This, to me, is an often under-appreciated but worthwhile topic to discuss. Nice job providing the requisite considerations and troubleshooting advice any pilot can use. I also fly with a PJ2 handheld radio in my flight bag. 4 of 4.
4/4. Great topic, and reading some of the comments even solidifies my desire to grab a hand-held radio if nothing more than for turning on lights at an airfield at night.
4/4- PJ2 Handheld always with me! Experienced PTT switch failure as well, quickly moved headset jacks to right seat and used right yoke PTT. Haven’t had a COMM failure yet and this video helps reinforce my training. Thanks!
4 for 4! Thanks so much for these videos. I have had a headset failure in flight, and had a PS Engineering audio panel fail. Those were enough to stay current on lost comm procedures! I carry a Yaesu FTA550
4 for 4 form London UK. This was very informative. I don't have my PPL yet, just about to do my qualifying cross country. I have had a handheld radio from day one - The Yaesu 850 which can also double up as a GPS backup in case of emergency. Haven't had to use it for any emergency, and hope I don't have to.
I have needed my handheld on more than one occasion! Our 182 has an aux jack to connect handheld to airplane antenna. That has been amazing when 30 miles from airport at 9,500.
you gave the best IFR advice and one I use. File to the expected IAF and FAF for the destination. Saved my arse on an IFR flight when I lost my radios in IMC down to the last 4 miles to the runway. I carry the Sportys P2J but even that did not help as the failure was an ELT transmitting with an antenna short to the airframe rendering incoming comms inaudible.
4/4! Thanks! I hear stuck mic switches fairly often, even I had one too, my CFI caught it! oh yeah, I bought myself a Yaesu FTA-550AA h.held radio for Christmas! Thanks M0A!
Four for four here! Thanks for the brilliant way to remember the three emergency squawk codes. I've been struggling with how to remember which is which, and the way you presented them is fantastic. Have a great 2023, Jason! By the way, what is the origin of "MZeroA"?
4 for 5…..another great topic! Thank you! As a student…..looking for everything to make me a safer pilot to include a backup radio in case of comms failure.
4 for 4 Lost coms due to inadvertently bumping the intercom switch. Landed at an uncontrolled field to troubleshoot. I learned something new about the plane that day. Most pilots don’t know all their systems as well as they could.
4/4 I did my last flight review with my instructor NORDO (No Radio for those new) as the radios were out for repairs. He did have handheld in case of any needed issue. but there are several older birds in our area that fly NORDO frequently, so we all know to keep an eye out. It also gave more practice on the know where you are as plane doesn't have GPS, and without the radios, no VOR either.
444R2! I have the Sportys PJ2. No headset adapter needed! I'm only a VFR student and this radio has already come through for me twice since I soloed. Spend the $300 even if just for peace of mind.
4 for 4. Lost comms once due to an alternator failure. Landed safely at a PCA nearby. I had my handheld PJ2 radio onboard, but it was in my flightbag in the passenger compartment and inaccessible. Since that day I have always made sure it is ready to go, and within easy reach at all times.
Great topic, Jason. Thank you for the refresher. I carry a Vertex Standard Pilot III handheld. Rugged unit. Be sure to keep the batteries charged.....4/4, thanks Jason.
During my check ride prep I came up with the situation "Defective alternator during a night flight.". Ever since I never leave the ground at night without a backup radio. Just the thought of landing at night at an unlit airfield with no coms scared me. I have an old no name (from?) sportys headset. Make sure you also make a radio check on your backup before taking off.
All caught up now 4 for 4. I fly with a Sporty's PJ2 specifically for this scenario. It has standard headset jacks built in... no need to search for and connect an adapter during a higher-stress moment.
4 for 4 Yet another great topic! I don’t have a handheld radio yet but I have been considering the PJ2+ maybe this will give me the motivation to just go ahead and make that purchase
Hit radio failure in the practice area pre solo, so CFI was there. Troubleshot - it was a stuck mic but nothing would fix it, so we texted someone in the pattern, relayed a message and light gunned into class D. Certainly good to do, now have a charged handheld in the bag just in case
My Christmas present was the PJ2+. My radio is very old and does not support monitoring the standby freq. I plug a 3.5mm cable into the PJ2+ and my Bose A20, and now I can listen to ATIS while my radio stays on the main freq. Looking for a modern radio under the tree next year.
This literally happened to me in November. Lost comms, and all electronics for that matter, and had to 7600 with diversion. A good time was had by most...
