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The Good, the Bad, the Ugly: AirGizmo PIREP, PS Engineering CD/Intercom woes, XM "service"
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The Good: ******************** Yesterday we had our 496 "panel docked" with the installation of an "AirGizmo". (See them he http://www.airgizmos.com/) It's just about he slickest installation you can imagine, and really cleans up the cockpit. All the wiring is neatly behind the panel, everything is professionally wired (no more cigar lighter splitters zip tied under the panel) -- and it looks great. I bought the new "angle piece" that cocks the unit a bit toward the pilot's position, which is wonderful. The view from either position is clear, and everything is easily within reach. I can't say enough good things about this unit, and -- best of all -- your shop can do the install with nothing more than a logbook entry. ******************** The Bad: ******************** At the same time, we had the avionics shop connect the 496's XM radio output to our PS Engineering CD/Intercom, with the obvious goal of being able to play the radio through our headsets. This seemingly simple task has turned out to be quite a difficult thing to accomplish, strangely enough, and will require another visit to the shop next week. Here's why: The pin inputs on the intercom are "Music 2" and "Auxilliary". "Music 2" feeds ONLY the back two seats, which allows my kids to listen to music different from what Mary and are hearing. "Auxiliary" (the avionics boys discovered only after completing the installation) only feeds the PILOT position. Only the pilot can hear anything. The unit was designed before the proliferation of Ipods and MP3 players, so apparently PS Engineering made no accommodation for an auxillary music input that feeds all four positions! Additionally, the auxiliary input does not "auto-squelch" when ATC starts talking, which required the shop to install a "kill switch" in the panel so that I can cut the music quickly if needed. The avionics boys wanted to experiment with a few things, to see how they could effectively feed all four positions without interfering with the unit's "Intellivox" auto-squelch -- but we ran out of time. It was getting late, and we had to be home to meet family coming in for the holiday, so we had to depart. Just as well, as Tony (the head of the shop) wants time to diagram and study the circuitry in more detail before they started running experimental patch cords all over the place... Anyone got any theories? How can we feed all four intercom positions using the PS Engineering PCD7100? See the wiring diagram he http://www.ps-engineering.com/docs/PCD7100I_Wire.pdf ******************** The Ugly ******************** Anyone used XM's automated "customer service" phone system? What a joke! If you don't know the phone number you gave them when you signed up (I've got four possibilities, and chose the wrong one), the next thing the system will ask for is the special "XM" number on your unit. (Which was in the panel of the plane, which was being worked on at that moment and inaccessible to me.) There is no way to go BACK to give the automated "Bitchin' Betty" a different phone number. Eventually, after yelling at the automated hag for ten minutes, I was connected to someone in India who had NO idea how to do anything with an aviation customer. After being put on hold for five minutes I was at last connected with a very sweet (and competent) girl in Texas who was able to activate my music option and downgrade my aviation service from "Premium" to "Regular" for the winter. When I finally got her, the whole process took maybe 90 seconds. What a PIA to deal with! My advice to XM -- hire some more customer service reps, and Deep Six the automated system. -- Jay Honeck Iowa City, IA Pathfinder N56993 www.AlexisParkInn.com "Your Aviation Destination" |
#2
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The Good, the Bad, the Ugly: AirGizmo PIREP, PS Engineering CD/Intercom woes, XM "service"
when removing the 496 from the docking station, i assume you still have to individually disconnect all the many power, antenna and audio connections? dan |
#3
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The Good, the Bad, the Ugly: AirGizmo PIREP, PS Engineering CD/Intercom woes, XM "service"
when removing the 496 from the docking station, i assume you still have
to individually disconnect all the many power, antenna and audio connections? Yep. But there's enough "slack" in them to make that a fairly easy proposition. Getting it back in the AirGizmo looks like a pain, though, as you have to kinda "thread" the wiring through appropriate holes in the back of the panel dock. Luckily, I've now got an extra power cord (the shop used a new one for the installation, rather than hacking up my old one), for the inevitable day when that stupid 90-degree power connector breaks... -- Jay Honeck Iowa City, IA Pathfinder N56993 www.AlexisParkInn.com "Your Aviation Destination" |
#4
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The Good, the Bad, the Ugly: AirGizmo PIREP, PS Engineering CD/Intercom woes, XM "service"
Maybe you can hard wire this thing in there to cancel the music during ATC.
