C172 Radio Communication

[crhodes242]

Greetings,

I am currently a student pilot and preparing for my solo. Everything is going well with regards of the actual flying the plane, but once it comes to the ATC communication, it goes down hill. Now, its not that I'm "afraid" or to talk to them, its for some reason the call button on my yoke does not work for me. It will work for everyone else but never me. I can get it to click, then start talking and then it cuts off when I'm in the middle of my transmission. So, this is what then stresses me out and makes me "nervous". Does anyone have any suggestion or tips of how to press the call button without this happening or controlling stress and being nervous.

I appreciate all responses!
Thank you!

 

[Stingray Don]

Are you sure the problem is the PTT button? If you don't project your voice enough, you will not hear your own voice in your headset.

 

[crhodes242]

Are you sure the problem is the PTT button? If you don't project your voice enough, you will not hear your own voice in your headset.

Well my CFI tells me to hear the click when you push the button and then speak. I push the button but never here the click, or do then it shuts off. And then when it cuts me off mid transmission, ATC will usually come back saying they didn't get it all and try the other radio and whatnot, but the radiio works fine. Because my CFI will reach over and push it, and it'll click and work.

 

[bflynn]

Move your microphone to touch your lips and speak in a normal voice like you're talking with three of your friends. Also make sure you're not wiggling your finger on the switch, just press, hold and talk.

 

[Clark1961]

Well my CFI tells me to hear the click when you push the button and then speak. I push the button but never here the click, or do then it shuts off. And then when it cuts me off mid transmission, ATC will usually come back saying they didn't get it all and try the other radio and whatnot, but the radiio works fine. Because my CFI will reach over and push it, and it'll click and work.

Some mic buttons are a little "funny" in the sense that they have to be fully depressed to make contact. For some people the soft part of the finger is not stiff enough to keep the button fully depressed. Maybe try to press the button with your fingernail and really staying aware of the pressure.

As far as controlling stress and being nervous, preparation is the best thing. Think of what you're going to say, say it quietly to yourself then key the mic and say it loudly for the person on the other side of the radio.

The "what" is: who (them & you), where, what you want, and any required info like ATIS letter.

 

[crhodes242]

Some mic buttons are a little "funny" in the sense that they have to be fully depressed to make contact. For some people the soft part of the finger is not stiff enough to keep the button fully depressed. Maybe try to press the button with your fingernail and really staying aware of the pressure.

As far as controlling stress and being nervous, preparation is the best thing. Think of what you're going to say, say it quietly to yourself then key the mic and say it loudly for the person on the other side of the radio.

The "what" is: who (them & you), where, what you want, and any required info like ATIS letter.

Thanks, ill try this today

 

[exncsurfer]

I'm a student pilot myself, the mic has a minimum threshold, like someone said, maybe move it closer. Maybe borrow someone else's headset, could be faulty. Do you have the problem with your voice cutting in/out when talking with the instructor prior to making radio calls?

 

[jordane93]

Be confident, make sure you are transmitting, and be concise. It will get easier with practice

 

[MAKG1]

I'm a student pilot myself, the mic has a minimum threshold, like someone said, maybe move it closer. Maybe borrow someone else's headset, could be faulty. Do you have the problem with your voice cutting in/out when talking with the instructor prior to making radio calls?

Not just move it closer. Move it as close as you can and still be able to close your mouth.

I generally tell people to rest the mic against their upper lip.

Make sure the squelch is set, and if the PTT is squirrelly, squawk it. Many radios have a transmission annunciation, and if that goes out, your PTT is the source of the problem.

 

[ettsn]

All of the above info is correct, and I'll second making sure you understand how squelch works. Often, even if your mic is "kissably close", if the squelch is set too high for your mic's gain, it will produce intermittent or flaky audio. Learn where the squelch is on your audio panel, and learn how to set it correctly.

 

[bflynn]

Also occurred to me - make sure your microphone is not flipped backwards. Peel back the foam, there should be a TALK side and a blank side. Make sure TALK is toward you. It twists so you can wear it either way.

 

[FlySince9]

You might want to watch your radio when you depress your PTT... Many have a "T' or "R" display when transmitting/Receiving... If it does have that indicator, make sure the "T" stays on throughout your transmission. If it does, your trouble is in your mike/headset...also, I would think you would hear a clicking in your side-tone if your transmission is being interrupted by the switch or lack of pressure on it... If you hear your uninterrupted voice in the side-tone, your issue is not with the Mike... Those should help you isolate exactly where the breakdown is located...

 

[Shawn]

Also occurred to me - make sure your microphone is not flipped backwards. Peel back the foam, there should be a TALK side and a blank side. Make sure TALK is toward you. It twists so you can wear it either way.

I learned that this is a thing. Had two Pax in back seat...could not hear one the entire trip and they are both on identical headsets and my com panel only has one adjustment for both rear positions. Turns out their mic was backwards.

Play with it on the ground on an unused frequency and if your com has a Tx indicator when it transmits, play with the button and see if it is actually intermittent, otherwise may very well be your mic sensitivity and squelch settings are not strong enough to keep the mic open.

I work in Pro Audio among other things and any time I am dealing with a presenter I tell them to speak like you have no mic, the mic is just there to reinforce your voice. If you rely on the mic, you will not be heard...in your case...speak up!

ATC commutations can be fast and furious at first. One of the best things my CFI taught me (besides landing!) was to use the term "Student Pilot" or "New Pilot" any time when talking to ATC. They will slow down and make sure you understand...otherwise they do not know if you are a complete noob or a 10,000 hour Jet Jockey.

"Tower, Skyhawk 123AB inbound 10 miles from the west with information Hotel, Student Pilot"

 

[woodchucker]

I'll just add this in here. During my PPL training there was one 172 I hated flying because the mic button was a PITA. It literally numbed my finger with the amount of pressure it took to keep the line open to talk.

 

[SixPapaCharlie]

Also worth checking...
I have had headsets with a one sided mic where hit turned so the "talk"side was facing away. Take the foam cover off and check this too

 

[fiveoboy01]

Also worth checking...
I have had headsets with a one sided mic where hit turned so the "talk"side was facing away. Take the foam cover off and check this too

I bought a second A20 at Oshkosh last week for a passenger headset and didn't realize this was the case. Swore a few times before realizing it was twisted somehow.