Standby Monitor Question |
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ddgates
Senior Member Joined: 12 Aug 2011 Location: Deer Valley Status: Offline Points: 1100 |
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Posted: 01 Aug 2015 at 3:45pm |
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I have read previous posts regarding standby monitoring but still have questions:
I got my two units back from hardware and 10.1 upgrade recently, first operational chance I had was yesterday. I have dual 540s, and a PSE PMA450 comm panel. At install, the shop prewired to support standby monitoring. Running the units yesterday, I could receive on the selected frequency and could see the receive indication on the standby frequency but didn't hear anything, even when freq 1 was silent. How is the supposed to work? Is there a selection to be made in settings? Should you hear both at once, or standby if freq 1 is silent? How does this work with dual IFDs. Is this an indication that the prewire wasn't right or not done? Thanks |
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David Gates
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n7ifr
Senior Member Joined: 05 Aug 2013 Location: Scottsdale, Az Status: Offline Points: 470 |
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David,
I have same observations, with blue Rx light on Stby Comm, and no audio. Checked with installer (KTRM) who acknowledges that prior to v10.1, this was not an option and therefore was not pin-wired between audio panel and 540. Monday, I will fly DVT - TRM for them to wire this between 240 & 540. Tom
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ddgates
Senior Member Joined: 12 Aug 2011 Location: Deer Valley Status: Offline Points: 1100 |
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Tom:
Do you know what the pinouts are? Mine was supposed to have been done by EAM, and they are getting the plane back this week for other stuff. Are you supposed to hear both at once, or are they prioritized? BTW: My units seem to lock on GPS quickly now that 10.1 is in. David
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David Gates
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Paul
Senior Member Joined: 17 Aug 2012 Location: Massachusetts Status: Offline Points: 285 |
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The secondary receive outputs from the two IFDs should be wired to aux inputs on your PMA 450. You need to turn those on - it is done through the menus.
If the shop did not do so you can also name those inputs something meaningful and those names will show up in the menus. |
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ddgates
Senior Member Joined: 12 Aug 2011 Location: Deer Valley Status: Offline Points: 1100 |
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Paul:
That makes sense. I'll look into that. I know they named the aux inputs but I don't know that they turned them on. Thanks |
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David Gates
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n7ifr
Senior Member Joined: 05 Aug 2013 Location: Scottsdale, Az Status: Offline Points: 470 |
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David,
Also, Avidyne Tech support (TJ) by phone tells me the IFD540's must be REV03 or higher for this Stby function to work... mine is REV04 from factory, so OK. Not sure yet what it is supposed to sound like. My SL30 in Monitor function sounds "stuttering" to distinguish from main comm. Here is the wiring (from the Install Manual): Com Monitor Audio HI Connector-P1006 Pin-7 Signal Type - Output Com Monitor Audio LO Connector-P1006 Pin-34 Signal Type - Output Tom W. |
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ddgates
Senior Member Joined: 12 Aug 2011 Location: Deer Valley Status: Offline Points: 1100 |
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Thanks, Tom.
I'm working on getting 06V to DVT. Like the hangars, particularly the electric doors. Seems like even the small t hangars are larger than what I have at AVQ. When you back to the sweatbox? David
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David Gates
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n7ifr
Senior Member Joined: 05 Aug 2013 Location: Scottsdale, Az Status: Offline Points: 470 |
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Back to DVT tomorrow AM... If Wx ok leaving KPSO.
Where's 06v? Tom
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ddgates
Senior Member Joined: 12 Aug 2011 Location: Deer Valley Status: Offline Points: 1100 |
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It's at AVQ. The annual etc is done, really well done. Went down there to bring it to DVT yesterday, but got sick day before, and wx was awful yesterday.
Gonna look at alternatives Tuesday. I will be in 42/14. David
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David Gates
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Paul
Senior Member Joined: 17 Aug 2012 Location: Massachusetts Status: Offline Points: 285 |
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If they are wired to the auxiliary switched inputs you should be able to turn them on by pressing the RADIO (top) button, then pressing SWITCHED INPUTS. You should see up to three choices, and two of them should be the two IFD 540 standby receiver inputs.
