Bad Ambient Noise in Comm Mic

by Carl Orton

Nov 15

My comm (iCom A200) works just fine. However, my Cruzer generates so much background noise with the engine, rushing air, any fuse noise, etc., that in flight my comms have a LOT of background noise. The tower *can* understand me, but they do note the background noise.

I'm running my headset into a flightcom portable intercom. I have not tried to talk without the intercom, so I have no idea if I'm picking up both mics, adding to the issue or what....

Has anyone else had similar issues? Any suggestions on reducing background noise? My headset is an old Lightspeed 20XL2 ANR that I love; never had issues in certified aircraft.

Thanks for any suggestions....

  • up

    Perry Hyden

    Mine is noisy too.  I have a Microaire 760 with built in intercom. Foam muff on the mic. Lots of ambient noise coming through.

    My buddy was with me and couldn't use his Lightspeed Zulu because of the noise, had to use an old David Clark. I'm not sure if my radio in bad. I've tried adjusting the setting on the radio, not having much luck.

    on Saturday

    • up

      Bob Simmons

      First, try it without the intercom, to see if that is an issue. Then try a different headset, and see if that changes anything. Don't hook up a second headset when you do this.

      What kind of cable do you have going to your antenna? Cheap RG-58 cable can cause lots of noise problems. It should be RG-400 or better. But if the problem is ambient noise only, this likely isn't the cause.

      What do you mean by any fuse noise?

      If it's only background noise coming through the mic, a foam mic muff would be the first step.

      If push comes to shove, there are microphones and intercoms out there designed for high noise environments. I haven't seen anyone post a user experience with them though.

      2

      on Monday

      • up

        Dave Geiling

        May not be relevant, but I had a similar issue with my MGL V16 radio (has a built-in intercom) where the squelch setting had to be increased significantly to prevent the mike from turning on at engine full power.  My 601 is extremely noisy, straight pipes on a Jabiru 3300, and zero cockpit insulation or padding.

        Also I noted on the A200 user instructions the use of a "communication/intercom" switch that had to be switched in order to transmit??

        2

        on Tuesday