# Army Soldier Headset

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/army-soldier-headset/650769>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [February 19, 2013, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/army-soldier-headset/650769 "2013-02-19T04:30:19Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![IceQube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@IceQube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IceQube)\
**Post date:** [February 19, 2013, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/army-soldier-headset/650769/1 "2013-02-19T04:30:19Z")

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What headsets do US army soldiers usually wear? How do these headsets work? What’s the range of a headset? Where do soldiers put/wear the battery/receiver portion of the headsets?

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**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\
**Post date:** [February 19, 2013, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/army-soldier-headset/650769/2 "2013-02-19T17:59:41Z")

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The headsets just plug into the portable radio. Most often, no headset at all is worn. Most people just use one of [these](http://www.tacticalcommandstore.com/images/products/detail/MBITR_RSM.jpg). It is just a little speak and microphone worn on or around the shoulder.  
After that, soldiers may wear any variety of different headsets. You can find a ton of them [here](http://www.tacticalcommandstore.com/files/TCI_CATALOG_2012.pdf). (PDF Catalog).  
The headsets are not wireless. Since the headsets are just plugged into a radio, they do not require a battery. There _are_ some headsets that act similar to electronic firing range ear muffs, amplifying outside noise while still protected the ears from dangerous sound levels. Those take batteries, but the batteries are not necessary for communication/radio use. The most common radios carried by soldiers are [the MBITR](http://www.thalescomminc.com/datasheets/Thales%20JEM.pdf), and the [Harris](http://rf.harris.com/media/AN-PRC-152_M1_Web_tcm26-9021.pdf). These radios use rechargeable batteries that attach at the base of the device. The range of the radio varies with terrain and other factors.

More reading if you’re interested:

> **[AN/PRC-148](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AN/PRC-148)**
>
> The AN/PRC-148 Multiband Inter/Intra Team Radio (MBITR) is the most widely fielded handheld multiband, tactical software-defined radio, used by NATO forces around the world. The radio is built by Thales Communications, a subsidiary of the France-based Thales Group. The designation AN/PRC translates to Army/Navy Portable Radio used for two way Communications, according to Joint Electronics Type Designation System guidelines.
> The MBITR was developed by the United States Special Operations Command ...