If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
The Good, the Bad, the Ugly: AirGizmo PIREP, PS Engineering CD/Intercom woes, XM "service"
********************
The Good: ******************** Yesterday we had our 496 "panel docked" with the installation of an "AirGizmo". (See them he http://www.airgizmos.com/) It's just about he slickest installation you can imagine, and really cleans up the cockpit. All the wiring is neatly behind the panel, everything is professionally wired (no more cigar lighter splitters zip tied under the panel) -- and it looks great. I bought the new "angle piece" that cocks the unit a bit toward the pilot's position, which is wonderful. The view from either position is clear, and everything is easily within reach. I can't say enough good things about this unit, and -- best of all -- your shop can do the install with nothing more than a logbook entry. ******************** The Bad: ******************** At the same time, we had the avionics shop connect the 496's XM radio output to our PS Engineering CD/Intercom, with the obvious goal of being able to play the radio through our headsets. This seemingly simple task has turned out to be quite a difficult thing to accomplish, strangely enough, and will require another visit to the shop next week. Here's why: The pin inputs on the intercom are "Music 2" and "Auxilliary". "Music 2" feeds ONLY the back two seats, which allows my kids to listen to music different from what Mary and are hearing. "Auxiliary" (the avionics boys discovered only after completing the installation) only feeds the PILOT position. Only the pilot can hear anything. The unit was designed before the proliferation of Ipods and MP3 players, so apparently PS Engineering made no accommodation for an auxillary music input that feeds all four positions! Additionally, the auxiliary input does not "auto-squelch" when ATC starts talking, which required the shop to install a "kill switch" in the panel so that I can cut the music quickly if needed. The avionics boys wanted to experiment with a few things, to see how they could effectively feed all four positions without interfering with the unit's "Intellivox" auto-squelch -- but we ran out of time. It was getting late, and we had to be home to meet family coming in for the holiday, so we had to depart. Just as well, as Tony (the head of the shop) wants time to diagram and study the circuitry in more detail before they started running experimental patch cords all over the place... Anyone got any theories? How can we feed all four intercom positions using the PS Engineering PCD7100? See the wiring diagram he http://www.ps-engineering.com/docs/PCD7100I_Wire.pdf ******************** The Ugly ******************** Anyone used XM's automated "customer service" phone system? What a joke! If you don't know the phone number you gave them when you signed up (I've got four possibilities, and chose the wrong one), the next thing the system will ask for is the special "XM" number on your unit. (Which was in the panel of the plane, which was being worked on at that moment and inaccessible to me.) There is no way to go BACK to give the automated "Bitchin' Betty" a different phone number. Eventually, after yelling at the automated hag for ten minutes, I was connected to someone in India who had NO idea how to do anything with an aviation customer. After being put on hold for five minutes I was at last connected with a very sweet (and competent) girl in Texas who was able to activate my music option and downgrade my aviation service from "Premium" to "Regular" for the winter. When I finally got her, the whole process took maybe 90 seconds. What a PIA to deal with! My advice to XM -- hire some more customer service reps, and Deep Six the automated system. -- Jay Honeck Iowa City, IA Pathfinder N56993 www.AlexisParkInn.com "Your Aviation Destination" |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
UAV's and TFR's along the Mexico boarder | John Doe | Piloting | 145 | March 31st 06 06:58 PM |
Across Nevada and Part Way Back (long) | Marry Daniel or David Grah | Soaring | 18 | July 30th 03 08:52 PM |