Funke ATR833S wiring

[MisterNick]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone may be able to help out with a query.

I've recently installed a Funke ATR833S radio into my plane. The previous radio was a Microair 760 so I've used a pre-made adaptor to take it from a 15 pin for the Microair to the 25 pin on the Funke. The company that sold the previous owner the radio had made the adaptor to order.

The issue I'm facing is that I can hear incoming radio messages clear but the microphone's don't work for the pilot or co-pilot. Either through the intercom or transmitting. I also can't get a side tone on either side.

I've mapped the pins from the connectors and with some help from the Europa owners group on Facebook, the general conclusion is that pin 7 for the Funke (intercom pin) needs grounding. On the corresponding connector, it's soldered into pin 5, which is either RS232 TX or intercom depending on which wiring diagram you look at.

The other anomaly is that the Funke manual shows pin 5 and 8 need to be connected to pins 18 and 19 respectively. Which it isn't on the current connector.

The plan is, on the 25 pin adaptor, to remove the intercom connection and ground. And install the connections for pins 5 and 8 to pins 18 and 19.

I thought I'd check if anyone has had similar experience before and could shed some light on whether I'm going about this correctly or if there's anything I should be aware of.

I have gone over the connectors with a multimeter to check the connections and mapped them out. I have also included the wiring diagrams I've found for the Funke and the Microair connectors.

I have posted this on the Europa Facebook group and the chaps on there have been incredibly helpful. One has had a similar radio swap but he has the ATR833 OLED which is slightly different, so I wanted to post this here so I could have a final sanity check as I don't want to cause damage to the radio.

Thanks in advance.

[this is my username]

Before you do anything make sure that the mic gain is set to an appropriate level - ie that it is a connection issue not a problem with the settings.

If you are breaking out the soldering iron wouldn’t you be better off just ditching the adapter and wiring the Funke plug on directly?

We had no end of problems with adapters when we went from the old ATR500s to the 833S.

It’s a bit late now, but I much prefer the Trig products to the Funke.

[MisterNick]

I have already tried adjusting the settings. I found the advanced settings and tried every configuration but no joy.

There isn't a huge amount to be done, if it was a complete re-wire then I'd have just ditched it but it's just a few connections. I've inherited the radio and it's brand new so I'm a little reluctant to switch.

[this is my username]

I'm not sure where you are getting that pins 5 and 8 should be connected to 18 and 19?

As far as I can see pins 5 and 8 are for use with dynamic microphones. Pins 18 and 19 are for use with standard (electret) microphones. Normal GA headsets are electret ("standard"), dynamic mics are generally used in military helmets and in some glider installations.

Make sure that he VOX setting is turned down, intercom volume is turned up, that the MLS and MLR settings (which control mic gain) are turned up, MIC Left is set to Standard, Mic Right is set to Standard. That is all assuming that you are using a standard GA headset.

Edited by this is my username on Saturday 6th May 08:50

Edited by this is my username on Saturday 6th May 08:53

[MisterNick]

this is my username said:

I'm not sure where you are getting that pins 5 and 8 should be connected to 18 and 19?

As far as I can see pins 5 and 8 are for use with dynamic microphones. Pins 18 and 19 are for use with standard (electret) microphones. Normal GA headsets are electret ("standard"), dynamic mics are generally used in military helmets and in some glider installations.

Make sure that he VOX setting is turned down, intercom volume is turned up, that the MLS and MLR settings (which control mic gain) are turned up, MIC Left is set to Standard, Mic Right is set to Standard. That is all assuming that you are using a standard GA headset.

Edited by this is my username on Saturday 6th May 08:50

Edited by this is my username on Saturday 6th May 08:53

I didn't realise they were for the dynamic mics until I saw the ATR833 OLED. My radio does have a setting for dynamic headsets but if I'm honest, I'm not entirely sure myself what the benefits are to connect to pins 18 and 19. I'm following the wiring diagram which does state in two different sections they need to be wired together. I only plan to use standard mode and not the dynamic so I can't see it causing any issues.

Thank you for your help with the settings, I had a play with them when I first set them up following the manual but I was just trying to get a sidetone on the radio. As soon as I have it connected I'll program them in to check. I'm fairly confident the issue is with the intercom pin so I'm hoping that will resolve the issues.

My preferred option would be to wire the 25 pin plug directly but with everything installed in the plane and very limited space, it'll be a real struggle to work with the soldering iron and get secure connection.

I'll be plugging it in on Monday so I'll report back with my findings.

[this is my username]

It looks like pin 7 needs to be grounded in order to activate the internal intercom. If that isn’t done then you probably won’t hear much in the headset when you talk. I don’t know if the sidetone on transmit is provided by the radio or get intercom.

[Pete54]

I went through this when replacing a King with an ICOM. Although it was a bit messy to unpick everything, simply connecting up as per the ICOM manual meant it worked first time.

My back and knees have since recovered!