PIREP on PS Engineering's PMA 450a

[Marauder]

I've created a pilot report on the new PS Engineering PMA 450a audio panel. Video is a bit lengthy, but if you are considering upgrading your audio panel, I have spent some time going through the feature set of their new product.

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[FoxMike]

Good job of explaining the features.  I have a PS450 and have enjoyed it.  The problem is remembering some of the features that you do not often use and then figuring out which buttons to push.

 

[carusoam]

Nicely done, Marauder!

You have that deep technical skill, from the user side, that is not available from the navcom supplier side.

I didn't think I was going to sit through 18 minutes the first time.  It was worth it.

Now, I am wondering if the intelli-audio will work for me with my headset and pre-aged brain...

That's a pretty funky way to improve one's multi-tasking abilities.

It would be interesting to hear how you set it up to separate awos broadcasts from ATC if that is possible.

Best regards,

-a-

[Piloto]

Very nice review. It has reinforced my decision to keep my KMA-24, simple and straight forward.

Noticed that the PMA 450a has no option for a third COM (I have HF) neither ADF.

José

Edited October 23, 2016 by Piloto

[Marauder]

Nicely done, Marauder!

You have that deep technical skill, from the user side, that is not available from the navcom supplier side.

I didn't think I was going to sit through 18 minutes the first time.  It was worth it.

Now, I am wondering if the intelli-audio will work for me with my headset and pre-aged brain...

That's a pretty funky way to improve one's multi-tasking abilities.

It would be interesting to hear how you set it up to separate awos broadcasts from ATC if that is possible.

Best regards,

-a-

I was a bit skeptical of the IntelliAudio technology when I first activated it. Wasn't sure what to expect. I monitor 121.5 on the second Com and it is reassuring flying around in our airspace with the SFRA/FRZ that if someday I come up on "Guard", I'll know it's coming.

As for AWOS monitoring, you just tune the second Com to the AWOS and it will come through from a different location in your headset. This link has better description of how it works: http://www.ps-engineering.com/IntelliAudio.shtml

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[Marauder]

Very nice review. It has reinforced my decision to keep my KMA-24, simple and straight forward.
Noticed that the PMA 450a has no option for a third COM (I have HF) neither ADF.
José

Thanks for comment on the review José. I was a KMA-20 owner with a Sigtronics intercom so I understand the simplistic approach.

When I installed the 8000BT I was doing it solely for the connection capability to my phone. The additional features for me, a self admitted techno weenie, were well worth it. I use most of the features, especially the "ISO" mode when I fly the mother-in-law to and from home.


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[Piloto]

2 hours ago, Marauder said:

 

Thanks for comment on the review José. I was a KMA-20 owner with a Sigtronics intercom so I understand the simplistic approach.

When I installed the 8000BT I was doing it solely for the connection capability to my phone. The additional features for me, a self admitted techno weenie, were well worth it. I use most of the features, especially the "ISO" mode when I fly the mother-in-law to and from home.


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My mother-in-law never putted on the headsets but a veil, she would be praying with a rosary the whole flight. She passed away.

José

[Mscheuer]

Thanks Chris for the great review! Chris evaluated our PMA450A as a volunteer, there was no offer by PS Engineering of reimbursement or implied that there would be any incentive prior to or during his review. I appreciate his thoroughness as he spent at least a month flying behind the audio panel before writing he wrote up his evaluation.

A couple of very quick notes: If you want to go immediately back to the previous menu, you simply press and hold any of the three soft-keys and you'll be back to the previous screen.

The pilot can the delay time from 1 - 30 seconds, that it takes to go back to the primary screen. This is set up in the user set up menu. Once you get familiar with the functionality of the PMA450A, for me, the best delay time for me is 4 seconds. But as you are learning the system, it might be best to set to 8 or maybe even 10 seconds.

The PMA450A is shipped with the three switched inputs labeled ADF, DME, and AUX. These three switched inputs can be labeled using up to 9 alphanumeric characters.

The USB-C charger provides 15 Watts versus the standard USB at 10 Watts

The advanced Bluetooth(R) functions provide caller ID, answer and hang-up, as well as volume control from the front panel.

The continuous loop digital recorder, once playing, will display what com and message number is being heard.

I appreciate Chris very much for taking the time to fly with the PMA450A and providing his evaluation here on the Money Space Forum.

Sincerely,

Mark Scheuer

PS Engineering, Inc.

[Piloto]

Nice product Mark. On your next design I would go for something more intuitive that does not require to download a simulator to operate it. If you are going after the jets market it needs to have a three or four MIC selection position. Half of these jets have HF and Sat Phone onboard. I have HF/Marine VHF onboard and found the HF/TEL position on the KMA 24 a most to have.

José

[rbridges]

I really like my 450.  The one feature that it lacks that the 450a has is the "copilot as passenger" option.  The 450a also has the newer power cord port.  On a side note, it is nice to have someone from the company monitor our boards.  It was one of the reasons I originally purchased my 450.  Communication with the company has been quick and easy when I've had questions.