Model IIsx Voice-Activated INTERCOM
INSTALLATION/OPERATION MANUAL
Congratulations on buying a Flightcom IIsx
Voice Activated Intercom.
Please Read this Manual Thoroughly Before Using!
INSTALLATION:
Choose a convenient location for the intercom that will allow easy access to the
unit yet is out of the way of the aircraft’s controls and passenger movement. Often
the best location is on the floor between the seats or under the panel by the trim
wheel. You can fasten the intercom with velcro tape or mount it permanently by
securing the battery cover/mounting plate to the panel or floor.
"First", plug the power cord into the intercom. "Second", plug in all other
cables and "last", plug the power cord into the A/C cigar lighter. (When the
A/C power cord is not being used, it should be disconnected from the A/C cigar
lighter plug.)
Insert the 1/4" plug into the aircraft headphone jack. Insert the .206" plug into the
aircraft microphone jack. If your aircraft does not have a built-in push-to-talk switch,
you will need to acquire a portable switch (PTT GOLD, or equivalent) which is
inserted between the intercom and the aircraft microphone jack. Plug the headsets
directly into the intercom, not into the switch. See installation diagram.
To install your intercom with co-pilot transmit capability, insert the two mic plugs
into two different mic jacks in the aircraft. If your aircraft has only one mic jack,
use a “Y” adapter. If your aircraft does not have a built-in switch on the co-pilot’s
side, use a portable switch on the co-pilot mic plug. If you do not have a push-
to-talk switch you can use an existing handheld mic to talk on the radio while
listening over the intercom.
Battery-powered operation is possible using a 9-volt battery inside the intercom.
Do not use rechargeable batteries! They are not 9-volt and will not fit inside
battery retention cavity. Remove the battery backplate by sliding it forward.
Attach the connector wires to the battery and insert into the retention cavity,
taking care not to pinch the wires. The battery will be held firmly in the cavity.
Replace the backplate and snap it back into its locked position.
For aircraft power, insert the power plug into the cigarette lighter. The intercom
automatically switches to aircraft power when available.
POWER INDICATOR:
When the unit is ON and operating on aircraft power, the green LED indicator light
comes on and remains on while aircraft power continues. When the unit is ON
and is operating on battery power, the green LED will blink at approximately one-
second intervals. If the green LED light does not operate when the unit is ON and
on battery power, a low battery charge is being indicated.
NOTE: Always Turn the Unit OFF When Not In Use!
OPERATING PROCEDURES:
Plug headsets into the intercom and turn on the aircraft master switch. Make sure
the pilot’s headset is plugged into the pilot’s side of the intercom. Turn on the
intercom and set the volume control to the one o’clock position and squelch
control to the three o’clock position initially.
ZERO to 1/8"
from mouth
Position boom mic 1/8" from lips and center it over the corner of your mouth for
best results. Noise cancelling mics will not operate correctly if they are more than
1/8" from your mouth. While speaking loudly, adjust the volume control to a
comfortable listening level. The squelch control should be set as far clockwise as
possible while still blocking the background noise. Only adjust the squelch when
no one is talking. Adjust this setting in-flight to compensate for different noise
levels. If the squelch is set too high, your voice will be cut out unless you talk very
loudly. If the squelch is set too low, background noise will occasionally be heard.
Normal radio use is unaffected by installation of the intercom, but passengers will
now be able to hear the aircraft radio sidetone. Intercom volume control does not
affect radio volume. To transmit on the radio, simply push the yoke switch
associated with your headset. There is no need for the passenger to stop talking
while the pilot is transmitting. Only the person whose PTT Switch is depressed
will be heard over the radio, thus an instructor can talk to a student pilot while the
student is transmitting, without the instructor’s voice being heard over the air.
Common 8-ohm consumer headphones may be used without harming the
intercom or affecting the volume of the other headsets. The hand mic that came
with the aircraft can be used in conjunction with these headphones as an
economical alternative to buying additional aviation headsets.
