headset plug repair

[Michael C Finke]

A simple question that I'm sure has been addressed in the past:

The wires on my old Pilot headset are broken at both plugs. Can I just
take this in to Radio Shack and expect them to sell me the correct plugs
so I can cut and reattach? or do I need to be looking for something
special? And if so, could somebody tell me what these features are?

Thanks!
Mike

[Jay Masino]

Michael C Finke > wrote:
> A simple question that I'm sure has been addressed in the past:
> The wires on my old Pilot headset are broken at both plugs. Can I just
> take this in to Radio Shack and expect them to sell me the correct plugs
> so I can cut and reattach? or do I need to be looking for something
> special? And if so, could somebody tell me what these features are?

You could probably find the Phones plug, but not the Mic plug. Best bet
is to go to one of the aviation supplier's web pages (like Aircraft
Spruce, Wag-Aerp or Chief) and order the plugs from them. You can find
information on how to wire them by going to Jim Weir's support page at:
http://www.rst-engr.com/rst/support.html and scrolling down to the PDF
application note called "Headphone and Microphone Connectors PDF"

--- Jay


--
__!__
Jay and Teresa Masino ___(_)___
http://www2.ari.net/jmasino/ ! ! !

http://www.oceancityairport.com/
http://www.oc-adolfos.com/

[Dennis O'Connor]

These plugs are not standard sizes, and your local electroncs store will not
have them...Numerous suppliers handle both mic and head set plugs... Try
Gulf Coast Avionics, Eastern Avionics, Aircaft Spruce, etc... A bit of a
google should turn them up...
denny
"Jay Masino" > wrote in > > The wires on my old
Pilot headset are broken at both plugs. Can I just
> > take this in to Radio Shack and expect them to sell me the correct plugs
> > so I can cut and reattach? or do I need to be looking for something
> > special?

[Jay Smith]

Michael C Finke wrote:
> A simple question that I'm sure has been addressed in the past:
> The wires on my old Pilot headset are broken at both plugs. Can I just
> take this in to Radio Shack and expect them to sell me the correct plugs
> so I can cut and reattach? or do I need to be looking for something
> special? And if so, could somebody tell me what these features are?

NO!!!
The quality of the plugs you will find at RatShaq is adequate only for
emergency usage. The plugs you want are bronze and are best obtained
from standard aviation sources or commercial electronics supply suppliers.

[Dave S]

the speaker/audio out jack is a standard 1/4" mono (well on my headset)
plug. The mic plug is not likely to be at radio shack, though.

Dennis O'Connor wrote:
> These plugs are not standard sizes, and your local electroncs store will not
> have them...Numerous suppliers handle both mic and head set plugs... Try
> Gulf Coast Avionics, Eastern Avionics, Aircaft Spruce, etc... A bit of a
> google should turn them up...
> denny
> "Jay Masino" > wrote in > > The wires on my old
> Pilot headset are broken at both plugs. Can I just
>
>>>take this in to Radio Shack and expect them to sell me the correct plugs
>>>so I can cut and reattach? or do I need to be looking for something
>>>special?
>
>
>

[Greg Burkhart]

You can also try at Jim's place:
http://www.rst-engr.com/rst/catalog/small_part.html

"Dennis O'Connor" > wrote in message
...
> These plugs are not standard sizes, and your local electroncs store will
not
> have them...Numerous suppliers handle both mic and head set plugs... Try
> Gulf Coast Avionics, Eastern Avionics, Aircaft Spruce, etc... A bit of a
> google should turn them up...
> denny
> "Jay Masino" > wrote in > > The wires on my old
> Pilot headset are broken at both plugs. Can I just
> > > take this in to Radio Shack and expect them to sell me the correct
plugs
> > > so I can cut and reattach? or do I need to be looking for something
> > > special?
>
>

[Jay Honeck]

> NO!!!
> The quality of the plugs you will find at RatShaq is adequate only for
> emergency usage. The plugs you want are bronze and are best obtained
> from standard aviation sources or commercial electronics supply suppliers.

Um, at the risk of sounding snippy, why do you say that? We're not talking
about a flight-safety issue here.

