Radio comms/fixed wings some tips

[ZULU1]

I have been watching the forum as well as Avcom comments (aggro) and the common factor is the comments that Microlight radio systems are "inferior".

We get many genuine calls from "trikers" wishing to improve systems with a very low budget which is very understandable.

Our policy now is if a radio is over a year old to return it to us for "inspection".

On receipt of these radios and in most cases "basket cases" covered in glue and in one case a while back a mounting screw in the battery itself.

But more concerning in most cases they are not set up correctly and the purpose of this thread is to help owners to set up their radios, this will go a short way to helping the situation:

Icom ICA 4

Not much you can do and will really never give any problems at all..

Icom ICA3/22

The small pin on the mic socket gives mega hassles, look down the hole and see if the small contact is still protruding, in most cases after about two years they become slack and need replacement. Apply some vaseline to the plug and treat carefully when inserting. They cause crackles in transmission. Ensure that the ANL is on. If used with a planes supply try to use the battery. Install a line choke on the feed line.

Icom ICA 5/23 series

The audio socket also has a problem and if you use the angle plug helps some what, this is standard Sony Video recorder plug and is easily available.

Ensure the ANL is on.

More importantly this radio is fitted with a ST (adjustable side tone feature). If set incorrectly and its obvious that most are because when we receive them they are set to default "6". This is a feature which allows the volume of the audio from the headsets to be adjusted which allows you to hear your own voice on transmission. When these little radios are used with intercoms this can cause a feedback "loop" and will give you a nice whistle when you transmit. Please check this before you fly again and see that its about 1 or 2.

See attached cutting from the Ica 5 manual on how to do it.

ICA 6/24 series

This radio has a very high transmission out, this can cause problems when used with older intercoms and is a result of the mic input circuitry.

It has the same adjustable ST feature as above and please adjust as per attached cutting from the manual. If you have problems with them working with a older style intercom, I am doing a service for a minimal charge of R50,00 (ex works) to change the software to allow them to work.

They also require a 11 volt power supply.

The pc board has a tendency to crack where the power comes in, this causes crackles.

Vertex standard Pilot 3

This is a good piece of kit, however it has the same ST (called headphone level) and is default on Menu Number 24 to value 6, adjust to say 1 or 2.

The screw in plug although looks impressive has a tendency not to make good contact, as a result I have been putting a small O ring under the seat.

Ensure the ANL is on.

The radio has a SMA (stupid idea) plug, I have been fitting with SMA antenna sockets as the SMA - BNC adaptors have a tendency to increase leverage, just a matter of time before we get a trashed unit. It has a built in power filter and will take power from the plane up to 15 volts.

VXA 200/710

No adjustment on side tone possible.


So chaps please take a look at the side tone and if maladjusted will drastically improve the transmission out with no decrease in performance.

Incidentally I use a ICA 4 (occasionally a ICA6); they just work and thank goodness that Icom hasnt dropped them from the range..
None in the country at the moment though.

Hope this helps a bit

eish Zulu1

[Ian]

Good info Sir !

I fly a T-Bird with an IC-A23 and found what made a huge difference is fitting a relay to the pilot side PTT that disconnects the co-pilots mike during Tx. The guys that I fly with claim I am very audible..

I also sometimes put my hand over the mike when I talk. I also have 2 foam covers on the mike.

Agree with Zulu1's comments regarding intermittent connections, I also have a ground (negative) on the BNC connector where it connects to the radio.. Solved my 'crackles'...

Cheers ian