Date: Thu, 21 Dec 1995 01:44:54 -0500 From: StetsonE@aol.com Subject: Intercom Recommendations I'll be starting on the electrical system in my Long-EZ in about a month. Any recommendations on intercoms?? I've heard some good things about PS Engineering intercoms in general. Their PM501 is their low end unit, and seems reasonable at $149.00 (from Spruce). I'm looking for a 2 station panel mount, mono unit with the music input capability. I'd also like the capability of piping in warning tones for canopy and gear warning. A past article in Central States showed how to do it, but I think it required a 4 station intercom. Any thoughts?? Stet Elliott Perpetual Long-EZ builder Date: 22 Dec 95 11:25:17 EST From: Chuck Wolcott <75501.356@compuserve.com> Subject: Re: Intercom Recommendations Hi Stet (et. al.) - my 2 cents on the intercom querry. I used the RST (in Grass Valley, CA)basic unit. Don't recall the model #. It meets your basic requirements, is in the same $ range too. Plus you get the added pleasure of assembling the well designed unit (instructions are excellent too). It has been some time since I ordered and assembled the unit, but it has the following features. The unit can accomodate as many as 6 places, has a music input line, is monaural, has an automatic (and adjustable) music mute feature on ATC transmission. Another feature I used during flight testing is an audio out line. I hooked it to a small voice activated tape recorder to record my "figures" during test flights. This allowed me to concentrate my attention on flying the airplane and still record necessary data without having to write it down. Attention can be kept outside or scanning the panel...no head down writing time. It takes a little getting use to. You wind up talking to yourself. I guess if you can keep this "talking to yourself" from your friends...their suspicions about us won't be easily confirmed. It really is a nice unit. I am happy with it. Worked first time out - no problems. Might consider a look at this one. From: Ken Reiter Date: Fri, 22 Dec 95 10:55:54 CST Subject: Re: Intercom Recommendations Hello Stet (et. al.) , I assembled one of the RST intercom for a Long-ez builder over a Christmas Holiday a few years ago. Assembly time was about 2 evenings. Sorry, I also do not remember the model. However, the kit was very well done and the manual was clear and easily followed. The audio out line is a good idea and I will have to keep that in mind for my test flights. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Ken Reiter From: "Dewey Davis" Date: Fri, 22 Dec 1995 13:46:56 -0500 Subject: Intercoms I would recommend that you strongly consider a stereo intercom for your new airplane. I know it may sound like a silly extravagance now, but I have known several builders that regretted not having stereo capability. It is not that easy to change later because you will already have purchased headsets, installed wiring, etc. In my system, I have a stereo input for a portable CD player. The passengers love it. I also use a portable walkman sometimes on long cross-country flights. You can get great reception at 10kft. You definitely want the extra input for those kinds of sources. The other thing I have is a stereo camcorder connection. If you have ever used a camera in flight, you know that audio is absolutely awful. The background noise dominates so all the conversation is swamped with noise. With the intercom connection, you can record not only the cockpit conversation, but also the radio comms, and the background stereo music, without any cockpit noise at all. It makes a world of difference in the quality of the video tapes that you make in flight. I have since made a small, swivel comcorder mount between the headrests so I can record better video too, without having to fumble in flight. I'm no Steven Spielberg but I do have some interesting video now. It is MUCH more interesting with the audio that includes your buddies flying formation with you. I have some video I made while doing barrel rolls, flying around white puffy clouds, etc, with the Top Gun CD playing in the background. Great stuff! Dewey