---------------------------------------------------------- Avionics-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Mon 06/19/06: 4 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 04:23 AM - Re: Dual Comm Transmitter Problem (Noel Loveys) 2. 04:26 AM - Re: Dual Comm Transmitter Problem (Noel Loveys) 3. 06:06 AM - Re: Dual Comm Transmitter Problem (Hopperdhh@aol.com) 4. 08:31 AM - Re: Dual Comm Transmitter Problem (John) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 04:23:27 AM PST US From: "Noel Loveys" Subject: RE: Avionics-List: Dual Comm Transmitter Problem --> Avionics-List message posted by: "Noel Loveys" If the hams in your area aren't listed under ARRL in the yellow pages try asking at an electronics shop. there may even be a shop in your area that specializes in selling amateur radio equipment. That would be another good place to start. Noel V01 PL -----Original Message----- [mailto:owner-avionics-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of ECLarsen81@aol.com Sent: Monday, June 19, 2006 12:39 AM Check the yellow pages for your local chapter of the ARRL, they are listed in mine, may be in yours as well. They can put you in touch with registered ham's. Ed Larsen In a message dated 6/18/2006 10:59:33 PM Eastern Daylight Time, joplin1@charter.net writes: I want to thank all of you for your help. I think a VSWR check might be a good place to start. I am not sure how to locate a 'ham' radio operator in my area. ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 04:26:38 AM PST US From: "Noel Loveys" Subject: RE: Avionics-List: Dual Comm Transmitter Problem --> Avionics-List message posted by: "Noel Loveys" You are right in suspecting the Lightspeed Aux input. I did a bit of work on a Bell 206 L that was having intermittent problems with it's HF transmitter. The problem was traced to a loose ground in a unit called a Cellset. This was basically a unit that allowed the cell phone to be wired into the audio panel. The surprising thing is that a few hours before the Cellset had been returned form the repair depot where it had been repaired of another problem. The problem with the Cellset was internal. Your problem may also be. Noel > -----Original Message----- > From: owner-avionics-list-server@matronics.com > [mailto:owner-avionics-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of John > Sent: Monday, June 19, 2006 12:24 AM > To: avionics-list@roxy.matronics.com > Subject: Re: Avionics-List: Dual Comm Transmitter Problem > > > --> Avionics-List message posted by: "John" > > I want to thank all of you for your help. > > I think a VSWR check might be a good place to start. I am > not sure how to locate a 'ham' radio operator in my area. I > will give Radio Shack a call tomorrow. Maybe they can > provide me with a good source. > > All of you have stressed the importance of good coax > connectors and clean tight grounds where the antennas attach > to the aircraft. That will be my next step. I will save the > harness re-wire as a last resort. > > I have tried three different headsets ... the two SoftComm > headsets that came with the aircraft and a LightSPEED QFRXCCc > which I purchased in November. I made a few cell phone calls > using the Aux Audio Input feature of the LightSPEED. I can > receive the dial-up ASOS weather reports anywhere in the > country loud and clear. Somehow, the cell phone antenna is > strong enough to ring the number, but too weak to carry on a > conversation. The answering party reports heavy static and > broken transmissions. I hope my cell phone experiment didn't > damage anything. I started having the radio problems about > the same time I used the Aux Audio Input feature of the LightSPEED. > > It is going to take me awhile to do the trouble shooting, but > I will report everything I learn it to the list. > > John > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 06:06:03 AM PST US From: Hopperdhh@aol.com Subject: Re: Avionics-List: Dual Comm Transmitter Problem --> Avionics-List message posted by: Hopperdhh@aol.com To locate a local ham, look for a house with an "antenna farm"! Many hams these days have the MFJ-259B which is a very good tool for checking VSWR across the VHF band. This is a very easy test to do. One only needs to plug the coax from the antenna into the unit and turn a knob. I haven't read all of this thread, but my Lightspeed 20XLs will NOT work with a cell phone into the aux input. I believe it is due to the RF from the cell phone's transmitter causing interference to the circuitry of the headsets. Mine changed with location of the cell phone with respect to the headsets. If I could have gotten the phone 20 feet away from the headsets it would have probably been OK. I worked with Lightspeed (over the phone) when first having them "upgraded" about 2 years ago for several weeks before giving up. Personally, I liked the Lightspeeds better before having them overhauled. Having said that, Lightspeed was more than willing to try to help, and offered to convert them back. I decided to let it ride for a while and see if they came up with a solution and ended up just forgetting about it. Dan Hopper K9WEK Walton, IN In a message dated 6/19/2006 7:24:50 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, noelloveys@yahoo.ca writes: In a message dated 6/18/2006 10:59:33 PM Eastern Daylight Time, joplin1@charter.net writes: I want to thank all of you for your help. I think a VSWR check might be a good place to start. I am not sure how to locate a 'ham' radio operator in my area. ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 08:31:42 AM PST US From: "John" Subject: Re: Avionics-List: Dual Comm Transmitter Problem --> Avionics-List message posted by: "John" I have tried two of my SoftComm headsets as well as the LightSPEED. The headset doesn't seem to be the problem. My KLX135A and KY97A still send out weak, scratchy transmissions with a max range of about 15 miles. Both receivers are excellent under all conditions. Actually, my LightSPEED-cell phone hookup works OK on the ground with the engine at idle RPM. I assume that all of the aluminum between me and the relay towers degrades my cell phone antenna output when I reach altitude. But, it is strong enough to dial out and hold a connection with a phone on the ground. The cell phone reception is excellent, but my transmissions are mostly static and unreadable. Also, my super loud Lycoming IO-540 engine noise needs to be filtered out of my mike transmissions. I do get the static you talk about when I move my cell phone close to the headset battery box, but it isn't bad when I put the phone a couple of feet away on the opposite side of the cockpit . The reason I mentioned my cell phone experiment was because I was concerned that I might have damaged something in the aircraft VHF comm circuit. I'm sure one of you would have mentioned that possibility if it is something that should be looked at. Both radios have bench checked good. ----------------------------- Dan wrote: my Lightspeed 20XLs will NOT work with a cell phone into the aux input. I believe it is due to the RF from the cell phone's transmitter causing interference to the circuitry of the headsets. Mine changed with location of the cell phone with respect to the headsets. If I could have gotten the phone 20 feet away from the headsets it would have probably been OK. -------------------------- Noel wrote:You are right in suspecting the Lightspeed Aux input. I did a bit of work on a Bell 206 L that was having intermittent problems with it's HF transmitter. The problem was traced to a loose ground in a unit called a Cellset. This was basically a unit that allowed the cell phone to be wired into the audio panel. The surprising thing is that a few hours before the Cellset had been returned form the repair depot where it had been repaired of another problem. The problem with the Cellset was internal. Your problem may also be.