Headset splitter - Anyone use one?

[dirtdr]

I have a 6 place airplane with 4 place intercom.

I want to extend intercom for seats 5 and 6 (used rarely)

I found this:
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/avpages/avhss.php

Does anyone here have experience using these? do they work OK?

[tired of the ground]

If it rarely gets used, then you probably don't need to hear from whomever is in the back anyway.

Grab a couple of these so they can hear you.
http://www.monoprice.com/Product?c_id=1 ... 1&format=2

2 bucks instead of 140+

[AOW]

I use one of these for adding a third party to the intercom system in a light turboprop twin. It works fairly well, although there are some headsets that don't seem to like to work together... something about different impedance - an engineer might explain it better. Marv's had the best price when I was shopping around for one. In fact they have a triple headset adapter, but that shows out of stock at the moment.

[CID]

The general rule of thumb is you can often split the earphones but not the microphone. Aircraft microphones use DC voltage on the microphone line to power the little microphone amplifiers or carbon element (if you have an old carbon microphone). Adding additional microphones to the line loads the audio system or intercom amplifier higher than normal and may damage it.

You can also experience a lot of distortion because of impedance mismatch. I recommend not connecting microphones together and for headphones, 2 max.

[zulutime]

I used a similar splitter to the one noted in the OP. Worked perfectly fine for me. I only used it once mind you and that a few years back but had no issue when I did use it.

[Tips Up]

I got two of those and haven't had an issue using them for a couple years now. No complaints. Except listening to more people talking.....

[dirtdr]

If there is an issue with impedance or whatever, a portable 2 way intercom should work as a splitter??

[human garbage]

CID makes a good point about the microphones. That is the only issue I've ever had with these splitters. Use them for rides for the most part.

The problem is when you have microphones of different impedance. You pretty much have to use the same headsets to prevent issues. When I used a Peltor on the splitter with a David Clark, the Peltor mike would work, but the DC wouldn't. Switched from my Peltor to DC and there was no problem when both headsets were the same. At least I think it is an impedance problem... That is what my avionics guy said. Then again when he starts talking technically I kinda tune out from lack of understanding. So I think that was what he thought the root of the problem was.