Engineering Incorporated PMA6000M-C Pilot's Manual And Operation Manual
Engineering Incorporated PMA6000M is an audio control panel with a monaural intercom and optional marker beacon. It is designed to provide pilots with a convenient and easy-to-use way to control their audio and communication systems. The PMA6000M features a variety of inputs and outputs, making it compatible with a wide range of aircraft systems. It also has a built-in intercom, allowing pilots to communicate with each other and with passengers. The optional marker beacon provides pilots with visual and audio cues to help them locate and identify airports and other landmarks. The PMA6000M is a versatile and powerful audio control panel that can improve the safety and efficiency of any aircraft.
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9800 Martel Road
Lenoir City, TN 37772 www.ps-engineering.com
PMA6000 Series
PMA6000, PMA6000C, PMA6000M, PMA6000M-C
Pilot’s Guide
Operation Manual
Audio Control Panel
with Monaural Intercom and optional Marker Beacon
FAA-TSO C50c, C35d
PS Engineering, Inc. 2001 ©
Copyright Notice
Copyrighted information in this manual is subject to change without notice. PS Engineering reserves the right to improve or change the products or contents of this manual, without notification of any person or agency. The contents of this pilot’s guide may be downloaded, stored and reprinted for personal use provided that this copyright information is included. Commercial use is strictly prohibited. For further information contact the
Publications Manager at PS Engineering, Inc., 9800 Martel Road, Lenoir City, TN 37772. Phone (865) 988-9800
PMA6000 –Mono Pilot Guide 1
2
OPERATION
GENERAL INFORMATION
SCOPE
This section provides detailed operating instructions for the PS Engineering PMA6000, PMA6000M, PMA6000C, and PMA6000M-C,
Audio Selector Panel/Intercom Systems. Please read it carefully before using the equipment so that you can take full advantage of its capabilities.
This section is divided into four sections covering the basic operating areas of the PMA6000 systems. They are: Audio Selector, Transceiver Selection, Intercom, and Marker Beacon Receiver (6000M, and 6000M-C only).
Audio Selector (All models)
Figure 1 Audio Selector
Through the use of two momentary and seven latched, push-button, back-lit switches, it is possible to select any or all receiver audio. C1 and C2 are momentary switches.
When selected, an internal backlight will illuminate indicating which audio source is selected. Because the rotary switch controls what transceiver is being heard by the pilot and copilot (the crew),
"Cl" (Com 1) and "C2" (Com 2) push-buttons are of the momentary type and do not remain in when selected. This is also part of the "auto function." You will always hear the audio from the transceiver that is selected by the rotary mic selector switch.
The users can identify which receivers are selected by noting which push-button switches are illuminated. Push buttons labeled Nl (Nav
1), N2 (Nav 2), D (DME), M (Marker), A (ADF), AX (auxiliary), and S (Speaker) are "latched" type switches. When one of these buttons is pressed, it will stay in the "in" position. Press the switch again
PMA6000-Mono Pilot Guide
Upon first application of power to the unit, the Marker enters a self test mode. The flickering blue marker light indicates a test in process. If the test continues for more than 10 seconds, or the lamps do not extinguish, return the unit for service.
Warranty and Service
In order for the factory warranty to be valid, the installations in a certified aircraft must be accomplished by an FAA- certified avionics shop and authorized PS Engineering dealer. An FAA Form 337 must also be accompanied by the warranty card for this warranty to be in effect. If the unit is being installed by in an experimental aircraft by the owner/builder, a factory-made harness must be installed for the warranty to be valid.
PS Engineering, Inc. warrants this product to be free from defect in material and workmanship for a period of three (3) years from the date of installation (on units shipped after Jan 1, 1999). During the first twelve (12) months of this three-year warranty period, PS Engineering, Inc., at its option, will send a replacement unit at our expense if the unit should be determined to be defective after consultation with a factory technician. In the following twenty-four (24) months the unit must be returned to PS Engineering, or a certified PS Engineering Service Center , for repairs.
