EQ1 FAQ
Q. Can a standard headset jack and intercom still be in the system?
A. YES it can be done and relatively simply, by plugging the EQ1 module into the headphone jacks using a special loom and supplying power to the EQ1 comms module BUT there are some issues... The existing comms side tone must be able to be reduced down to ZERO. Furthermore the old existing comms will be running as well as the EQ1. Not all comms have as good a quality as EQ1 J . EQ1 cannot be held responsible for a lack of performance in this instance. Some of the EQ1 features such as – No ‘bip-bop’ comfort tones on transmit and constant side tone on transmit will be unavailable. Existing comms squelch (VOX) will need to be adjusted to lowest setting and also have multiple volume levels adjusted rather than just headset and radio.
Q. What about a back up in case of failure?
A. The question of back up is as real with wireless as it is when using wired comms. The most common cause of communications failure is broken cable/connector or less commonly an aircraft electrical failure. (EQ1 solve both these issues by ‘peer to peer’ communication). The only real failure that we have seen is when the operator has completely ignored ‘Audrey’ when she informs the battery status and has also ignored the 2 minutes reminder when there are less than 4 hours remaining on the battery. In-flight charging is available by using the EQ1 12V cigarette lighter charger.
Q. Who is Audrey?
A. Audrey is the default EQ1 voice that replaces all the dials switches and lights, she ‘audio informs’ you of the status of the EQ1 functions.
Q. Is it Bluetooth or Bluetooth compatible?
A. Bluetooth is a wonderful invention however it does not suit this application; EQ1 invented its own unique RF system specifically for reliable and robust communications. For optimum performance, please isolate all Bluetooth applications whilst using EQ1
Q. How does it know what aeroplane it is in?
A. (base unit)It is possible to program your aircraft’s registration into the headset via the advanced menu, the headset will then automatically program the base unit installed in your aircraft. If you wish to use your headsets in another EQ1 equipped aircraft, it will tell you this aircrafts registration and ask that you confirm that this is the aircraft that you wish to use.
A. (EQ-Link) your headset is ‘paired’ to your EQ-Link and will work in any plane that has the appropriate headset sockets.
Q. How long do the batteries last for?
A. Approximately 23 hours of normal use. EQ1 utilises state of the art NMH batteries which have a discharge rate of approximately 1% per month when not in use.
You will be informed of expected battery available usage on start-up, shut down and whilst on charge. It is also possible to check remaining time at any occasion during use. A warning message will be heard of a low battery 4 hours prior to it going flat and a reminder every 2 minutes.
Q. Can I recharge in flight?
A. Yes you can, simply plug in the optional EQ1 12V ‘cigarette lighter’ charger and cable.
Q. Can I overcharge my headsets by leaving them on the charger for too long?
A. No, EQ1 technology coupled with state of the art NMH batteries prevents this from being an issue. If you are using the EQ1 240V 2 place charger, the headsets or EQ-Link will fully charge, then go into trickle charge mode and can be left on indefinitely.
Q. I have installed EQ1 base unit and my friends still complain about my transmissions on the VHF—why?
A. A simple test of the VHF is to transmit without the headsets turned on; if you have a dirty transmission then the problem is probably with the existing system and that can be any of a number of issues that existed prior to your new EQ1 system. Look for bad connections, loose wiring, faulty aerial and or coax, wrong aerial, bad power supply, bad earth issues or multiple earthing points. You may wish to install an EQ1 pi filter to ‘clean up’ the dirty power supply.
Q. I have fitted an EQ-Link and my friends still complain about my transmissions on the VHF—why?
A. A simple test of the VHF is to transmit without the headsets plugged in; if you have a dirty transmission then the problem is definitely with the existing system and that can be caused by any of a number of issues that existed prior to your new headsets. Look for bad connections, loose wiring, faulty aerial and or coax, wrong aerial, bad power supply, bad earth issues or multiple earthing points. You may also need to check and adjust your aircrafts communications levels.