4 for 4! I've had stuck mike button and intercom issues but luckily no lost comms. However, I do have the Sporty's PJ2 handheld radio, just in case. Just remember, the antenna on it isn't that powerful so don't expect to reach a tower facility 20 miles away. At best you may be able to relay through an aircraft close by.
I've had a couple of instances of lost communications. One during my recent IPC last spring at Tucson (KTUS)! We're not really sure what happened, but ATC couldn't seem to hear us, even though we could hear them. We just flew back to KAVQ and landed. Thankfully, that was after my last approach of the IPC. The other was years ago when a wire broke on my alternator and my battery got low. I was able to talk to ATC (KCID) and get an immediate clearance to land before the radio completely failed. Now, I carry a ham radio handheld and my cell phone. I can receive aviation frequencies on the handheld, but can't transmit.. 4/4
4 for 4! I had a dodgy PTT switch once and handheld's batteries were dead (despite being replaced recently - now have NEW handheld!) and used the bluetooth on my headset and phone to communicate. I also tried using copilot PTT but, duh, forgot to switch headset plugs...
4 for 4. I have an ICOM handheld that I have had to use twice. Once when I had an electrical failure and once when the push to talk button on the yoke failed.
4 of 4. I had a 'doh' lost comm situation after service on the radios. After several attempts to fix (depart, return, depart, return) the problem was determined to be the aircraft handheld mic (who uses this???) was placed in the cradle backwards and when the vibration of the airplane increased (full power on take-off for example) the button depressed intermittently and eventually would stick. The second departure I was on an IFR flight plan, in IMC and was not able to communicate and tying up the frequency. I squawked 7600, proceeded with AVEFMEA, changed to an unused frequency in the area to free up the frequency and then I was able to use my handheld radio which I have the ability to connect to an external antenna and my headset (which I often practice setting up to make sure I can do it under pressure) and was able to get a clearance to return to my departure airport (and avionics shop), then got out of IMC, cancelled IFR and landed VFR to 'fix' the problem again - when I noticed the handheld mic in backwards....problem solved. I now have something else I check after maintenance inside the cockpit. Great stuff MZeroA!
I had radio malfunction on departure from a class D airport. On first contact with tower I had stated my destination and planned route. I had received clearance from tower for my planned departure before take off. The aircraft I was flying was equipped with a dual radio. As I was climbing and crossing the end of the runway the radio decided to roll continuously between the two set frequencies, so never on either long enough to make or receive a radio call. It happened right in the middle of tower giving me instructions. I squawked 7600 straight away and departed as planned. As my route was near a restricted airspace my flight was monitored but they did nothing else. He (the ATC) had looked up light signals incase I had decided to return and land. My destination was an uncontrolled airfield and my radio had settled down and started behaving again by the time I reached it. I spoke with the traffic controller later in the day via phone and it was the first time he had seen anyone squawk 7600 so it made an interesting day at work for him. I was flying to a national women's rally and many of the other pilots said the same thing, that in all their decades of flying they also hadn't seen it squawked before. I think I would have returned and landed if my planned destination had been a controlled airport and I hadn't thought the fault would correct itself given time. Yes I have flown with the radio too quiet for most of the flight. In my defence I often fly midweek when there is not much talk on the radio. Some flights there is no one else local making radio calls. I felt pretty stupid once I picked up on my error.
4 for 4 from Hungary🇭🇺 I have a Yaesu VX-7R with a 3.5mm Jack adaptor which I’m always carrying in the cockpit - so I probably need a different adaptor for my David Clark headset (if there is one🤔) BTW I had a weird radio issue in one of the C150s I flew in a couple years back. During the flight at one point there was a loud static noise on the radio, like somebody had their PTT stuck on. I could hear the FIC and other pilots on the frequency, but jut barely. A good 20 minutes into troubleshooting the issue I had a hunch - pulled out the USB charger which I used for mz GoPro from the 12V socket, and just like that, the issue was gone…
Thanks for this vid Jason! Question: isn't it safer to try and go to a towered airport for VFR lost comms rather than going to an untowered hoping traffic will see you too?
This, to me, is an often under-appreciated but worthwhile topic to discuss. Nice job providing the requisite considerations and troubleshooting advice any pilot can use. I also fly with a PJ2 handheld radio in my flight bag. 4 of 4.
