Why are military & civilian headset plugs different?

[Ben Hallert]

Howdy,

Just started taking flying lessons (6 hours ground and 7 hours in the
air) and I've been reading up on everything like accessories,
techniques, etc plus lurking here for a week.

During this time, I noticed the difference between military andcivilian
headsets, and if I understand correctly, the military headsets are a
single plug versus the two plug civilian ones.

I've searched the newsgroup for an explanation why the civilian sector
hasn't switched to single plug system too? It seems like it would make
things easier, less points for failure, etc.

I understand that there's a lot of built in support for the existing
two plug system, but I'd expect the civilian radios to start having
support for both while everyone switched over over a 20 year or so
period.

Is that the case? Do new radios have both types of plugs? Or is there
another reason why civilian headsets use the two plug system?

Thanks!

[Casey Wilson]

Post by Ben Hallert
Howdy,
Just started taking flying lessons (6 hours ground and 7 hours in the
air) and I've been reading up on everything like accessories,
techniques, etc plus lurking here for a week.
During this time, I noticed the difference between military andcivilian
headsets, and if I understand correctly, the military headsets are a
single plug versus the two plug civilian ones.
I've searched the newsgroup for an explanation why the civilian sector
hasn't switched to single plug system too? It seems like it would make
things easier, less points for failure, etc.
I understand that there's a lot of built in support for the existing
two plug system, but I'd expect the civilian radios to start having
support for both while everyone switched over over a 20 year or so
period.
Is that the case? Do new radios have both types of plugs? Or is there
another reason why civilian headsets use the two plug system?

Well, the PL-259 or the PL-55 is exactly the same whether it is used on
a military or civilian headset. My military flight helmet used a completely
different connector, altogether. But I don't fly the Cessna with a military
type helmet.
Can you be more specific, like with model numbers?

[Ben Hallert]

Well, my understanding is that military headsets use a single
integrated connector and civilian headsets use two connectors, one for
headphone, one for microphone.

Is that not correct?

[Chris]

Post by Ben Hallert
Well, my understanding is that military headsets use a single
integrated connector and civilian headsets use two connectors, one for
headphone, one for microphone.
Is that not correct?

Yes that is correct. Over here we refer to the single plug connector as a
NATO plug.

See this link

http://www.transair.co.uk/category.asp?SID=2&Category_ID=1395

[Chris]

Post by Ben Hallert
Well, my understanding is that military headsets use a single
integrated connector and civilian headsets use two connectors, one for
headphone, one for microphone.
Is that not correct?

or even this link

http://www.transair.co.uk/category.asp?SID=2&Category_ID=1355

[b***@nospam.com]

I can tell you that almost all helicopter headsets have a single
connector jack, and so when I fly helicopters with my Lightspeed headset
(that has two plugs) I have to use an adaptor. This annoys me. (I
started to say "to no end" but - "all" it means is that I have to buy a
$30 adaptor and try not to lose it.)

So perhaps this is what you're referring to?

Dave Blevins

Post by Ben Hallert
Howdy,
Just started taking flying lessons (6 hours ground and 7 hours in the
air) and I've been reading up on everything like accessories,
techniques, etc plus lurking here for a week.
During this time, I noticed the difference between military andcivilian
headsets, and if I understand correctly, the military headsets are a
single plug versus the two plug civilian ones.
I've searched the newsgroup for an explanation why the civilian sector
hasn't switched to single plug system too? It seems like it would make
things easier, less points for failure, etc.
I understand that there's a lot of built in support for the existing
two plug system, but I'd expect the civilian radios to start having
support for both while everyone switched over over a 20 year or so
period.
Is that the case? Do new radios have both types of plugs? Or is there
another reason why civilian headsets use the two plug system?
Thanks!

[tom418]

Boeing jets (727s at least) also use two jacks, just like spam cans. I use
my Telex 5x5 1R in my Seneca, as well as on the job.

Post by b***@nospam.com
I can tell you that almost all helicopter headsets have a single
connector jack, and so when I fly helicopters with my Lightspeed headset
(that has two plugs) I have to use an adaptor. This annoys me. (I
started to say "to no end" but - "all" it means is that I have to buy a
$30 adaptor and try not to lose it.)
So perhaps this is what you're referring to?
Dave Blevins

Post by Ben Hallert
Howdy,
Just started taking flying lessons (6 hours ground and 7 hours in the
air) and I've been reading up on everything like accessories,
techniques, etc plus lurking here for a week.
During this time, I noticed the difference between military andcivilian
headsets, and if I understand correctly, the military headsets are a
single plug versus the two plug civilian ones.
I've searched the newsgroup for an explanation why the civilian sector
hasn't switched to single plug system too? It seems like it would make
things easier, less points for failure, etc.
I understand that there's a lot of built in support for the existing
two plug system, but I'd expect the civilian radios to start having
support for both while everyone switched over over a 20 year or so
period.
Is that the case? Do new radios have both types of plugs? Or is there
another reason why civilian headsets use the two plug system?
Thanks!

