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Radio/Comm issue! Grounding airplane from flying... HELP!

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psm(at)att.net
Guest

Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2012 4:43 pm Post subject: Radio/Comm issue! Grounding airplane from flying... HELP!

Hi Chad,



I'm going to guess you have a mediocre connection between the radio and 

either power or ground.  This is easy to verify if there are any lights 

or other indicators on the radio.  If the power is flaky and you key the 

radio the lights might dim or go out.



Other than that I would suggest you remove the wiring harness from the 

radio and double check each connection.  Wiggle the wires and see if 

they move.  If you get desperate, rewire all the connectors. This will 

probably require some new pins and maybe new connectors.



Good luck,



Paul

Camas, WA

Zodiac XL just signed off, collecting hangar dust in the lousy weather.



On 11/4/2012 4:06 PM, SIDESLIP wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   



 Hello all. Just purchased a Homebuilt Zodiac 601XL-B. Rotax 912ULS powered. A200 Radio, Flightcom 403 intercom. Aero flash strobes. The radio is intermittently squealing and tower cannot understand my transmissions. Tried both engine running and not running. Intermittent either way. When it is working, I get 5/5. When it begins squealing, 0/0. Previous owner said he had the same issue with cheaper headsets. Radio worked great, then it didn't. I'm using David Clark 13.2s's. The previous owner has a portable wired in as well, telling me that he's had issues in the past. There is a falcon T/B gyro, Garmin transponder and aero flash strobes. When the strobes are on, the pop of the flash comes thru headsets. I'm really stuck! Bought this plane, and now can't fly it! The rest of the plane is great,, ending runs PERFECT..... But this radio issue has me beat! HELLLP!



 Chad



 --------

 C-GYXQ. 912ULS. 601XL-B





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 http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=386767#386767





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SIDESLIP

Joined: 14 Oct 2012
Posts: 78
Location: CYOO

Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2012 5:33 pm Post subject: Re: Radio/Comm issue! Grounding airplane from flying... HEL

Paul;



There is also a handheld wired into the PTT/COMM, but it has its own antenna. Wonder if that's causing an issue? There are two switches on panel for send/receive for the handheld. Wonder if noise is entering there??



Chad

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_________________
C-GYXQ. 912ULS. 601XL-B

jaybannist(at)cs.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2012 5:42 pm Post subject: Radio/Comm issue! Grounding airplane from flying... HELP!

Chad,

 

 I suggest you ask your question on aeroelectric-list(at)matronics.com.  There are guys on that forum that can help you.

 

 Jay

    

  

     

  

     

  

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SIDESLIP

Joined: 14 Oct 2012
Posts: 78
Location: CYOO

Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2012 6:09 pm Post subject: Re: Radio/Comm issue! Grounding airplane from flying... HEL

Could I move this thread easy?



Chad

_________________
C-GYXQ. 912ULS. 601XL-B

jaybannist(at)cs.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2012 6:15 pm Post subject: Radio/Comm issue! Grounding airplane from flying... HELP!

I suppose you could just copy and paste it on the aeroelectric forum.   

  

     

  

     

  

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SIDESLIP

Joined: 14 Oct 2012
Posts: 78
Location: CYOO

Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2012 6:22 pm Post subject: Re: Radio/Comm issue! Grounding airplane from flying... HEL

Just did it. Thanks!



Chad

_________________
C-GYXQ. 912ULS. 601XL-B

zman601xl(at)AOL.COM
Guest

Posted: Mon Nov 05, 2012 4:27 pm Post subject: Radio/Comm issue! Grounding airplane from flying... HELP!

Chad,

 I had a similar issue with my Icom A210 radio.If I put my mouth to close to the mic it would really squeal bad.I went to the menu and adjusted the mic gain.That helped my problem.

                                                                  Bob Haring N107RW(CH601XLB)

    

  

     

  

    zman601xl(at)aol.com

  

     

  

     

  

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SIDESLIP

Joined: 14 Oct 2012
Posts: 78
Location: CYOO

Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2012 8:14 am Post subject: Re: Radio/Comm issue! Grounding airplane from flying... HEL

Bob;



I don't believe that there is a menu selection in the A200 for gain. An AME pulled the radio today and is sending it for bench testing. Hopefully this is something simple! Getting really frustrated! Spent all this money on this airplane, and now can't fly it! Sucks!!!



