3M Peltor Solutions For Communications in High Noise Areas

Hearing Protection For Public-Safety and Industrial 2-Way Radio Users

Communications for High Noise Areas3M Peltor solutions are designed for public-safety and industrial 2-way radio users who need to communicate in high noise areas. If your department has a hearing conservation program, 3M offers UHF 2-way radio headsets or can easily integrate with Motorola, Kenwood, or any 2-way radio using a 3.5mm adapter.

3M Peltor Litecom Series UHF 2-Way Radio Headsets

Litecom series headsets include a low power UHF 2-way radio built-in with an antenna on the ear cup. There are 3 styles – headband, neckband, and hardhat mount. No FCC license is required and the range is adequate for most on-site work groups.

Choose LiteCom BRS with Business Frequencies for Less Interference

Litecom BRS 2-way Radio HeadsetLiteCom BRS models include 8 pre-programmed business channels and provide a 25 dB NRR (Noise Reduction Rating). Two AA batteries will allow up to 20 hours of use or an optional rechargeable battery pack is available.

There is a noise-cancelling boom microphone with a push-to-talk switch on the cup or hands-free voice activated VOX is possible.

LiteCom Plus Models Include Electronic Environmental Listening

3M Peltor MT7H7B4610-NA LiteCom Plus series include microphones on each cup that allow users to hear clearly while wearing the headset for improved safety. When a harmful noise is detected the headset instantly blocks it. It works great when working in an inconsistent environment with impulse noises that require 2-way communications. It includes a rechargeable battery pack, 30 business/GMRS channels, and 25 dB NRR.

Litecom Pro II Models Are Programmable and Intrinsically-Safe

Lite-Com Pro II  MT7H7P3E4010-NA-50If working in hazardous atmospheres choose the Litecom Pro II series that are intrinsically-safe (IS) and FM approved. The certification includes Class I, II, III, Division 1, applicable Groups A through G, T4, -20°C≤Ta≤50°C; Intrinsically safe, Class I, Zone 0, AEx ia IIC, T4, -20°C≤Ta≤50°C, hazardous (classified) locations.

The Litecom Pro II is capable of custom programming to almost any UHF FCC licensed frequency with 3M software and a USB dongle.

3M Peltor Headsets With Adapters for Two Way Radios

The MT Tactical Pro series adapt with most radio models using a Nexus push-to-talk adapter. The HT listen-only series are connected using a 3.5 or 2.5mm cable. There are also wireless headsets that eliminate the need for an adapter and will pair with any Bluetooth enabled two-way radio or cell phone.

Military and Law Enforcement Tactical Headsets

COMTAC III ACH and COMTAC IVThe 3M Peltor COMTAC and SWAT-TAC tactical headsets provide environmental listening and integrate to most 2-way radios with a wired NATO adapter. SWAT-TAC models are the same product as COMTAC except they are black in color. COMTAC III ACH ear cups cover the ears and COMTAC IV is a hybrid style that uses earplugs.

There are 3 styles – headband, neckband, and ARC (rail connectors). The headsets can attach to one (single comm) or two (dual comm) portable radios simultaneously for interoperability. COMTAC color choices are O.D. green, coyote brown, foliage green, and black.

Hearing Loss is the Most Prevalent Occupational Health Concern in US

According to OSHA, approximately 30 million workers are occupationally exposed to hazardous noise. 3M is a leader in hearing protection and manufactures high quality products, replacement accessories, and depot repair service. To see all their two-way offerings download the 2015 3M Peltor communications product catalog.

Need a quote or want to discuss your application? Call our office at 302-734-9250 M-F 8-5pm EST.

Light Indicators and How to Pair a Firecom Wireless Headset

Firecom Wireless Headset LED Indicator and Audio Beep MeaningsFirecom Wireless Indicator Lights

Firecom wireless headsets have one green and and one red LED indicator light on the top left ear dome (microphone side). The lights and audio beeps provide the user a quick indication if the headset is connected and the battery is charged.

Indicator Lights When Connected to Charger Cable

When the charger is plugged into the powered OFF headset it will show RED when charging and GREEN when fully charged. Charging takes 2 hours and will provide about 10 hours of normal operation.

When powered ON and charging, the light meanings are:

  • GREEN ON, RED ON: Charging, headset linked to base
  • GREEN ON, RED OFF: Charge complete, headset linked to base
  • GREEN Flashing, RED ON: Charging, headset not linked
  • GREEN Flashing, Red OFF: Charge complete, headset not linked

Indicator Lights When Charging Cable is Unplugged

Below is a chart that shows what the light and beeps mean when the headset is powered ON and the charger disconnected:

Wireless Headset Indicator Light  ChartFirecom Wireless Headset Pairing Procedure & Video

Firecom Wireless BasePress and hold the pairing button on the base for approximately 6 seconds until the yellow LED(s) on the base station start flashing, indicating pairing mode. When placed in pairing mode, you have about 15 seconds to place the headset in pairing mode.

