Otto NoizeBarrier TAC User manual

NoizeBarrier® TAC
Circumaural Headset
Technical Manual and
Instructions for Use

2
IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNINGS
THIS OTTO NOIZEBARRIER® TAC HEADSET REDUCES EXPOSURE TO NOISE AND LOUD
SOUNDS THAT CAN DAMAGE HEARING. BE SURE TO FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS
IN THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE RECOMMENDATIONS
MAY SEVERELY REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF HEARING PROTECTION PROVIDED BY THE
HEADSET.
• Use the NoizeBarrier TAC at all mes in noisy surroundings
• Misuse of or failure to wear hearing protecon when exposed to hazardous noise
may result in hearing loss and/or injury. If you experience symptoms of hearing inju-
ry (ringing in ears, dulled hearing, headaches), contact your supervisor or a medical
professional immediately.
• The headset must be ed, adjusted and maintained in accordance with manufac-
turer’s instrucons to achieve the expected aenuaon and hearing protecon.
Failure to do so may result in hearing loss and/or injury.
• The headset must be worn at all mes in noisy environments to avoid hearing loss/
injury.
• The NoizeBarrier TAC headset provides audio signal sound pressure level limitaon
to limit the radio transmission audio signal to 82 dBA eecve to the ear.
• The headset is provided with level-dependent aenuaon. The wearer should check
correct operaon before use. If distoron or failure is detected, the wearer should
refer to the manufacturer’s advice for maintenance.
• The thermoplasc polyurethane foam ear seals on the NoizeBarrier TAC may dete-
riorate with use and should be examined at frequent intervals for damage, such as
cracking and leakage. Replace as recommended on page 9.
• Using cloth hygiene covers over the foam ear seals may aect the acousc perfor-
mance of the headset.
• The audibility of warning signals at a specic workplace may be impaired while
using the NoizeBarrier TAC headset if the situaonal awareness funconality is not
acvated.
• The NoizeBarrier TAC Headset may be adversely aected by certain chemical sub-
stances. Further informaon should be sought from the manufacturer.
• Warning: performance may deteriorate with baery usage. The typical period of con-
nuous use that can be expected from the headset baery is 72 hours.
• This ear-mu is provided with electrical audio input. The wearer should check cor-
rect operaon before use. If distoron or failure is detected, the wearer should refer
to the manufacturer's advice.
• Warning – The output of the electrical audio circuit of this hearing protector may
exceed the daily limit sound level.
• This headset is provided with level-dependent aenuaon. The wearer should check
correct operaon before use. If distoron or failure is detected, the wearer should
refer to the manufacturer's advice for maintenance and replacement of the baery.
• Warning – The output of the level-dependent circuit of this hearing protector may
exceed the external sound level.

3
OTTO NOIZEBARRIER®TAC
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
Introduction
The OTTO NoizeBarrier TAC headset provides clear radio communicaons, industry-lead-
ing hearing protecon and excellent situaonal awareness/talk-through capability for
mission-crical operaons. Advanced talk-through sound suppression circuitry enhances
the ability to hear low-level sounds while protecng hearing.
OTTO’s NoizeBarrier TAC headset features le and/or right integrated audio input down-
lead(s) to connect to external radio(s) or other communicaons device(s). Situaonal
awareness funcons are controlled by buons on the le ear cup and powered by two
AAA baeries that provide approximately 72 hours of use. Selectable signal separaon
allows dual comm users to separate audio into le, right or both ears. An external Push-
To-Talk (PTT) cable is required to control communicaons funcons.
Some models of the OTTO NoizeBarrier TAC headset may also be used with the OTTO
Mul-Port Hub PTT that provides modular control of up to three communicaons plat-
forms. The Hub is compable with major radio plaorms using detachable cables, as well
as vehicular and aircra intercoms (ICS). Situaonal awareness can be controlled either
via buons on the headset or volume controls on the Hub.
An oponal helmet mount kit is available to change the headset from an over-the-head
headband conguraon to a top or rear rail helmet-mounted conguraon while in the
eld without the use of tools. For convenience, a spare baery for the situaonal aware-
ness funconality can be stored in each of the two rail-mount assemblies.
This manual covers the following equipment:
NoizeBarrier®TAC Headset
(Models: V4-10995BK, V4-10995FD, V4-10995OD; V4-11020BK, V4-11020FD, V4-
11020OD; V4-11032BK, V4-11032FD, V4-11032OD; V4-11033BK, V4-11033FD, V4-
11033OD; V4-11042FD; V4-11054BK; V411055BK; V4-11056BK; V4-11058BK; V4-
11059BK; V4-11082BK)
NoizeBarrier®TAC Helmet Mounting Kit
(Models: C102359BK, C102359FD, C102359OD; C102365BK, C102365FD, C102365OD)

