Portable Intercoms

[Peter Collin]

What is is everyone using for portable intercoms and how do they work with a handheld? I have a PS Engineering Aerocom III, David Clark ANR headset and a ICOM A6 handheld radio. I get a fair amount of background noise in my very noisy T-Craft, no insulation whatsoever.

Thanks
Peter

[fearofpavement]

Re: Portable Intercoms

We've been using a David Clark portable intercom for several years. I believe it is the IC-200 model. A few things I really like about it:
1. It is a David Clark and has demonstrated the rugged reliability that I have experienced with all the David Clark products over the last 25 years.
2. It operates on two 9v batteries but only uses one at a time. ie if the battery goes weak in flight, by the flip of a switch you can go to the other battery and replace the dead one at your convenience (or even while the unit is in use if desired)
3. It does not require any tools to access the battery compartment. It has a knurled knob.
4. The battery life is very long. I probably install a new battery every 25 hours or so. (your results may vary)
5. It has a built in push to talk switch if you use it with a handheld
6. It has capability to plug into cig lighter power.
7. It has a battery indicator light that changes color according to battery strength and it gives plenty of warning of a battery going weak. ie hours not minutes.

Things I don't like about the intercom:
well, it's a short list. the cord that comes from the intercom to plug into the mike and headset jacks of the aircraft are extra and unneeded in the Tcraft. It would be nice if this was easily detachable to reduce cockpit clutter. Don't want to cut it off though as we have other aircraft we use it in...

When we purchased this intercom, there were so many choices that I was unsure as to which would best meet our needs. The David Clark intercom was more expensive than some but I knew it would work well so we went in that direction. There are probably other equally reliable units out there but which ones? We are happy with our decision and would repeat it.

[fearofpavement]

Re: Portable Intercoms

An add on to reference the question regarding how the intercom works with a handheld. It works fine with our Icom A4. I rarely use the radio in the Tcraft though. There is a cord available from Icom to go between the radio and the intercom. Hope this helps.

[NY86]

Re: Portable Intercoms

Is the background noise from the mic or the electrical system? If it's the mic, make sure it's right up against your lips. The noise canceling relys on the difference between the front and back signals.

The PS Engineering Aerocom III is probably the best portable you'll find, IMHO. They have a panel mount (500?) specially designed for noisy cocpits, IIRC.

[shawn coleman]

Re: Portable Intercoms

By Use a sigtronics portable in my f19 it's been in there nearly 15 years plugged into the cigarette lighter . Works pretty well with every headset I've tried , but now since I purchased a Zulu headset everything is beautiful I can't say enough good things about that headset in my opinion a Bose headset doesn't even compare but I guess I'm getting off subject of innercoms . So I guess after 15 years . I can't complain about the sigtronics it's pretty much an Energizer bunny in my opinion . Used to wish it would break just so I can upgrade to something more modern

[Peter Collin]

Re: Portable Intercoms

Thanks for the reply's. The background noise I hear is from the mic picking up the noise. I tried Oregon mic muffs but no improvements. My ANR Clarks are better than my plain Clarks. I talked to PS Engineering and Oregon they didn't have any solutions. I thought the PS was the best too, maybe I just have to live with the noise. It's ok with my ANR headset but not with the plain set.
As a last resort I have a loaner coming from Sigtronics to try, nice people to deal with.
I have prepared my wife for the possibility of getting a set of Bose, they are suposed to have very good noise cancelling mic's.
Thanks for your help I will keep you posted of my results.

Peter

[shawn coleman]

Re: Portable Intercoms

test a zulu first before you buy a bose
trust me

[fearofpavement]

Re: Portable Intercoms

Have you tried adjusting the gain on the microphone? Most of the David Clarks have adjustments for that. If you have your owners manual look in that. Otherwise call the company and they may be able to guide you through it. I tweaked a headset one time for a similar issue and problem was gone.

The adjustment screws are very small screws on the front of the mic. Sometimes there is a pair of them. Don't start twisting them until you get info on how to do it though. (Well, I guess you can if you want, that's just a suggestion)

[fearofpavement]

Re: Portable Intercoms

Regarding the Bose, I have used them and I am sure there are plenty of differing opinions but I don't think there is enough bang for their buck.

I personally prefer passive noise attenuation and presently use a David Clark H10-60. I also have an H10-40 that I put about 6000 hours on and then had it refurbished by the factory and use it for my students/passengers.

[Peter Collin]

Re: Portable Intercoms

According to David Clark there are no gain adjustments on the electret mic.

Peter