The easy-to-use PS Engineering
PAR100EX is the first device
to combine an audio panel,
intercom, and a COM radio into
a single package. This was
accomplished by including only
the most popular features and by
mounting the COM radio remotely.
One remotely mountable Microair M760REM VHF COM
radio is included with the purchase of a PAR100EX audio
panel. Suggested list price for the combination is $2,595
with a minimum advertised price of $2,295.
The 1.5-watt output DX15 tunes all
COM frequencies from 118.0 through
136.975, but not VOR frequencies, a feature
I’ve never needed to use for real. Up to 100
frequencies can be stored in memory, and
dedicated up and down buttons let you
scroll through the last 10 frequencies
you’ve used, whether they were in memory
or entered manually.
Headsets greatly reduce the background
noise transmitted when using a handheld
radio in flight, and Dynon includes a headset adapter. The rubber duck antenna uses
an SMA connector, which I’m not fond of as
they’re a little uncommon and harder to
find if you want to build a cable for an
external antenna. Alas, Dynon addressed
that by including a BNC connector adapter.
Dynon has not decided whether to sell the
DX15, but if it does, I hope they offer an
optional alkaline battery pack for this otherwise excellent product.
PS ENGINEERING PAR100EX
PS Engineering is breaking new ground
with its PAR100EX, which for $2,595 combines an audio panel, intercom, and a COM
radio into a single 1.3-inch-high package
that’s the size of a traditional audio panel.
It has achieved this by including just the
most frequently used audio panel features
and by remote mounting the COM radio. It
should appeal to homebuilders with a limited budget and/or panel space.
The audio panel can switch two COM
transceivers, one of which is a 5-watt
Microair M760REM VHF COM that’s
included and can be designated as either
COM 1 or COM 2. When designated as
COM 1, the Microair’s standby frequency
can be monitored simultaneously by holding the C2 Receive button. Thus, pilots on a
budget can get most of the performance
they’d expect from two COM radios with
just a single radio.
The PAR100EX also includes switches
for monitoring two additional receivers,
typically NAV radios, though you could
use these switches for any audio input.
There are no switches for markers, ADF,
or a DME, though these can be routed
through four unswitched inputs, meaning
if you want to turn them on and off, you’ll
need to do it at the receiver instead of via
the audio panel.
The device also includes a four-place
intercom that never requires setting a
squelch control. Instead, the system con-
stantly samples audio from each
microphone. When it detects sound from a
microphone that differs from the back-
ground noise, it enables just that
microphone, eliminating the background
noise from other microphones.
Max Trescott, EAA 531980, is the author of books on
the Garmin G1000 and flying IFR with modern GPS. He
is the 2008 National CFI of the Year, and he can be e-mailed
at info@sjflight.com. For more articles, go to
www.MaxTrescott.com.