4
SUPPLIED EQUIPMENT
c
a
d
k
gf
h
j
e
b
Optional Helmet Mounting
System for Helmets with Rails
(Figure 2)
• Swivel rail ear cup mount
• Helmet rail for accessories
• Rail mount frame
Helmet mounng instrucons begin
on page 10.
a) Headband
b) Adjustment frames
c) Audio cross-over cable
d) Ear cups
e) Comply™ foam ear seals
f) Situaonal awareness (talk-
through) microphones
g) Baery compartment & cover
h) Noise-canceling communicaons micro-
phone with adjustable boom
i) Power/Volume control
j) Push-to-talk connector cable (for models
with disconnectable cable, see pg. 6)
k) Boom microphone connector
i
OTTO NoizeBarrier® TAC Headset (Figure 1)

5
FEATURES OF THE OTTO NOIZEBARRIER®TAC HEADSET
• Circumaural headset compable with major helmet systems
• Talk-through electronics for situaonal awareness (SA)
• Limits volume to safe level and lowers sound oor without clipping
• Passive Aenuaon: 23 dB NRR
• Amplied hearing of external communicaons
• Volume + and - buons on le ear cup control situaonal awareness circuitry
• 5-step volume control adjusts +/- 12dB
• Dynamic, telescopic boom microphone can be mounted on the le or right side and
adjusts to the opmal distance from face
• Wind noise suppression technology
• Talk-through operang me using headset baery power only: Up to 72 hours with
no degradaon of performance over that me
• Talk-through powered by two AAA baeries. When used with the OTTO Mul-Port
Hub PTT, talk-through is powered by the radio baery if AAA baeries are depleted
or not installed in headset
• Automac shut down aer two hours of idle me
• Scalloped front ear cups reduce interference with rie stock
• Low-prole silicone headband can easily be worn under most helmet systems
• Proprietary Comply™ thermoplasc polyurethane foam ear seals allow for secure
comfortable t
• Ear seals snap in for easy eld replacement
• SCBA-compable connector for gas mask interface
• MIL-STD-810G compliant
• Immersion tested and fully sealed to IP68 standards for 1 meter/31 minutes
• USA Country of Origin. TAA, BAA, and Berry Amendment compliant
• Oponal rail mounng system for Ops-Core and Team Wendy® helmets
• Rail mount system includes baery holder for two extra baeries
• Headset weight: 502gm (17.75 oz)
SITUATIONAL AWARENESS TALK-THROUGH OPERATION
The OTTO NoizeBarrier TAC Headset’s talk-through technology allows users to hear
normal sounds around them and maintain complete situaonal awareness (SA). At the
same me, sound suppression circuitry reduces dangerously loud noises over 85dB to
safe levels. The OTTO NoizeBarrier TAC is unique in that it does not shut down situaon-
al awareness when loud noises, including impulse noises such as gunre, are blocked.
The headset will connue to transmit sounds at a safe volume.
Talk-through SA feature is NOT required to be acve to receive and transmit radio com-
municaons. When talk-through is not acvated the headset works simply as a passive
noise-reducing headset.