If the names of the inputs aren't something like "IFD 1 STANDBY" you can change them. The procedure is in the PMA 450 manual. |
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ddgates
Senior Member Joined: 12 Aug 2011 Location: Deer Valley Status: Offline Points: 1100 |
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Paul:
that may be the explanation. Will share findings when I can access the plane again. Thanks a lot. David
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David Gates
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pburger
Senior Member Joined: 26 Dec 2013 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 406 |
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Two standby receiver channels? I thought there was just one standby audio from the IFD-540.
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chflyer
Senior Member Joined: 24 Jan 2013 Location: LSZK Status: Offline Points: 1035 |
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Dual IFD540's. Check the first post.
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Vince
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MysticCobra
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ddgates
Senior Member Joined: 12 Aug 2011 Location: Deer Valley Status: Offline Points: 1100 |
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So my question remains, with 2 IFD540s are there two standby monitor channels? I don't think so, but I don't know.
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David Gates
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tony
Senior Member Joined: 06 Dec 2011 Location: Atlanta Status: Offline Points: 466 |
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With two IFD540's each one has a active and a standby channel. So if you have your audio panel configured appropriately, you should be able to hear four frequencies simultaneously.
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ddgates
Senior Member Joined: 12 Aug 2011 Location: Deer Valley Status: Offline Points: 1100 |
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Thanks, Tony.
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David Gates
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n7ifr
Senior Member Joined: 05 Aug 2013 Location: Scottsdale, Az Status: Offline Points: 470 |
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Just back from installer (single IFD540/AMX240), Comm-1 Standby now working.
However, I am a bit disappointed: With function active (Monitor-1 button), the Comm-1 Active Volume drops very low, and Standby-1 is audible. . Active Comm Volume adjusted by Vol Control or AUX-Audio . Standby Comm Volume adjusted by AUX-Audio to minimum volume. After adjusting Active Freq. Volume to be louder, and Standby Vol. lower, when resuming with Monitor button OFF the Comm-1 is way too loud, requiring turning Vol control back down. Without "stuttering" Standby, I wonder if there a way to adjust the two volumes (Active>Standby) without requiring constant adjustment? Does this indicate the Pin wiring is backwards? Tom Wolf
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oskrypuch
Senior Member Joined: 09 Nov 2012 Location: CYFD Status: Offline Points: 3061 |
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I've noticed much the same thing.
* Orest |
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AUXAIR
Senior Member Joined: 01 Jul 2015 Location: KSUA Status: Offline Points: 138 |
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I have wired my standby audio output to a switched, unused DME input on my Garmin 347 audio panel. It works excellently. Master volume affects audio one, standby audio has a pre-set level control in the audio menu that I set to match normal levels.
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David E.
Cessna 182 RG II |
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ddgates
Senior Member Joined: 12 Aug 2011 Location: Deer Valley Status: Offline Points: 1100 |
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Turns out my installer did wire the standby monitor outputs to switched inputs 1 and 2 (I have 2 IFDs), and labeled them: Monitor 1 and Monitor 2.
They apparently just need to be turned on. Thanks for help. |
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David Gates
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tony
Senior Member Joined: 06 Dec 2011 Location: Atlanta Status: Offline Points: 466 |
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David, that's great. I'm glad its working.
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Paul
Senior Member Joined: 17 Aug 2012 Location: Massachusetts Status: Offline Points: 285 |
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If you find that's too many frequencies to monitor you can turn one or both off using the menu in the PMA 450.
Now you have absolutely no excuse not to monitor 121.5. |
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ddgates
Senior Member Joined: 12 Aug 2011 Location: Deer Valley Status: Offline Points: 1100 |
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Agreed.
