helicopter audio?

[killapenguin2001]

OK, this one might be a doozie. It might not even be appropriate for this forum, but I figured this might be a good place to start.

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to fly in a helicopter, with video camera in hand. The pilot was a friend of a friend...

Anyway, I quickly realized how great it would be if I had the appropriate connector in hand to plug into the chopper's communications line (in case you're not aware, all passengers of a helicopter can plug in to the internal comm. in order to talk with the pilot and each other).

Anybody have any idea where I might find some kind of adapter to plug into my video camera for future chopper rides?

I'm not sure what kind of plug it was, but it did not seem to be the typical 1/4" sound plug that you might use for, say, plugging a guitar into an amp. Looked more like 3/8" with three wires (kind of like mini adaptor for RCA output), but I could be wrong on this.

Aloha,
Joseph

[tgpo]

Talk to the pilot friend and find out what type of connector it was and go to Radio Shack and see if they've got it.

[tonyk]

You can check with aviation supply shops, such as Sporty's pilot shop (http://www.sportys.com), but the connector will probably cost quite a bit, since these aren't standard connectors you can buy from Radio Shack. To further complicate matters, there are differences between the standard airplane and helicopter headset connectors.

What we've done in the past is take a wired microphone and place it in the ear-cup of someone's headset. The person with the microphone only will have a small wire running between his headset and his head, so it's not too uncomfortable, and it doesn't interfere with his comms. This is the easiest and cheapest method.

Otherwise, if you have an avionics friend, he could wire up a connector - I've used a "y-cord" that plugs in off the headset made for using with a video camera.

Also, since you're in Hawaii, if this is a tour helicopter, they should be all set up for video cameras - probably have the proper connector somewhere.

Cheers, --TonyK.

[thoughton]

I clicked this forum expecting to hear about a video with screwed up audio that pulsed louder and quieter!

Anyways, how about something on the web? I bet there is a www.helicoptornuts.com forum or something where you could ask!

[killapenguin2001]

Thanks for the quick replies.

Tonyk, where might I find a wired microphone? I am assuming I could then use a converter to plug into the mini mic input on my video camera.

Yes, it is Hawaii, but not a tour operation. Just some guy with a lot of cash who got a helicopter so that he could fly it around (kind of like a recreational airplane). I don't think he has a connector, as he mentioned that the camera guys (apparently he's used his heli. for documentaries) have their own plug.

And I am aware of the problems with different standards for different communciations systems. When I was doing some field work down in Antarctica, they give all chopper passengers a filght helmet (not to keep though - those things are expensive). They use two kinds of choppers down there, and for one of them, the passengers could not talk to the pilot but could listen in on the convesation. Pretty annoying when you're trying to tell the pilot where to drop your 1000 pounds of gear... I might be returning there in a couple of years, and the mini mic thing might be best (it's a little hard finding specialized supplies in Antarctica).

Anyway, I digress. Thanks again.

Aloha,
Joseph

[tonyk]

Sorry not to be of more help, but I just used the microphone someone else had purchased. I would guess one of those lapel microphones would be the best bet - probably available at Radio Shack.

Good Luck, --TonyK