Set-up Instructions C-AT Level A/B Radio Interface with: Push-to-Talk Assembly, Shaped Audio Throat Microphone Bi-aural Speaker Assembly (two configurations) MANUFACTURED BY COMMUNICATIONS-APPLIED TECHNOLOGY CO., INC. RESTON, VA. CAGE CODE: 0EEY2 http://www.c-at.com If you have any questions, please contact: C-AT TECHNICAL SUPPORT at 800-229-3925 (voice), 703-471-4428 (fax), or e-mail to techsupport@c-at.com 1 of 15
Table of Contents REMOTE PTT HEADSET ASSEMBLY COMPONENTS... 3 HEADSET OPTIONS:... 4 EAR INSERTS... 5 EARSHELLS... 6 TO PUT ON AND ADJUST THE THROAT MIC... 7 USING THE TEGADERM PATCH FOR OPTIMAL THROAT MIC POSITIONING... 8 CONNECTING A TWO-WAY RADIO...11 APPENDIX...12 THROAT MIC STRAP REPLACEMENT PARTS...12 QUESTIONNAIRE...13 2 of 15
Remote PTT Headset Assembly Components B E D C A Push-to-Talk Big Button A Big button should be attached to the user and when depressed, will key the connected radio. Shaped Audio Throat Microphone B Microphone assembly is to be worn as a throat mic should be placed with direct skin contact by fastening to included strap or by using moleskin as a skin adhesive to achieve positioning for optimal audio quality. Bi-aural Speaker Assembly Remotes all audio from the attached LMR to the headset. User can choose a single or dual headset operation and can change earpiece options. Radio Interface Cable Interface cable connects to the speaker/mic jack on the user s LMR. Speaker Cable Adjustment Slide After the mask is in-place, moving this slide up the cables towards the chin will secure/stabilize the earshells-speakers (page 4, figure 2). C D D 3 of 15
Headset options: C-AT has provided two headset options. Additional options are available, please contact C-AT for more information. 1. Single or Bi-aural ear inserts. 2. Bi-aural Earshells. 4 of 15
Ear Inserts 1. Find size and side of your choice. The size mark is on the top tip of the ear mold. For example: ML means medium left. 2. Hold the ear mold with the size mark facing you, insert the elbow of the clear tube into the ear mold as shown in Pic A. When inserted correctly, the top tip should be UNDERNEATH the clear tube. Note that the clear tube should incline forward relative to the ear mold front edge as shown in Pic A. 3. Circle the clear tube around the ear as shown in Pic. B. 4. Place the canal of the ear mold into the ear canal. 5. Push the top tip, bottom tip and band into the ear bowl. 6. The ear mold should feel secure and comfortable. 5 of 15
Earshells After donning respiratory protection, place each earshell/speaker over the ear by pulling your ear through the opening in the shell. Then take up slack in the wires by moving the slide (blue arrow) up close to your neck The earpieces are worn by gently pulling the external ear/pinna through the opening in the ear piece. The cable from the speakers should hang straight down until they join the throat microphone cable. Operational Notes: The shells are designed to be worn on the left or right ear. The speaker can be "popped out" of its mounting in order to change earpiece or reverse the earpiece for wearing on the opposite ear. Note that the speaker can also be separated from its cable. 6 of 15
To Put on and Adjust the Throat Mic Hold the elastic/cotton strap with the "active" and "dummy" throat microphone pods attached. If the radio is positioned on the right (left) side of the body, place the strap around the neck so that the "active" microphone is on the right (left) side of the larynx/adam's Apple. Secure the neck strap with the Velcro strips. The strap should be snug around the neck but not tight. This kit includes 22 neck straps, see the appendix for additional strap sizes and part numbers. The snaps on the neck strap for mounting the throat microphone and positioning module are not vertically centered. When properly worn, the snaps should be above the center line of the neck strap, as shown here. This will provide the best voice pickup. A note about voice quality: Compare wearing the throat microphone on the left with the right side of the Adam's Apple/larynx. Some people "sound better" or louder when the microphone is on the left, then when it is on the right. Both the throat microphone and positioning module can be unsnapped from the neck strap to allow the change. Note that the microphone pod MUST have direct contact with the skin. Orient the throat mic strap so the microphone pods are next to the skin when throat mic is worn. 7 of 15
Using the Tegaderm TM patch for optimal throat mic positioning.to completely eliminate the throat mic strap and reduce "scratchy/static" sound as a user moves his head. Note: The adhesive on the pad is great and will remain strong even when the user sweats bullets. Before removing the protective paper covering from the patch, fold the package in half and cut away a small piece of the packaging and patch inside with a scissor. This will permit the snap on the throat microphone pod to protrude through the very thin film.you may want to do this for all the pads that you have at one time. Remove the outer protective covers 8 of 15
Unsnap the throat mic pod from the neck strap,and after removing the protective backing from the patch, place the mic's male snap through the hole that was cut earlier...the mic should now be adhered to the patch now. Place the microphone s metal snap over the hole in the patch 9 of 15
