Headset Static
 

Hello everyone

I am doing some hours in the C152 whilst I suffer through this pandemic and I am having a problem with my headset.

Just landed from a 3 hour flight and every 30-60 seconds, I can hear a static sound on my headset.

I am using Foreflight on my phone which is switched to flight mode and bluetooth off.

So I turned off my phone.
Still static coming on and off.
I unplugged and plugged back in my headset.
Turned off the Garmin.
Turned off the radio.
Turned off the transponder.

Still static every 30-60 seconds.
This C152 has a Sport 200 intercom.

I turn down the squelch and vol. Still static.
I turn off the intercom.
Boom! Static gone but I can't speak now.

Guys what is the cause of this static?
I've narrowed it down to the intercom system but it must be something I've missed?

I'd normally say intercom squelch, but you say you've already tried this. The radio should still work with the intercom switched off, depending on how your aircraft is wired up. It can seem a little strange at first vocalising your checks without hearing it in your headset but the radio 'sidetone' should enable you to hear yourself while transmitting.
Otherwise seems to be a fault with the intercom. Try borrowing another headset to see if it's the same.

If this isn't your own C152, report it to the owner and get them to fix it!

TOO

I would also back up the tip of trying a different headset, If your flying solo. turn the intercom off, it wont affect transmissions.

In addition to trying a different headset as already suggested, you can try plugging your headset into the P2 sockets, which would eliminate any problems with dodgy wiring or connectors on the P1 side.

Excuse me for being pecky, but I am quite sure that the unwanted annoying noise that you suffer from is not "static". It would help a lot to know what its nature actually is. Hum? Pink noise?

Do you mean static, or noise, or interference?

Static is a scratchy intermittent sound - like the sound of lightning picked up by a radio, or metal to metal contact somewhere.

Noise is constant and sounds like a waterfall.

Interference is a distorted, 'crunchy' sound.

Is the sound very regular i.e. always every so many seconds, or irregular?

If it is static, it could be a lose earth somewhere on the airframe. If it is noise, that could be interference from something getting into the intercom or the radios.

Could it be the C152's charging system? A strobe light?

Does your airfield have a large radar dish? This could produce interference as it sweeps round.

Edit: Hi Jan, I was writing my reply as you posted yours :ok:

nice to agree :) ! And you worded my thoughts and doubts better than I could myself.

If you plug your headset into the P2 sockets you must use the P2 PTT.

That was a lovely 'gotcha' for one of our instructors a while back. He called up for a radio check while I was doing my turn volunteering on the radio. All I could hear was what sounded like his voice in the background, very quiet. Quick as a flash, I said 'have you got your headsets plugged in the right way round?' 30 seconds later he came on, readability 5, 'how's that now?'
So how did I know? Been there, done that!
TOO