Q. I find it difficult to hear my passenger or my passenger finds it difficult to hear me, why?
A. The EQ1 is fitted with a very sensitive ‘close talking mike’ this is to keep unwanted noise out of the system. It is important to have the microphone positioned correctly approximately 1cm away from the front of your mouth and that the face of the mike body is facing exactly at your mouth and not on an angle.
The EQ1 headsets also have a VOX (Voice Operated Switch) to activate the microphone at various noise levels, setting the level to say 7 for a high noise aircraft will require a louder voice to activate the microphone when the aircraft is not running but very little effort when in say full climb.
Q. Engine noise through headsets---Why?
A. Let me first explain a few details that seem to be shrouded in mystery.
It is essential that you understand that your aircrafts radio, aerial, communications and headsets are individual components that are connected to each other, they therefore need to be both compatible and correctly installed. Simply put, all of these components work individually and must be treated with the correct method for each component.
The classic example is a perfectly operational headset and comms and a faulty radio, people tend to 'shoot the messenger' and the headset gets the blame, or on the other hand a bad connection on the headset plug and the radio is blamed for poor transmission quality.
Any one of these individual components can fail and finding the correct culprit can be exasperating at the best of times especially with intermittent faults or non-compatible equipment.
Some manufacturers recognize this 'marriage problem' and have incorporated comms as part of the VHF radio. Another thing to remember is that you may think that you sound ok due to the side-tone in your headsets but your flying buddies are cringing each time you transmit. It is not a crime to let someone know in a polite way that his or her transmission is bad; please tell them otherwise they will probably never know.
If you have installed a complete EQ1 wireless system and are experiencing engine noise (electrical whine) through the headsets then it is important to isolate where the problem is coming from.
The 2 problems are noise entering the radio through the aerial or through the wiring of the aircraft.
The following tests will isolate the problem through a process of elimination.
1. to check if it is the aerial--remove the aerial from the radio, turn the squelch off on the radio so that all you can hear is the hiss and listen whilst revving the engine.
If there is no noise then re-connect the aerial and rev the engine, if the noise comes back then the problem lays with the aerial, ground plane, connectors, coax, etc
2. to check if is in the aircrafts wiring-- disconnect both the radio AND the EQ1 system and re-connect them to a separate 12v battery that is isolated from the aircraft, turn the radio on and rev the engine, if the noise has gone then the wiring needs to be addressed-- faulty or multiple earths, multiple power connections, faulty connectors etc..
Often the installation of an EQ1 Pi filter can resolve wiring noises.
Q. How far can the headsets transmit?
A. The headsets have a range of approximately 10 meters from the base unit or EQ-Link, if set up in ‘peer to peer’ mode they have a range of approximately 10 meters from each other.
Research has shown that most recreational aircraft position their passengers closer than 10 meters from the pilot J . A. With the EQ-LinkLR (long range) an external aerial can be fitted, thereby increasing the range. The longer the range the more directional it is. Over 700 mtrs is achievable.
Q. Can I use the headsets without installing the EQ1 comms unit?
A. Yes, simply configure one of the headsets to ‘master’ by accessing the configuration menu (click 3 times on the control knob, rotate and click to confirm) this is what we call ‘peer to peer’ mode. You will have a range of approximately 10 meters.
Q. How do I update from the WEB?
A. When new software updates are available, they will be available for download from the Sky Sports Innovations website using the EQ1 download cable. This cable plugs into your computer and the other end into the headset. (System not yet available)
Q. I have installed EQ1 with my FILSER ATR500 and get a hiss on transmit but no voice –help!
A. On the side of the FILSER ATR500 there is a sliding switch, slide this from the ‘dynamic’ position to the ‘ELECTRET’ position.
Q. Will my mobile phone work with the EQ1?
A. Yes you can order you’re wiring harness with a ‘Bluetooth cell phone interface’.
The EQ1 will automatically prioritize the VHF TX & RX.
Q. Will my mobile phone work with the EQ-Link?
A. YES you can order a Bluetooth Cell phone interface that simply plugs into the 3.5mm stereo socket at the base of the EQ-Link
Q.Will my iPod work?
