Wireless Headsets and Communications Equipment Using EQ1 Technology

       The EQ1 story 

The first test flight of the new EQ1 wireless comms was carried out successfully on 20th July 2008, This flight, to the best of our knowledge, is the first completely wireless, full duplex ANR pilot-passenger communication including VHF radio transmission in flight, in aviation history.

With today's wireless technology, as someone pointed out to me, "the occasion was well overdue."
However to achieve this milestone has been a battle of complexity and technology in a generally uncharted field.
Over 20 years of experience in designing RF components and systems for both business and military situations was employed and approximately 3 years of development have gone into the invention and manufacture of a completely wireless communications system.
What this all means to you as a pilot, is that your radio/communications and headset installation has become very simple.
The ability to move in and out of the cockpit without catching wires on controls or projections has been solved completely.
Your comfort level is superb and the quality of your reception and transmissions is now outstandingly clear.  (top)

"I tried the EQ1 Wireless Headset in my aerobatic Giles aircraft when training back home in Australia. My first impressions prior to engine start where that they could not possibly work as they were so light and had nothing attached to them...it seemed as though I was not wearing a headset, more a pair of ear muffs. To my surprise, the noise canceling aspect was just as good as I have experienced, as too the quality of communications within the cockpit and on the radio. Best of all, was the freedom of movement while conducting high G manoeuvres...light weight and no chords...it felt like I was doing aerobatics with just a cap on!

On the safety side of things, it has great potential for aerobatics, as there are no chords flying around the cockpit during the manoeuvres, which eliminates any chance of fouling the stick. Likewise, in the unfortunate case of a bailout, there is no risk at all of becoming fouled with the headset / cables, as you can just jump without the worry of still having your head attached to the cockpit!"

Matt Hall
Red Bull Air Race Pilot

 

EQ1 DESIGN BRIEF

 We have a simple design brief. The product must--

  • be wireless
  • be easy to install
  • provide quiet listening in a noisy environment
  • provide quality transmissions from a noisy environment
  • be comfortable
  • provide simple, intuitive operation. Put them on, turn them on and fly.

As you can see, high on the EQ1 design criteria was that installation be as simple as is possible  (top) 

plug and play with the EQ-Link or choose to install a complete EQ1communications package-- your choice--

The EQ-Link is essentially an aircraft headset jack adaptor that allows the use of our wireless ANR headset to be used in any aircraft that in the standard dual GA headset jacks.  Simply plug in the EG-Link and you can enjoy all the superb features only found in the EQ1 headsets ANR headset ---- all without wires.
The EQ1-Link / EQ1 headset combination can be used in conjunction with up to 4 other EQ-Link / EQ1 Headset combinations in the one aircraft.
The EQ-Link / EQ1 headset combination can be used while any other brand of wired headset is being used.
It seems silly to have spent considerable time and effort making the headset quiet only to allow noise in through the microphone. The EQ-Link incorporates the unique 'Clean Cockpit' noise cancelling feature that cancels unwanted cockpit noises that enter the microphone
making the process of speaking even quieter than before.

 
Click to download:

Comparison Recording Comparison Recording (36 KB)

WHAT IS IN THE EQ-Link PACK?

The EQ-Link package includes-
1 x headset with carry case
1 x EQ-Link1 x two place 240v USB wall charger
1 x USB-mini usb charge cable (suitable for 'inflight' or 240v)
1 x USB-headset charge cable.(suitable for 'inflight' or 240v)
Total cost of $1090.00 incl GST
 
Click here to purchse EQ-Link package through our secure online shop

Click Here to view entire Accessories Catalogue

 

EQ1 COMPLETE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM FEATURES

For the more inquisitive and technical of you here are some of the extra features that are built in. Most of which are at work in the background making life easier for the user.

