transmit volume? help

exncsurfer

exncsurfer

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exncsurfer
I'm a renter so I don't get much downtime in the plane to play with radios etc. It seems like every flight I'm fighting with the radio to get it set where its comfortable and functional.

This last flight everything was OK except for the transmit volume. Is there a knob to adjust that? I don't think so. I have a volume and squelch knob that control the intercom, that volume was fine, I could hear myself at a comfortable volume without transmitting. The radio I was using to monitor ground/tower was set to a comfortable level. It was just when I went to transmit to ground or tower my voice would just blare into my headset way too loud. Their responses were fine. Any ideas? The only thing I could think of, if there is no knob, maybe I need to turn up all those other volumes then turn down my headset volume. Problem is I never know its too loud till I go to call the tower. I don't have time to monkey with the volumes while I'm trying to get taxi instructions and talk.

I guess I need a radio check freq. to mess with before I call them up.
 
Learn how to use the volume control knob on your headset.
"Bumpy Patch tower, November one three Delta Foxtrot. Radio check, please."
Or Ground, or Unicom.
Remember, they work for you.
 
Are you talking about the side tone (when you hear yourself talking to ATC)? If so, that's usually not "user" adjustable without a little know how and sometimes tools. Something the FBO's maintenance/avionics department can adjust, though.
 
bradg33 said:
Are you talking about the side tone (when you hear yourself talking to ATC)? If so, that's usually not "user" adjustable without a little know how and sometimes tools. Something the FBO's maintenance/avionics department can adjust, though.
Click to expand...
Yea, I guess so, but is it not called side tone when talking without pressing the ptt button? Without pressing the button, I could hear myself at a comfortable level, when pressing the transmit button, LOUD side tone.

So, if the side tone isn't easily adjustable, it guess turning down my headset volume and turning up all the other volumes should equalize them.
 
Shepherd said:
Learn how to use the volume control knob on your headset.
"Bumpy Patch tower, November one three Delta Foxtrot. Radio check, please."
Or Ground, or Unicom.
Remember, they work for you.
Click to expand...
Yea, I set my headset volume based on the intercom and ATIS, I guess I need to start with a transmit test and work back from there to the intercom and receive volumes.
 
exncsurfer said:
Yea, I guess so, but is it not called side tone when talking without pressing the ptt button? Without pressing the button, I could hear myself at a comfortable level, when pressing the transmit button, LOUD side tone.

So, if the side tone isn't easily adjustable, it guess turning down my headset volume and turning up all the other volumes should equalize them.
Click to expand...

Maybe, but doubtful. The side-tone is a function of the radio and the audio panel. If it's out of whack, you may struggle to balance the volumes.
 
exncsurfer said:
Yea, I guess so, but is it not called side tone when talking without pressing the ptt button? Without pressing the button, I could hear myself at a comfortable level, when pressing the transmit button, LOUD side tone.

So, if the side tone isn't easily adjustable, it guess turning down my headset volume and turning up all the other volumes should equalize them.
Click to expand...
Side tone when you transmit is a separate circuit from what you hear when talking on the intercom.

Knowing what brand/model radios you're dealing with might help.
 
What radio are we talking about? My ex-Apollo SL-30 and GNS480 both have a menu item to adjust the sidetone volume.
 
flyingron said:
What radio are we talking about? My ex-Apollo SL-30 and GNS480 both have a menu item to adjust the sidetone volume.
Click to expand...
My thoughts too. We would have to know what intercom/audio panel and what comm radio you are using to even have a remote chance of helping you. My Garmin GTN650 has a SYSTEM setting for adjusting the transmit volume sent to the audio panel. You have to drive through setup menus to get to the adjustment.
 
MauleSkinner said:
Side tone when you transmit is a separate circuit from what you hear when talking on the intercom.

Knowing what brand/model radios you're dealing with might help.
Click to expand...
Yea, the radio I was using was an SL30. So apparently it does have a setting. I don't want to go messing in the settings menu on a rental if I don't have to. Next time I'll compare the side tone on the GPS radio as well to see if it is just the sl30. The intercom volume control is just a two knob thing, PS engineering. PM 2000.
 
exncsurfer said:
Yea, the radio I was using was an SL30. So apparently it does have a setting. I don't want to go messing in the settings menu on a rental if I don't have to. Next time I'll compare the side tone on the GPS radio as well to see if it is just the sl30. The intercom volume control is just a two knob thing, PS engineering. PM 2000.
Click to expand...
If it's a pilot-selectable menu, I'd not only be willing to adjust it, but would suggest (now that you know it's an option) that you would learn how to operate that part of your radio.

It would be fair game for a checkride, so why not learn it otherwise?
 
MauleSkinner said:
If it's a pilot-selectable menu, I'd not only be willing to adjust it, but would suggest (now that you know it's an option) that you would learn how to operate that part of your radio.

It would be fair game for a checkride, so why not learn it otherwise?
Click to expand...
Yes, I'll look into the menus if turning the receive volumes up more (and my headset down) doest fix it.
 
exncsurfer said:
Yes, I'll look into the menus if turning the receive volumes up more (and my headset down) doest fix it.
Click to expand...
Press SYS then use the knob to select Comm options and press Ent, then scroll to sidetone.
 
Update on this one, I was able to get all my volumes evened out by starting with the headset volume minimum, then set headset volume to comfortable sidetone level(making test calls and adjusting headset volume) then adjusting radio volume(had to crank to the max to match the sidetone) then the intercom volume(cranked almost to max). Thanks for the info on the separate side tone volume @MauleSkinner and thanks for the menu items @Clark1961
 
Since you are renting, you can always write it on the gripe sheet for the mx to take care of it.
If you write something like "TX sidetone unbelievably loud", don't be surprised to read resolution "sidetone set to a more believable level". :D

(I know, I know, old joke but I could not resist! :) )
 
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