Stay tuned....



Thanks Bob!

Chad

_________________
C-GYXQ. 912ULS. 601XL-B

SIDESLIP

Joined: 14 Oct 2012
Posts: 78
Location: CYOO

Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2012 8:15 am Post subject: Re: Radio/Comm issue! Grounding airplane from flying... HEL

Bob.....



When your radio squealed, did the transmission also squeal and become unreadable?



Chad

_________________
C-GYXQ. 912ULS. 601XL-B

zman601xl(at)AOL.COM
Guest

Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2012 4:55 pm Post subject: Radio/Comm issue! Grounding airplane from flying... HELP!

Chad,

 When I transmitted the guys on the ground heard it (I was doing my initial flight).What I did initially was to put the mike farther away from my mouth.That worked until I adjusted the gain.I hear you about your frustration.I was ready to install my wings when the" upgrade was published"

                                                                           Bob

    

  

     

  

    zman601xl(at)aol.com

  

     

  

     

  

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SIDESLIP

Joined: 14 Oct 2012
Posts: 78
Location: CYOO

Posted: Tue Nov 06, 2012 5:16 pm Post subject: Re: Radio/Comm issue! Grounding airplane from flying... HEL

Oh no! All that way, only to have to rip them apart again! Yikes! As for my squeal.... It squeals immediately when pushing the PTT. No talking nesassary. 



Chad



I should have an answer about the bench test tomorrow around noon. Stay tuned.

_________________
C-GYXQ. 912ULS. 601XL-B

SIDESLIP

Joined: 14 Oct 2012
Posts: 78
Location: CYOO

Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 12:20 pm Post subject: Re: Radio/Comm issue! Grounding airplane from flying... HEL

Well...... Radio seems fine. Only thing that was out of whack was the sidetone. Apparently it was set really high. Not sure if that has any effect or not. 



Getting radio back on Friday.... So, we will see. Guess its time to move on to other possibilities..... :-/



Chad

_________________
C-GYXQ. 912ULS. 601XL-B

SIDESLIP

Joined: 14 Oct 2012
Posts: 78
Location: CYOO

Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2012 8:25 pm Post subject: Re: Radio/Comm issue! Grounding airplane from flying... HEL

 	  zman601xl(at)AOL.COM wrote: 	
		  Chad,

 I had a similar issue with my Icom A210 radio.If I put my mouth to close to the mic it would really squeal bad.I went to the menu and adjusted the mic gain.That helped my problem.

          ï¿½            ï¿½           ï¿½            ï¿½           ï¿½     Bob Haring N107RW(CH601XLB)

    

  

     

  

    zman601xl(at)aol.com

  

     

Bob;



So, fellas,



I figured I'd start a new thread about this, since I have narrowed the issue down.



So, the A200 was bench tested, and tested out fine. The only item that seemed out of whack, was the side tone, which was set VERY high. I cleaned the terminals on the back of the radio prior to install. I tightened the radio into its tray firmly, and proceeded to test. The squeal seemed to be gone on 129.10, both with engine running, and without. This problem I BELIEVE is definitely a squelch problem. I transmitted the squeal, and while mid transmit, unplugged the mic cord. The squeal stopped immediately. Then I tried messing with different volume/squelch settings on the flightcom. To no avail, squeal still present....



Here is where it gets weird.... I pulled the mic away from my face, NO MORE SQUEAL! Well, very very little, and when I tapped the mic, it tried to come back, but then faded. So, I figured, let's try the tower. I turned my head looking over my right shoulder, and ZERO squeal. When I am facing straight ahead, and get it to squeal, while it is mid squeal, I cover the mic with my hand, and it deadens it considerably! 



IF this was wiring, here is how I disprove that theory....



