Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site genrad.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!security!genrad!rob
From: rob@genrad.UUCP (Rob Wood)
Newsgroups: net.aviation
Subject: Re: Intercoms
Message-ID: <3500@genrad.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 19-Aug-83 11:07:26 EDT
Article-I.D.: genrad.3500
Posted: Fri Aug 19 11:07:26 1983
Date-Received: Fri, 19-Aug-83 17:08:35 EDT
References: <412@ihnp4.UUCP>
Organization: GenRad, Bolton, Mass.
Lines: 21

I own an RST-440 intercom.  It is pretty good.  Bought it assembled.  The
two big negatives are:

	1.  The cockpit is full of wires.  I got an estimate to install
	    it permanently from my radio shop...... $500.

	2.  The squelch control is too sensitive.  The point at which you
	    squelch out the background noise, then talk to break the squelch
	    is hard to find.  The microphones have to be touching your lips,
	    something not pleasant for long periods of time.  Otherwise the
	    background cockpit noise (engine) gets in both sides and you
	    either listen to it all the time or yell to break the squelch.

I think the radio manufacturers, or the aircraft manufacturers, or both should
build them in in the first place.  That is where they belong.  The intercoms
that come in some radios are worthless.  For $25 more they could put it in as
original equipment.

I never fly without one anymore even though these 2 points irritate me.

	Rob Wood	(decvax!genrad!rob)