ICOM A6 Operators... Possible Useful Info...

[Trez]

For those of you who have/use the Icom A6 Handheld radio:

If you are supplying your A6 from ship's power, you likely already know that the A6 likes ONLY 11 volts of power. (It's in the manual).
If you are using it with a Key West or other similar Reg/Rectifier, without first limiting the voltage input to the radio at close to 11 volts, you won't be getting optimum use of your radio. (And you'll likely fry your radio).
AND, something I just found out is that if you supply un-regulated voltage from a Reg/Rectifier (13.4 - 14+ volts), the remote PTT (Push-To-Talk) will become disabled.
If you already know all this, 'scuse me. But I didn't know about the PTT issue and thought some others might also be wondering...........Hope it helps...........
Trez
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[All_In]

This is good to know!!! Thanks Trez!!

[getut]

I got rid of my A6 because of all those types of quirks.

If you transmit anything with the word downwind on the first tuesday in March or transmit anything while being in a left banking turn on any weekend with an antenna 3.6mm longer than nominal, the damn thing won't work right.

Thats in the book too if you read that far into without packing the whole thing up and ebaying it heheheh.

[Trez]

I got rid of my A6 because of all those types of quirks.


Robert,
Can be frustrating, can't it?
I think it's the 11 volts input that's the most puzzling, and the most difficult for the 'unwashed' of us out there, to deal with.
I found a modulating device that I set to power the radio only (11 volts) and it works great. No more problems with the A6.
Why, oh why, did someone at ICOM specify that one of their radios require 11 volts - instead of 12? W'sUWT?
Trez

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[scottessex]

Somebody's brother in law probably works for a company that sells modulating devices...
I'm just sayin' At least that is how it works in the airline business. :)

[Jason O]

I have my A6 plugged into a "cigarette" outlet in my airplane and the voltage on my meter reads 14 volts when the engine is running. I have had no problems with the radio or using the remote PTT. I hope my luck holds out!

[Earthboundmisft]

Thanks Trez. Im running the old A-24 like Seace, no problems yet. Did you fly this past weekend?

[Trez]

I have my A6 plugged into a "cigarette" outlet in my airplane and the voltage on my meter reads 14 volts when the engine is running. I have had no problems with the radio or using the remote PTT. I hope my luck holds out!

Jason,
I forgot to mention that ICOM makes an adapter cord to plug into a cig. lighter outlet that modulates the voltage to the proper value. Can't remember their part number but others who use it says it does the job as well. Perhaps that's what you're using?

Thanks Trez. Im running the old A-24 like Seace, no problems yet. Did you fly this past weekend?

Mike,
No dice. Between the wind and the heebie jeebies I missed the opportunity. But got some things done at the hangar. (You know, talkin' an jukin' an jivin' ).
Dang, that means I got to go back down to the 'Chula place again next weekend.....Dang....................!
(How you comin'?)

Trez

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[Resasi]

Trez I have been decidedly leery about charging my A6 from the ship's system and so far not done so even though it was wired up to do so.

You have saved me from a potential fry-up at some stage when I decided to go ahead. I will now find the appropriate step down required item, thanks for the info.

On another of my battles with the com's the patch I got at Wauchula for the A6 from Bear Perkins that worked fine with my Helmet in Zephyrhills does not work with my other identical helmet in Rissington. Another trouble shooting venture.

Just for you, probably heard it. LSO to new arrival to the carrier after his 6th 'bolter'. "Son, you gonna have to land here sometime. This is where the chow is."

[Trez]

Trez I have been decidedly leery about charging my A6 from the ship's system and so far not done so even though it was wired up to do so.