One of the most important tools in my flight bag is a hand held radio . Great video thanks again
One more tip: look for the TX icon, if that isn't showing when you are pressing the button, then you aren't transmitting
And often a green led light somewhere on the dash
4/4. Great topic, and reading some of the comments even solidifies my desire to grab a hand-held radio if nothing more than for turning on lights at an airfield at night.
4/4 I keep looking into buying a handheld radio, but have yet to do it. This is definitely a good reminder.
4/4- PJ2 Handheld always with me! Experienced PTT switch failure as well, quickly moved headset jacks to right seat and used right yoke PTT. Haven’t had a COMM failure yet and this video helps reinforce my training. Thanks!
Thanks again for an important refresher!
4/4...Love the discussion today. Thanks Jason.
4 for 4! Thanks so much for these videos. I have had a headset failure in flight, and had a PS Engineering audio panel fail. Those were enough to stay current on lost comm procedures! I carry a Yaesu FTA550
4 for 4 form London UK.
This was very informative. I don't have my PPL yet, just about to do my qualifying cross country. I have had a handheld radio from day one - The Yaesu 850 which can also double up as a GPS backup in case of emergency. Haven't had to use it for any emergency, and hope I don't have to.
4 for 4! I've never looked forward to CZcams videos more than Jason's videos!
Four! Hoping to get a hand held for my birthday in February. Keep ‘em coming, Jason.
I have needed my handheld on more than one occasion! Our 182 has an aux jack to connect handheld to airplane antenna. That has been amazing when 30 miles from airport at 9,500.
Thank you for this every year I look forward to January thanks to you and I’m 4 for 4
4 for 4. Great discussion about something we really don't practice for. I bought the PJ2 from Sporty's at Oshkosh last year. See you tomorrow Jason.
4 for 4. I carry a iComm handheld. I have only needed it once, due to an antenna failure. I was very happy I had it.
4/4… this is great… as a student pilot, these help!I also bought the Sporty’s PJ2 radio… take it with me when we go up.
Just getting started on this journey! Great videos! 4/4!😊
you gave the best IFR advice and one I use.
File to the expected IAF and FAF for the destination. Saved my arse on an IFR flight when I lost my radios in IMC down to the last 4 miles to the runway.
I carry the Sportys P2J but even that did not help as the failure was an ELT transmitting with an antenna short to the airframe rendering incoming comms inaudible.
You're a Hero, man 🛩
Wow! Thank you, very educational. Still playing catch up.
4/4. So helpful. Thanks MZEROA
4/4! Thanks! I hear stuck mic switches fairly often, even I had one too, my CFI caught it! oh yeah, I bought myself a Yaesu FTA-550AA h.held radio for Christmas! Thanks M0A!
4 of 4! Thanks Jason!
Love your safer pilot challenge series so far!
I’ve also heard, “7-6, get my radio fixed”
Four for four here! Thanks for the brilliant way to remember the three emergency squawk codes. I've been struggling with how to remember which is which, and the way you presented them is fantastic. Have a great 2023, Jason!
By the way, what is the origin of "MZeroA"?
4 for 5…..another great topic!
Thank you!
As a student…..looking for everything to make me a safer pilot to include a backup radio in case of comms failure.
Actually did happen to me years ago. I gave the radio a good smack and it came back on. Lucky me!
4 for 4
Lost coms due to inadvertently bumping the intercom switch.
Landed at an uncontrolled field to troubleshoot.
I learned something new about the plane that day.
Most pilots don’t know all their systems as well as they could.
4 for 4 Yes, I have a PJ2 handheld in my Cessna 175. Thanks for another great video.
4/4 I did my last flight review with my instructor NORDO (No Radio for those new) as the radios were out for repairs. He did have handheld in case of any needed issue. but there are several older birds in our area that fly NORDO frequently, so we all know to keep an eye out. It also gave more practice on the know where you are as plane doesn't have GPS, and without the radios, no VOR either.
Hi Jason. Just got a Yaesu-850L from my parents for Christmas!
444R2!
I have the Sportys PJ2. No headset adapter needed! I'm only a VFR student and this radio has already come through for me twice since I soloed. Spend the $300 even if just for peace of mind.
4/4 - good series as always!!
4 for 4. Lost comms once due to an alternator failure. Landed safely at a PCA nearby. I had my handheld PJ2 radio onboard, but it was in my flightbag in the passenger compartment and inaccessible. Since that day I have always made sure it is ready to go, and within easy reach at all times.
