Comtronics Helmet and ICOM radio

[jdalexa]

I've got one of the Comtronics helmets with the dynamic mic and an ICOM IC-A3 handheld. I've got their ptt adapter for the single plug helmet but would like to go with a stick mounted ptt with the button on top.

I took the ptt switch apart on the Comtronics adapter and it has extra "stuff" and is using the normally closed part of the standard ptt switch.

Has anyone made this sort of conversion? Any wiring diagrams?

[chuter]

I have a comtronics helmet with the microphone on the flexible shaft, don't know if it's a dynamic mic, and an ICOM A3.

At first the microphone wouldn't transmit. After a lot of checking, it turns out there is a special patch cord from comtronics with the remote ptt that has an amplifier or something for that type of mic.

This patch cord isn't listed in any of the catalogues that I could find, I think the part number is something like 929E. It's the same number as the regular patch cord but with an "E" after it.

Does this help?

[jdalexa]

The mic with the flexible boom is the dynamic and requires a pre-amp in-line. That is the big can that is on the adapter you have.

If you open the ptt switch that is on it, you'll see that it has 3 pairs of contacts (a-b-c and A-B-C). A-B and a-b are normally open and A-C and a-c is normally closed. Because mine has a single plug, they are using A-C for the headset portion and a-b for the mic. The stick mounted ptt kit I bought doesn't have any normally closed functionality, so I gotta figure a way around this.

[Al_Hammer]

These two drawings, may help.

[jdalexa]

Al,

That is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks much!!

[jdalexa]

The plan is to run the ptt wires up the control stick with a button switch on the top of the grip. Much nicer than the normal velcro ptt switches.

Of course, with all the wires for the rocket launchers, flame throwers, machine guns, tracking radar and all... it's crowded :)

[Al_Hammer]

Sounds good. What I did on my Helicycle was to make a cyclic grip out of a flight sim joystick to which I added some quality buttons and switches to replace the cheap tact switches that were on it. The mounting is beefed up with an epoxied-on adapter.
I used small gauge wires running inside the cyclic tube and ran them into a relay board.
I've got switches for starter, lights, PTT, governor, boost pump, transponder ID, radio channel change and a few more.

[jdalexa]

That is extremely cool! The military style grips in the Spruce catalog are $$$$$ Nice mod. Switches and gadgets are always fun to have.

I've been thinking that the pitot tube on the dominator would lend itself to modifying a tad and becoming a "gattling gun". I could make it from balsa and it would weigh next to nothing.

[Al_Hammer]

Sort of like Ken Wallis's Little Nellie. :D

[jdalexa]

Hahaha.... hmmmmm... That really looks kinda -- fun. Perhaps I should concentrate on getting the Dominator back into the air first and then playing with it's appearance.

[robertstodaro]

And be prepared for an FAA ramp check and an FBI cavity check.

I heard a rumor of a gear mounted paint ball gun at Bensen days.

We've all thought of it, but it's just begging for trouble.(but if you do it send me a video)