PILOT ISOLATE SWITCH
Selecting the Pilot Isolate "ON" (up) setting will isolate the pilot's head-
phones from conversation and music, and connect the pilot directly to the
aircraft radio. In the event of a power supply interruption or failure of the
intercom, placing the Pilot Isolate switch in the “ON” position will connect the
pilot’s headset directly to the aircraft radio. Place the switch in this position
when flying solo, this will allow the intercom and headphone cables to remain
in place even while the intercom is not being used. Pushing the switch down
disengages the Pilot Isolate function allowing normal intercom operations.
IN CASE OF DIFFICULTY:
If intercom does not work when plugged in, you may have inserted the push-to-talk
switch between the headset and the intercom. Reconnect PTT between the
intercom and the aircraft radio. Verify that the cigar lighter power source is working
by checking to see if the green LED on the front panel is ON when intercom is
plugged into cigar lighter; otherwise you may actually be using battery power even
while plugged into the cigar lighter. If the LED is NOT ON, check the fuse located
 Model IIsx
Installation Diagram SR-4
The Flightcom IIsx can be ex-
Lighter Plug 12-32 VDC White
(optional) panded to four places with the
Cigar Lighter Band
addition of an SR-4 Expansion
12-32 VDC
Module. Plug the remote unit
Headphone Plug Flightcom IIsx OUT
Headphone Jack into the modular jack located
Mic Plug on the bottom of the intercom
Microphone Jack
and route the cable to the rear
PILOT seat area.
Push-to-talk Switch IN
A tape recorder can be con-
Microphone Jack Aircraft Power Indicator
CO- "ON" = Aircraft Power nected to the IN/OUT jacks on
Mic Plug PILOT Mic
"FLASH" = Battery Power the bottom of the intercom if
CO-PILOT "OFF" = Low Battery *
Push-to-talk Switch Earphone desired. To listen to music, con-
Detachable nect a cable(3.5mm plug) from
Cords earphone jack on tape player
Tape Recorder
Lighter Plug
(optional) to IN jack on intercom. Radio,
Y-ADAPTER
intercom and music signals will
be mixed. Connect another
* When operating on battery power. cable from mic jack on tape
Single player to OUT jack on intercom
Microphone PILOT
Jack Push-to-talk Switch if you wish to record radio and/
or intercom conversations. ATC
Mic Plug CO- will not hear music while you
PILOT
Single Microphone Jack are transmitting.
CO-PILOT
Diagram Push-to-talk Switch

in the plug on the power cord. Replace with a 1/4-AMP fuse only. This protects
your intercom from reverse polarity damage. If this fuse continually faults, have
your aircraft power supply checked. Some users prefer to hard-wire the intercom
to the aircraft power. If this is done, make sure a 1/4-AMP fuse is installed in the
power line. Check the power supply lead to make sure there is voltage available
where it is connected. The cigar lighter jack may be too corroded or contaminated
with ash deposits to make a good electrical contact for low current devices like
these intercoms.
NOTE: High current devices like spotlights or cigar lighter elements, when
inserted, cause an arc that burns away oxidation, allowing them to work in an
otherwise faulty jack. Many aircraft do not have an operable cigarette lighter due
to an AD requiring disconnection. If you have any of these problems, use a
different method to obtain power or use the intercom’s internal battery.
Check to see if the plugs are all the way in. Is the volume turned up? Is the squelch
turned up? Are the headphone plugs corroded? Use steel wool to shine up your
headphone plugs. Try a new battery.
If a high pitch whine is only present when the engine is running and varies
with RPM, it is from strong alternator or generator noise present on the power
bus of the aircraft. Try connecting the ground lead to another point in the aircraft.
In extreme situations, a commercial alternator noise filter should help. Connect
it in series with the intercom power lead. In severe cases this problem indicates
a weak battery or an alternator with a defective diode(s).
If you have difficulty transmitting on the radio, check if the pilot is plugged into
the pilot side of the intercom and make certain the pilot's push-to-talk switch does
not have the co-pilot's mic plug connected to it by mistake. If you encounter a
distorted sidetone while transmitting, it relates to improper shielding of the aircraft
antenna cable. Usually the tower receives you loud and clear in spite of what it
sounds like in the cockpit. If the co-pilot's transmission is not clear, rotate the plug
several times in the jack labeled "CO-PILOT XMIT" to clean off any built-up
corrosion.