[BTIZ]

of all the posts.. I have not seen an answer as to why.. but simply
confirming that they indeed are different.

Military headsets have a different microphone impedance and different
headset capabilities.. microphones have to be right on the lips to pick up
the voice, so as not to pick up the aircraft noise. I few military for
twenty years, had my "issue" helmet and headset, and also my civilian
headset for personal flying.

I tried the adapter at one time, by with my military headset in a civil
setting, the mic would not work and only one side of the speakers.

Maybe they are different because the military did not want to mess with two
cords? two jacks? and many times I've had to swap headset to helmet and
cannot see where the plug in is to swap out but had to go by feel. Why mess
with two different sized plugs when one will do.

Many "civil" aircraft allowed a hand mic and public speaker combination so
you did not have to wear a headset, to do that would require two plugs, one
mic, one speaker. Or an intercom panel switch to allow you to select the
speaker output.

BT

Post by Ben Hallert
Howdy,
Just started taking flying lessons (6 hours ground and 7 hours in the
air) and I've been reading up on everything like accessories,
techniques, etc plus lurking here for a week.
During this time, I noticed the difference between military andcivilian
headsets, and if I understand correctly, the military headsets are a
single plug versus the two plug civilian ones.
I've searched the newsgroup for an explanation why the civilian sector
hasn't switched to single plug system too? It seems like it would make
things easier, less points for failure, etc.
I understand that there's a lot of built in support for the existing
two plug system, but I'd expect the civilian radios to start having
support for both while everyone switched over over a 20 year or so
period.
Is that the case? Do new radios have both types of plugs? Or is there
another reason why civilian headsets use the two plug system?
Thanks!

[Rod Madsen]

Maybe most folks here don't remember the days when we flew with microphones
only. There was no provision for headsets and we didn't wear 'em. When
headset came to general aviation (probably because we were all going deaf)
they had to provide another receptacle for the ear phones. That socket had
to be a different diameter so the two couldn't be confused or mixed up.

Rod

Post by BTIZ
of all the posts.. I have not seen an answer as to why.. but simply
confirming that they indeed are different.
Military headsets have a different microphone impedance and different
headset capabilities.. microphones have to be right on the lips to pick up
the voice, so as not to pick up the aircraft noise. I few military for
twenty years, had my "issue" helmet and headset, and also my civilian
headset for personal flying.
I tried the adapter at one time, by with my military headset in a civil
setting, the mic would not work and only one side of the speakers.
Maybe they are different because the military did not want to mess with two
cords? two jacks? and many times I've had to swap headset to helmet and
cannot see where the plug in is to swap out but had to go by feel. Why mess
with two different sized plugs when one will do.
Many "civil" aircraft allowed a hand mic and public speaker combination so
you did not have to wear a headset, to do that would require two plugs, one
mic, one speaker. Or an intercom panel switch to allow you to select the
speaker output.
BT

Post by Ben Hallert
Howdy,
Just started taking flying lessons (6 hours ground and 7 hours in the
air) and I've been reading up on everything like accessories,
techniques, etc plus lurking here for a week.
During this time, I noticed the difference between military andcivilian
headsets, and if I understand correctly, the military headsets are a
single plug versus the two plug civilian ones.
I've searched the newsgroup for an explanation why the civilian sector
hasn't switched to single plug system too? It seems like it would make
things easier, less points for failure, etc.
I understand that there's a lot of built in support for the existing
two plug system, but I'd expect the civilian radios to start having
support for both while everyone switched over over a 20 year or so
period.
Is that the case? Do new radios have both types of plugs? Or is there
another reason why civilian headsets use the two plug system?
Thanks!

[Gig Giacona]

Post by Rod Madsen
Maybe most folks here don't remember the days when we flew with microphones
only. There was no provision for headsets and we didn't wear 'em. When
headset came to general aviation (probably because we were all going deaf)
they had to provide another receptacle for the ear phones. That socket had
to be a different diameter so the two couldn't be confused or mixed up.

I belive Rod has hit the nail on the head. Unfortuatly, I couldn't hear it.

[Robert M. Gary]

Maybe two plugs are too much to pull out before ejecting??
The reason the civilian world has two plugs is because the actual
headset is somewhat new. We used to just have hand mics. What did you
say? I can't hear you? I'll have to turn up my hearing aid. :)