ICOM A200 Intercom Hot Mike

[HansH]

A/C is fitted with an ICOM A200.
The previous owner modified the intercom so that it is live all the time, no need to press the PTT button.
Has anybody got any suggestions how to change back to the press to talk system?

[Aerosan]

Hi Hans, your post doesnt make sence? why would you need to press the PTT to talk over the intercom ? Do you mean to say that only the Intercom is live all the time? and that the PTT is still required to transmit?

If so what intercom do you have?

Cheers Sanna

[HansH]

This only applies to the intercom. there are two buttons on the stick, one for the VHF which operates normally.
The other button is for the intercom. Originally you had to press that button (intercom PTT) to talk to the other person in the
a/c. The intercom has been "hotwired" and the intercom is live all the time ie you don't have to press the intercom
button to talk because every sound made is transmitted on the intercom automatically by the mike and that includes the
engine noise.

[Aerosan]

Mmmm OK what intercom do you have?

[ZULU1]

The ICA200 as you correctly describe has a "Hot intercom" and this is acceptable if used with high end headsets. Units that are not noise canceling, other radios are similar such as the Microair. The new series Icom ICA210 has a Vox function. This is the reason Vernon was struggling to set this up. It would be advisable to purchase a suitable intercom thats compatible with your headsets such as a Sigtronics, PS engineering or similar and that correctly set up will sort you out. Obviously the headsets need to be of acceptable quality.

But effectively a ICA 200 is a step up from a hand held and really requires a intercom tacked on. They are really good radios and are about the only that are immune from GPS, Transponder sourced interference.