Firecom Wireless UHW-51 Press and hold the PTT button, turn on power to the headset. After approximately 5 seconds, the green and red LEDs on the outside of the left ear dome will start flashing in a relatively fast alternating pattern. Release the PTT button.

Monitor the headset lights. After about 6 seconds, the flashing pattern ends, the green LED will flash for two seconds and then the green and red LEDs will indicate the headset is paired and linked to the base. The LINK LED on the base will illuminate steadily after flashing rapidly for two seconds to indicate that a link to the headset has been established.

New Motorola XBT Wireless Headsets Feature SENS Technology

Motorola Solutions introduced new wireless Bluetooth headsets using Sensear’s patented SENSWireless Bluetooth Headset with SENS Technology spatial awareness technology that enhances surrounding voices while providing hearing protection. This feature benefits radio users who work in intermittent or continuous high noise industrial environments but need to hear nearby people, alarms, or alerts.

Choice of Behind-the-Neck or Over-the-Head Styles

RLN6490 - XBT Behind the Head Operations Critical Wireless Bluetooth headsetThe XBT RLN6490 behind-the neck or RLN6491 headband style are designed for Motorola Operations Critical radios and adapters. Both styles provide about 22 hours of battery life based on normal (5-5-90) operation and can be fully recharged in 7 hours. These heavy-duty headsets are rated IP54 and can be used with a NNTN8127 wireless pod for remote push-to-talk operation. The RLN640 can be used with a hardhat and provides 23dB of hearing protection. The RLN6491 headband style has an even better NRR (noise reduction rating) of 25dB.

XBT Bluetooth Headset FeaturesXBT Wireless Headsets Use Standard BluetoothXBT Headsets Provide  3 ways to communicate

The SENS technology allows users wearing headsets to hear normal speech clearly when face-to-face with people without headsets. 

The Motorola XBT wireless headsets can be paired with cell phones or any 2-way radio using standard Bluetooth. For MOTOTRBO XPR 6000 series radios, choose the PMLN5712 Bluetooth adapter. XPR 7000 and SL 7000 series radios have factory installed internal Bluetooth and will pair without an adapter. APX radios and XTS 5000 PMLN5792 Mission-Critical Wireless adapters are not compatible because they contain an extra layer of encryption.

Link to the Motorola XBT Wireless Bluetooth Headsets .pdf brochure

Earmuff and Temple Headsets Compared

Radio Headset Comparison in High Noise

Bone Conduction vs.Traditional Earmuff Style in High Noise Areas

Motorola Solutions offers temple headsets for most two-way radio models and they continue to grow in popularity. Temple transducers use bone conduction technology and are more comfortable in hot weather as compared to traditional earmuff headsets.

Temple Headset Users TalkingTemple transducers keep the ears uncovered making it easier to communicate with the public. The speaker is muted so radio transmissions cannot be monitored and surrounding voices or other sounds can be heard normally. When used in high noise areas, earplugs can be worn for hearing protection.

Comparison Using MOTOTRBO Analog and Digital RadiosSpring and Associates HDD Driller

Spring & Associates, Inc an HDD (Horizontal Directional Drilling) contractor from Easton, Maryland relies on Motorola MOTOTRBO DMR digital radios on the jobsite.

Communications are challenging because noise levels can be 100db and often exceed 130dB close to where the drill operator sits. They compared the Motorola PMLN5275 heavy-duty, dual muff headset and the PMLN5101 temple transducer.

Tests were performed in digital and analog modes using their XPR 6550 UHF two-way radios. Digital mode audio quality was found to be superior to analog. Following are comments by Rodney Spring, President  of Spring and Associates:

Muff Style Preferred in Extreme Noise Approaching 130dBLoud Noise Chart (dB)

In extreme noise, I’m guessing over 130dB, the earmuff headset was slightly preferred over the temple transducer/hearing protection muffs combo by the operator. It seems that when you idle up the drill to full power/full noise the muff headset has ZERO distortion in the receive mode, while the temple transducer has a little.

Temple Headsets Preferred Below 100dB Noise Level

In noise levels under 100dB the temple transducer was preferred because of comfort and during temporary times of low area noise, being able to remove the auxiliary hearing protection, and still be in touch with other radios while having the ability to hear people around him.

New South Bowers Fire Rescue Airboat Installation With David Clark Wireless Headsets

South Bowers Fire Rescue Airboat

South Bowers Volunteer Fire will now perform emergency rescues in the Kent County salt marshes with a new airboat equipped with David Clark wireless mission-critical communications. The system will provide hands-free, wireless intercom for the crew and will also integrate with the Delaware 800 MHz statewide first-responder system.

