Sigtronics SPCC-2 User manual
Specialists in “SOUND” Management
SIGTRONICS CORP. 949 N. Cataract Ave., #D, San Dimas, CA 91773 (909) 305-9399
Communications Controller
…A Portable Dual Audio Panel with VOX
Intercom
Model SPCC-2
Sigtronics’ Portable Communication Controller
Operating Instructions
Made in U.S.A.
Add Dual Radio
Communications
Capability
to your
Mission!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION..........................................1
TECHNICAL HIGHLIGHTS..................................2
APPLICATIONS..........................................2
CONNECTION DRAWING (FIGURE 1).........................3
CONTROL FUNCTIONS.....................................4
INSTALLATION..........................................6
INITIAL SYSTEM CHECK-OUT..............................8
SYSTEM OPERATION.....................................10
TRANSMIT MICROPHONE GAIN ADJUSTMENTS.................11
FM RADIO INTERFACE CABLE WIRING......................13
SPECIFICATIONS.......................................15
WARRANTY.............................................15
1
SIGTRONICS PORTABLE COMMUNICATIONS CONTROLLER
Model SPCC-2
INTRODUCTION
The Sigtronics Portable Communications Controller (SPCC) provides a
pilot/observer "mission team" with the ability to transmit and
receive on multiple transceivers simultaneously; talk to each other
via a voice activated (VOX) intercom; and monitor a third audio
source. All these features, plus its portability, make it ideal for
the airborne or the ground mission team!
Typical Radio Configurations: Use with your aircraft radios
(permanently installed or hand-held models) and an additional "FM"
transceiver. A typical "FM" radio transceiver would be: business
band, police, ham, CB, flight phone, hand-held aircraft, marine,
etc. (Some of these are actually AM radios, however they can be
used).
Dual Audio Panel capability allows each headset position to select
which radios to transmit and receive on - independent of the other
headset. Each headset position has dual volume controls, one for
radio reception, and the other for their intercom volume level.
Voice Activated Intercom feature allows "hands-free" communication
between headsets connected to the SPCC. Start speaking and the
intercom instantly turns on to relay your message clearly to the
other headset. Stop talking and it turns off to reduce background
noise.
Auxiliary Input lets you monitor a third audio source, such as a
police scanner, music source, etc.
Portable design gives flexibility and eliminates expensive
installation costs. Especially useful to small departments that rent
or lease. Or if a scheduled aircraft is down, the SPCC can be used
in an alternate aircraft.
2
TECHNICAL HIGHLIGHTS which make the SPCC unbeatable are:
Fail-Safe Bypass Switch allows the pilot to operate the
aircraft radios even if the unit is turned off.
Automatic Sidetone Generation lets the pilot and copilot
hear what the other is transmitting over the radios.
Separate Transmitter Microphone Gain Adjustments adjust the
aircraft radio and the FM radio.
Excellent RF Immunity guarantees clean, clear transmissions.
Power Requirements: A standard cigarette lighter socket (11
to 34 VDC) or a battery pack.
Standardized to general aviation headsets and portable push-
to-talk switches. (The unit can also be wired into
permanently installed PTT switches). Helicopter headsets
will also work with the unit if headset plug adapters are
used.
APPLICATIONS
*Airborne Law Enforcement - Small police departments to large
organizations like the FBI.
* Civil Air Patrol/Coast Guard - Air search and rescue
operations.
*Medevac Helicopters - Medical emergency aircraft
* Airborne Fire Control
* Forestry Departments
* Wild Life Organizations - Survey and tracking operations
* TV News Crews
* Airborne Traffic Reporters
* Ground Operations requiring more than one radio.
* Additional aircraft VHF radio capability - Add an
inexpensive hand-held aircraft radio as a second radio
without installation costs.
3
FIGURE 1
4
CONTROL FUNCTIONS
ON/BYPASS - Power Switch - In "ON"
position; supplies power to all SPCC
circuits. In "BYPASS" position; disables
all unit functions, and connects pilot
directly to the aircraft radios. A fail-
safe feature!
VOL - Intercom Volume - Adjusts intercom
volume level.
SQ - Intercom Squelch - Adjusts VOX
operation of the intercom for variations
in headset microphones and background
noise levels.
XMIT SELECT - Transmit Select - Used to
select which radio to transmit on.
BOTH/OFF/AUTO - Receive Select - Used to
select which radio is heard. In "BOTH"
position, you hear both aircraft and FM
radios. In "OFF" position, you do not
hear either radio. In "AUTO" position,
only the radio selected by the XMIT
SELECT switch is heard.
AUX/OFF - Auxiliary Select - Turns the
auxiliary input source on or off.
REC VOL - Receive Volume - A general
control used to set the volume level of
the aircraft radio(s), FM radio, and the
auxiliary monitor input.
A/C RADIO MIC GAIN ADJ - Aircraft Radio
Microphone Gain Adjustment - Sets the
transmit mic audio level for the
aircraft radio(s).
FM RADIO MIC GAIN ADJ - FM Radio
Microphone Gain Adjustment - Sets the
transmit mic audio level for FM radio.
5
NOTES
6
SPCC INSTALLATION
The SPCC requires six simple connections to put it into operation.
