SAFA Skysailor Magazine

31 May | June 2021 SKY SAILOR Which radio? The current Icom Air Band radio range (2021) includes the IC-A16 and IC-A25 models. For most hang gliding and paragliding purpos- es, the IC-A25 is overkill, as it includes a GPS and VOR navigation capability at a premium price. This is great for GA pilots who can use it as a cockpit backup, but since we don’t generally use VOR and also normally already carry a GPS more suited to our needs, not much use. The IC-A16 is (relatively) inexpensive (less than $400) and supersedes the popular IC-A15, adding a couple of useful features including Bluetooth headset support which may make it more usable for mounting the unit off the harness for control accessibility in flight. Unfortunately, neither radio is directly compatible with headsets used for popular UHF CB radios, and often the best choice is to use the appropriate Icom branded speaker-mike. These are not inexpensive. Operation of the IC-A16 is basically the same as for the IC-A15. If you are buying the IC-A16 from a hang gliding or paragliding equipment retailer, you may be able to get them to use the programming software to set up the radio as detailed in this document in a basic way prior to delivery so that you can update it yourself from the keypad later. Set up without software Unfortunately, it’s not possible to set up a ‘Home’ button and default frequency without the programming software, but you can still set up banks/groups of tagged frequencies. However, you can’t give names to the banks/groups, which is a major drawback. Refer to the IC-A15 and IC-A16 manuals to learn how to add memory channels, give them names, assign them to banks and tag them for scanning. Thanks to John Reynoldson for this contribution. Set the ‘Frequency’ settings to ‘Mch’ (Memory Channel), the most likely bank/group you’ll be using most, and the channel (number) in that bank/group you want to reset to if you hit the ‘Home’ button. The ‘Home’ key does have some drawbacks. It will reset your squelch level, ANL, beeps, side tone, mike gain, internal mike usage and timeout timer settings to the defaults (example above) that you set using the software or ‘Set’ mode, so if you change them later using the keypad, they will revert! Don’t forget to ‘write back’ and ‘save’ the configuration Once you’ve entered all your banks/groups and channels, don’t forget to write the new configuration back to the radio! Then save the configuration as a file on your PC for later maintenance and back-up. Using the memory scan function and ‘Home’ button Note that on the IC-A16, the BANK key is now the GRP key, and the IC-A16 manual refers to Groups, rather than Banks, but they are the same thing. Start the radio, and if required, press CLR for two seconds to put the radio in memory channel mode, in the default bank and on the home frequency and with all other Set Mode defaults. Selecting the bank of frequencies to scan Press FUNC / BANK (or FUNC / GRP and the current bank/ group name is displayed. Press the up or down buttons (or the bank/group number if you know it), to change to the desired bank/group, then ENT . Starting the scan Press FUNC / SCAN to start the scan. The display should go ‘wild’, flashing between the various channels. If it keeps stopping on one with static, increase the squelch level, then press FUNC / SCAN to restart the scan. Receiving and answering a call If a call is received, the radio will stop on that channel until the call is complete, wait a few seconds, then start scanning again. If you answer the call before scan restarts, you will remain on that channel until you start the scan again. Suggestion: To give yourself time to compose your message, briefly tap the PTT as soon as you hear a message you want to respond to. Take a deep calming breath, then make the actual transmission. Making a call on the ‘Home’ channel If you want to transmit on your Home frequency, press CLR and hold it for two seconds and you will go to the home bank and channel. This cancels all scans, so to start monitoring again after these calls, press FUNC / SCAN .