Operation

The microphone system is shipped with fresh batteries that were installed when it was tested prior to shipping so it is ready to go. See below on how to change the batteries.

1. Screw the microphone onto the holder where the battery is installed.

2. Put on the headset and plug it into the jack that is closest to the control button on the amplifier*.

3. Plug the microphone into the jack on the amplifier that is closest to the outer edge of the amplifier's case.

4. Turn the amplifier ON by turning the knob clockwise past the “click” and continue until it stops. This sets the amplifier to maximum volume.

You can now experiment to find the optimum setting for your conditions. As the amplifier’s volume is increased, the noise is also amplified so one looks for the point where reception is best. Generally, it isn’t necessary to reduce the volume at the headphones.

When finished, be sure to turn the amplifier OFF and unscrew the microphone from its holder in order to conserve battery power.

Batteries

Fresh batteries are installed when the unit is retested prior to shipping. When the system starts to loose power, the batteries are loosing power and need to be replaced. Rechargeable batteries can be used to cut down on expenses. It is a good idea to have a set of spare batteries when out in the field since there is no warning when they loose power.
The AA battery in the microphone will last for about 300 hours. The 9 volt battery in the amplifier will last for about 30 hours at maximum volume.

Changing batteries:
1. Install a 9 Volt battery in the amplifier’s battery compartment.
2. Install an AA battery in the microphone. The battery is visible when you take the microphone apart from its holder.

*Note: To preserve your ears, place the headphones on your head in such a way that they only partially cover your ears at first. The volume at each ear can be controlled with the knob on each headphone but generally they work best at full volume.
If the headphones have a MONO-STEREO switch, its setting doesn’t matter since the jack has been modified to be used with the amplifier which is mono.

A few words about RANGE:

The most frequently asked question is: "Over what range will this equipment pick up a voice"?

The "answer" should be: "Is the subject facing you or does he have his back turned to you"? "What is the average voice level in dB at 1 foot from his mouth"? "What is the noise level in dB at the location of your microphone"? "From what direction is the noise coming"? "What is the exact spectral distribution of the ambient noise"? "From what direction is the wind blowing"?

Since the person asking the first question about range does not have the answers to the "answer", it is very difficult to come up with a good and honest answer.

The person who asked range is then likely to say: "Well, just tell me what the range is under average conditions..."

ANSWER: There is no such thing as average conditions

A few examples:

A.) At 4:00 a.m. you are in a boat on a lake, everything is super-quiet, you point your mike at another boat. Under these conditions, you might pick up a voice 1 mile or more away. Just then, a group of ducks comes wildly quacking by 300 yards away, between you and the other boat. The "signal" from the ducks is louder, so that is what you will hear.
B.) You are standing in the middle of nowhere, your subject is 100 yards away, across the railroad tracks. Everything will be just FINE, until the 12:00 o'clock express rolls by.

The purpose of the above examples is to make it clear that the laws of nature CANNOT be circumvented. Even with the best microphone you WILL pick up any noises between you and the subject; these noises, if present, will NOT magically go away, just because you WISH they were not there.
If, after reading all of the above, you STILL think you will be able to listen to a mouse sneezing 300 yards away across a railroad switchyard, DON'T buy a long distance mike, because you WILL be disappointed. If, on the other hand, your expectations are REALISTIC, a good long distance mike is a good tool.

(back to top)