Audio Panel

[jnmeade]

I have a small, tandem two-seat airplane with a very small panel including one radio panel and one intercom panel. I want to add a second radio panel and think I'll have to use the intercom panel space for it. That means I need to find a place for an audio control panel or function including intercom.
I don't see anything on Trig's web site that would seem to work. Too big. And too complicated. I only need comm control - radio 1 or radio 2 and whatever intercom controls (if any) I need.
PSE PM4000 is interesting but too deep - I'd have to move it away from my panel and don't want to do that.
Remember the old days when radios were selected by moving a toggle switch? Anyone know how to wire that or have a reference? I've looked at The AeroElectric Connection by Bob Nuckolls but it doesn't strike me as having an answer.
Looking for a couple of toggle switches to choose the radio.

 

[PaulSS]

The Trig TY91 is tiny and it is only the head that is installed in the panel, with the radio itself being remotely installed. If you're after a rectangular radio then how about the PS Engineering PAR200B. Again, remotely mounted (Trig) radio, so no depth to the panel 'controller'.

 

[jnmeade]

I'd prefer a Dynon radio and can put the radio panel in the space currently occupied by the intercom panel. I'm looking for an audio panel function to handle the second radio and an intercom function, preferably just using toggle switches. If I put in the Trig I'd still need an audio panel so it doesn't address my question. The PSE PMA4000 is interesting but won't fit in the dash panel, which folds down, because it is way to long (deep).

 

[jakej]

I’d use the Maker Plane AMX-2A or the AP60 Audio Mixer, they are very small.

 

[PaulSS]

I think I'd have the intercom in horizontal format where the USB dongle is and put your 2nd radio where the intercom currently sits.

 

[Rhino]

You can use a simple toggle switch for com select, and use knobs for volume and squelch, all of which you can locate wherever you want. Then use a mixer to combine your audio as Jake suggested. That's most of the function the intercom panel performs. It's little more than a few switches and knobs. This is a somewhat similar example where someone wanted to get rid of their audio panel:

That just illustrates the concept. It still has the intercom, but that could actually be replaced easier than a comm panel. It just depends on how much time and effort you want to devote to it, and how many features you want to preserve.

 

[jnmeade]

I find that Dynon has a good solution. The SV-INTERCOM-2S I have serves as both an audio panel and intercom. I need to find room for one SV-COM-PANEL which I think I can do if I move one small appliance. Then I use a SPDT toggle to choose TX 1 or 2 and either the volum knobs on the SV-COM-PANELs for RX control or add 2 SPST switches.
Thanks for all the good help and suggestions.

 

[vlittle]

Here is an application drawing for the AMX-2A. MakePlane also sells the AMX-10A that has both mono and stereo inputs. FMI
https://www.huvver.tech/open-source-hardware/

https://www.huvver.tech/wp-content/uploads/AMX-2A_install_C1.pdf

https://www.huvver.tech/wp-content/uploads/AMX-10A_install_A4.pdf

I am the designer of these products. They take no panel space and can be mounted almost anywhere. Contact MakerPlane to purchase.

Note: The PS Engineering intercom is very similar to the Dynon intercom… not an accident…

 

[Rhino]

I find that Dynon has a good solution. The SV-INTERCOM-2S I have serves as both an audio panel and intercom. I need to find room for one SV-COM-PANEL which I think I can do if I move one small appliance. Then I use a SPDT toggle to choose TX 1 or 2 and either the volum knobs on the SV-COM-PANELs for RX control or add 2 SPST switches.
Thanks for all the good help and suggestions.

Keeping the intercom is probably best, if you have the room. I'm curious where you would put the SPST switches or knobs. If you switch or attenuate either radio audio into the intercom, both pilots are affected equally. Audio from both radios comes out of the intercom mixed together, so there's no way to turn off or attenuate the audio from an individual radio at that point. That's why the diagram above uses the DP3Ts, relays and mixers.

 

[jnmeade]

To be honest, I don't even have the back seat in and don't expect to ever fly with a second person, but don't want to totally exclude the possibility if I sell the airplane.
I'd try to put the RX switches in the upper left hand corner, and I'd engage them with my left hand. I have room behind the panel on the left side of the plane. On the right side, I have a couple of items that take up space and make installations on the right side a little more iffy.

 

[Rhino]

I'm sorry. I meant where would you put them electrically, not physically. The PTT is easy to switch. Even easier still if you don't want to allow transmit from the rear cockpit.

The RX audio is a different matter. For instance, a switch for the audio from COM 1 to the intercom would enable or kill COM 1 audio to both cockpits. The same for COM 2. There would be no independent control. That's a simple thing if you want both cockpits to hear the same thing. You wouldn't even need two switches for that. A single switch could select audio from either or both radios. But you can't select or control volume on one radio for one cockpit, and the other radio for the other cockpit, unless you have a mixer. Without a mixer, it's all or nothing.

These concepts have been discussed in numerous threads here. I'll include some that may be helpful.

Do I need an audio panel?

I know the question is dumb (but I am really not sure). I'm getting a plane with a Dynon radio (and a PS-Engineering intercom) and I am planning to add a NAV (probably a VAL2000) radio. I am wondering if an audio panel is needed for this configuration - which I guess so but just want to confirm...

forum.flydynon.com

Skyview with 2 COM Radios (only) - a SV and an SL40), a SV-2S Intercom, and NO audio panel

I have Skyview systems in both an RV12 and a Glasair 2 that I own, so I am familiar with the architecture and installation. A friend just bought a GlaStar with an old panel. He then bought a bunch of Skyview equipment from an abandoned project, much of it new in the box. Good stuff! So I'm...

forum.flydynon.com

Homemade audio control

I'm toying with the idea of a DIY solution that provides some audio panel capability with two radios, without having to buy an audio panel. It can't be done without buying some hardware and engaging in some very involved wiring, but I think it can be done in a workable and relatively inexpensive...

forum.flydynon.com

Combine PTT with xmt selector switch

OK, gang, it’s time for the dreaded noob-with-questions, so thanks in advance for any help you can offer. Before I start cementing configurations and buying components, I want to have a solid understanding of the overall architecture. I’ve learned a lot by reading existing threads, but I...

forum.flydynon.com

 

[Rhino]

Switching and impedance were also discussed here:

Garmin GTR-200 intercom

I have an HDX with a Garmin GTR-200 wired in a serial bus. Is it possible to add a Dynon radio (head and transceiver) and use the integrated Garmin GTR-200 intercom?

forum.flydynon.com

 

[jnmeade]

Thanks for all the helpful input. I'll definitely review all this before I make a final decision. When I decide and execute it, I'll update. My date now is after Oshkosh, where I'll possibly review some of this along with some other considerations, such as how to cut design, layout and cut the panel in a little more sophisticated way than I did it last time.