If something does not work
TROUBLESHOOTING
On this page we are discussing how to avoid problems when using the the Avee microphones.
In most cases the problem can be solved by the user, but it happens that we need to do some thinking before we come up with a solution.
If you face a problem – please browse through the tabs below before contacting us. Pay particular notice to the Adjusting the audio speaker level information.
Even if you do not solve the issue yourself here, we feel confident you will get a better understanding of what is causing the problem.
When contacting us – please feel free to use Facebook, email or phone even if it in most cases for us makes it a bit easier to get a written problem description.
Facebook has proved itself to be very good for support and sales questions. We do normally respond back within 24 hours.
Adjusting the audio speaker level
The correct procedure to set the headphone volume is according to the following:
- Switch on the aircraft avionics and then adjust the radio volume and the intercom to a low level (2 of 10).
- Connect the Avee microphone & headset to the aircraft and set the speaker volume level on the Avee to maximum.
This is done with the +/- keys on the Avee for the QC25/QC35 and Sony XM3/XM4. For the Bose 700, this is done by swiping your finger upwards on the right headphone.
Please note that the Avee can be configured to always go to its maximum volume when it is plugged into the aircraft (please see the User Guide on how to do this https://www.avee.no/downloads/ -> Avee microphone User Guide. - Switch the headset ANR feature ON.
- Adjust the microphone with the flat side / white dot facing your lips with maximum 5-10mm distance.
- Adjust the squelch on the intercom to minimum level (always open) – you should now hear a hissing sound in the headphones.
- Talk into the microphone, you should hear yourself.
Adjust the intercom audio to on the intercom to a comfortable level. - Now adjust the intercom squelch so the hissing sound disappears.
Please note that this procedure might be repeated depending on the noise level in the aircraft cockpit when in flight.
Avoid having air-condition air flow nozzles point directly on the microphone. This will cause unneeded noise. - Verify that the co-pilot hears you – and that you hear the co-pilot.
Golden rule if problems: the pilot who can not hear herself talking has the problem.
- Turn off the radio squelch – or tune in a frequency with continous transmission (like ATIS). A hissing radio sound will be heard if the radio squelch is turned off.
- Adjust the radio output audio to a comfortable level. Turn on the radio squelch. The hissing sound should be gone.
- In flight adjustments should always be done from the aircraft audio panels.
Back seat passengers
Let the back seat passengers adjust the volume on their (Avee) headsets if they feel the audio is to loud.
Remember that they can usually not set the output levels between the the radio & intercom individually.
Audio level front & back seats
In most aircrafts the audio output level can be adjusted individually for the pilot and the copilot.
On smaller aircrafts the audio level in the back seats is usually controlled by the audio level in the front seats.
- The pilot in the left front seat usually controls the audio level in the left front seat and the audio level in the left back seat.
- The co-pilot in the right front seat usually controls the audio left in the right front seat and the audio level in the right back seat.
When adjusting the volume, always start by setting the volume level on the individual headset to maximum.
Extreme noise in headphone audio
If extreme noise is detected in the headphone speakers when receiving audio (radio or intercom), this is usually caused by a complete mismatch between the audio output level from the radio/intercom and what the headset can handle.
Please follow the procedure in Adjusting the audio speaker level tab.
Low microphone output level
MICROPHONE OUTPUT LEVEL
The microphone output level is sensitive when it comes to the position of the microphone and distance from your mouth.
On the Avee we are using a noise cancelling microphone to get as little cockpit noise as possible in both the intercom and on the radio. The nature of this is that it picks up sound from the near proximity ONLY.
It will not pick up sound from distances more than 10mm.
MICROPHONE CHECKLIST
Here we have two very important things to remember:
- The white spot on the microphone and the flat side of the microphone MUST face your mouth.
When wearing the microphone you will not be able to see the white spot, but you can feel that the flat surface is facing your mouth. - Make sure that the microphone is not twisted so the flat side is not facing your mouth.
