Icom IC A210 question

After a pause of many years do to health issues and life getting in the way, I am finally trying to finish the last 1-2% of my Zodiac XL_B project.  I did a lot of the panel work a decade ago but there it has sat since then.  I know I'm a fossil trying to resurrect a long dormant project but I have a question for anyone using an Icom IC A210. I installed one when when I was actively building but have yet to use it.

The radio has a built in intercom.  I can't tell from reading the manual but when you are in intercom mode and press the PTT, do you transmit and then return to intercom when the PTT is released?  Or do you have to switch between intercom and Communications before transmitting? Any other info that would be helpful?  I'm trying to decide if I need a external intercom.

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Permalink Reply by Bob Simmons on Tuesday

Assuming you didn't install a communications/intercom switch (never heard of anyone that did), it's automatic with PTT. The intercom is voice activated. It will work all the time once it's enabled in the menu. The radio only works with PTT.

Permalink Reply by Bob Simmons on Tuesday

Let me make that more clear. A PTT switch only does one thing electrically in standard installations. It applies a ground somewhere. What that ground does depends on your equipment and your wiring. Most simple two and four place airplanes use a voice activated intercom all the time. Icom allows you to select if you want to use voice activation or not. With voice activation, everyone is on a hot mic, where the intercom activates when they speak. So, they have no need for an intercom switch to use the intercom. The PTT simply keys the radio. But, in some cases, you may not want a voice activated hot mic intercom, because the audio from all headsets may go out on whatever radio or radios are keyed at the time. That can also happen when two occupants press PTT at the same time, whether you use voice activation or not. In those cases, you may want to use the radio/intercom switch to disable the PTT when not using the radio. However, in most small planes, if the passenger knows not to press the PTT unless they want to use a radio, and knows to be quiet when you're using the radio, a radio/intercom switch isn't necessary.

Permalink Reply by Tim Juhl on Tuesday

Heh...I did install the intercom / communications switch because it was on the wiring diagram.  My fear was that if you were using the intercom you had to switch to communications to use the radio.  As I understand it now, selecting communications with the switch disables the intercom which might be nice when flying solo or if you wish to avoid unwanted chatter while using the radio.  If I select Intercom, pushing PTT will transmit using  whatever mic is selected in the menu - otherwise the intercom is available.

Have you used the intercom in the A210?  If so, is it any good?  I use a Sigtronics in my Aeronca Champ.

Permalink Reply by Bob Simmons yesterday

Used one on a short flight with someone else. Didn't really get to play with it, but it seemed to work well. He was happy with it. Have an A200 in my truck because I live in an airpark and sometimes work airshows. Don't use intercom for that though.

Permalink Reply by Bob Simmons 4 hours ago

My bad. It's an A120 in my truck.

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