Leigh,
You might want to try the ICOM CP-20, which is their DC power cord, made to jack into a cigarette lighter socket. (BTW, there is an aftermarket version for about half the price - Google it). It is, of course, made to be compatible with the A6. Otherwise, try to find a regulator?/modulator? that will allow you to 'dial in' 11volts/DC.
Here's the one I have - but it's pricey. Bought it when I still had some money.....Works great! http://miracleantenna.com/Smoothie.htm


You have saved me from a potential fry-up at some stage when I decided to go ahead. I will now find the appropriate step down required item, thanks for the info.

Hope you can get it right. Mine's fine now.


On another of my battles with the com's the patch I got at Wauchula for the A6 from Bear Perkins that worked fine with my Helmet in Zephyrhills does not work with my other identical helmet in Rissington. Another trouble shooting venture.

It's just amazing to me that so many us have these same sort of problems, over and over..........


Just for you, probably heard it. LSO to new arrival to the carrier after his 6th 'bolter'. "Son, you gonna have to land here sometime. This is where the chow is."

Surprised he didn't tell him to break off, head for home plate, and dine a McDonalds.........:plane:


Best of luck with everything.................

Trez

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[jcarleto]

One can build a little adjustable voltage regulator for under $10.00 using a LM350 and a few common components (available at most Radio Shack stores). Google LM350 and you'll find schematics and even find some DIY kits. The regulator should easily manage 12-16 volts input and give a reliable 11 volt output at up to 3 amps.

[Trez]

One can build a little adjustable voltage regulator for under $10.00 using a LM350 and a few common components (available at most Radio Shack stores). Google LM350 and you'll find schematics and even find some DIY kits. The regulator should easily manage 12-16 volts input and give a reliable 11 volt output at up to 3 amps.

Jon,
I wish I had known about this before I bought the one I now have.
I can see how it would be a piece of cake to make your own, if you've ever used a soldering gun. Just goes to show you that magic exists only 'cause we don't know the trick.
BTW, enjoyed sittin' around the campfire listening to you and Rick pickin' 'n strummin' 'n singin' 'n cuttin' up. Dang, you're good (so's Rick).
Thanks for the heads up on the reg.
Trez
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[giro5]

11 Volts - that's metric isn't it.

[Earthboundmisft]

Trez, I have been slammed since B-Days, broke airplanes. Did manage to slide into a big half-hangar at Valkaria. I will begin the move of my cluttered shop to the new site next week.
Its amazing how much stuff you can accumulate over the years. Its gonna be nice to be right on the field. Later.

[Trez]

Trez, I have been slammed since B-Days, broke airplanes. Did manage to slide into a big half-hangar at Valkaria. I will begin the move of my cluttered shop to the new site next week.
Its amazing how much stuff you can accumulate over the years. Its gonna be nice to be right on the field. Later.

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Mike,
Sounds like you got the world by the 'nads.
Sure is quiet around the hangar.
Surprise us sometime and liven things up!
Best of luck...............
Trez
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[Earthboundmisft]

You know somethin Trez, when I look back 2, or 6 years ago, I do indeed have one hell of a lot to be thankful for, nuff said.

[Trez]

You know somethin Trez, when I look back 2, or 6 years ago, I do indeed have one hell of a lot to be thankful for, nuff said.


Bless your heart, Dude............

Trez

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[bartc150]

For what its worth there have been many conversations about powering your radio thru the charging port with the battery still installed. This seems to be the only way to externally power the radio. I have read in numerous articles (thanks google) that the small plug supplied with the radio is for charging the battery only and when the radio is transmitted something inside the radio doesn't jive.

Do a search (thanks again google) for a battery eleminator for your specific model of radio. It looks just like the battery pack but with a 12 volt cigarette plug attached. The thinking being is when the radio is put under load (transmitting) the charging port doesn't supply the needed power.

They say it is better to supply the power thru the same contacts that the battery uses. I'm no radio expert just something I thought I would pass along. I had one for my radio and worked great and I just carried the charged battery pack for emergency situations. Not saying it will solve your exact problem but something worth looking into.

[Earthboundmisft]

Bart, done anything with that engine yet? Enjoyed talking with you at B-Days man.