4 for 4. Yes, also have the Yaesu 850 and it's always with me. I took it one step further with carrying an external windshield mount antenna.
4 for 4. Go Jason!!! You'all rock!
Great topic, Jason. Thank you for the refresher. I carry a Vertex Standard Pilot III handheld. Rugged unit. Be sure to keep the batteries charged.....4/4, thanks Jason.
4-4 definitely gonna grab myself a hand held radio because I would rather be prepared for the worst all the time ! Thanks Jason
During my check ride prep I came up with the situation "Defective alternator during a night flight.". Ever since I never leave the ground at night without a backup radio. Just the thought of landing at night at an unlit airfield with no coms scared me.
I have an old no name (from?) sportys headset. Make sure you also make a radio check on your backup before taking off.
All caught up now 4 for 4. I fly with a Sporty's PJ2 specifically for this scenario. It has standard headset jacks built in... no need to search for and connect an adapter during a higher-stress moment.
4 for 4!! another great video!
Thank you for mentioning troubleshooting before assuming all hope is lost! I learned it “76 got no clicks”
4/4 love them all!
Great video as always. We fly with a handheld radio at all times…. Need to get adapter for headset though! 😉
4 for 4. Great topic and refresher!!
I Love Yeasu Radios coming from the Amateur Radio operator world. I've been looking at the 550 but the 750 and 850 look awesome
4 for 4. Keep it going!! And I fly with a PJ2 handheld radio.
4 for 4. Thanks Jason!
4 for 4
Yet another great topic!
I don’t have a handheld radio yet but I have been considering the PJ2+ maybe this will give me the motivation to just go ahead and make that purchase
4/4 Going to go check out a radio. Thank you
I have a Vertex VXA-220 with headset adapter and built an antenna connector in my KR2; admittedly that is also the KR2's primary radio :) 4/4
Good refrescher!
Oh yeah - 4 for 4. Very great lesson
Hit radio failure in the practice area pre solo, so CFI was there. Troubleshot - it was a stuck mic but nothing would fix it, so we texted someone in the pattern, relayed a message and light gunned into class D. Certainly good to do, now have a charged handheld in the bag just in case
My Christmas present was the PJ2+. My radio is very old and does not support monitoring the standby freq. I plug a 3.5mm cable into the PJ2+ and my Bose A20, and now I can listen to ATIS while my radio stays on the main freq. Looking for a modern radio under the tree next year.
Love my Yaesu! Always keep a backup headset and batteries.
This literally happened to me in November. Lost comms, and all electronics for that matter, and had to 7600 with diversion. A good time was had by most...
4 for 4 thus far. My handheld was given to me by my father. It’s a basic handheld, and it’s old, but it works.
I am 4 for 4 and I got the Yasu 550 Pro - x I thought I had the 750 I have not look at it in a long while, I think I will make sure it still works.
4 for 4!
I've had stuck mike button and intercom issues but luckily no lost comms. However, I do have the Sporty's PJ2 handheld radio, just in case. Just remember, the antenna on it isn't that powerful so don't expect to reach a tower facility 20 miles away. At best you may be able to relay through an aircraft close by.
I've had a couple of instances of lost communications. One during my recent IPC last spring at Tucson (KTUS)! We're not really sure what happened, but ATC couldn't seem to hear us, even though we could hear them. We just flew back to KAVQ and landed. Thankfully, that was after my last approach of the IPC. The other was years ago when a wire broke on my alternator and my battery got low. I was able to talk to ATC (KCID) and get an immediate clearance to land before the radio completely failed. Now, I carry a ham radio handheld and my cell phone. I can receive aviation frequencies on the handheld, but can't transmit.. 4/4
I have an iCom ACA-47. Works really well and there’s a button to automatically tune to 121.5.
I am 4 for 4. I use the Yaesu 850 as well as a backup.
4*4 just ordered the pj2+ handheld
4 for 4. Good info for a low time Private Pilot.
4 for 4, I do have a handheld I always fly with, it was the best rated one at Sporty's
Have the Yaesu 750 with the headset adapter and a David Clark PTT button for it.
Great 4th video
4 for 4! I had a dodgy PTT switch once and handheld's batteries were dead (despite being replaced recently - now have NEW handheld!) and used the bluetooth on my headset and phone to communicate. I also tried using copilot PTT but, duh, forgot to switch headset plugs...