The power cord, the aircraft radio, the FM radio, the auxiliary audio
input source (optional), the push-to-talk switches, and the headsets
must all be connected for the system to work as designed. But do not
fear, Sigtronics has simplified the connection process, so it will
just take a few moments. Refer to the SPCC connection drawing Figure
1 on page 3.
1. Power Cord: The four foot power cord is designed to plug
directly into a standard cigarette lighter socket. The SPCC
will run on 11-34 VDC, so it automatically adjusts to 12 or
24 volt aircraft. The SPCC can also be powered by an
auxiliary battery pack, if desired.
2. Aircraft Radio: The mic and headphone cords on the unit are
designed to plug into the mic and headphone jacks in the
panel of the aircraft. If the aircraft does not have either
one of these jacks, they can be installed by any qualified
avionics technician. If you plan to use the SPCC in a
helicopter, please contact Sigtronics for advise on adapting
the general aviation plugs to the helicopter jacks.
3. FM Radio: An interface cable is needed to connect the SPCC
to the FM radio. On one end of the cable will be a five pin
connector to plug into the jack on the top of the SPCC. On
the other end will be whatever is required by your FM radio.
Since virtually any radio can be used and there is little
standardization among manufacturers, no one cable will work
for all radio transceivers. Therefore, the FM radio
interface cable will have to be fabricated for your
particular radio. This cable can be supplied to you by
Sigtronics or made up by your radio technician. If you
decide to purchase a completed interface cable, Sigtronics
has an extensive cable making facility and can provide you
with one at minimum cost. We will need to know what length
cable you require and the manufacturer and model number of
the radio you wish to use.
If you would rather have your radio technician make the
cable, the FM radio interface cable connector pin
assignments and some typical cable wiring examples are
located on pages 13 and 14. A five pin connector plug is
supplied with each SPCC unit for this purpose. You will also
need the radio mating connector and connection schematic or
hook-up drawing for your particular FM radio. These can
usually be obtained from the radio manufacturer.
4. Auxiliary Radio: If you are using an auxiliary radio, then a
simple interface cable is also needed to connect the SPCC to
the auxiliary audio input source. The SPCC accepts a
standard 1/8" monaural mini plug.
7
5. Push-to-Talk Switches: In order for pilot and observer to
transmit on their selected radios, they will each need a
push-to-talk (PTT) switch. The SPCC is compatible with all
standard general aviation type portable push-to-talk
switches. The male plug on the PTT switches plug directly
into the XMIT SW jacks of the SPCC unit. If your PTT
switches also have a female jack, it is not used. The pilot
should strap the switch end of his portable PTT switch to
the yoke or stick of the aircraft. The observer's PTT can
similarly be strapped to the co-pilot controls or operated
as a hand-held switch. Various types of push-to-talk
switches are available from Sigtronics, including one that
does not have the female jack.
If you already have permanently wired push-to-talk switches
in the aircraft, and wish to use them with the SPCC instead
of the portable type, then wiring modifications will have to
be made to the aircraft. Again, your avionics technician
should be able to do this for you.
6. Headset Hookup: All standard general aviation headsets are
compatible with the SPCC unit. Helicopter type headsets can
also be used if adapter cables are used. (Sigtronics
manufactures cables that adapt the helicopter plugs to
general aviation plugs).
Plug the microphone and headphone plugs on the headsets into
the jacks labeled MIC and HDPH, on the front panel of the
SPCC. Put on the headset, and position the boom mic close to
the mouth, as is the practice with hand-held microphones.
Voice clarity is best when the mic is about 1/4" away and
slightly off center from the lips. Turn headset volume
control(s), if any, all the way up.
8
INITIAL SYSTEM CHECK-OUT
The following System Check-Out will provide you with a "personalized"
system. Perform the next few steps while on the ground to assure that
all functions on the unit and radios are set to your personal hearing
and speaking comfort.
CAUTION - As is standard practice with all aircraft equipment, be
sure that the radio(s) and the SPCC are turned OFF when you start up
the aircraft engine.
1. To assure that the aircraft radios, and pilot's headset and
PTT switch are connected and functioning properly, put
ON/BYPASS switch into "BYPASS" position. Then turn on the
aircraft radios, and verify that the pilot can hear the
radios and can transmit using his push-to-talk switch and
headset. All other intercom functions should be inoperable
in the BYPASS mode.
2. Intercom operation and adjustment can be performed by the
following procedure:
A. First set the ON/BYPASS switch to the "ON" position and turn
both REC VOL controls all the way down
(counterclockwise).
B. Turn both intercom volume controls to the 9 o'clock
position and both squelch controls all the way up
(clockwise). Notice the intercom is now continually
activated and you should be able to talk between
headsets.
C. To adjust the intercom squelch controls for voice
activated operation (VOX), it is helpful to have some
background noise present. It may also be necessary to
turn up the intercom volume controls. Turn both
intercom squelch controls all the way counterclockwise.
Now, without speaking, rotate one of the squelch
controls clockwise until you hear the background noise
in your headset. Next, using that same control, rotate
counterclockwise small, incremental amounts until the
background noise disappears. (This procedure is
necessary because the squelch is a "fast on, slow off"
system). That squelch control is now set.
D. Adjust the other intercom squelch control similarly by
turning it clockwise until you hear background noise.
Rotate counterclockwise incremental amounts until the
background noise disappears.
Small adjustments may be necessary if aircraft
background noise changes significantly - such as from
idle to full power.
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