6
OPERATION
Downlead Cables
Most models of the NoizeBarrier TAC Headset have hard-wired downlead cables ready to
aach to your push-to-talk cable.
However, Models V4-10995FD and V4-11042FD have connectors for the downlead ca-
bles to allow you to remove cables when not in use. To aach a downlead cable to these
models, simply line up the cable with the connector on the headset and push to lock it in
place. To release, pull down on the collar on the cable to easily pull the cable away from
the connector.
Install the Batteries to Power the Talk-Through Functionality
(Figure 3-6)
The OTTO NoizeBarrier TAC headset uses baery or radio power to
operate the situaonal awareness/talk-through funcons. Baer-
ies are not required for radio communicaon.
1. Idenfy the rubberized baery covers on the ear cups.
2. With nger pressure, pry o the baery cover on one ear cup
(Figure 3).
3. Install a AAA baery, aligning the ‘+’ and ‘-‘ symbols on the
baery with the markings in the baery compartment.
4. To close the baery cover, start by inserng one end of the
cover into the baery compartment (Figure 4).
5. Slightly bend the cover and insert the other end into the
opposite end of the compartment (Figure 5).
6. Press the baery cover securely into place over the chamber
by applying pressure from the middle and moving outward
to the ends (Figure 6).
7. Repeat the operaon with the other ear cup.
8. When replacing baeries, be sure headset is o before
opening baery compartment.
(See instrucons on page 9).
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 6
Figure 5

7
Conguring the Boom Microphone (Figures 7 & 8)
The boom microphone is commonly worn on the le side
but can be installed on either the le or right ear cup. To
move the mic from one side to the other:
1. Idenfy and pull out the two-pin plug that aaches the
boom mic to the ear cup (Figure 7).
2. Unscrew the knurled screw that aaches the boom
assembly to the boom of the ear cup.
3. Remove the knurled screw from the locking clamp and
reverse it so that the clamp will posion the boom at the
outboard posion on the headset.
4. Posion the boom under the opposite ear cup, and thread the screw in to the ear cup.
5. Re-orient the boom so that the mic symbol faces the user’s mouth.
6. Tighten the knurled screw unl boom is secured.
7. Plug the two-pin plug into the jack at the back of the new ear cup. Note that the rubber
insert for the plug has an oset shape so that it will only insert in one direcon.
Wearing the Headset (Figure 9)
(Note: If mounng the headset to the helmet with the op-
onal Rail Mounng Kit, please see instrucons beginning on
page 10.)
1. Idenfy the le and right ear cups. The Power/Volume
buons are on the le ear cup.
2. Place the headset over the head.
3. Adjust ear cup height by pulling or pushing on the cups
unl the ear seals are securely posioned over the ears.
Adjustment is accomplished by extending and contract-
ing the ear cup frames on either side of the ear cups
while holding the headband in place.
4. For eecve sound protecon, be sure that the ear seals
are completely sealed around the ear and obstacles such as
hair, jewelry, or clothing are out of the way.
Boom Mic Placement (Figure 10)
The boom is exible and has a length adjustment screw to ensure proper placement for
eecve communicaons.
1. Posion the boom microphone so that the micro-
phone is about ¼ inch from the mouth.
2. To adjust boom length, loosen the screw, posion
the mic at the desired length, and re-ghten.
3. Posion the mic element so that the mic symbol
on the boom faces directly toward the user’s
mouth.
Figure 7
Figure 9
Figure 10

8
Powering Up and Using the Talk-through SA Function (Figure 11)
1. Place the headset on your head.
2. Power up acve talk-through by pressing and holding
either the +or – buon on the le side of the headset
unl a long tone sounds to indicate that talk-through SA
is acve.
3. Volume + and – buons adjust the talk-through SA audio
for ve volume levels. A tone will sound when maximum
or minimum volumes are reached.
4. To power down the unit, press and hold either the +or –
buon on the headset unl a dierent long tone sounds to indicate that talk-through
SA is turned o.
Connecting to a Radio
The OTTO NoizeBarrier TAC headset can be used for radio communicaons regardless of
whether acve talk-through is powered. The headset may be congured to work with
single, dual or mulple radios or other communicaons devices.
Figure 11
Single Radio
1. Plug the connector on the headset cable into the Push-To-Talk (PTT) cable for
your two-way radio.
2. Aach the cable to the connector on the radio.
3. Turn on the radio.
4. Receive volume for radio communicaons is controlled by the volume controls
on the radio. The + and – buons on the headset only control the volume of the
situaonal awareness talk-through funcon.
5. Use the PTT controls for radio communicaons.
Dual Radio
1. Follow the above steps to aach the second cable to the communicaons device.
2. Sound from the radio or other device connected to the le side of the headset
will be heard in the le ear, and sound from the device connected to the right
side will be heard in the right ear.
Multiple Devices
1. Plug the headset into the OTTO Mul-Port Hub.
2. Refer to the OTTO Mul-Port Hub PTT Technical and Instrucon Manual for oper-
ang instrucons when using the Hub.
Note: The listening volume on the headset is controlled by the volume control on the
radio or other communicaons device. The + and – buon on the headset and on the
Hub only control the situaonal awareness talk-through funcon.