David Clark 9900 Wireless Intercom and Motorola APX 7500 Radio Integration

David_Clark_LogoThe new David Clark 9900 Series wireless gateway system is weather tight, rugged, and designed for marine use. It easily integrates with a Motorola APX 7500 700/800/VHF P25 capable radio and will connect to a 3800 wired system if needed.

David Clark 3800 Wireless Intercom

Wireless Intercom System Components, Key Features, and InstallationH9940 Headset

The South Bowers David Clark system uses four H9940 dual muff, behind-the-head style headsets each with a 9910-BSW wireless belt station with VOX. This design provides hands-free intercom for the crew and the ability to monitor radio traffic from the boat’s APX 7500 radio. The belt station has a PTT (push-to-talk) switch for transmitting. The U9922-38 wireless gateway acts as a repeater and provides up to 300 ft range using clear DECT based technology.

David Clark A99-04CRG ChargerThe belt stations use 40688G-90 rechargeable batteries that are removable and last approximately 24 hours after a full charge. A A99-04CRG 110V AC charger will hold 4 batteries and takes about 3-4 hours when fully depleted. David Clark has several 9900 Series headset styles a full range of accessories, interface cables, and antenna choices. The APX radio uses an 05 control head and motorcycle options for improved outdoor performance.South Bowers Airboat Installation

A weatherproof NEMA box was added for better protection and installation was completed at our Dover service facility on Horsepond Road. The David Clark 9900 wireless headset intercom system is an excellent choice for fire/ems, military, and marine applications. Our thanks to South Bowers Station 57 for the opportunity to provide the first David Clark 9900 Series intercom in Delaware.

South Bowers Volunteer Fire Delaware Airboat

Motorola Temple Transducers Provide Discreet Listening

2-Way Radio Headset Keeps Ears Uncovered

Motorola 2-way Radio Temple TransducerTemple transducers are available for most Motorola 2-way radios and are the only audio accessory that keeps your communications discreet without covering your ears. Loud and clear radio transmissions are received using transducers that rest on each temple. The ears are uncovered so you will hear normally when there is no radio traffic. People close by will not hear radio messages keeping your communications private.

Use Temple Transducers in High Noise Environments with Earplugs

Temple transducers can be more comfortable than muff style headsets in hot weather orSpring & Associates Driller when working on loud machinery. Maryland based Spring and Associates performed a comparison on their job site with extreme machinery noise using MOTOTRBO XPR6550  radios. The PMLN5101 temple transducer was preferred except when extreme noise levels approached 130dB.

Choose the Correct Temple Transducer for Your Radio

Motorola offers temple transducers with connectors for most of their radios. The new APX series radios have a direct wire connector and a new boomless model that is compatible with the APX display microphone.

APX 7000, 7000XE, APX 6000, 6000XE, APX 4000 Radio Models

RMN5116 Temple TransducerFor the new APX P25 series, choose the PMLN5101 temple transducer with boom microphone.

The boomless RMN5116 is the correct choice if you use a APX display remote speaker microphone.

XTS 5000, XTS 2500, XTS 1500, PR1500, MT1500 Radio Models

Rugged Temple Transducer

RMN5049

The standard temple transducer with the XTS series connector is the RMN4049. There is also a more rugged version, RMN5049, that includes an adjustable headband keeping it more secure when repelling, jumping, or performing other physical activity. These are also compatible with HT1000, JT1000, MTS2000, MT2000, MTX8000, MTX9000, XTS3000, and XTS3500.

MOTOTRBO XPR 6100, 6350, 6550, 7350, 7550 Radio ModelsMotorola PMLN5101

All Motorola XPR 6000 and 7000 series radios are compatible with the PMLN5101 temple transducer. An oversized PTT and coiled cord is included.

There is no temple transducer available yet for the XPR3300, XPR3500, or SL7550.

Motorola HT750, HT1250, HT1550, PR860 Radio Models

The RMN4048 is the correct temple transducer model if you have a Motorola HT750/1250/1550, PR860, MTX850, MTX8250, MTX950, or MTX9250.

There is a rugged version, RMN5048 with an adjustable headband too. Both have a large PTT body switch.

Motorola EX500, EX560, EX600 Radio Models

The Motorola EX radio compatible temple transducer is the PMLN4585.

Motorola BPR40, CP110, CP185, CP150, CP200, PR400

CP200 Temple TransducerChoose the PMLN5003 boomless lightweight temple transducer with in-line microphone and 2 prong connector. Adjustable for use on long shifts. Not suitable for high noise environments.

Also compatible with P1225, CP125, VL130, CT150, CT250, CT450, GP300.

Motorola DTR410, DTR650, VL50

The RMN5114 is the correct choice. Although it uses a similar sized 2 prong connector like the PMLN5003, they will not fit the jack.