Garmin GMA 340 music input question

[NotarPilot]

I have a Garmin GMA 340 audio panel with an audio jack for music input in the panel. I don't like how the music cuts out every time someone is yappin on the radio. I prefer to fly with my music at a low volume but not cut out while receiving transmissions.

Question: Has anyone ever utilized their ADF input or Comm 3 input to add music through an audio jack to avoid the music muting feature altogether? I called an avionics shop and the guy told me he could probably do it for around $150 but has to check in the impedance or something. Otherwise it might need an "impedance transformer"

[rob]

I believe a more simple solution would be to change your input to the secondary audioinput in the GMA340 ( designed for "back seat" passengers). I don't think that one cuts out when receiving radio transmissions. 

 

The only downside would be that you would lose the ability to use the Pilot ISO button... I have both inputs wired into my M20C, and I enjoy the ability to segregate the intercom based on where people are sitting

[kortopates]

I love to listen to listen to music too while enroute. But personally, I think disabling the music muting function for when ATC may be calling you is a real safety of flight issue. That said, I do have a switch on my panel that allows the muting or not muting of the music for the intercom only - i.e. when anyone speaks on the intercom without transmitting. Perhaps such an arrangement would be worthwhile compromise for you without sacrificing flight safety.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[NotarPilot]

Yes, I have that same switch on my panel for muting and not muting the music during intercom. And while I respect your opinion I do not believe it's unsafe to disable the music mute feature for ATC calls. I'm not disabling it, I just want to have a separate audio jack out in that bypasses it. I have a little gizmo box that I can plug music into, by way of the headsets, that does not mute the music and I have absolutely no problem hearing ATC when I use it. My goal to to eliminate that box to I have less wires floating around the cockpit.

So, back to the original question: Has anyone ever utilized their ADF input or Comm 3 input on a GMA 340 to add music through an audio jack to avoid the music muting feature altogether? Thanks in advance to anyone who can provide info on this.

[Awful_Charlie]

I'm fairly sure you can just get the GMA340 re-programmed to not mute music during other radio activity - if you have a trawl of the installation manual it will tell you how it can be done

[NotarPilot]

Thanks Charlie, that's actually really helpful information. I will look into that.

[N201MKTurbo]

My PS engineering panel has a button that disables the muting function. It is the most worn button on the panel.

 

When all the chatter on the radio is for other people I disable the mute. When i hear my call sign I re-enable the mute function until they are done with me.

 

My entertainment radio is the most important piece of avionics in the panel! After 20 years of commuting by plane flying gets pretty boring at times. It is nice to have something to listen to.

[Awful_Charlie]

Just found it in the 340 manual I have (a Rev. L)

 

 

MUSIC 1 is normally muted during ICS activity. However an installation option is available to disable ICS MUTE. When ICS MUTE INHIBIT* (J2 pin 13) is connected to ICS MUTE INHIBIT RETURN (J2 pin 14), muting of MUSIC 1 will not occur due to ICS activity

 

Page 3-5 (refers to a diagram on page 2-10)

[sreid]

Just found it in the 340 manual I have (a Rev. L)

 

 

Page 3-5 (refers to a diagram on page 2-10)

 

Charlie, your reference is just for the muting during ICS activity, which he already has. I'm pretty sure that you can't disable the music 1 muting during radio activity with the GMA 340.

Steve

[Awful_Charlie]

Charlie, your reference is just for the muting during ICS activity, which he already has. I'm pretty sure that you can't disable the music 1 muting during radio activity with the GMA 340.

Steve

 

Ah yes, apologies, I think you are correct.  There is however the 'MUSIC 1 mute trip level' adjustment' available on via the top panel, I'm not sure if this is just for ICS or for radios too.

 

Otherwise as the OP suggests, then putting the music on Com3 or the ADF would be the logical choice - the IM states the input impedance for the transceiver/receiver inputs is 500ohms and the music 460ohms, so close enough I would have thought. The drawback of using this will be the loss of stereo though

[MB65E]

Is it common on the 340 to have the vox turned up all the way on the copilots channel! That's what ours does. It be nice to listen to actual stereo quality with louder music.

All well,

Matt