Abstract: A self-contained helmet communication system is arranged to support oral communication by sending sound waves to and receiving sound waves from an unequipped person positioned near a helmet wearer. The helmet communication system includes a protective helmet having an external microphone and speaker mounted on the helmet. The external microphone, responsive to sound waves external to the helmet, provides signals that are coupled to an internal speaker or earphone to provide a representation of the external sound waves to the wearer. An internal microphone, which is responsive to speech of the helmet wearer, provides signals representative of the helmet wearer's speech that are coupled to an external speaker. Additionally included is a signal coupler with dual audio amplifier channels to couple signals representative of external sound waves from the external microphone to the internal speaker, and to couple signals representative of speech of the wearer from the internal microphone to the external speaker.