PDA360EX
NOT what you asked, but: Have you considered a good intercom, with lots of unswitched inputs, instead of a full blown audio panel? Plus a single DPDT switch to move from com1 to com2? "switch" everything else (VOR audio, unused com) with the volume controls. It works just fine. Of course, you lose marker beacons (what's that?!) but little else. I rarely touch my intercom, so I'm happy locating it anywhere within reach.
I think I'll chime in. To wire an intercom so more than one radio can be connected to it, requires switches (mic hi, mic low, ptt, audio hi, audio low) that will take just as much wiring as wiring an audio panel.
There is lot to gain with an audio panel vs an intercom (this coming from a company that has been designing and building intercoms since 1985). True dimensional sound (IntelliAudio) for the aircraft radios, the flexibility of multiple entertainment sources, distribution of the entertainment, Bluetooth connectivity, 10 watt USB charger, and an extremely easy to use interface, makes the system very capable while very easy to use.
To hear audio alerts, a summing amplifier would have to be incorporated. Another thing to power, mount, and maintain. And if you ever want to hear two radios at the same time, with mechanical switches, at best, you will have two output amplifiers driving into each other, and that just is bad practice.
At the price of the PDA360EX, the benefits when compared to an intercom with external switching, are abundant. The continuous loop digital recorder is also really nice to have when you missed that last call to you.
Bob, I know you are very technical and I totally respect what you have done for the aviation community. I also very much appreciate all of the kind words you have given PS Engineering over the years. But being in the intercom/audio panel business I think taking short cuts in a system that connects to communication/navigation systems probably will present the home-builder with a less than optimal final solution.
Thank you Carlos for considering our audio panel, I would be very proud to be your audio controller provider.
Sincerely,
Mark Scheuer
PS Engineering, Inc.