http://www.marvgolden.com/headsets/psengmuse.htm Karl "Jay Honeck" wrote in message ups.com... ******************** The Good: ******************** Yesterday we had our 496 "panel docked" with the installation of an "AirGizmo". (See them he http://www.airgizmos.com/) It's just about he slickest installation you can imagine, and really cleans up the cockpit. All the wiring is neatly behind the panel, everything is professionally wired (no more cigar lighter splitters zip tied under the panel) -- and it looks great. I bought the new "angle piece" that cocks the unit a bit toward the pilot's position, which is wonderful. The view from either position is clear, and everything is easily within reach. I can't say enough good things about this unit, and -- best of all -- your shop can do the install with nothing more than a logbook entry. ******************** The Bad: ******************** At the same time, we had the avionics shop connect the 496's XM radio output to our PS Engineering CD/Intercom, with the obvious goal of being able to play the radio through our headsets. This seemingly simple task has turned out to be quite a difficult thing to accomplish, strangely enough, and will require another visit to the shop next week. Here's why: The pin inputs on the intercom are "Music 2" and "Auxilliary". "Music 2" feeds ONLY the back two seats, which allows my kids to listen to music different from what Mary and are hearing. "Auxiliary" (the avionics boys discovered only after completing the installation) only feeds the PILOT position. Only the pilot can hear anything. The unit was designed before the proliferation of Ipods and MP3 players, so apparently PS Engineering made no accommodation for an auxillary music input that feeds all four positions! Additionally, the auxiliary input does not "auto-squelch" when ATC starts talking, which required the shop to install a "kill switch" in the panel so that I can cut the music quickly if needed. The avionics boys wanted to experiment with a few things, to see how they could effectively feed all four positions without interfering with the unit's "Intellivox" auto-squelch -- but we ran out of time. It was getting late, and we had to be home to meet family coming in for the holiday, so we had to depart. Just as well, as Tony (the head of the shop) wants time to diagram and study the circuitry in more detail before they started running experimental patch cords all over the place... Anyone got any theories? How can we feed all four intercom positions using the PS Engineering PCD7100? See the wiring diagram he http://www.ps-engineering.com/docs/PCD7100I_Wire.pdf ******************** The Ugly ******************** Anyone used XM's automated "customer service" phone system? What a joke! If you don't know the phone number you gave them when you signed up (I've got four possibilities, and chose the wrong one), the next thing the system will ask for is the special "XM" number on your unit. (Which was in the panel of the plane, which was being worked on at that moment and inaccessible to me.) There is no way to go BACK to give the automated "Bitchin' Betty" a different phone number. Eventually, after yelling at the automated hag for ten minutes, I was connected to someone in India who had NO idea how to do anything with an aviation customer. After being put on hold for five minutes I was at last connected with a very sweet (and competent) girl in Texas who was able to activate my music option and downgrade my aviation service from "Premium" to "Regular" for the winter. When I finally got her, the whole process took maybe 90 seconds. What a PIA to deal with! My advice to XM -- hire some more customer service reps, and Deep Six the automated system. -- Jay Honeck Iowa City, IA Pathfinder N56993 www.AlexisParkInn.com "Your Aviation Destination" |
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The Good, the Bad, the Ugly: AirGizmo PIREP, PS Engineering CD/Intercom woes, XM "service"
"Jay Honeck" writes: Yesterday we had our 496 "panel docked" with the installation of an "AirGizmo". (See them he http://www.airgizmos.com/) [...] I can't say enough good things about this unit, and -- best of all -- your shop can do the install with nothing more than a logbook entry. [...] Just curious, but sort of FAA-style authorization permits such a modification to a certified airplane without at least a field approval? As already spotted during an earlier thread here, even the manufacturer says otherwise: http://www.airgizmos.com/faq.asp - FChE |
#6
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The Good, the Bad, the Ugly: AirGizmo PIREP, PS Engineering CD/Intercom woes, XM "service"
Just curious, but sort of FAA-style authorization permits such a