Use a towel to wipe the area on the neck to remove powder and/or perspiration that may be present. Then place the patch against the skin. The patch has two covers one over the adhesive and the other on the non- adhesive side. Remove only the cover over the adhesive side, and position the patch on the wearer s neck (locate the patch as shown in the photos). Smooth the patch on the skin with your fingers. Press the patch around the microphone for maximum stability of the microphone during entry activities. Then remove the remaining paper from the nonadhesive side of the patch. When the patch is in-place it will look like this. Smooth the patch with your finger tip if needed to maximize stick 10 of 15
Connecting to a two-way radio Before connecting any radios, verify the radios are functioning. Verify the radios can transmit and receive audio through a speaker-mic. Once the interface cable is connected to the radio, you will be unable to hear audio from that radio or use the mic. Install the radio-end of the interconnect cable onto the radio, as you would install any radio accessory (i.e.: a shoulder speaker/microphone). Tightening any locking screws is optional; but it is important that the connector be firmly seated against the radio so that good electrical contact is made. NOTE: Radio interconnect cables are generally specific to a radio brand and model, although some manufacturer s use the same connector for several radio models. 11 of 15
Appendix Throat Mic Strap Replacement Parts (straps are supplied with two female snaps installed) PART NUMBER DESCRIPTION 440.9100 Neck Strap 15 4409103 Neck Strap 17 440.9101 Neck Strap 20" 440.9102 Neck Strap 22" 440.9105 Neck Strap 25" 440.0180 Stabilizing pod with male snap installed 12 of 15
User satisfaction questionnaire please scan and send to techsupport@c-at.com or fax to 703-471-4428 MECHANICAL ISSUES: What is the chosen location of the PTT button inside the Level A PPE? Is there one position that would be accepted by all or will some choose to wear the PTT high on their chest versus closer to their waist? Note that the cable to the throat mic could be more than a foot shorter if the PTT were also to be position high on the user s chest. Is the pressure required to depress the PTT OK or too sensitive? Note that we don t want the Level A PPE to press down on the button and key the radios Does the button assembly size interfere with PPE? Is the button the right size or should it be larger or smaller? 13 of 15
FIT/STABILITY/COMFORT and VOICE DISCRIMINATION ISSUES (EARPIECE/SPEAKERS): The hard ear shells will be more stable that the soft ear inserts, if the RED slide on the cable us used to snug up the wires under the user s chin. Be sure that the user is fitted with the correct size soft earpieces and that the earpieces are properly fitted to the ear. Have the user s evaluate listening to radio transmissions of technical information in a relatively quiet area with each of the earpiece types----using one earpiece and then two earpieces. Does having speakers at both ears provide a noticeable improvement in the user s understanding the transmitted information? Is the information received by the user more accurately with the soft or hard earpiece assemblies? Have the user s evaluate listening to radio transmissions of technical information in a noisy area with each of the earpiece types----using one earpiece and then two earpieces. Does having speakers at both ears provide a noticeable improvement in the user s understanding the transmitted information? Is the information received by the user more accurately with the soft or hard earpiece assemblies? Have the user wear each type earpiece for an hour (or more). Is there a comfort preference between the soft hard earpieces? Do the earpieces interfere with the PPE mask seal? 14 of 15
FIT/STABILITY/COMFORT and VOICE DISCRIMINATION ISSUES (THROAT MIC): The throat mic requires little pressure against the user s neck to be very effective, but it must be worn with the active pod directly against the skin. Since little pressure is needed the mic can slide around the neck reducing its effectiveness UNLESS the stabilizing/dummy pod is attached to the neck strap---this places one pod on each side of the larynx/adam s Apple when worn properly, and the throat mic can t move about. The alternative to a neck strap is a mole skin pad securing the throat microphone to the user s neck. Besides being more comfortable, it permits the microphone to be placed above the larynx/adam s Apple which produces better voice quality transmission over the radio (see picture in the instructions for placement). Have the user mask and go on air. Have other personnel with radios monitor transmissions by the user located in a relatively quiet area with the throat mic on the neck strap and also with the throat mic secured with the mole skin provided. Is audio quality acceptable is both cases? Does either provide a noticeable improvement in the monitoring personnel s understanding of the transmitted information? Have the user mask and go on air. Have other personnel with radios monitor transmissions by the user located in a noisy area with the throat mic on the neck strap and also with the throat mic secured with the mole skin provided. Is audio quality acceptable is both cases? Does either provide a noticeable improvement in the monitoring personnel s understanding of the transmitted information? PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS 15 of 15
For Additional Information G. Seth Leyman President/Founder Communications-Applied Technology 11250-14 Roger Bacon Drive, Reston, VA, 20190 USA Voice: +1-703-481-0068; Fax: 703-471-4428 E-mail: leymans@c-at.com Website: www.c-at.com CAGE Code: 0EEY2, TIN: 54-1215868 DOL Veteran-owned, Small Business SIC 3669 MADE IN THE U.S.A