A. YES you can order your EQ1 base system’s wiring harness with an MP3 interface; this has a 3.5mm stereo female plug that you can plug your MP3 into. The EQ1 will automatically prioritize the VHF TX & RX and ‘ramp’ the volume of your MP3 up over a 2 second period following any prioritisation.
The EQ-Link has a 3.5 mm stereo socket for MP3 inputs or mic outputs, if you wish to sing along to your favourite tunes then set the EQ-Link to ‘phone mode on’.
Q.Will I hear the VHF radio if my phone or iPod is on?
A. The EQ1 base unit will make sure that no VHF TX or RX is lost by automatically prioritizing the VHF TX & RX. Once the VHF has stopped the cell or MP3 will resume.
The EQ-Link can be set to ‘phone mode OFF’ so that any incoming transmissions are not lost
Q. How do I test the system for noisy transmissions?
A. The test is simple- Have someone (the listener) standby with a VHF receiver tuned to the same channel as the aircraft (123.45?), they should be located some distance from the aircraft so that the aircraft noise does not interfere with the ability to listen on the receiver. DO NOT TURN THE HEADSETS ON (or in the case of EQ-Link do not plug the EQ-Link in) for the entire test, this is a test of the radio/aerial/wiring and not the headset microphone. By not having the headsets turned on the listener will hear what the radio is pushing out over the airways. Ideally there should be no difference with the engine on or off.
THE TEST PROCEDURE--- Turn the aircraft master switch on and then press and hold the PTT for 4 seconds. The listener will make a mental note the noise they hear on the receiver. Start the engine and whilst revving the engine up and down through a range of RPM press and hold the PTT for 4 seconds. The listener will make a mental note the noise they hear on the receiver. If there is engine whining noises or crackle you have 'noise' getting into the system, check connections and general wiring system, you may wish to fit the EQ1 'pi' filter to reduce this issue. You may also wish to try this test on other aircraft systems so that more of us can enjoy hearing clearer transmissions.
Q.Can I use the EQ-Link with my existing EQ1 headset?
A. We realize that there are several pilots out there that have EQ1 base systems installed and that some of them will want to use their headsets in an aircraft with GA sockets If your system is purchased after March 2011 YES, just purchase the EQ-Link, pair it to your headset and its ready to use in any aircraft with GA headset sockets. If your system was purchased before March 2011 yes BUT The EQ-Link has required a complete change to the operating system that we use, due to careful planning there is no hardware upgrades required, just software. (a bit like changing from Windows to Apple but using the same hardware) as a consequence if you wish to use the EQ-Link with your existing (old software version) headsets we will need to upgrade them. Your existing base unit(s) will also need to be upgraded. to be compatible with the new headset software.
The upgrades can only be done back here at the factory, the units need to be shipped back to us.
Q. The headset will not ‘link’ to the EQ-Link at start up.
A. Occasionally the EQ1 headset will not 'link' to the EQ-Link when the system is turned on, this will be noticed by a deep toned beep beep every few seconds being heard in the headset. The solution is to simply unplug the EQ-Link for a period of 1 minute and re-plug it into the sockets.
This effectively re-sets the EQ-Link to start afresh.
Q.How do I get rid of wind noise?
A. Wind noise is always a problem in an open cockpit aircraft and only the best wind reducing windsock is used on the best performing microphone on the market today in the EQ1 system. However wind noise can still get through due to poor positioning of the microphone or swirling air currents getting to the 'live side' of the mike, please invest the time in correct positioning of the microphone, wear a neck warmer up and over the chin and or use a suitable full face helmet visor that does not allow wind to enter the mike.
Q. I have 2 VHF radios and a UHF in my plane, can I still use EQ1?
A. Yes- EQ1 base system can support up to 4 inputs from various items. Please contact us and discuss your needs.
Q. My new EQ1 headset is too quiet or too loud.
A. Yes there is something that you can do quite easily. (by the way this should be done for every headset used in an aircraft as the aircrafts coms levels are often quite different)
There is a setting in the EQ-Link that is programmable from the headset; it is called ‘VHF communications level’ With the headset on and the EQ-Link plugged in and the aircrafts coms on you will need to do the following— 3 clicks>menu>rotate>service menu> click> the level should be on 12-14, rotate until you are on about 20 and try that ie click to confirm. (bigger number = louder sidetone)
What you are doing is setting the microphone gain to suit the coms system installed in your aircraft.