I've not found my aviation headphones to have any better quality sound than
my standard audio headphones at home.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Don Tuite]

On Fri, 20 Feb 2004 16:38:45 GMT, "Jay Honeck"
> wrote:

>> NO!!!
>> The quality of the plugs you will find at RatShaq is adequate only for
>> emergency usage. The plugs you want are bronze and are best obtained
>> from standard aviation sources or commercial electronics supply suppliers.
>
>Um, at the risk of sounding snippy, why do you say that? We're not talking
>about a flight-safety issue here.
>
>I've not found my aviation headphones to have any better quality sound than
>my standard audio headphones at home.

He may be referring to what happens to the plugs if you step on 'em.

Don (no smilie implied)

[Jim Weir]

I beg to differ. Those old brass (not bronze) plugs are in no way superior to
the current chrome plated steel AND the chrome will not oxidize. I prefer the
newer design, myself.

Having said that, you can get the HEADPHONE side plug at The Shack, but the mic
plug is an old telephone switchboard style 0.206" diameter dinosaur that is ONLY
used these days for aviation. Pricey.

Jim



Jay Smith >
shared these priceless pearls of wisdom:


->
->NO!!!
->The quality of the plugs you will find at RatShaq is adequate only for
->emergency usage. The plugs you want are bronze and are best obtained
->from standard aviation sources or commercial electronics supply suppliers.

Jim Weir (A&P/IA, CFI, & other good alphabet soup)
VP Eng RST Pres. Cyberchapter EAA Tech. Counselor
http://www.rst-engr.com

[Mike Z.]

I don't know about radio scrap plugs but I second Jim's post. Good chrome has far less tendency towards static.

Mike Z

"Jay Smith" > wrote in message ...
> NO!!!
> The quality of the plugs you will find at RatShaq is adequate only for
> emergency usage. The plugs you want are bronze and are best obtained
> from standard aviation sources or commercial electronics supply suppliers.
>

[john smith]

Jim Weir wrote:
> I beg to differ. Those old brass (not bronze) plugs are in no way superior to
> the current chrome plated steel AND the chrome will not oxidize. I prefer the
> newer design, myself.
> Having said that, you can get the HEADPHONE side plug at The Shack, but the mic
> plug is an old telephone switchboard style 0.206" diameter dinosaur that is ONLY
> used these days for aviation. Pricey.

Okay, brass it is. The problem I have with the RatShaq (et al) is that
some are shiny hollow tubes and are easily bent if you don't push/pull
straight in/out of the recepticles. You get what you pay for.

[Jay Honeck]

> Having said that, you can get the HEADPHONE side plug at The Shack, but
the mic
> plug is an old telephone switchboard style 0.206" diameter dinosaur that
is ONLY
> used these days for aviation. Pricey.

Every aircraft owner I know has a beat-up old pair of non-functional (or
barely functional) headphones in a box in the hangar somewhere.

I'll bet you could buy one of them for a song (or, better yet, get it for
free), cut the plugs off, and have your part.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Dave Stadt]

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:pKqZb.228220$U%5.1464139@attbi_s03...
> > NO!!!
> > The quality of the plugs you will find at RatShaq is adequate only for
> > emergency usage. The plugs you want are bronze and are best obtained
> > from standard aviation sources or commercial electronics supply
suppliers.
>
> Um, at the risk of sounding snippy, why do you say that? We're not
talking
> about a flight-safety issue here.
>
> I've not found my aviation headphones to have any better quality sound
than
> my standard audio headphones at home.
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"


It's the manufacturing quality of the Rat Shack plug that is junk. Their
parts are barely serviceable in light duty use and are not of a quality you
would want in your airplane.

[Steve Foley]

If they're David Clarks, you can probably send them in and get them fixed
for no charge.

"Michael C Finke" > wrote in message
...
> A simple question that I'm sure has been addressed in the past:
>
> The wires on my old Pilot headset are broken at both plugs. Can I just
> take this in to Radio Shack and expect them to sell me the correct plugs
> so I can cut and reattach? or do I need to be looking for something
> special? And if so, could somebody tell me what these features are?
>
> Thanks!
> Mike

[Michael C Finke]

Thanks to all who answered my question and saved me a useless trip the
Shack! --Mike