9
MAINTENANCE
Low Battery/Replacing Batteries
The OTTO NoizeBarrier TAC headset uses two AAA baeries to control situaonal awareness (talk-
through). Baeries are not required for radio communicaon. A low baery alert is emied when
about 30 minutes of baery power remains. The alert is indicated by a sequence of three short chirps
at two-minute intervals.
Replace the baeries following the Baery Installaon Instrucons on page 6. Be sure the headset is
powered o before replacing the baeries.
NOTE: If the OTTO Mul-Port Hub PTT is used with the OTTO NoizeBarrier TAC headset situaonal
awareness (talk-through) will be powered by the radio if the headset baeries are depleted or not
installed.
Replacing the Ear Seals (Figures 12-16)
The ear seals are mounted in a removable frame for easy replacement.
1. Remove the ear seal by sliding ngers under
the inside of the frame and pulling it straight
out with a rm moon.
2. The foam liner inside the ear seal will fall out.
Replace it with a new one.
3. Posion a new ear seal over the ear cup.
Align the TOP of the ear seal with the TOP
label inside the ear cup.
4. Press rmly to squeeze the ear seal into the
cup unl it snaps into place.
Figure 12 Figure 16Figure 15Figure 14Figure 13
Cleaning the Headset
• Use a so cloth to remove dirt and debris from the headset.
• Use a damp so cloth to wipe down the ear seals.
• DO NOT immerse the OTTO NoizeBarrier TAC headset in liquid for cleaning.
Storage
When not in use, store the headset in temperatures between -40° and +71°C.

10
USING THE HEADSET WITH OPTIONAL OTTO
NOIZEBARRIER TAC HELMET MOUNTING KIT
(Figures 12-16)
(Parts: C102359BK, C102359FD, C102359OD; C102365BK,
C102365FD, C102365OD)
The OTTO NoizeBarrier TAC headset can easily convert from over-the-head use to be
able to mount on helmet rails with the use of the oponal helmet
mounng kit. The helmet mount kit also includes a compartment
for a spare baery on each ear cup. Follow the steps below to con-
vert to rail mounng:
1. Idenfy the ear cup cross-over cable that runs along the rear
of the headband. Pull the cross-over cable out from under the
lip on the headband so that it hangs free (Figure 17).
2. Holding an ear cup with one hand, with the other hand rmly
grasp the plasc adjustment frame where it aaches to the
ear cup. Pull the adjustment frame o the pivot point on the
ear cup, being careful not to pull on the wire form poron of
the adjustment frame. The frame will unsnap from the reten-
on ball on the ear cup (Figure 18).
3. Repeat the operaon on the frame on the other side of the
same ear cup.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 on the other ear cup to fully remove
the headband.
5. Posion the rail mount over the ear cup and snap the rail
mount frames onto the pivot points on
the ear cups (Figure 19). NOTE: The spare
baery compartment on the rail mount
frames should be posioned at the top of
the frame.
6. Aach the other rail mount to the other
ear cup.
7. Slide the ear cups on to the rails as shown. They may be posi-
oned either on the top or rear rails. Be
sure that the cross-over cable sits at the
rear of the headset (behind the head)
and that the boom microphone faces
the front of the helmet (Figure 20).
8. To remove spare baery from the com-
partment, remove the helmet mount.
Holding the mount by its wire form, sharply strike the mount
into the palm of the hand with the baery facing the palm. The
baery will eject from the holder into the user’s hand (Figure
21).
Figure 17
Figure 19
Figure 18
Figure 20
Figure 21