On 6 Nov 2013, at 13:24, Remi Guerner wrote:
> Now I am thinking at the possible architecture of my future 8.33 installation.
It is very tempting to withdraw the intercom, therefore saving panel space and
making the wiring simpler, but I see one big drawback: controlling the intercom
function would be a lot more complicated
> BTW switching from the 25 to the 8.33 kHz modes with those new Garmin radios
is also a configuration task
Remi - my comments, for what they are worth!
I have just decided, based on recent comments in this forum, to delete the
intercom
---From my panel (which is not yet built, but exists as many drawing and wiring
diagrams, plus loose parts). I was originally planning to install a 25kHz
mode radio as I'd picked up one at a good price. However, the length of time
it's
taken me to build the aircraft means that I'll probably need a 8.3kHz radio
shortly after it's finished, so I decided to get one anyway and sell the other
one.
So, I've got a Funkwerk ATR833 now.
I made comparisons of the intercom capabilities between the PS Engineering PM
1000
II (also a second-hand bargain) and the internal one in the ATR833 and found
there was little to choose. The radio squelch is not directly accessible but
is quite easy - pressing one button changes the volume knob to act as squelch,
and it flips back to volume control after 10s inactivity. Intercom VOX setting
is reached by pressing the same button 3 times, but my experience with many
hired aircraft is that I very seldom need to adjust either the radio squelch
or the intercom VOX, once set up. There is a single VOX control for both P1 &
P2, but separate mic gain settings are available which could be useful if
headsets
do not match.
I looked at the ergonomics of several 8.33kHz radios and found that the ATR833
was the only one in my price bracket that automatically chooses between 25kHz
& 8.33kHz, depending on the numbers entered. You can also force it to 25kHz only
for slightly faster frequency entry (saves 1 digit), but the automatic mode
seems most user-friendly and avoids in-flight reconfig.
Of course, I have not yet flown with my proposed setup so its success remains to
be seen, but you may be interested in what led to my decisions.
in friendship
Rowland
| Rowland Carson ... that's Rowland with a 'w' ...
| <rowlandcarson@gmail.com> http://www.rowlandcarson.org.uk
| Skype, Twitter: rowland_carson Facebook: Rowland Carson
| pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/rowlandcarson
|