This warranty is not transferable. Any implied warranties expire at the expiration date of this warranty. PS Engineering SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR INCIDEN-
TAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. This warranty does not cover a defect that has resulted from improper or unreasonable use or maintenance as determined by us. This warranty is void if there is any attempt to dissemble this product without factory authorization. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which may vary from state to state. Some states do not allow the exclusion of limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusions may not apply to you.
Factory Service
The unit is covered by a 3-year limited warranty. See warranty information. Contact PS Engineering, Inc. at (865) 988-9800 or www.ps-engineering.com/support.
shtml before you return the unit. This will allow the service technician to provide any other suggestions for identifying the problem and recommend possible solutions.
After discussing the problem with the technician and you obtain a Return Authorization Number, ship product to:
Service Department
PS Engineering, Inc.
9800 Martel Rd
Lenoir City, TN 37772
(865) 988-9800 FAX (865) 988-6619
Email: [email protected]
Note: PS Engineering will not be responsible for units shipped using US Mail.
PMA6000 –Mono Pilot Guide 9
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While in the C REW mode, pilot and copilot will hear entertainment input
#1 while the passengers may listen to entertainment input #2.
It is also possible to use only one entertainment input device for both entertainment inputs. A switch (DPDT) should be installed between the single entertainment device and entertainment input #1. This will allow the pilot and copilot decide if they hear entertainment while in the Crew mode.
Internal Recorder System (Option 1, only)
The recorder function is automatic. Pressing the momentary switch will cause the last message to play (incoming radio and transmit sidetone).
This will be heard in the pilot headset only. To hear older messages, push the playback button repeatedly to “back up” the recorder, until the desired message is heard.
The recorder is a continuous loop, and newest ones will overwrite the oldest messages. The IRS has an internal squelch that prevents storing ‘dead’ air. A radio signal of more than 1 VRMS is needed to trigger the IRS.
Therefore, if the IRS does not seem to be recording, increase the aircraft radio volume slightly .
Marker Beacon (PMA6000M, PMA6000M-C)
The optional Marker Beacon Receiver uses visual and audio indicators to alert you when the aircraft passes over a 75 MHz transmitter.
The Blue lamp, labeled "O," is the Outer Marker lamp and has an associated 400 Hertz 'dash' tone. The lamp and tone will be keyed at a rate of two tones/flashes per second when the aircraft is in the range of the Outer Marker Beacon.
The Amber lamp, labeled "M," is the Middle Marker lamp and is coupled with a 1300 Hertz tone. It is keyed alternately with short 'dot' and long 'dash' bursts at 95 combinations per minute.
The White lamp, labeled "A," is the Airway/Inner marker and has a 3000 Hertz 'dot' tone. The lamp and tone will be keyed at a rate of six times per second.
The audio from the Marker Beacon Receiver can be heard by selecting the
"M" push-button switch.
A 3-position switch is used to set the receiver sensitivity and to test the indicator lamps. Use "H IGH " sensitivity initially. This allows you to hear the outer marker beacon about a mile out. Then select the “L OW ” sensitivity to give you a more accurate location of the Outer Marker. The momentary down switch position is labeled "T EST " and illuminates all three lamps simultaneously to assure the lamps are in working order.
PMA6000-Mono Pilot Guide and it be in the "out" position and remove that receiver from the audio. While selected, the switch will also be annunciated by an internal lamp.
NOTE: In Split Mode, no pushbuttons will be active. The only audio selected is the com 1 and two, as indicated by their respective lamps.
Speaker Amplifier
The "S" in the push-button section stands for speaker. This switch will place all selected audio on the cockpit speaker when this switch is selected. NOTE: with the exception of unswitched unmuted inputs (Altimeter warning), the speaker amplifier is not active in the "Split Mode." To reduce power consumption and internal heat buildup in the avionics stack, switch off the speaker amplifier when not in use.