4:4 I always carry a vertex navcom that's waterproof, and I just replaced the rechargeable batteries in it last month.
4 for 4. Thanks!
4 for 4. I have an ICOM handheld that I have had to use twice. Once when I had an electrical failure and once when the push to talk button on the yoke failed.
At 1 of 1 practiced motor failure on Departure yesterday. Need a lot of runway.
4/4. Nice refresher, thanks. You mentioned looking at the windsock, but what about the sign square to determine the runway in use?
4 for 4 keep it coming
4 for 4
Sportys PJ2 handheld and it works great
4/4 Great video!
2 hand held radios Bendix king kx-99 purchased for 8.99 sold to me as a "CB Radio" and a icom A-22
4 for 4. No handheld yet. It’s on my list as a flight bag tool.
4 of 4. I had a 'doh' lost comm situation after service on the radios. After several attempts to fix (depart, return, depart, return) the problem was determined to be the aircraft handheld mic (who uses this???) was placed in the cradle backwards and when the vibration of the airplane increased (full power on take-off for example) the button depressed intermittently and eventually would stick. The second departure I was on an IFR flight plan, in IMC and was not able to communicate and tying up the frequency. I squawked 7600, proceeded with AVEFMEA, changed to an unused frequency in the area to free up the frequency and then I was able to use my handheld radio which I have the ability to connect to an external antenna and my headset (which I often practice setting up to make sure I can do it under pressure) and was able to get a clearance to return to my departure airport (and avionics shop), then got out of IMC, cancelled IFR and landed VFR to 'fix' the problem again - when I noticed the handheld mic in backwards....problem solved. I now have something else I check after maintenance inside the cockpit.
Great stuff MZeroA!
4 for 4 from Stratford Texas!
Sporty's hand held!
4 for 4 Thanks!!!
Day 4 for 4. Keeping the trend going.
Have my handheld need to replace the headset adapter… listen to traffic at my desk for therapy often! 4/4
4 for 4 thanks so much
4/4. Do not own a handheld but perhaps it's time to look for one...
444. Great list comms discussion!
444
Thanks for the series!
I had radio malfunction on departure from a class D airport. On first contact with tower I had stated my destination and planned route. I had received clearance from tower for my planned departure before take off. The aircraft I was flying was equipped with a dual radio. As I was climbing and crossing the end of the runway the radio decided to roll continuously between the two set frequencies, so never on either long enough to make or receive a radio call.
It happened right in the middle of tower giving me instructions. I squawked 7600 straight away and departed as planned. As my route was near a restricted airspace my flight was monitored but they did nothing else. He (the ATC) had looked up light signals incase I had decided to return and land.
My destination was an uncontrolled airfield and my radio had settled down and started behaving again by the time I reached it. I spoke with the traffic controller later in the day via phone and it was the first time he had seen anyone squawk 7600 so it made an interesting day at work for him.
I was flying to a national women's rally and many of the other pilots said the same thing, that in all their decades of flying they also hadn't seen it squawked before.
I think I would have returned and landed if my planned destination had been a controlled airport and I hadn't thought the fault would correct itself given time.
Yes I have flown with the radio too quiet for most of the flight. In my defence I often fly midweek when there is not much talk on the radio. Some flights there is no one else local making radio calls. I felt pretty stupid once I picked up on my error.
4 for 4. thanks!
Do you recommend a nav/com radio with GPS? Or just have a com radio as backup.
4 for 4 from Hungary🇭🇺
I have a Yaesu VX-7R with a 3.5mm Jack adaptor which I’m always carrying in the cockpit - so I probably need a different adaptor for my David Clark headset (if there is one🤔)
BTW I had a weird radio issue in one of the C150s I flew in a couple years back. During the flight at one point there was a loud static noise on the radio, like somebody had their PTT stuck on. I could hear the FIC and other pilots on the frequency, but jut barely. A good 20 minutes into troubleshooting the issue I had a hunch - pulled out the USB charger which I used for mz GoPro from the 12V socket, and just like that, the issue was gone…
4/4 - Yaesu 550 handheld
Absolutely time to buy a good handheld. I’ve procrastinated too long.
4/4! I need to get a handheld...
Just caught up now 8 for 8
Thanks for this vid Jason!
Question: isn't it safer to try and go to a towered airport for VFR lost comms rather than going to an untowered hoping traffic will see you too?
4 for 4. I have looked at Handheld radios, but haven’t purchased one as of yet.