[deltamike197]

My PS engineering 6000 (mfg for UPS AT as the SL-10 MS) intercom has stereo audio inputs and outputs. The other day I was flying and finally plugged in my Sandisk mp3 player to enjoy some music while working my airspeed calibration runs. I had the Sandisk volume set at maximum and had to have the volume on the PS 6000 at 3/4 maximum to hear the music at a low level. Also the music sounded a little distorted (not too surprising given the volume setting on the 6000). I was hoping that there would be a pot on the circuit board that I could adjust to increase the input sensitivity but couldn't find anything in the manual about it. The system is set up for stereo but right now I'm running the mono Sigtronics headset that I purchased during my "Cessna" days, I have the volume on the headset at maximum when doing the above test. The 6000 manual says it's ok to plug in mono headsets so I doubt that the system has been damaged in any way. Anyone have some words of wisdom on running mp3 and other audio input devices with aviation intercoms and audio panels? I assumed the audio inputs needed high level (not speaker level inputs) but maybe the Sandisk just doesn't have enough oomph. In the short term I plan to convert the mono headset to Stereo, long term I plan to purchase an ANR Stereo headset of excellent quality (and unfortunately price). Please advise. Thanks.

Dean Psiropoulos
RV-6A N197DM
Flying and finishing touches

 

[Pat Hatch]

Dean,

The obvious thing would be to plug in an AM/FM receiver or similar just to eliminate the possibility of the weak mp3 (could be an impedance mismatch with the Sandisk). Just in case you haven't thought of doing that ...otherwise, I would also try a different input cable, it may be a monaural vs. stereo issue...or borrow a stereo headset to eliminate that possibility. I have the same intercom and have never seen this low-volume problem.