Mic Selector Switch (Fail Safe Operation)
Figure 2 Mic Selector
Unit power is turned on and off by the Mic selector switch. In the OFF or " FAIL SAFE " position, the pilot is connected directly to Com 1 allowing transmit and receive capability regardless of unit condition. Any time power is removed or turned OFF , the audio selector will be placed in the fail-safe mode. The first position clockwise from O FF is C OM 1. Both pilot and copilot will be connected to the Com l transceiver. While in the C OM 1 or C OM 2 mode, the intercom functions normally. Both the pilot and copilot have transmit capabilities on the selected transceiver. All hear the selected audio if the intercom is in the A LL mode. Only the person who presses their Push To Talk (PTT), will be heard over the aircraft radio. Turning the rotary switch to the C OM 2 position will place pilot and copilot on Com 2.
The PMA6000-Series has an automatic selector mode. Audio from the selected transceiver is automatically heard in the headsets and speaker (when selected). You can check this function by switching from C OM 1 to C OM 2 and watch the selected audio light on the se-
PMA6000 –Mono Pilot Guide 3
4 lector change from C1 to C2. This ensures the pilot will never transmit on a radio that he is not listening to.
In PMA6000-series units, Serial Number T03092 and above , when switching the mic selector rotary switch from C OM 1 to C OM 2, while
C OM 2 audio had been selected, Com 1 audio will continue to be heard. This eliminates the pilot having to switch Com 1 audio back on, if desired.
When switching from C OM 1 to C OM 2 while Com 2 has NOT been selected, Com 1 audio will be switched off. In essence, switching the mic selector will not effect the selection of Com audio.
Important : When the mic selector is in the full counter clockwise position, the PMA6000 power is removed, and it is in the FAIL SAFE mode. The pilot headset and microphone is connected directly to Com
1.
Mic Selector Switch, Com 3 (6000C, and 6000MC)
In units designed to accommodate a third communications transceiver, placing the mic selector switch in the C OM 3 position connects the pilot and copilot to that radio. This is similar to C OM 1 and C OM
2, except that the swap mode is not active.
Swap Mode (Switch from Com 1 to Com 2 remotely)
With a yoke mounted, momentary switch, the pilot can change from the current Com transceiver to the other by depressing this switch.
When "Swap Mode" is active, an LED annunciator will illuminate, indicating that the Mic Selector switch position is no longer valid. To cancel "Swap Mode," the pilot may either press the yoke mounted switch again, or turn the Mic Selector Switch to the Com that is active.
Split Mode (6000, 6000M)
Turning the rotary switch to C OM 1/C OM 2 places the PMA6000 into
"Split Mode". This places the pilot on Com 1 and the copilot on Com
2. Pilot and copilot are isolated from each other on the intercom, but can use their respective radios simultaneously. An example of this useful feature is when the pilot may want to talk to Air Traffic Con-
PMA6000-Mono Pilot Guide
"Split" mode, only the passengers have intercom function.
I SO : (Up Position): The pilot is isolated from the intercom and is connected only to the aircraft radio. He will hear the aircraft radio reception
(and sidetone during radio transmissions). Copilot and passengers will hear the intercom and music on Entertainment 1, but not the aircraft radio receptions or pilot transmissions.
A LL : (Middle Position): All parties will hear the aircraft radio, intercom, and music from entertainment input #1. However, during any intercom communications, the music volume automatically decreases when Soft-
Mute™ is active. The music volume increases gradually back to the original level after communications have been completed.
C REW (Down Position): Pilot and copilot are connected on one intercom channel and have exclusive access to the aircraft radios. They may also listen to Entertainment 1. Passengers can continue to communicate with themselves without interrupting the Crew and also may listen to Entertainment 2. Anytime the PMA6000 is in either the C OM 1/C OM 2, C OM 2/
C OM 1, or T EL /C OM 1, ("Split Mode") the pilot and copilot do not have any intercom function. The passengers will maintain intercommunications .
Soft Mute
Soft Mute must be enabled during installation by jumpering top connector pins 12 and N. A SPST switch can be installed between these pins for a pilot selectable mute mode. Without this connection, music is not muted during intercom activation. This “Karaoke Mode” prevents the music muting when a sing-along is desired. "Soft Mute" mode only applies to entertainment input #1. Entertainment #2 does not mute.
