Intercoms and audio panels

[LettersFromFlyoverCountry]

I'm digging Stein's article in this month's Kitplanes on audio panels and intercoms.

I want to make sure I have it right. The issue in planning a panel is intercom OR audio panel, right?

As I understand it, the functions of, say, the low-end PS Engineering intercom for homebuilts (I can't remember the model name) are INCLUDED in the more robust audio panels. Yes?

If this is indeed the case, there any conceivable scenario where one would install a separate intercom AND an audio panel?

Sorry for the dumb question but... well... you know.

[n5lp]

Originally Posted by Bob Collins

is there any conceivable scenario where one would install a separate intercom AND an audio panel?...

Bob, It was common to have a separate intercom and audio panel in the earlier days of intercoms. Usually the audio panel was already there and an intercom was added. Today, installing from scratch, it would be a complication that I can't think of a good reason for.

Even my, almost free, RST audio panel/intercom works well.

[Bob Axsom]

My Terra audio panel with built in intercom (and marker beacon receiver) works well. There is no way I would buy a stand alone intercom.

Bob Axsom

[Tram]

This post kinda makes me wonder if we should unload our PM1000II and pick up a better audio panel..

We bought our RV used and the intercom in it is not what we would have put in ourselves..

[gmcjetpilot]

If you are going to get an audio panel (one with a good VOX intercom) than yes, why get a stand alone intercom. But why an audio select panel at all. How many coms do you have? The main function of an audio panel is to select which transmitter you want to talk and listen to. The other buttons to listen to VOR, ADF, DME and MB are great, but do you have any of these items or need them? Are you going to have a speaker?


A typical VFR set-up, ONE Com and a GPS, does not need an audio panel. Even IFR many guys have only One Com, one that allows monitoring on two frequencies like the new ICOM or Garmin. Also with all the memories and freq data transfer from your GPS, one radio is all you need. You can only talk on one radio at a time. If you are going VFR or IFR w/ one transmitter, I don't see a big need for an audio panel. Not a put down, they are nice but we don't use speakers either.

The down side of a new Garmin or PS Engineering audio panel, they cost $1000 to $2600! Ouch. That is a lot of money to handle one Com,

One issue I see builder's having, even with one Com, is how to handle a warning tones. Com radios like the ICOM have several aux audio inputs for warning tones or what ever you want, so it's not a problem. The Garmin products are stingy with audio aux inputs, making it harder to deal with other inputs without an audio panel. Say you have a Garmin Com with no aux inputs, how do you handle 2 warning tones? You can make a simple 3 into 1 mixer, hidden under the panel with fixed settings. One channel for the Com audio and the other two channels for warning tones. This mixed audio feeds into the main audio input of the intercom. You don't need an audio panel. For music Intercoms usually have an exta aux input for music or whatever you want.

If going to upgrade to IFR later with a VOR and a 2nd Com, than an audio panel is a good idea. But the new audio panels from Garmin or PS Engineering start at $1000 or more. A good intercom is $200-$400.

[Tram]

Good post, George..

We don't fly the 6 IFR anyway so a simple intercom will work fine for us..

[vlittle]

Originally Posted by gmcjetpilot

If you are going to get an audio panel (one with a good VOX intercom) than yes, why get a stand alone intercom. But why an audio select panel at all. How many coms do you have? The main function of an audio panel is to select which transmitter you want to talk and listen to. The other buttons to listen to VOR, ADF, DME and MB are great, but do you have any of these items or need them? Are you going to have a speaker?


A typical VFR set-up, ONE Com and a GPS, does not need an audio panel. Even IFR many guys have only One Com, one that allows monitoring on two frequencies like the new ICOM or Garmin. Also with all the memories and freq data transfer from your GPS, one radio is all you need. You can only talk on one radio at a time. If you are going VFR or IFR w/ one transmitter, I don't see a big need for an audio panel. Not a put down, they are nice but we don't use speakers either.

The down side of a new Garmin or PS Engineering audio panel, they cost $1000 to $2600! Ouch. That is a lot of money to handle one Com,

One issue I see builder's having, even with one Com, is how to handle a warning tones. Com radios like the ICOM have several aux audio inputs for warning tones or what ever you want, so it's not a problem. The Garmin products are stingy with audio aux inputs, making it harder to deal with other inputs without an audio panel. Say you have a Garmin Com with no aux inputs, how do you handle 2 warning tones? You can make a simple 3 into 1 mixer, hidden under the panel with fixed settings. One channel for the Com audio and the other two channels for warning tones. This mixed audio feeds into the main audio input of the intercom. You don't need an audio panel. For music Intercoms usually have an exta aux input for music or whatever you want.

If going to upgrade to IFR later with a VOR and a 2nd Com, than an audio panel is a good idea. But the new audio panels from Garmin or PS Engineering start at $1000 or more. A good intercom is $200-$400.

A simple Sigtronics intercom is what I used on my 9A. To solve the problem of mixing other audio sources and warning tones, I developed the AMX-1A audio mixer, which is sold by www.aircraftextras.com. Look for the Vx Aviation logo.

Simple and effective, and the total cost is much lower than an audio panel.

V

[SteinAir]

Thanks Bob - Nice to know I at least have one reader out there! Although I wish I had a better way with words as you "perfessionals" do!

Anyway, simple answer is:

More than one radio (or a Nav AND a Comm such as an SL-30) - get an audio panel.

One Comm radio - get an intercom.

PSE does make the PMA-4000 whic is less than $800 (using ACS price). It has functions for 2 Navs, 2 Comms and has an intercom. Not a full blown audio panel, but we do end up installing quite a number of them in less complex panels. One thing to keep in mind is that lots of modern panels have lots of audio "thingy's" in them. EFIS's, Traffic, XM radio, Engine Monitors, etc.. Simple intercoms make this difficult as they have limited inputs whereas the higher end audio panels usually have many more. Or, PSE makes a REALLY NICE nifty little audio summing amplifier for combining multiple audio streams into one output called the PA-50. We've also started using those and man they are slick.

Hope that helps!

Cheers,
Stein.

[uk_figs]

Did not see the PM-50 on the PSE website, what exactly does it do?
Multiple audio outs are one of the issues I was wrestling with as there are audio alerts from the D-100, D-120, SL-30 and of course the audio and music from the 496. With the new Dynon HS34 I can sum the Dynons into one audio out and the PM3000 intercom I have can handle two mono inputs and one external stereo input (for the 496 audio out).
In failsafe only one of the mono inputs is active so you have to choose which connection you want in this mode.
Now I only have to figure out how to switch the wifes IPOD into the mix and I did find a small mixer used for motorcycles that accepts multiple stereo inputs. Is the PM-50 something that will help?

[Walt]

I have dual coms, AOA, 496 music/warnings and don't see any reason for an expensive "audio" panel that has half a dozen useless inputs, I use the PM3000 stereo intercom which works great. There is also a new PM3000A that has 2 audio inputs now which could easily handle 2 more inputs. I have the older model and just tied the audio out from the AOA onto the the headphone input (PM3000 out) and all works fine. Comm 1/2 is selected with a nice gold contact 4PDT toggle (audio, mic, 496 data, Ptt).