  • The EQ1 is a full duplex digital wireless system designed from the ground up using over 20 years military RF design technology experience.
  • The EQ-Link / EQ1 headset combination can be used in conjunction with up to 4 other EG-Link / EQ1 Headset combinations in the one aircraft.
  • USB or 12v (5v-18v) charging capability
  • Cell phone interface via Bluetooth and yes we do have side tone at all times
  • High quality microphone using digital processing to reduce background noise.  
  • Unique 'Clean Cockpit' processes unwanted cockpit nose from the microphone.  
  • System is designed to interface correctly for each radio manufacturers idiosyncrasies. (EQ1 comms)
  • Incorporates 4 microphones and uses active noise reduction (ANR) technology for extreme noise aircraft.
  • Complete wiring loom supplied with various plug in options to suit various interface requirements 1.e.; handheld radios.
  • Adaptive frequency hopping technology at 2.4GHz. (NOT blue tooth)
  • Voice is digitized and compressed before being sent across the RF interface.
  • The system uses TDMA protocol like GSM phones to achieve multi-channel full duplex operation.
  • VOX system is adjustable by user to adapt to personal environment 
  • 'SOFTVOX' enabled to allow for short gaps in voice data. (no clipped words)
  • 'VOX MIC' protocol used to remove non speaking party from radio transmissions
  • PTT overrides headset VOX for instantaneous radio transmission
  • The Base unit (small lightweight unit 125mm x 80mm x 23mm) receives and transmits information to headsets, this is the heart of the system and can be located anywhere out of sight attached with Velcro.
  • The system also has full voice synthesis capability and can 'speak' many different messages and control information; all configurations are done this way (voice prompting). This can be expandable to a choice of languages.
  • Audio personalised aircraft identification.
  • Advanced features include, multiple wireless PTT adaptor and automatic audio routing for various situations, 1.e. passenger mic lock outs, MP3 input muting etc.
  • The external base interface (audio) is full programmable as far as level goes and can hence interface into multiple systems, it also has some expansion and control capability (RS232 and switching). including interface for SkyDat glass cockpit instrumentation for audio warnings on engine parameters being exceeded.
  • Long life (23hr) NiMh rechargeable battery including voice announced capacity and several low battery warnings.
  • Auto off function-- headsets will turn off automatically after end of flight.
  • VHF and UHF (VHF override) operation
  • No wires to tangle or break. Simple & easy to install
  • Emergency power back up for continual operation
  • Built in battery charger or 240v mains and 12v car chargers with voice announced percentage of charge
  • Can be charged from the aircraft with auto off when charged.
  • Wall charger will charge to full then trickle charge indefinitely- this means never having a flat battery after a long break from flying.
  • Headsets can be used independently from the base unit (or the EG-Link) and can operate 'peer to peer' (top)

WHAT IS THE EQ1 COMPLETE COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM ?

The EQ1 communications package includes-
2 x EQ1 headsets with carry cases
1 x two place 240v wall charger,
1 x communications base station,
1 x wireless Press-to-Talk (PTT),
1 x wiring loom to suit Microair M760 VHF radio.
Total cost of $2499.00 incl GST 

Click Here to purchase EQ1 complete communications system
through our secure online shop.

Click Here to view entire Accessories Catalogue

For frequently asked questions about the EQ1 system, click here

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS for installation of complete EQ1 system

To be able to maximise the system that you are installing, be it an EQ1 or any one of a variety of other wired systems some basic knowledge is required and rules need to be followed---
1. Good CLEAN power supply to your comms AND radio is essential, your battery is the cleanest source of power. ALL your connections must be made via direct paths to this source.
2. Good negative is also essential DO NOT connect it just anywhere on the airframe, connect it to the common negative terminal of the aircraft, these two rules alone will account for most of that crackle in your head (or the receivers head)
3. Good quality connectors on EVERY connection.
4. Correct aerial and matched impedance cable, use 50ohm cable for a 50 ohm aerial-- simple! Correct co-ax cable length is a myth, use what length you need for a tidy installation.
5. A good ground plane for your aerial with the aerial positioned as close to vertical (up or down) as possible and not obscured by struts or a kingpost.
6. Ensure the antenna is tuned for you installation for optimum performance.
7. Give your wiring room to move, no stretched connections, leave a small loop or sag to take up any vibration or movement then cable tie the rest securely.
8. Keep your headset connectors clean, a quick wipe of the connectors with a rag and a 'hint' of 'Brasso' works wonders in removing the oxides that build up on those old style connectors.
9. Match the headsets with the comms, match the comms with the radio and match the radio with the aerial. The only way to do this is to speak with the relevant manufacturers and ask the question of which components have been tested and are shown to be compatible to theirs.

This last point is the most difficult to achieve if you try using non recommended components. Each manufacturer has their own quirks that seem to befuddle the most experienced avionics expert when faced with the task of marrying equipment.
A high noise environment will tend to aggravate the problems so the attention to the above rules is a must for best system operation. (top)

EQ1 COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM INSTALLATION

The EQ1 installation is relatively simple.

  • The base unit (comms box) is lightweight and can be positioned anywhere under the dash using Velcro.
  • Three of the wires from the supplied wiring loom are then connected to”power, negative and master switch.
  • The remaining plug is plugged into the radio (and will supply clean power to the radio) -- THAT'S IT three wires and plug it in: its now installed.

The PTT is wireless and one or multiple PTT's can be positioned anywhere convenient.
Microlight pilots will Velcro one on the control bar and instructors will want one on the training bars as well. (top)

Please be sure to advise us of the radio that you intend to use at time of purchase so that we can ascertain if a loom adaptor is required.
A wireless PTT is supplied as standard. However if you have a yoke mounted PTT the wiring loom supplied has a wire that will hardwire the PTT back to the base unit.

OEM's and flight schools should contact Gordon at Sky Sports Innovations for a chat about how we can help you benifit from EQ1 .
info@skysportsinnovations.com.au
ph Gordon Marshall 0419942645 (top)

 


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