CDMA Phones in Helicopters

[CHOPPER74]

I am looking for advice from all you Aussie guys on a suitable CDMA phone to put in a new Robinson R44. It seems to be very difficult to get a straight answer from anyone on which way to go. Has to be hard wired in. Any experiences on types of phones to use or steer away from would be much appreciated.

[Gibbo]

I don't have a definitive answer regarding model, but would recommend an 'active flip' feature from experience. This will allow you to answer incoming calls by opening the flip cover, without looking for a button to press.

Gibbo

[R405]

the intercom input and flip are excellent ideas

check that it's loud enough - it should be as loud as the radio

make sure the screen is angled pretty much towards you otherwise it's really hard to read the display while you're flying
(flip good here too!)

not wanting to tell you how to suck eggs, but recommend you treat the phone as the lowest priority while flying. ie be prepared to hang up on anyone if the workload gets high. often on incoming calls they don't know you're in the chopper and want to have a nice long chat about nothing, so let them know up front

oh, if you get the push-to-talk version, remember to switch xmit to "phone" before rambling on about anything too embarassing!

[tripletach]

Have a Nokia CDMA in our machine. Only issue is it lights up very bright every time it self charges. Had to be covered up at night until modified to dull the lights.

[trimpot]

Ring the guys at Helimed in Victoria (I've PMed you the numbers). During my tours there I used the onboard CDMA phone a quite a bit and it was great. Fully intergarated with the aircraft, easy to use and see.:ok:
The only problem was that, because of the kapstan wiring, it would burst into flame now and then.:}

[SASless]

Cellsets are the rage in the USA....no hard wiring needed if you want to go that route. You can also use the cellset to play mp3 music, etc. Plug the cellset into the headphone jack...headset into the cellset...plug the cellphone in ....phone works normally....no switches to throw to talk on the phone....beyond the phone itself. About 300 USD.

[Av8r]

We've recently changed over from a Sat/CDMA combo phone (which didn’t work that well) to a Nokia CDMA. I've used CDMA in different aircraft types over the years and they all suffer from the same problem, inconsistent TX. About 70% of the time they work OK, the other 30% the signal out is all chopped, digitized and unreadable. The signal in is always perfect...go figure. I have no explanation for it, and they all do it. Too far / too close / too many / not enough cells? I don’t know.
Back in the old days, the analog mobile phones all worked perfectly every single time. I concur with tripletach, the Nokia is very bright at night, but if you configure it right, it's only bright for a short period.

[Lowlevldevl]

Nokia has a new CDMA model on the way. The 6255 is a flip phone with everything. It will be the first CDMA phone with Bluetooth so theoretically you'll be able to hook up to the net through your PDA, Laptop to pick up Notams, weather etc; and file your flightplans with your nifty flightplanning software. ( As I haven't actually submitted a flight plan in about 15 years in this country I'm sure this phone will be a real asset.;) ) Just means I have to keep my old 6385 working till Nokia release the new one.

[oxi]

We have the Nokia 3105 installed by Pacific Avionics in Sunny Bankstown, I can recommend them both. Away from the helicopter the phone is probably not as user friendly but then never have I found a CDMA that is.

SASless, I heard the Cellnets weren\'t much chop???

[farsouth]

Can you translate CDMA please? Is it a Sat-based system. We currently use Iridium (and need a system that will work anywhere in the world, particularly Polar regions), and believe Iridium is due to wind down over the next few years with no suitable replacement that I have heard of??

[John Eacott]

Farsouth

Code Division Multiple Access: all you wanted to know here (http://www.umtsworld.com/technology/cdmabasics.htm) .

IIRC, invented during the Second World War, it was introduced in Australia to replace the Analogue network, since the GSM system has limited range, and is fairly hopeless outside city areas in Australia. CDMA has about 10-15 times the range of GSM, is clearer, faster baud rate, less interference (eg medical equipment). Hence it is more attractive for aviation use in Australia :D

[JimL]

I think you will find it means:

Collision Detection Multiple Access.

and is the same mechanism that is used on ethernet networks.

[Gibbo]

Code Division Multipe Access; spread spectrum technology, where users are allocated a unique random code during a call to identify them, as oposed to TDMA (T for Time) where specific frequency slot is assigned for a specific time within a call allowing multiple simultaneous users.

I think that this is why GSM (TMDA) is limited to about 35km, regardless of the signal strength.

Of no relevance to CHOPPER74 (why are you shouting mate?) an also pretty boring huh!

Gibbo

[JimL]

John/Gibbo,

My apologies - you are correct I'm still living in the past.

Jim