Critical Angle - Avionics

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Info you've got to know "If using a voice activated intercom (VOX) system for a high noise environment look very carefully at the various models offered by manufacturers. Many of the major manufacturers offer a unit specifically designed for high noise environments so do bare this in mind"

"A chain is as strong as its weakest link" - this old proverb also applies to any communications system. You may have one of the best intercoms coupled to a fantastic headset but if that of your passenger or co-pilot is of lesser quality this will reflect in the overall quality of comms... try to match headsets...
Even if the headsets are different at least try and use the same type of microphone.

Intercom squelch "keys" on to the most sensitive microphone... bear this in mind if having difficulty setting suitable squelch level for a different types of headset. Once again try and use the same types of microphone.

If wanting to use a voice activated intercom for a very high noise environment or one with a wide variation in noise levels look into an intercom specifically designed for this environment... not all intercoms are created equal. Most major manufacturers offer one of these in their product range.

If you have an aircraft with a wide range of noise levels (full power to low power) intercom squelch may have to be adjusted several times during various phases of flight as a "set and forget" system may not work. If this is frustrating perhaps a voice activated intercom (VOX) system is not the way to go and a simpler push to talk system may make life better. Most intercom systems can be configured to be a push to talk system with very little effort.