ICOM IC-A200 Question

Has anyone used the intercom function of the ICOM IC-A200 radio? How does it work? Is it VOX or hot mike? Do you like it? Any advice?

I had one in my Tri-Pacer. Great radio but the intercom is a hot mike setup. I didn't like it.

PS1000II due next week,
Steve

Intercom in name only

jamescone said:

Has anyone used the intercom function of the ICOM IC-A200 radio? How does it work? Is it VOX or hot mike? Do you like it? Any advice?

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Yep the intercom is almost in name only. Yes it is an open mic (two). I guess in a bare bones open cockpit, you could activate with a button for a step up from yelling, but even a cheap VOX intercom is going to be better. Also the ICOM needs some extra wiring and a switch to go between TX and Intercom, not both at the same time.

Thanks guys. I will get a stand alone intercom.

ICOM intercom

Hi Jim,

I have wired up my last two aircraft using the built-in intercom function of the ICOM A-200. It works fine. I used two PTT micro-switches, plus a toggle switch between transmit and intercom functions on my first aircraft, and on the RV I added another toggle to switch between hot mike and cold mike, mainly so if I flew with a passenger that talked a lot or couldn't use the PTT intercom switch, I could set it so they could talk freely.
The wiring was challenging , at least for me, and my next aircraft will have a separate intercom unit for that reason.

Cheers

Martin in Oz

Low transmit

I have the A200, but am having intermittant low transmit.
I'm using the Flightcom 403 intercom.
All connections tight.
The interupt works and I can see the TX transmit indicator on the A200 display, but it must be low. I do a radio check on runup and get a "loud and clear". My range may be short. I did have problems at a flyin a few weeks ago in Lakeland where ground could hear me but tower could not.

Any ideas?

Installation assistance?

Harvey said:

I have wired up my last two aircraft using the built-in intercom function of the ICOM A-200. It works fine. I used two PTT micro-switches, plus a toggle switch between transmit and intercom functions on my first aircraft, and on the RV I added another toggle to switch between hot mike and cold mike, mainly so if I flew with a passenger that talked a lot or couldn't use the PTT intercom switch, I could set it so they could talk freely.
The wiring was challenging , at least for me, and my next aircraft will have a separate intercom unit for that reason.

Click to expand...

Hi Martin,

Would it be at all possible for you to provide some installation details for we 'electronically challenged' folks? I have ordered the Icom A200 and had planned on utilizing its built-in intercom circuitry, but from what I'm reading, it appears the best option may be an add-on intercom interfaced to it.

Thanks very much,
Ed in Columbus, OH

Jim,

As the others have said, you can wire it with a PPT for the intercom function and a second PPT for the radio. IMHO, the intercom feature would work great in a open cockpit where you need the PPT for the intercom.

I wired mine in with a Sigtronics intercom, which works good.

The big advantage of using the iCom is that it has three mono inputs for warning tones. That feature is how I wired my Dynons into my audio system. The radio then feeds the intercom.

So far, I'm very happy with the set up.

Here is a schematic.