Listening to a 2nd frequency using a tranceiver

[Guest Robw]

Hi,

 

We have got only one radio in our plane. I'd like to be able to listen to the area frequency to be aware of the commercial flights, but use as active frequency the CTAF frequency as the area the I fly in most, is dotted with CTAF fields.

 

Does anyone know if one could connect a tranceiver, or a scanner to the headset cable while still connected to the aircraft's radio?

 

Cheers,

 

Rob

 

 

[Guest pelorus32]

G'day Rob,

 

The simplest answer to that is the Garmin SL40 VHF that lets you do just that. Costs money though!

 

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=197&pID=6440

 

Regards

 

Mike

 

 

[slartibartfast]

The Microair 760-P now has this feature.

 

If you have an earlier 760, I think you can send it to them and have it upgraded.

 

 

[robinsm]

Listening to 2nd frequency

 

Try the XCOM 760. Monitoring a second channell comes as a standard feature of this transceiver. Great radio

 

Cheers

 

Maynard

 

 

[Guest brentc]

Just for your info, the Microair 'upgrade' is actually a replacement radio. The radio is effectively traded in for a new one, so you don't get your old one back.

 

The Microair, Xcom, new Icom and Garmin all have this functionality now which is good. Atleast they are all catching up with each other.

 

 

[slartibartfast]

Thanks brentc.

 

Rob, closer to what you originally had in mind might be the FlightCell Pro from NZ.

 

It can be used to interface to just about any communications device.

 

I want its little brother, the FlightCell 2go to connect my mobile but no-one has made an interface cable for the JasJam yet.

 

Ross

 

 

[bushcaddy105]

Another idea which is worth considering:- If you have a pocket scanner, make up a lead to connect its headphone output to an audio input on your intercom. It will then work similarly to the dual watch transceivers, with the exception of not being able to set a priority frequency. If the channels are busy, you'll get them both at once, so use the volume to set the secondary frequency to be in the background. Turn it up if anything interesting comes in!

 

 

[vk3auu]

If you have an intercom there is generally an input socket somewhere that does this for you.

 

David

 

 

[Guest Robw]

My transceiver does have an audio output. So I need to check if the intercom has an input socket. If not, than I might persue the flightcell option.

 

Thanks for all your advice,

 

Rob

 

 

[Yenn]

What is an intercom?

 

 

[robinsm]

its that thing thats also included in the XCOM as standard

 

Maynard

 

 

[Ross]

Hi All

 

The Microair M760 revision N that I have has a DB-25 connector in its wiring harness.

 

Pin 24 Brown of the DB-25 is designated as AUX Audio signal (Music) input Mono.

 

Pin 25 Gray of the DB-25 is designated as AUX Audio ground input Mono.

 

Regards

 

 

[Guest brentc]

The updated Microair now includes a voice activated intercom too. The Icom panel mount now has it too.

 

 

[Mazda]

Keep in mind though that the airline traffic will be way above you enroute so it will not actually be "traffic" for you. The only time airline aircraft will be traffic for you is when arriving/departing an airfield - when they will be on the CTAF that you are monitoring anyway!! (Unless they put in the wrong frequency of course, which happens, so a good lookout is important.)

 

So monitor two frequencies if you like but it probably won't make much difference.

 

 

[Guest brentc]

I find the second frequency most useful for listening to the chat channel, listening to ATIS & AWIB, plus my destination CTAF when I'm a long way out so I can get a feel for what's going on before I get there. Some times 10 miles at break-neck speed (eg 230 knots in the Cirrus) isn't enough time to get a feel for what's happening up ahead particularly when 10 miles only takes a bit over 2.5 minutes!

 

 

[Guest pelorus32]

I find the second frequency very useful because whilst IFR traffic may be well above you in cruise, they are also faster and they may not be above you.

 

By listening to the area frequency you get a broader situational awareness. You get pre-warning that the RFDS Kingair will be inbound at your CTAF and will get there at about the same time it takes you to return from the training area at 100 knots...before they have to call on the CTAF. You get pre-warning of the police helicopter transiting through your airspace when you are en-route and outside a CTAF and below 5000 feet! Both of these are real situations.

 

Listening on area frequency is a very good thing IMHO.

 

Regards

 

Mike

 

 

[Mazda]

Remember that you don't have to start monitoring the frequency at 10 miles - you can monitor as far out as you like. Maybe 20 miles or so.

 

I've flown VFR and IFR with one radio, and a friend of mine operated aircraft at a minimum of 420 knots (7 miles/minute) on approach with one radio. Standard ops were to call 15 miles out (2 minutes) to get runway direction, etc.

 

A second radio can be good but it really isn't required.