[Redbaron]

thats funny getut! mine seemed to fail if I watched startrak earlier that day lol! :)

I got rid of my A6 because of all those types of quirks.

If you transmit anything with the word downwind on the first tuesday in March or transmit anything while being in a left banking turn on any weekend with an antenna 3.6mm longer than nominal, the damn thing won't work right.

Thats in the book too if you read that far into without packing the whole thing up and ebaying it heheheh.

[Fl90]

Hi Red,

It reads better for you if you type Star Trek and Bensen.

Hope you're well.

Phil

[Resasi]

Good thread Trez.

Guess the nearest Golden Arches was over the horizon and far away :wave:

Interesting observation by Bart about powering your radio through the charging port with the battery still installed and when the radio is used to transmit like this it can cause problems inside the radio. I too have read this somewhere.

I feel that perhaps the battery eleminator for the specific model of radio which looks just like the battery pack but with a 12 volt cigarette plug attached might be the best way to go?

Sounds expensive but what do the radio experts think?

[Trez]

Leigh,
One thing I've learned about these radios - at least the Icom A6 - is that the power it's using determines the quality of Tx/Rx. Of course, there are other things you can do to increase the probability of good results.
Because I regularly go to Skycraft - remember? - I was able to find a variety of 'foil-shielded' wire (better than braided) for practically everything on my gyro (and they are really cheap when it comes to wire). And after reading as much as I could stand, I made sure to deal with the recommendations I read about.
Use shielded wire for the magneto leads (cutoff switches) and the engine tach. And the wiring to strobes or anything else that might generate 'noise'. Use a central grounding location for as much equipment as possible.
Back to the power......
Look at this as one of the two options, I'm aware of, to 'regulate' the voltage input to your radio. http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/avpages/1103604.php
(As I mentioned in a previous post, there are aftermarket versions of this
power cord out there).
It will supply the proper (11 volts) to your radio, THROUGH THE BATTERY, and will charge your battery at the same time.
The other option, as discussed earlier, is to find (or build) a regulator that you can use to 'dial in' the required 11 volts output to your radio's input.
Much of this info I gleaned from talking/emailing tech support at ICOM.
What really clued me in on the Tx/Rx quality issue was how differently the radio performs with a strong, freshly charged battery, compared to a weaker, not-so-strong battery (when using battery power alone). So it makes good sense, to me, to supply the radio with a clean, constantly regulated source of DC power, which seems to enhance the chances of achieving the good-quality operation we're all looking for.
Just remember:
DON'T just hook up ship's power to your A6 without regulating it to somewhere around 11 volts. You will probably not be able to use it and you will FRY your radio.
Feed the A6 what it wants and it should work just fine.
(Disclaimer: I am an idiot when it comes to radios, electricity, wiring, regulators, aircraft, flying, just about everything. And, after all, I AM also a MORON)............
Trez

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[Trez]

I feel that perhaps the battery eleminator for the specific model of radio which looks just like the battery pack but with a 12 volt cigarette plug attached might be the best way to go?

Sounds expensive but what do the radio experts think?

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Ain't no expert but Rick tried the Battery Eliminator and wasn't happy with it. He might sell it to you if you want one.
Seems like everyone has a little different take on how to deal with the radio situation.
For about the same price as the BE, you can buy that cig. lighter cord with the regulator built in which, in my humble opinion, should solve most of any probs you might have with the A6.
Just cut the plug off and wire it to the Reg./Rec.
Let us know what you come up with............
Trez


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[robsat61]

hey guys;am getting a radio,just saw this thread,WAS buying an A6,thanks so much for the info.....one less thing...thanks.rob

[Trez]

hey guys;am getting a radio,just saw this thread,WAS buying an A6,thanks so much for the info.....one less thing...thanks.rob

One of the guys in our hangar has been using the Icom A14 and really likes it. It's cheaper (I think) and seems to work really great just on the battery. Other than that, I know nothing about it.......
Sorry if I just gave you one more thing to think about :lol:
Trez
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[Trez]

Good thread Trez.