If the unit isn’t loud enough or you lose parts of your sentences, place the
microphone as close to your lips as possible.
IMPORTANT! Make sure the squelch is not adjusted too high. While no one is
talking, slowly rotate the squelch control until the background noise just disap-
pears. Do not turn the knob any further than necessary. Good headsets make a
big difference here.
Unfortunately, all aviation headsets are not created equal and you may find that
one brand puts out a higher signal than another. With a few models you may be
able to equalize the sensitivity of your headsets by adjusting the mic pre-amps
(refer to the OPERATION MANUAL for your headset).
If you are unable to squelch out all the background noise, note that David
Clark H10-30 headsets require that the mic preamp be turned down all the way.
This is accomplished by rotating the small nylon screw at the front of the mic fully
counter-clockwise. Single earsets or other tubular mic type headsets may not
have the noise cancelling ability necessary for proper squelch operation. A full
earmuff with a high-quality noise cancelling electret or amplified microphone is
the best way to go, although all aviation headsets will work to some degree.
If the background noise level is too high while speaking, the source is with
the noise-cancelling ability of the mic itself. Only one poor mic will make the entire
system noisy. Switch to a premium headset with a very small electret element like
our Flightcom 5DX; or turn down the volume control until the noise is at an
acceptable level and speak louder with the mic touching your lips. This increases
the signal-to-noise ratio by increasing the strength of your voice and decreasing
the apparent strength of the noise.
If a high pitch whine is always present, it may be coming from the turn-and-
bank indicator or other electric gyro. Try connecting your power lead onto some
other circuit breaker.
If it still doesn’t work, call or write us with a detailed description of the problem
and we can probably explain what to do to correct it. Don’t return it without
contacting us first. The problem may be in your radio or headsets. Check them
out in another aircraft if possible.
Procedure for warranty claim:
A copy of the purchaser’s original, dated bill of sale should be retained as proof
of purchase and must be presented with the unit when returned for repair. Please
enclose a note describing the problem, the type of aircraft and headsets used and
the number of hours the intercom has been in use. Defective units must be
shipped to us with the freight prepaid. Pack equipment well to avoid damage in
shipment.
Flightcom Corporation
7340 SW Durham Road, Portland, Oregon 97224
503/684-8229
Two-Year Limited Warranty to Original Purchaser
Flightcom Corporation warrants to the original purchaser of this product that it will be free from defects
in materials and workmanship under normal and proper use for the period of two years from date of
purchase. Flightcom Corporation will repair or replace, at its option, any parts showing factory defects
during this warranty period, subject to the following provisions. This warranty applies only to a new product
which has been sold through authorized channels of distribution. All work under warranty must be
performed by Flightcom Corporation. All returned products must be shipped to our address, freight prepaid,
accompanied by a dated proof of purchase. SAVE YOUR SALES SLIP! The purchaser voids this warranty
if he, she, or others attempt to repair, service or alter the product in any way. This warranty does not apply
in the event of accident, abuse, improper installation, unauthorized repair, tampering, modification, fire,
flood, collision or other damage from external sources, including damage which is caused by user
replaceable parts (leaking batteries, etc.). This warranty does not extend to any other equipment or aircraft
to which this product may be attached or connected. The foregoing is your sole remedy for failure in service
or defect. Flightcom Corporation shall not be liable under this or any implied warranty for incidental or
consequential damages, nor for any installation or removal costs or other service fees. This warranty is in
lieu of all other warranties, express or implied, including the warranty of merchantability or fitness for use,
which are hereby excluded. To the extent that this exclusion is not legally enforceable, the duration of such
implied warranties shall be limited to two years from date of purchase. No suit for breach of express or
implied warranty may be brought after two years from date of purchase.
©1992, Rev. 12/93, Rev. 5/95, Rev. 2/00 FLIGHTCOM CORPORATION Printed in U.S.A.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED — Specifications subject to change without notice.