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David Gates
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DavidBunin
Senior Member Joined: 20 May 2015 Location: Rockwall, TX Status: Offline Points: 742 |
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Okay, so here's an interesting thing I have done; I have my unit set up to show three COMM frequencies, Active, Standby1, and Standby2. I put 121.5 into the Standby1 window and then I highlight the Standby2 window. So I am listening (monitoring) 121.5 all the time, and I tune the next future active frequency through the Standby2 window all the time. I haven't been on enough flights to decide if I'll leave it this way, but it is certainly a mode of operation that I never considered or had access to before. David
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oskrypuch
Senior Member Joined: 09 Nov 2012 Location: CYFD Status: Offline Points: 3061 |
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Do you have any issues with volume balance? When I select the switched input on my audio panel for the standby, the volume of both the primary and standby go down significantly. Audio panel is an 8000BT, not an oldly. * Orest |
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n7ifr
Senior Member Joined: 05 Aug 2013 Location: Scottsdale, Az Status: Offline Points: 470 |
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I did not realize the Comm position-3 can act as Comm-Standby 2 (using Monitor-2). Will have to try this.
However, I also mentioned (above blog) using AMX240 Monitor of Stby-1 of 540, there is a big volume drop in both channels, and without "stuttering" (like on SL30 Comm-2) to distuinguish the two, very tough to distinguish. I did notice that any active talk coming through on the 240 main frequency, even the Comm-2 audio (SL30) primary and Stby stutter automatically are muted by the AMX240, very nice feature while monitoring 121.5 on Comm-2. Any suggestions for the volume drop? Tom W.
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oskrypuch
Senior Member Joined: 09 Nov 2012 Location: CYFD Status: Offline Points: 3061 |
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I'm waiting for suggestions on that too, the volume drop.
* Orest |
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tony
Senior Member Joined: 06 Dec 2011 Location: Atlanta Status: Offline Points: 466 |
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I'm kinda hoping that since receiver volume is set with a software variable on the set up page, it will be possible the volume drop be abled to be addressed with a software update. I'm sure Steve will address it when he comes back from leave.
Edited by tony - 06 Aug 2015 at 5:05am |
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DavidBunin
Senior Member Joined: 20 May 2015 Location: Rockwall, TX Status: Offline Points: 742 |
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I don't think so. To be fair, my previous setup was terrible by modern standards. The intercom volume was lousy, passengers had to shout at each other if the seats were filled. So everything the new avionics do is better than what the old avionics did. So I may not perceive a "problem" where other pilots (who are accustomed to good modern equipment) might have reason to complain. That said, I am running a PMA-450 audio panel. I have a TKM300 (Cessna slide-in replacement) as my #1 Nav/Com input. I have the IFD-540 as COM2 and I have the standby audio from the IFD as my first switched radio. I have the Alerts audio from the IFD as my second switched radio. The PMA-450 has the ability to turn the switched inputs volumes up or down (but there is only one setting, so you're turning all of them up or down). I have mine set in the middle at 5 but I could turn it up to 8 for testing. The IFD has separate volume levels for Com, Stby, Nav, Alerts and I played with all of the settings a little bit on the first long flight to get them about where I wanted. (Plus I have a music volume to deal with, totally separate.) I think I have the levels pretty even when just one is active, because I tend to look for the little RX on the face of the IFD to tell which frequency I'm hearing. But I don't think I've tried to decide if the volume of one frequency changes when receiving a second. All of which is probably too many words to say, "I dunno." But I'm happy with it overall. David Bunin |
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n7ifr
Senior Member Joined: 05 Aug 2013 Location: Scottsdale, Az Status: Offline Points: 470 |
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Thanks David. The real issue I have with the audio volumes with the AMX240/IFD540 set from the 540, is that the volume levels are very different with and without Standby Monitoring. After customized adjusting of the volumes for Active Comm-1 and Standby Comm-1 channels (using the 540 audio controls), deactivating the Standby "Monitor" function reverts the volume on active Comm-1 way too loud. IOW, the 540 audio levels ought to be the same with Standby-Monitor function ON or OFF, but they are not. Seems like the 240 Monitor switch is introducing excessive attenuation onto both channels when Monitor is activated. Tom Wolf Edited by n7ifr - 07 Aug 2015 at 12:28pm |
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compasst
Senior Member Joined: 22 Feb 2015 Location: Akron, OH Status: Offline Points: 176 |
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I've just asked a live tech person to investigate the low Primary volume when using Monitor function with AMX240 audio panel. I'll post their answer when I get a call back.