The handheld transmits and receives PERFECTLY and gives 5/5 no matter what! Worked seamless. Flip back to the A200, and squeal! Keep in mind, the handheld is wired into the flightcom as well, and shares all of the same wiring as the A200! So, the final question........ Could this be as simple as the mic gain on the 200? With the engine running, there is zero interference from the engine. On BOTH radios. I think that this proves that the grounds are good, wiring is good and the flightcom is good. I still get the strobe POP when they fire, but I get that SAME pop in the Cessna 172M I fly! So, that is an acceptable noise for me. And since a certified very high dollar factory built airplane has strobe noise, I'm not too concerned about this one. It really is quiet. So...... MIC GAIN, OR NOT TO MIC GAIN ADJUST? Or try changing antennas? Thoughts? After changing the side tone, it is MUCH better. Still not acceptable, but it DID get better. I've read a lot of people suggesting to adjust the mic gains, with great results for them, yet others say it won't do a thing. It is DEFINITELY feedback like you'd hear from an amplifier too close to an electric guitar. 



I feel that I'm right on the edge of solving this problem.....I'm thinking, that if I can change antennas and that resolves it, it may be as simple as a faulty antenna, or maybe even not the right one?



It's would be great to hear some feedback from the pro Bob Nuckolls.

Thanks in advance!!!



Chad Scriver



  

     

  

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_________________
C-GYXQ. 912ULS. 601XL-B

SIDESLIP

Joined: 14 Oct 2012
Posts: 78
Location: CYOO

Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2012 8:27 pm Post subject: Re: Radio/Comm issue! Grounding airplane from flying... HEL

Which way do you turn the mic gain pot to lower it? Do we have to lower it much? Clockwise looking down at the top of the case, or counter clockwise?



Thanks Bob



Chad

_________________
C-GYXQ. 912ULS. 601XL-B

zman601xl(at)AOL.COM
Guest

Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2012 5:38 pm Post subject: Radio/Comm issue! Grounding airplane from flying... HELP!

Chad,

 Google IC-A210 Radio instruction manual.I believe it's page 20 where it shows how to access the menu,and that will guide you to the mic gain 1 & 2 adjustments.The adjustment range is -10 to plus 10.I had to play around with it to get it right.All the radio adjustments are done with the radio control knobs.I'm not familiar with the A200 radio.I'm assuming that it is an earlier model.I didn't check, is there a manual for the A200 that you can access on the web?Anyways, good luck ,and keep us up to date on your progress.

 

                                                                         Bob H

                                                             

    

  

     

  

    zman601xl(at)aol.com

  

     

  

     

  

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SIDESLIP

Joined: 14 Oct 2012
Posts: 78
Location: CYOO

Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 6:19 am Post subject: Re: Radio/Comm issue! Grounding airplane from flying... HEL

Bob;



The A200 doesn't have any programmable settings in the actual menus. Must be done thru the pots on the top I believe. 



Chad

_________________
C-GYXQ. 912ULS. 601XL-B

zman601xl(at)AOL.COM
Guest

Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 5:31 pm Post subject: Radio/Comm issue! Grounding airplane from flying... HELP!

Chad,

 Your right.I dowloaded the A-200 service manual,and it shows the adjustment pots.Looks like the top access panel is off.I don't know what to tell you .Maybe the initial setup (parameters ) has to be done on a bench mockup.

                                                      Bob

    

  

     

  

    zman601xl(at)aol.com

  

     

  

     

  

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SIDESLIP

Joined: 14 Oct 2012
Posts: 78
Location: CYOO

Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2012 6:09 pm Post subject: Re: Radio/Comm issue! Grounding airplane from flying... HEL

Bob;



There are pots accessible from top of unit under some stickers to access the pots for adjustment. Just not sure what to adjust first.... Lol



Thanks!



Chad

_________________
C-GYXQ. 912ULS. 601XL-B

zman601xl(at)AOL.COM
Guest

Posted: Wed Nov 14, 2012 10:25 am Post subject: Radio/Comm issue! Grounding airplane from flying... HELP!

Chad,

 I would just find the right pot and  start experimenting.Good Luck.

 

                                                      Bob

    

  

     

  

    zman601xl(at)aol.com

  

     

  

     

  

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SIDESLIP

Joined: 14 Oct 2012
Posts: 78
Location: CYOO

Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2012 5:25 pm Post subject: Re: Radio/Comm issue! Grounding airplane from flying... HEL

Swapped antennas. Just changed the connections at the antennas, and was able to transmit from the apron to an in flight aircraft over 25miles away! The twiggy looking coat hanger style antenna under the fuselage works like a charm! The handheld works fine on the antenna that the A200 didn't like. Still need to flight test the final result, but all appears resolved....... Go figure!



Chad

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