View Full Version : Flightcell intercom/cell phone system in Robinsons
RobboRider
12th Mar 2002, 17:22
G'day all.. .Has anyone any experience using or know anyone with experience using a "Flightcell" . .intercom/cell phone system in a Robinson R22 or R44. I bought one of these devices . .for my R22 to run cell phone and a CD player. However it's providing endless amounts . .of trouble with squealling back when the radio or intercom transmit buttons are pressed. . .. .Contacted the manufacturer who is trying to find out the cure but without much success. . .He says that R22's have some funny wiring and sometimes a mod is needed to the headphone socket wiring in the R22, but doesn't know what the wiring mod is.. .According to my wiring diagrams I've got fairly stadard wiring in my R22.. .. .Anyone seen or heard of the problem and even more important anyone know the cure?
Is this equipement an approved install by Robinson?. .. .Sounds to me that they haven't done a good job of isolation for your particular instalation itself.. .. .As far as I am aware of, the headset socket of the 22 is a standard one, nothing special about it at all.
RobboRider
13th Mar 2002, 01:21
When I say "installed" I'm using the term pretty loosely. The device is a free standing box which has a wire with a NATO plug coming out which plugs into the headset socket and a socket to plug in your own headset. CD and phone plugs into a side socket on the device. No "installation" said to be needed beyond that.. .. .Trouble is it causes ?feedback when any transmit buttons pressed. I sent the manufacturer a diagram of my wiring and he says it is standard R22 wiring. But on another occassion said that Robbies have some odd wiring compared to other aircraft. Something to do with the way they use part of the radio as the intercom between pilot and Pax.. .. .Leaves me still unable to use the box.
Hi RR. .Have you tried the unit in another machine, ie check it is not a faulty box first? Most of the R44's and 206's I have come across use a permanent installation. It may have a reason behind it. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Embarrassed]" src="redface.gif" />
RobboRider
13th Mar 2002, 12:41
That's probably the next step. Have a friend coming into town on Sunday who has an R44 so I'll give it a try on his machine. . .. .The free standing box seems like a great idea. Doesn't need certifying, isn't supposed to need an engineer. Can take it from one machine to another etc. Can take it out out of the machine when you want to secure it at home or when doing trips when you don't need it, to save space and weight (all a premium here in the hot north queensland climate.) etc. Well that's the theory anyway.. .. .If I can get it to work I think it'll be a good little device to have. Have a look at their website at <a href="http://www." target="_blank">http://www.</a> flightcell.co.nz
RobboRider
13th Mar 2002, 12:45
Apologies. I managed to leave a space in the URL!!. .. .Try <a href="http://www.flightcell.co.nz" target="_blank">http://www.flightcell.co.nz</a>. .. .RR
Hone22
13th Mar 2002, 14:53
Robbo,. .. .Ensure you haven't mistakenly slipped one of the kids Britney Spears CD's into the player.. .. .If so thats where all the squeals etc are coming from.. .. .Cure.....take out said CD, hit with something very hard, blow torch all remaining pieces, replace with Stones, Thin lizzy, or some other "Proper" music, tell kids off for leaving their "crap" about........enjoy your next flight <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="biggrin.gif" /> . .. .Yep! the flightcells a great little unit, totally portable cellphone interface (personally I love the aux for music ability).. .. .cheers & flysafe. .Hone. .. .all spelling mistakes included to keep you on your toes!. .. .edit to add: Oh by the way had a similar problem in a H300, fixed by unplugging the other unused headset and/or turning the intercom off Vox/hot mike.. . . . <small>[ 13 March 2002, 10:56: Message edited by: Hone22 ]</small>
Aesir
31st Mar 2002, 22:03
I use the Flightcell unit in B222 B206 & H300 that I fly with no problems whatsoever, its a good unit. However my father in law bought one for his Socata Rallye and that unit was defective, the manufacturer replaced the unit under warranty. Might be that you have a defective unit also.
RobboRider
2nd Apr 2002, 07:40
For readers who may be interested, I finally got the Flightcell working.
I tried iot in my friends R44 and it workied straight off. Got my friendly rad tech to come and have a lok at my R22 and he switched the wires around on the mike and it worked. Repeated the switch for the pax mike and it works too.
Only problem I'm left with is having to adjust the vol up and down when switching from radio to stereo to cell phone. I guess I'll get that sorted out with a bit of practice.
Robborider