It would have been very useful if you had also tested the headset plug-in functionality of the other two radios as well. Because aviation radios work on amplitude modulation, a hotter signal coming from the microphone of a headset, is going to make a very big difference in clarity and even range. Also, it would be interesting to see how one of these radios plugged into an antenna connection in the airplane intended to allow your handheld to utilize the aircraft's external antennas would make a difference in terms of clarity and range.
With AM, amplitude modulation, the modulation depth is controlled by the radio and its internal electronics. It may never modulate more than 100% to avoid distortion. Most radios are 80% modulated. So a hotter mic will not add much range, only clarity a bit. Peak power is around 5 watts modulated and with a carrier of usually 1,5 watts for these handhelds.
Very good points. Most of these are 6 watts peak and about 1.6 to 1.8 typical. Your point about clarity is key - if the mic has a lot of background noise, that can have an effect on the effective range (even if not the technical range).
@@flexairz Correct, but reduced modulation (due to less audio amplitude) from using the built-in electret condenser mic means less overall modulation of the carrier, hence less range and clarity. Plus the signal to noise ratio (speaking in an audio sense) is MUCH higher than it would be when using the noise-cancelling boom mic of a headset.
Thank you for this test. As others have commented, it was not a scientific experiment, nor I'm sure was it ever intended to be so. Nevertheless, it certainly helped me to get a feel for how each of these radios performed in similar conditions, and then to make my own subjective assessment.
Thanks for the testing, something we’ve all wondered about. I’d like to see you repeat the test with a standard base radio with an antenna on the roof. I think that would be a simulation of a tower based radio.
Performance is also based on height, SWR of antenna if able to use the airplanes power supply and you don't need a new top of the line radio you can still use handhelds from the 80's....
When using the pj2 radio directly connected with DavidClarkH10-13.4 or boseA20 , I get this high pitch tone in the transmission. When routing the headset cables a bit around the pj2’s antenna it fixes the problem, but depending how the headset cables are near the pj2’s antenna, i get often this phenomenon. Any suggestions how to avoid this when using a headset directly connected to the pj2?
As we said at the beginning, most of this was about 2000 ft AGL. We tested higher at the end (5500 ft) but it didn’t make a major difference. Basically, the portable radios run out of range before the altitude makes a difference.
Shure, but because the A20 is assymmetric and therefore uncomfortable to wear backwards i think Sportys should be able to switch the booms side… (needs some unscrewing on A20s, much easier on A30s (unclip).
It would have been very useful if you had also tested the headset plug-in functionality of the other two radios as well. Because aviation radios work on amplitude modulation, a hotter signal coming from the microphone of a headset, is going to make a very big difference in clarity and even range.
Also, it would be interesting to see how one of these radios plugged into an antenna connection in the airplane intended to allow your handheld to utilize the aircraft's external antennas would make a difference in terms of clarity and range.
With AM, amplitude modulation, the modulation depth is controlled by the radio and its internal electronics. It may never modulate more than 100% to avoid distortion. Most radios are 80% modulated. So a hotter mic will not add much range, only clarity a bit. Peak power is around 5 watts modulated and with a carrier of usually 1,5 watts for these handhelds.
Very good points. Most of these are 6 watts peak and about 1.6 to 1.8 typical. Your point about clarity is key - if the mic has a lot of background noise, that can have an effect on the effective range (even if not the technical range).
@@flexairz Correct, but reduced modulation (due to less audio amplitude) from using the built-in electret condenser mic means less overall modulation of the carrier, hence less range and clarity. Plus the signal to noise ratio (speaking in an audio sense) is MUCH higher than it would be when using the noise-cancelling boom mic of a headset.
agree, the whole point of something like the PJ2 is to use your headset, rather than simply using it handheld. it would have removed a variable.
Thank you for this test. As others have commented, it was not a scientific experiment, nor I'm sure was it ever intended to be so. Nevertheless, it certainly helped me to get a feel for how each of these radios performed in similar conditions, and then to make my own subjective assessment.
Thanks for the testing, something we’ve all wondered about. I’d like to see you repeat the test with a standard base radio with an antenna on the roof. I think that would be a simulation of a tower based radio.
This is on our list to test at some point - good idea.
Performance is also based on height, SWR of antenna if able to use the airplanes power supply and you don't need a new top of the line radio you can still use handhelds from the 80's....
Nice real world comparo.
Cirrus is composite aircraft so hull is pretty transparent for radio waves, I wonder if all metal aircraft hull will make a difference?
We’ve tested this in other airplanes (Cessna 172 for example) with similar results. 10-15 miles seems to be consistent.
@@sportyspilotshop what was the range if you weren’t plugged into the aircraft external antenna?
Any idea how the Icom A-24 performs. That's what I have.
When using the pj2 radio directly connected with DavidClarkH10-13.4 or boseA20 , I get this high pitch tone in the transmission. When routing the headset cables a bit around the pj2’s antenna it fixes the problem, but depending how the headset cables are near the pj2’s antenna, i get often this phenomenon. Any suggestions how to avoid this when using a headset directly connected to the pj2?
Sounds like maybe the headset cables are not shielded? You might try a ferrite bead on the headset cable - that often fixes it.
Why MSL and not just above the ground? What about different altitudes too (above the ground)!
As we said at the beginning, most of this was about 2000 ft AGL. We tested higher at the end (5500 ft) but it didn’t make a major difference. Basically, the portable radios run out of range before the altitude makes a difference.
The poor guy on the right side - why on earth is he wearing his headset backwards? 🙂 ...the A30 is easy to switch, vs its precessor, the A20...
Some instructors swap the mic boom from left to right earcup to give them(us) an unobstructed view of a student..
Shure, but because the A20 is assymmetric and therefore uncomfortable to wear backwards i think Sportys should be able to switch the booms side… (needs some unscrewing on A20s, much easier on A30s (unclip).
Pj2 is the clearest?
Hi, i keep trying to order headsets from your store but my order keeps getting cancelled. How can i get them?
Email support@sportys.com and we’ll get it taken care of.
For Private PIlot certificates Only how about adding a Ham radio for a DIYer Aircraft Dispatcher?