Big Pistons Forever
28th Feb 2013, 23:46
I noticed in the "learn from my mistakes" thread a lot of radio issues.
One of the things that appears poorly known in GA is turning off the auto squelch feature if you think the radio is not working. If set correctly as soon as you cancel the squelch you should hear the background static at normal radio volume. If the radio is silent the first thing to check is the volume. If you have inadvertently turned down the volume you can reset the volume based on the static level without having to wait for a transmission from anyone else.
I think a systematic radio trouble shooting SOP is also seldom taught.
Mine is as follows:
If you think the radio is not working
1) Check Volume using squelch ( the most common radio problem IMO is inadvertently turning down the volume)
2) Check audio panel for correct selection
3) Verify correct frequency
4) If the radio has a digital display see if the "transmitting" icon goes on when you push the PTT
5) Check headset plugs
6) switch to second radio
7) switch to hand microphone
If none of the above work select the transponder to 7600 and follow Comm Fail procedures.
Note: The reason the radio is not working could very well be that the electrical system has failed, so be alert for this possibility.
One of the things that appears poorly known in GA is turning off the auto squelch feature if you think the radio is not working. If set correctly as soon as you cancel the squelch you should hear the background static at normal radio volume. If the radio is silent the first thing to check is the volume. If you have inadvertently turned down the volume you can reset the volume based on the static level without having to wait for a transmission from anyone else.
I think a systematic radio trouble shooting SOP is also seldom taught.
Mine is as follows:
If you think the radio is not working
1) Check Volume using squelch ( the most common radio problem IMO is inadvertently turning down the volume)
2) Check audio panel for correct selection
3) Verify correct frequency
4) If the radio has a digital display see if the "transmitting" icon goes on when you push the PTT
5) Check headset plugs
6) switch to second radio
7) switch to hand microphone
If none of the above work select the transponder to 7600 and follow Comm Fail procedures.
Note: The reason the radio is not working could very well be that the electrical system has failed, so be alert for this possibility.