- The distance between your mouth and the microphone is critical.
The optimal distance between the microphone and your lips – is that your lips should touch the microphone foam / wind protection.
For all practical purposes we say maximum 5-10mm between the microphone and your lips. - The output level from the microphone should normally be set to 4 (the factory setting).
Adjusting the volume level from the microphone itself will not help much if the microphone is not picking up your voice, so please make sure to follow steps 1 to 3 above.
Loss of audio
LOSS OF AUDIO
Permanent or sporadic loss of audio in both headset left and right side of the headset means that there is either a bad connection or no connection at all between the Avee microphone and the headset.
The golden rule here is that if you can not hear yourself talking – something is wrong.
For sporadic loss of audio on the Bose 700, please check out the ‘Bose 700 issues’ tab.
Check the following points:
- Magnet connection on Avee:
Make sure only one magnet is installed – and that it is correcly installed leaving no gap between the Avee microphone and the headset.The Avee solution is based on a perfect connection between the headset and the Avee microphone.
If this is not the case, it can lead to speaker audio drop outs and potential loss of ATC and intercom communication in left ear, right ear or even both ears.It is therefore extremely important to follow the descriptions given when installing the Avee microphone and the adhesive magnet to the headset.
We have made a video showing how the installation is done on the Avee microphone and you can find that here: Avee Setup Instructions. - Intercom squelch setting:
Ensure that the intercom squelch in the aircraft is fully open.
Verify you can hear your own voice when talking.
Adjust the intercom to normal level so no hissing is heard.
LOSS OF AUDIO IN RIGHT EAR
Occasional loss of sound in right ear is most likely caused by the fact that the Avee microphone is detecting audio (or noise) from the aircraft right channel, and then switches to stereo mode.
In case your aircraft is not equipped with a stereo audio system, you can loose the audio in the right ear when this happens.
To verify that this really is the problem, unplug the Avee from the aircraft for a few seconds (unplugging the thin 5.2mm connector is enough), and plug back again.
If you now get audio in both ears, the mono / stereo setting is the problem.
This behavior is easily fixed by forcing the Avee microphone to always be in mono mode.
Follow the description found in the Avee microphone User Guide and the chapter ‘Changing mono & stereo mode’.
The User Guide can be downloaded from the Download area.
Please note: this setting will only work for units shipped after November 21th 2019. If you have a system purchased before this date, please contact us.
Bose 700 issues
The Bose 700 is an extremely good headset for aviation use, but it has its ‘issues’.
For some unknown reason, Bose decided to make the on/off keys (and all the other keys) as keys that can easily be invoked by accident– for example when you adjust the headset position on your head.
Our experience is that it takes some time to get used to the position of these keys – and learn how not to touch them by accident.
But when you do get used to it – it really works well.
Occasional high volume
This is simply caused by the fact that the Bose 700 has been switched off: It then reverts to maximum volume !
The volume on the Bose 700 is adjusted by swiping your finger up/down on the right headphone when the Bose 700 is turned on.
Swiping your finger up/down on the right headphone when Bose 700 power is turned off, does not give any result.
Way to fix:
- Avoid getting close to the buttons on the Bose 700 when adjusting its position ! Do not accidently turn the Bose 700 off !
- Set the Bose 700 volume to maximum to avoid getting extra high volume in case you accidently turn the Bose 700 off.
Complete silence – for 10 seconds
The Bose 700 have a fairly ugly issue when it is switched on: it goes completely silent for approximately 10 seconds.
This is the start-up / boot period for the headset, but making it go dead for this long period is a bit over the edge.
Hopefully Bose will issue an software update – fixing this issue.
Way to fix:
- Same as in ‘the high volume issue’ above: Avoid getting close to the buttons on the Bose 700 when adjusting its position ! Do not accidently turn the Bose 700 off and then on again!
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