Guess the nearest Golden Arches was over the horizon and far away :wave:

Interesting observation by Bart about powering your radio through the charging port with the battery still installed and when the radio is used to transmit like this it can cause problems inside the radio. I too have read this somewhere.

I feel that perhaps the battery eleminator for the specific model of radio which looks just like the battery pack but with a 12 volt cigarette plug attached might be the best way to go?

Sounds expensive but what do the radio experts think?



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I just happened to remember something.
Has to do with one of the 'quirks' of the A6.
You are cautioned NOT to use/transmit on the A6 while it is being charged by the 'plug-in-the-wall' battery charger.
This radio does NOT like high voltage, such as that which is entering the radio through the charger, especially when transmitting.
(When I go down to Wauchula tomorrow, I'm going to try to remember to measure the voltage emanating from the Icom wall-charger).
This is why it's so important to keep the voltage DOWN, hence the 11volt
max for transmitting.
If I were just installing the A6, I would call Icom Tech Support and verify what I just posted. (Remember, I'm an idiot.........).
Trez
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[Resasi]

Thanks again Trez, that certainly makes sense, with regard to the BE.

And yes, I have noticed the big drop off in performance as the battery goes down.

Just cut the plug off and wire it to the Reg./Rec.

Just explain that for me, Moron to moron.:D

[Trez]

Quote:
Just cut the plug off and wire it to the Reg./Rec.
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"Just explain that for me, Moron to moron."
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Leigh,

Go to this link and look at the cord:
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/avpages/1103604.php

If you don't have a cigarette lighter outlet already, consider installing one. Run it from your reg/rec, then, just plug and play.

Otherwise, do this:
It has the 'cigarette lighter outlet' male plug on one end. Note the polarity. The 'button' in the center of the plug that inserts into the cig. outlet will be the (+), or positive. Cut that plug off and prepare the two wires. Splice the (+) one to the (+) coming out of your reg./rec. (Key West or other). The other lead will the (-) or negative. Splice that wire to ship's ground.

(Wouldn't be a bad idea to put a 3 amp. inline fuse in the (+) lead. 5amp. would likely be OK if you can't find a 3amp.).

If anyone reading this sees any glaring, or otherwise, errors in what I've said here, please chime in!!!

Good luck.

(In the words of someone who knows me, "Don't follow Trez - he' an idiot).

Trez

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[Resasi]

Very clear now, guess that makes me the bigger moron. :)

Thanks Trez.

[Trez]

Very clear now, guess that makes me the bigger moron. :)

Thanks Trez.



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Who you callin' a MORON! Geesshhh...... (I'm an idiot!.......)

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[Trez]

I don't know if I covered this one other issue with the A6............

The manual says not to use (transmit) using the A6 while it is being charged through the charging port.
I have found that the reason for this is that the charger is NOT regulated to 11 volts. The charger has a label on it that says 115 VAC in, and 12 VDC out. In fact, I just checked my ICOM supplied plug-in-the-wall charger. It's putting out (into the radio) 15 volts VDC!.....:noidea:
What this all means to me is that we need to avoid using the radio while being charged, UNLESS you are supplying ship's power at a regulated 11 volts through the charging port. This keeps you away from the higher voltage damage potential when transmitting AND allows for the battery to be continuously charged from the 11 volts power.
This info is not official from ICOM but I'm fairly confident that I've got it right. This, after lots of trial, error, and time talking and reading about this radio.
I think the reason these things are so darned hard to figure out is that they just weren't designed to be used for any other purpose except hand-held internal battery operation, and as a secondary source of comm. when the primary (panel-mount) fails. Or for occasional use when away from the primary radio.
Anyway, best of luck.
Trez
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