmit Level Adjust (TLA), transmit levels are held constant with loop length, maintaining output under very low current conditions. The headphone also features a two- to four-wire hybrid circuit, thereby reducing sidetone levels. As a result, it can be used on loops half-again as long as standard headphones with less sidetone and distortion, thus reducing user fatigue. Transmission of ambient noise, often a problem in the outside plant environment, is limited by voice switching that eliminates pickup of weaker background signals. Receive levels are maintained at much higher levels than those of older headphones. A three-position receive volume control allows amplification of weak voice signals. In case of unexpected loud noise on the talk-receiver, Plantronics' SoundGuard circuit automatically limits the volume to a safe level, while varistors on both receivers provide back-up hearing protection. In addition to improved performance, the headphone is designed for superior comfort even during long hours of use in a rugged environment. Weighing only 9.1 ounces including all cordage and the amplifier case, the headphone features a fully adjustable headband, voice tube and clothing clip to keep the headphone in place. A belt clip can be worn on either side of the body to free both hands completely. Cordage remains flexible in weather as cold as --40 degrees. As Illinois Bell's experience attests, the new headphone is an example of a major improvement in outside plant communications equipment made possible through a detailed examination of user needs and preferences. Plantronics started from the group up by asking construction crews about the problems caused by their existing headphones and set out to design a new product to solve those problems. The resulting headphone combines state-of-the art technology and superior human design factors to give splicers a more efficient, reliable and comfortable means of cable splicing and installation. To choose the right headphones at an affordable price, please refer to this article: https://headphonesbyte.com/best-earbuds-under-50/
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