ATLANTIC SIGNAL PRESS RELEASE

ATLANTIC SIGNAL COMPLETING TWO MARITIME
VERSIONS OF MH180-H TACTICAL HEADSET SYSTEM
“Amphibious Assault” Waterborne Tactical Headset - Versions 1 and 2


September 19 , 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TOPEKA, KS (September 19, 2006) – Randall Hedrick, Director of Operations at Atlantic Signal, LLC, announced today the company is completing two maritime versions of their latest headset model – the MH180-H Tactical Headset System. “As far back as the mid-1990s we were receiving requests from certain military operations groups for a maritime version of our headset as an alternative to the products available from Davies/Selex in England. At that point, the portable radios available to the client were primarily urban radios that could not be exposed to water beyond surface swimming. Today many military organizations use the ruggedized version of the THALES PRC-148, a.k.a. MBITR, which is designed for use in up to 66 2/3 feet of water (20 meters). We have been working concurrently on two submersible headset system projects since early 2005; a) one design for use with 20 meter submersible radios and b) another design for use with urban radios that cannot be submerged in water.”

“Until now, the maritime headsets available primarily feature a stretchable nylon head strap configuration with a circular, rubber piece which encases a small speaker for receiving radio comms – all of which is designed to cover the operator’s ear. TX is accomplished through a waterproof/submersible microphone element mounted to an articulated boom arm. The push-to-talk is typically a cabled, barrel-shaped housing incorporating a switch to TX. These maritime systems are available for both waterproof/submersible portable radios as well as urban versions. Some models of urban portables are protected from water only to the extent of splash or rain exposure while others allow an operator to surface swim with the radio exposed for short periods of time. Davies/Selex provide a waterproof, protective bag for urban radios which allow an operator to take a normally splash proof or surface swim radio only – to depths up to and including 20 meters (66 2/3 feet)”, Hedrick explained.

“While the Davies/Selex models have been on the market for years, we set out to not only develop an alternative style of headset, but also a waterproof radio bag that was more user friendly/compatible with current styles of protective clothing/vests. The Davies/Selex headsets (a.k.a. the ‘OSK’ – Occasional Swimmer’s Kit and ‘ODK’– Occasional Divers Kit) have changed little if any over the past decade or so and certainly have compatibility issues with some operator’s gear. There is also another company, based out of Israel, who have developed maritime headsets but upon inspection, they appear to be little more than copies of the original Davies/Selex products. We have no desire to copy any company’s design.”

Hedrick continued, “Our goal was develop a headset that would withstand the pressure associated with water exposure at depths up to 20 meters along with a more user friendly push-to-talk assembly. Of course all of the screws, nuts and connectors used in our new submersible headset models are stainless steel, making them much less susceptible to the corrosive effects associated with exposure to saltwater. Like our standard headsets, the new ‘Amphibious Assault’ models utilize bone conduction for radio reception – leaving the user’s ears free to hear 360 degrees of his ambient environment. The microphone is an electret style designed for use in depths up to 20 meters. As mentioned earlier, the main competitor’s push-to-talk switch is housed in a cabled, barrel-style housing designed generally for continuous positioning in an operator’s hand/fist - depressing the switch with the thumb. We’ve developed a body mount PTT designed to allow an operator to simply reach over and grasp the entire PTT assembly in his hand and activate the PTT switch with the thumb. The assembly is ergonomically designed and feels natural in the user’s partially closed fist - when grasped. Additionally our PTT design eliminates the extra cable found on the competitor’s PTT assembly. Excess cables can be cumbersome and a potential hazard.”

“We have been working on our protective radio bag design with a U.S. company that specializes in the manufacturing of waterborne protective clothing and bags for both U.S and foreign military clients. Most of their products are rated for use up to and including 133 feet – literally doubling our requirement of 66 2/3 feet. Our bag is designed in such a manner that it can be attached to the wearer’s body at several different locations and types of clothing or protective equipment. Unlike the competition, we do not want to force a prospective client to purchase several different styles or sizes of protective bags depending on mission requirements and/or size of radio. Our protective bag will provide the operator the options-flexibility to utilize it for many differing radio sizes and position/affix the bag at various points on the body.”

Hedrick continued, “We estimate as high as 90% of the potential clientele for our submersible headsets own radios that cannot be subjected to underwater exposure – for those clients we will offer the protective bag. The remainder of the prospective client base own radios that were developed primarily for waterborne military operations and do not require a protective bag. Our design allows us to address both clients’ needs effectively”.

Hedrick stated that field trial and evaluation units are already in the field for use with maritime military radios and as quickly as the protective radio bag is completed they have a client in the southern U.S. prepared to purchase a large number of units to replace non-waterproof headsets destroyed during hurricane Katrina.

Photographs, detailed descriptions and purchasing specs for both versions of Atlantic Signal’s new maritime headsets will be available on the company’s website (www.atlanticsignal.com) soon.