Cell Phone / Intercom Interface - FREE

[African Grey]

Very Interesting from an American Blog I subscribe to....

"With over 3500 members on this group, I thought that at least a few of you might be interested in the results of some recent research I did. This pertains to using a cell phone in your airplane. Now before I go any further, please don't flame me with FCC regulations pertaining to NOT using a cell phone while airborne. I think that regulation was meant for airliners at 30,000 ft., and even if it includes little noisy ultralights at 1000 ft., it doesn't matter. . . . because I don't care. It's kind of like buying fireworks on the 3rd of July, and having to sign an affidavit that says you will not set them off in the borders of your state (since they are illegal). Right................

There are many devices that are designed to allow successful operation of a cell phone in an airplane. And of course, most of the advertising for these devices avoid telling you about using it while airborne. . . . they describe every other reason you might make a call while on the GROUND (but inside the airplane). But with a wink and a nod, we all know that their intention is to provide you with a device with which you COULD make an airborne phonecall, whether it be an emergency or not.

The sad fact is. . . . I have tried 3 of these devices, and none of them have proven to be successful. None of the ones I've tried will allow the party on the other end of your conversation to hear you, once you advance the throttle from idle (such as at cruise rpm). I have NOT tried any of them in the air. . . . yet. . . . . as there is no reason to continue when I find out that it won't work while sitting in my plane on the taxiway, simply running my engine up. Now for you guys that are flying spam cans, with overall less cabin noise, you MIGHT have better success, but I would have my doubts.

There IS a happy ending to this story, and if you already have an intercom, it won't cost you a penny. I can't even take credit for the solution, but I'll share it with you. I found the following information in a forum. . .can't remember where. . . talking about cell phones in aircraft. One of the members suggested this. . . as an alternative to a fancy-shmancy cell phone adapter.

First, you plug in your "hands-free" cord to your cell phone. . . . you know. . . the thingy that has an earbud and an inline microphone, separated by about 6" of cord. Plug your earbud into an ear (if you have stereo earbuds, use only one, or you won't be able to be hear your radio). Then, wrap the excess cord around your ear until the microphone will be able to hang in the vicinity of the center of your ear. Then, put your regular headset on, being careful to keep the microphone inside the earcup of your headset. Turn on your intercom. Now, when you make or receive a call, you will be able to hear the caller, since the earbud is in your ear. And the caller can hear YOU, since the cell phone microphone is inside the earcup, next to the headset speaker, which will broadcast your voice as you speak into the headset microphone. You likely will only hear yourself and your aviation traffic in the ear without the earbud. The earbud microphone has the benefit of the noise suppression of your headset. I sat on my tractor with the throttle wide open, and my wife could hear me very clearly, as I did her. My tractor is louder than my Tiger Cub, so I think I'm good to go. Just figured somebody might like this information.

Fly Safe

[Big-D]

Very clever!!

[vernon11]

Thanks, will try it on the runway.
Vernon

[African Grey]

Max - "The American" said he chatted to some mates of his, they weren't even aware he was flying as it was so quiet...!

Nice back up if your radio fails on a long journey....!

Will give it a test on Saturday en-route to Springs for their Brekkie......

[Triker]

good afternoon guys
I personally struggle to figure out why any pilot would like to talk on his cellphone while flying... Given the credit to the invention described above. Its like camping in a remote bushcamp with a radio playing in the background, breaking that beautiful silence of the bushveld and crackling of the fire.

Now just before you bombard me with things like... emergencies or wife calling asking you to pick up something on your way back. Think about the all big reason why you are flying. Enjoyment. Talking on a cellphone? Not so enjoyment.

Just a thought crossing my mind. Use it, dont use it.
Cheers

[Biggles]

good afternoon guys
I personally struggle to figure out why any pilot would like to talk on his cellphone while flying... Given the credit to the invention described above. Its like camping in a remote bushcamp with a radio playing in the background, breaking that beautiful silence of the bushveld and crackling of the fire.

Now just before you bombard me with things like... emergencies or wife calling asking you to pick up something on your way back. Think about the all big reason why you are flying. Enjoyment. Talking on a cellphone? Not so enjoyment.

Just a thought crossing my mind. Use it, dont use it.
Cheers

I think the more options you have the better. And I have frequently wanted to call someone if the weather was good too meet me at an airstrip for a flip. I think its a clever elegant solution, and I bet you could rig it permanent in your headset.

[RV4ker (RIP)]

good afternoon guys
I personally struggle to figure out why any pilot would like to talk on his cellphone while flying... Given the credit to the invention described above. Its like camping in a remote bushcamp with a radio playing in the background, breaking that beautiful silence of the bushveld and crackling of the fire.

Now just before you bombard me with things like... emergencies or wife calling asking you to pick up something on your way back. Think about the all big reason why you are flying. Enjoyment. Talking on a cellphone? Not so enjoyment.

Just a thought crossing my mind. Use it, dont use it.
Cheers

I think the more options you have the better. And I have frequently wanted to call someone if the weather was good too meet me at an airstrip for a flip. I think its a clever elegant solution, and I bet you could rig it permanent in your headset.

At FL075 I make all my business calls for the day. A bit like my car kit without having to dodge the taxi's. I am contactable and if managed it is a business tool which adds huge value. When I go "play" I often don;t even take a headset.... never mind blueteeth...

[John Young]

Hi,

I got a blue tooth dongle from ZULU1.

Perfectly clear to both parties in an open cockpit even at 105mph.

Very happy.

Regards
John ZU-sEXY

[Triker]

ok guys. Im now convinced. Fair comments and valid points

[mike-echo-charlie]

i suppose the same would go for a bluetooth headset instead of having the wired walk and talk?

[Horned Adder]

Okay I need something for my iPhone 5. I would like to connect it to my DC Heli headset!!

[Madman]

It's a five year old post

[Induna]

Hi

With the newer generation of headsets on the market, it is possible to connect your phone dircetly to the headset via bluetooth. My Lightspeed Zulu 2's work great with my phone and voice quality is very good...

Jacques

[Horned Adder]

It's a five year old post

Madam I may look STUPID but I am not that stupid

Hi

With the newer generation of headsets on the market, it is possible to connect your phone dircetly to the headset via bluetooth. My Lightspeed Zulu 2's work great with my phone and voice quality is very good...

Jacques

Jacques I already have a brand new DC headset I believe there is a PA 86 something on the market but for the life of me I cannot find it locally???

[Madman]

It's a five year old post

Madam I may look STUPID but I am not that stupid

Horn Adder, I will take your word for it