September 26 ,2019

Audio Control Panel

This type of ACP has cylindrical button volume controls, others have sliders.
Radio/Int works in the same way as the rocker switch on the control column. ie in the INT position bypasses
the mic selector to transmit on the flt interphone.
The filter switch, Voice-Both-Range, allows better reception of either voice or morse identifiers on NAV & ADF
radios. Check that this switch has not been left in the V position if you can’t get an ident.
Mask/Boom simply selects either mask or boom mic. Check this if nobody can hear you transmit – especially
after your oxy mask mic check!
Alt/Norm in the ALT position puts the ACP into degraded mode. If the Capts ACP is in degraded mode, he can
only transmit on VHF1 through mask or boom and can only receive VHF1 at a preset level. The F/O’s ACP in
degraded mode is the same but uses VHF2. Note aural warnings will still be heard over the speaker.
VHF Radio
Most 737’s have three VHF radios and at least one HF radio. This unit allows for selection of any of those at
this station. The TEST button is a squelch and is used to hear faint stations that do not have the strength to
breakthrough. If you switch the panel OFF at the same time as TEST is applied this holds the test condition
thereby allowing you to hear faint stations without having to hold down the test button – very useful for
copying distant weather!
Nav Radio
There are very many different Nav radio boxes in the worlds 737’s the second shown here is teh new Multi-
mode nav panel which is used to tune VORs, ILS, & GLS. More details about their use in the Navigation section.
Marker Beacons
The markers are pre-tuned to their 75MHz frequency and illuminate when overflown. The marker tone can
also be heard if selected on the ACP.
Selective Calling, SELCAL
The SELCAL light will illuminate and a two-tone chime sounds if the aircraft is being selcal’d on either HF or
VHF.
This particular panel is a very old unit and most operators have had to improvise the method of radio
connections to it. Typically, in the past, diodes would be used to “OR” the VHFs together to illuminate one of
the lights. Over the last 15 years, the vast majority of the SELCAL panels have a light for each of the radios
(VHF-1, VHF-2, VHF-3, HF-1, HF-2) and in some cases, include the Attendant call, and SATCOM call.
Cockpit Voice Recorder
The CVR records the headset and microphone of all 3 ASP’s and the ambient cockpit sounds all on separate
channels. The recordings start with the first rise in engine oil pressure and go onto a 120 or 30min (as fitted)
continuous loop tape until 5mins after last engine shutdown. In the event of an incident crews are advised to
pull the CVR c/b after final stop to avoid automatic erasure. It is illegal to stop the CVR in flight. The CVR is
located in the aft cargo hold.
The External Power Hatch is located beneath the F/O’s DV window. It is used by groundcrew to connect the
Ground Power Unit and headset for pushback communications with Flight Interphone.
The service interphone is used by engineers to communicate with the service interphone stations inside the
aircraft. Note that the Service Interphone switch on the aft overhead panel must be switched ON for this use.
There is also a pilot call button and a nose-wheelwell light switch to assist the groundcrew to insert the
steering bypass pin.
Service Interphone
The switch on the aft overhead panel activates the external jacks to the service interphone system. Normal
internal service interphone operation is unaffected by switch position.
The blue CALL light on the overhead panel illuminates and a single-tone chime sounds when either the cabin
crew (service interphone) or ground crew (flight or service interphone) are calling the flight deck. Antennae
Antenna and static discharge wicks should be inspected carefully on the walkaround for integrity and burns,
especially if lightning or St Elmo’s fire has been observed.
Limitations
There are various frequencies listed in the limitations section as not to be used. These are due to interference
from other systems. For instance the EEC’s affect VHF 120.00Mhz, there is a service bulletin (SB 737-73-1010)
which will eliminate this. The HF frequency limitations are the result of interference caused by cabin
entertainment systems.