Entertainment Input
The audio selector panel has provisions for up to two separate entertainment input devices. Which device is heard is determined by the position of the 3-position mode switch located in the center of the intercom section of the audio panel. (See Table 1 for overview.)
While in the ISO (Isolate) mode, only the copilot and the four passengers will hear entertainment device #1. In normal operation, whenever a person speaks or if the aircraft radio becomes active, the music will automatically mute and then will gradually return to the original listening level when the radio or intercom activity ceases.
When in the A LL mode, all parties will hear the entertainment input #1.
PMA6000 –Mono Pilot Guide 7
The PMA6000 provides adjustable VOX squelch controls for the pilot and copilot (the copilot's VOX control also adjusts the passengers
VOX squelch). Since the number of microphones open at any one time is reduced, the amount of background noise is diminished. This also allows the use of dissimilar headsets with the same system. The user can adjust the trip level of the VOX to fit the individual's voice and mic, which helps eliminate the frustration of clipping the first syllables.
With the engine running, set the VOX control knob by slowly rotating the
S QL control knob clockwise until you no longer hear the engine noise in the headphones. When the microphone is positioned properly near your lips, normal speech levels should open the channel. When you have stopped talking, there is a delay of about ½ second before the channel closes. This helps prevent choppy communications.
Intercom Modes
The center switch is a 3-position mode selector that allows the pilot to tailor the intercom function to best meet the situation. The description of the intercom mode function is valid only when the unit is either in the C OM 1 or C OM 2 position of the Mic Selector switch. When the unit is in the
Intercom Mode Table
Mode Pilot Hears Copilot
Hears
ISO A/C Radio
Pilot Sidetone
(during radio transmission)
Copilot
Passengers
Music 1
Passenger Comments
Copilot
Passengers
Music 1
This mode allows the pilot to communicate with the air traffic control without the copilot or passengers bothered by the conversations. Copilot and passengers can continue to talk and listen to music
All
Crew
Radios
Sidetone
Pilot
Copilot
Passengers
Music 1
Radios
Sidetone
Pilot
Copilot
Radios
Sidetone
Pilot
Copilot
Passengers
Music 1
Radios
Sidetone
Copilot
Pilot
Radios
Sidetone
Pilot
Copilot
Passengers
Music 1
Passengers
Music 2
This mode allows all on board to hear radio reception as well as communicate on the intercom. Music and intercom is muted during intercom and radio communications
A second music source is automatically enabled for the passengers
6 PMA6000-Mono Pilot Guide trol, while the copilot may be speaking to Flight Watch.
The "Split Mode" radio selection can be reversed by switching to
C OM 2/C OM l. The pilot will be on Com 2 and the copilot will be on
Com 1. A third "Split Mode" selection is T EL /C OM l. This will place the pilot on airborne radiotelephone, HF or other transceiver (if installed), while the copilot will be on Com 1.
Split Mode (6000C, 6000MC)
Operation is identical to p6000, 6000M (above) except turning the mic selector clockwise to the C OM 3 position places both pilot and copilot on Com 3, and exits the split mode. All selected audio inputs and intercom function return.
Note: In all PMA6000s, Split Mode turns off all other (Nav,
ADF, etc.)selected audio to pilot and copilot. Additionally, there is no intercom function between pilot and copilot. Passengers still have intercom capability among themselves.
Intercom
Volume Control, Monaural (6000, 6000M, 6000C,
6000MC)
Figure 3 Volume Controls
The pilot volume control knob adjusts the loudness of intercom and music in the pilot’s headphones only. It has no effect on selected radio audio levels. The copilot volume control adjusts the loudness of the intercom and music in the copilot headset only. The passenger volume is factory set at a comfortable level. This is a service adjustment that can be accessed by the avionics technician. Many general aviation headsets have a built-in volume control, so volume can be adjusted “locally.”
Adjusting the VOX-Squelch control
PMA6000 –Mono Pilot Guide 5

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Key features
- Audio control panel with monaural intercom
- Optional marker beacon
- Easy-to-use interface
- Compatible with a wide range of aircraft systems
- Built-in intercom
- Visual and audio cues for locating and identifying airports and other landmarks