Audio Panel Suggestions

I've currently got a Narco CP-136 that works fine, but is cosmetically bad.
(Faceplate cracked -- and repaired -- several times...)

I'm thinking that we might pick up a new audio panel at OSH '05, but am
somewhat confused on what's available.

Here's what I want:

1. Audio panel with marker beacon lights. Something that fits in the same
"footprint" as the Narco would be good.
2. Split capability that allows the pilot and copilot to talk/listen to
different radios.
3. I don't need a built-in intercom, as that is already part of my PS
Engineering CD player/Intercom.
4. The ability to plug in alternate audio inputs. Right now I have no
place to plug in a portable satellite radio receiver, for example.

One alternative idea is to sell my CD Player/Intercom on Ebay and purchase
the PS Engineering audio panel with the built-in intercom, and then add
their remote CD player. This installation wouldn't really add any utility,
and I can't tell if this unit allows an alternate audio source to be plugged
in. (But I assume it does.)

Are there any audio panels with *built-in* XM radio receivers on the market?
THAT would be the ultimate solution.

What do you folks think?
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

"Jay Honeck" writes:

Are there any audio panels with *built-in* XM radio receivers on the market?

No, but there's one with Sirius (the PS Engineering PS8000).

I've owned a PS Engineering audio panel/intercom for two years now,
and you will be pray it from cold dead fingers. The squelch (DSP
based) is pure witchcraft, and the support from the company is
excellent. Mark, the founder, pops on these here groups from time to
time.

You can't go wrong with PS Engineering stuff.

Not a paid endorser, just a happy camper.

-jav

You can't go wrong with PS Engineering stuff.

I agree -- our CD/Intercom is absolutely fabulous. It sure makes long
trips nicer.

Trouble is, if I go with the PS8000, I'm then stuck with TWO intercoms.
Which means I have to sell my CD/Intercom, install the audio panel/intercom,
and then buy ANOTHER CD player! All of which is a bigger PIA than it's
worth.

To make this work out I think I need an audio panel with built-in satellite
radio, sans intercom. Which looks like a tall order.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

On 5/8/05 21:44, "Jay Honeck" wrote:

You can't go wrong with PS Engineering stuff.

I agree -- our CD/Intercom is absolutely fabulous. It sure makes long
trips nicer.

Trouble is, if I go with the PS8000, I'm then stuck with TWO intercoms.
Which means I have to sell my CD/Intercom, install the audio panel/intercom,
and then buy ANOTHER CD player! All of which is a bigger PIA than it's
worth.

To make this work out I think I need an audio panel with built-in satellite
radio, sans intercom. Which looks like a tall order.

Jay,

Do you really need/want a CD player? I've got an iPod and a simple cable
connection to the music input on my PS PMA6000 makes me very thankful that I
don't have to sort through a bunch of CDs while inflight.

Go ahead and buy one. Help Apple, Inc. buy another biz jet for Jobs.

- Don
In this business, we play for keeps.
Capt Ross in "Fate is The Hunter" - Ernest K. Gann

Jay Honeck wrote:
One alternative idea is to sell my CD Player/Intercom on Ebay and purchase
the PS Engineering audio panel with the built-in intercom, and then add
their remote CD player. This installation wouldn't really add any utility,
and I can't tell if this unit allows an alternate audio source to be plugged
in. (But I assume it does.)

I can easily recommend a PS-Engineering audio panel. We've had our
7000B for two years now and love it. Can't imagine going back to
traditional squelch controls.

Are there any audio panels with *built-in* XM radio receivers on the market?
THAT would be the ultimate solution.

That's the problem. PS-Engineering has one with Sirius, but no XM.
Garmin, of course, has the GDL-69A, but that's overkill unless you need
weather, and naturally it ain't cheap.

Personally, if I were you I'd sell the CD-player, buy this:

http://www.ps-engineering.com/pma8000SR.shtml

then ask your avionics shop to route an audio input to a 1/8" stereo
jack on the panel somewhere. This way when you find "130 channels and
nothing on", you can plug in one of these...

http://www.iriveramerica.com/prod/hd/h10_6gb_gray.aspx

Then you can hit the ICS switch to disable auto-muting and carry on a
conversation with ATC or passengers.

HTH,

-Doug

--------------------
Doug Vetter, CFIMEIA

http://www.dvcfi.com
--------------------

Jay,

PS Engineering is the way to go, IMHO. Also, I agree with the other
poster: Panel-mount and thus somewhat certified audio-players or XM
radios are a HUGE waste of money. Get a portable XM receiver or a
portable MP3-player (doesn't have to be an iPod, you can get a decent
one, too gd&r).

If you fear the cable hassle, just two thoughts:

1. We're talking about one single cable, the audio connection. No power
needed, these units run for hours on battery.

2. That little bit of cable hassle will save you thousands of dollars.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)