Instruction manual

46
4.4 Connecting to the Aircraft Audio System
(Intercom)
It is essential to have a means of providing a running audio commentary of
what you are filming with the camcorder. A couple of methods are discussed
below.
4.4.1 Adapter Cable
An adapter cable, plugged into the aircraft’s intercom system via your
headset, will feed your commentary onto the video.
If this accessory is not available with your camcorder, you can make one
using parts available at most audio stores. As an example, you can get the
following parts at Radio Shack:
• Six feet of shielded audio cable (P/N 42-2444)
• One in-line 40 dB attenuating adapter, phono jack to two-conductor 1/8”
phone plug (P/N 274-300A)
• One 1/8” right-angle adapter (P/N 274-372A)
• One adapter miniature 1/8” phone jack to standard ¼” phone plug (P/N
274-325C)
The right-angle adapter is connected to one end of the six-foot audio cable:
this is the camera input end.
The in-line attenuator is connected to the other end of the six-foot cable, and
the 1/8” to ¼” adapter is plugged into the other end of the in-line attenuator: the
attenuator/adapter end is connected to the aircraft intercom system through your
headset connection.
NOTE: It is important that you test this connection with your headset. Some
active noise reduction (ANR) headsets interfere with the operations; test your
headset with ANR on and off to see which works.
4.4.2 Place an External Microphone in your Headset Earpiece
Another method is to connect an external microphone to your camcorder’s
microphone input, and place the (small) microphone in your headset’s earpiece.
You simply speak into your headset microphone and your conversation is
transmitted to the camcorder. Note that any other conversation coming over the
aircraft intercom will be picked up by the camcorder. A store such as Radio
Shack can make up a microphone that will connect to your camcorder’s mini 1/8-
inch stereo plug.