We find that most aircraft require a setting of 12-14 that is why it is factory set at this.
The way to check is to plug your previous headset in and listen to your side tone then plug the EQ in and listen to your side tone, when they sound the same then the rest of the world will hear the same when you transmit.
As a side note regarding coms systems.
It is quite a balancing act to get all the levels just right, the VOX, squelch, volume, side tone and gain are all adjustable on the newer coms systems.
I wish there was a standard but then we would have less knobs to adjust which would just make flying easier and we just can’t have that…..can we?
Q.Trouble charging Bluetooth module.
A. If the unit is allowed to become really flat you need to press the center button once and then again to lock it on so that charging can take place (constant red light).
Q.What causes a sticky wireless PTT ?
A. The PTT sends a brief signal to the base (beep) and then when released sends another brief signal to the base (bop) A millisecond after the button is pushed it is no longer doing anything until it is released, holding the button down does not consume any power.
The signal sent from the PTT is frequency hopping and as such should be able to avoid interference from other RF (a trikes aerial is positioned less than a meter from the base and the system has been designed to cope with this ‘worse case’ scenario)
Three main culprits of ‘sticky’ EQ1 wireless PTT can be—
1. Fault with EQ1 base unit
2. Fault with VHF radio
3. Fault with actual PTT
Assuming that the PTT switch itself ‘feels’ like it is operational there are 3 relatively simple tests can be done to isolate the fault.
1. Turn the VHF radio (and any other radios) off then activate PTT several times. If the ‘sticky’ PTT is found then it is very likely to be a fault in the EQ1 base.
2. If no ‘stickiness’ is found then we can turn the VHF on and repeat the multiple PTT presses. A sticky PTT under these circumstances generally means a fault with the VHF and/or its installation. OR the EQ1 base unit.
3. Keep the VHF radio on, remove the PTT and slowly walk away from the aircraft with the PTT, activating it several times. The PTT should function flawlessly at a range of 5 mtrs and still be able to operate with reasonable success at 8 mtrs. Any less than 2 mtrs and the problem lays in the EQ1 base unit or the PTT.
Q. Can I use the Headset with a VHF hand held?
A. Most VHF air band radio manufacturers will supply a 'GA' adaptor plug for use with aviation headsets, we simply plug our EQ-Link into this.
Once plugged into this you may choose to configure the headset to 'pilot' and use the button on the side of the headset to PTT.
Q.Voice and intercom levels seem wrong when using the EQ-Link.
A. Because all aircraft seem determined to be built to a huge variation in standards we at the headset end have to come up with all the solutions (oh what fun).
It sounds like it is most likely the "VHF communications level", This is the microphone gain setting in the link (it is the link that determines the voltages being delivered to the aircrafts coms).
This setting can be changed using the headset to program the link in the headset 'service menu'.
Just up the number by about 8 units at a time until it sounds right.
Couple of things to remember.
1 the headset must be on, the link must be in the aircraft and the aircraft coms must be on.
2 the headset will initially give you a number, this is not necessarily what is in the link but rather the number that is in the headset that will be used (or may have been used) to program the link. (a trap for new players)
So the suggestion is to use the existing number to initially program the link, see/hear if it changes for better or worse then either increase the gain (bigger number) or decrease from that point onwards.
Q. I have 3 headsets and 1 x EQ-Link and am having issues with talking to each other.
A. Multiple headsets paired to one link will only allow for ‘simplex’ communications, in other words only one person can have a live mic at any given time.
Due to the way our VOX system ‘ramps’ up and down on the headset is best to configure the headsets to ‘passenger’ this has a very short VOX ramp and allows for a relatively free flowing conversation amongst all parties.