modification to a certified airplane without at least a field approval? The FSDO in Des Moines. Installation of an AirGizmo is considered a minor modification. The GPS is still portable and removeable, all you're doing is running some wires. This according to McCandless Aviation in Waterloo, IA. -- Jay Honeck Iowa City, IA Pathfinder N56993 www.AlexisParkInn.com "Your Aviation Destination" |
#7
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The Good, the Bad, the Ugly: AirGizmo PIREP, PS Engineering CD/Intercomwoes, XM "service"
Frank Ch. Eigler wrote: "Jay Honeck" writes: Yesterday we had our 496 "panel docked" with the installation of an "AirGizmo". (See them he http://www.airgizmos.com/) [...] I can't say enough good things about this unit, and -- best of all -- your shop can do the install with nothing more than a logbook entry. [...] Just curious, but sort of FAA-style authorization permits such a modification to a certified airplane without at least a field approval? As already spotted during an earlier thread here, even the manufacturer says otherwise: http://www.airgizmos.com/faq.asp It is irrelavant what the manufacturer says. The manufacturer either gets an STC or forfeits any ability to tell you how to install their product. A casual reading of the regs shows that installing one of these docks is a minor alteration. |
#8
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The Good, the Bad, the Ugly: AirGizmo PIREP, PS Engineering CD/Intercom woes, XM "service"
Jay,
Anyone got any theories? How can we feed all four intercom positions using the PS Engineering PCD7100? PSE has the most responsive customer service department. Have your mechanics ask them. -- Thomas Borchert (EDDH) |
#9
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The Good, the Bad, the Ugly: AirGizmo PIREP, PS Engineering CD/Intercom woes, XM "service"
The pin inputs on the intercom are "Music 2" and "Auxilliary". *"Music 2" feeds ONLY the back two seats, which allows my kids to listen to music different from what Mary and are hearing. "Auxiliary" (the avionics boys discovered only after completing the installation) only feeds the PILOT position. *Only the pilot can hear anything. Actually, I'm not sure exactly what one is calling The Auxillary if it is anything other than the SWITCHED Auxillary input that is activated by the AUX front panel pushbutton. There is a Music #1 which will be heard by the pilot and copilot while Music #2 will be heard by the passengers. The unit was designed before the proliferation of Ipods and MP3 players, so apparently PS Engineering made no accommodation for an auxillary music input that feeds all four positions! * Your description of the operation is correct, but it wasn't because the PMA7000CD was designed before many of the portable MP3 players came out, it was because we learned a lot from our original design of the PMA6000 where the intercom mode switch controlled who heard Music #1. Because this function switches music inside the audio panel, it limited the amount of flexibility of who hears what when. This is why when we designed the PMA7000 Series we made the music distribution simple, #1 to Crew, #2 to the passengers. With the installation of one or two switches, the combinations of who hears what is significant. Additionally, the auxiliary input does not "auto-squelch" when ATC starts talking, which required the shop to install a "kill switch" in the panel so that I can cut the music quickly if needed.\ This I don't understand. The Mute button on the front panel of the PMA7000CD places Music #1 for the crew in the Mute or Karoake Mode. The passengers can also have this feature, but a SPST switch is required to allow them to make this change "on the fly" The avionics boys wanted to experiment with a few things, to see how they could effectively feed all four positions without interfering with the unit's "Intellivox" auto-squelch -- but we ran out of time. *It was getting late, and we had to be home to meet family coming in for the holiday, so we had to depart. *Just as well, as Tony (the head of the shop) wants time to diagram and study the circuitry in more detail before they started running experimental patch cords all over the place... Please have your shop call me at PS Engineering and I'll be glad to help them. There is actually a wiring diagram discribing this exactly in the installation manual. You can download this manual by going to www.ps-engineering.com/downloads.shtml Jay, please let me know how I can help, I'll do what ever I can to make sure that the Bad turns into AWESOME! Sincerely, Mark Scheuer PS Engineering, Inc. www.ps-engineering.com |
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The Good, the Bad, the Ugly: AirGizmo PIREP, PS Engineering CD/Intercomwoes, XM "service"
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