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AviJake
Admin Group Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Location: Lincoln MA Status: Offline Points: 2815 |
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I'll take the action. Tech Support will have a tough time with that request - this will take some engineering investigation/evaluation. We'll start that this week.
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Steve Jacobson
sjacobson@avidyne.com |
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n7ifr
Senior Member Joined: 05 Aug 2013 Location: Scottsdale, Az Status: Offline Points: 470 |
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Looks like a number of us AXP240 audio panel users are having this issue. Could this be a wire reversal (Audio "Hi"/pin7 & Audio "Low"/pin 34) issue at install, or maybe an internal IFD540 software adjustable fix? ... or worse, requiring exchange of defective AMX240 units. Tom W.
Edited by n7ifr - 09 Aug 2015 at 12:48pm |
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AviJake
Admin Group Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Location: Lincoln MA Status: Offline Points: 2815 |
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Dunno but will investigate.
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Steve Jacobson
sjacobson@avidyne.com |
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oskrypuch
Senior Member Joined: 09 Nov 2012 Location: CYFD Status: Offline Points: 3061 |
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I see the same thing with a PM8000BT, although of course the internals are much the same.
* Orest |
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AviJake
Admin Group Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Location: Lincoln MA Status: Offline Points: 2815 |
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We're planning on leaving the system functioning the way it is now, which enables you to use this kind of technique. So, standby comm monitor will always be associated with the first standby slot and the flip/flop function will always be associated with the standby slot that has the blue wrap-around cursor. The current version of the pilot guide describes those behaviors. |
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Steve Jacobson
sjacobson@avidyne.com |
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n7ifr
Senior Member Joined: 05 Aug 2013 Location: Scottsdale, Az Status: Offline Points: 470 |
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Steve,
I spoke with Mark at PS Engineering about the Stby Monitor "Volume Drop" and non-functioning of "Auto Mute"... He says with 100% absolute certainty this is NOT an issue with the AMX240 (or other compatible PMA units). He is convinced this is either an Install Wiring issue, or an IFD540 issue?? Software vs Hardware? Any way to expedite resolution on this being a 540 issue? Thanks for your inside track inputs. Tom Wolf
Edited by n7ifr - 10 Aug 2015 at 6:36pm |
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DavidBunin
Senior Member Joined: 20 May 2015 Location: Rockwall, TX Status: Offline Points: 742 |
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For those who don't know, Mark is the Big Cheese at PS Engineering. A very smart guy, and super-nice too. David Bunin |
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AUXAIR
Senior Member Joined: 01 Jul 2015 Location: KSUA Status: Offline Points: 138 |
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As I reported earlier, I have the 540 wired so that the standby output goes to a vacant switched input (DME) on my Garmin 340 audio panel. The main output from the 540 is wired as COM 1, and the main output from the 440 as COM 2.
The levels have been and continue to remain relatively constant on COM 1 and COM 2, whether or not I activate the DME switch to listen to the Standby channel selection from the 540. All three monitored channels are clear and loud when active, with no perceptible loss of level. This is an excellent feature, as I use this aircraft for search and rescue for the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, and the ability to have a third, independent source that I can dedicate to 121.5 is extremely useful. By the way, the third COM input on the 340 is also active and clear simultaneously when in this mode, used on a government channel for mission communications. |
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David E.
Cessna 182 RG II |
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compasst
Senior Member Joined: 22 Feb 2015 Location: Akron, OH Status: Offline Points: 176 |
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Avijake - any news on the standby monitor / primary volume imbalance issue with 540 and amx240?
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AviJake
Admin Group Joined: 26 Mar 2009 Location: Lincoln MA Status: Offline Points: 2815 |
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Found and fixed. Software fix will be included in the very next software release.
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Steve Jacobson
sjacobson@avidyne.com |
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