A) I have a problem with Interior Communications - Headset to Headset I cannot communicate between headsets and I cannot hear myself in my own headset. I cannot communicate between headsets but I do hear myself in my own headset. I can only hear through one ear of my headset I can hear the radio but not other headsets I cannot adjust the volume I have to reset the volume everytime I power up the intercom My Intercom audio is noisy - Alternator whine, strobes, etc There is a squeal in the headsets My Intercom audio is noisy - Alternator whine, strobes, etc B) I have a problem with Exterior Communications - Radio Transmit or Receive I can Transmit but I have no Receive audio in my headset. I cannot key my radio When I press the Red PTT on the headset my Radio keys but no audio is transmitted. My radio keys for no apparent reason My Receive audio is weak My Transmit audio is weak, not present or distorted The Digital Message Recorder won't record The Digital Message Recorder won't play back (or playback is poor quality) My Radio transmissions are noisy - Alternator whine, strobes, etc My radio transmissions are noisy - Engine, siren, etc. The Digital Message Recorder won't record Page 1 of 10
A) There Is No Sound In ALL Of The Headsets From Either The Intercom Or The Radio 1. On a new install, check the orientation of the RJ-12 Modular Plugs on the ALL of the CA Cables. The writing on the cable should be facing the release tab on the plug on BOTH ends of the ALL the CA Cables. 2. Verify that the Volume Indicator LED s (3010 Series) or the green power LED (3000C) is lit, indicating that the intercom is powered on. 3. Measure the voltage between pins 1 & 2 on the Power Cable. There should be at least 11.0 volts DC present, and not more than 15.0 volts DC. 4. Replace the fuse that is installed in the power cable. The fuse may not be blown, but it can develop a resistance that causes insufficient voltage to get to the intercom. 5. Check the wiring to the intercom and any fuses or circuit breakers in the power circuits to the intercom and correct any faults. 6. If there is sufficient power to the intercom, and it doesn t work, the Intercom Unit is faulty. Contact Firecom for a Return Authorization to return the Intercom Unit for repair. B) There Is No Sound In ONE Of The Headsets From Either The Intercom Or The Radio 1. On a new install, check the orientation of the RJ-12 Modular Plugs on the CA Cable. The writing on the cable should be facing the release tab on the plug on BOTH ends of the cable. 2. Check the volume control on the headset. Make sure it is not turned all the way down. 3. Plug the headset into another, known good, headset location. If this headset fails to work 4. Unplug the CA Cable for this location from the back of the Intercom Unit and plug it into which can be carefully aligned. If this does not fix the problem, contact Firecom for a Return Authorization to return the intercom for repair. 5. Check the Headset Module by exchanging it with a known good Headset Module. 6. Install new RJ-12 Modular Plugs on BOTH ends of the CA Cable. 7. Replace the CA Cable Page 2 of 10
C) There Is Sound In The Headset From The Intercom, But Not From The Radio 1. Check the radio volume. Make sure it is not turned all the way down. 2. If the Mobile Radio Interface Cable being used is the MR-0, check the connections of the wires from pins 6 & 7 on the intercom to the radio. These should be attached to a speaker output from the radio. Also, make sure the polarity of the wires are correct. 3. If the Mobile Radio Interface Cable is a Radio-Specific cable made by Firecom, and it connects to the radio via the hand mic connector, make sure the blue and green wires on the Mobile Radio Interface Cable are attached to a speaker output from the radio. 4. Adjust the Receive Audio Adjustment. See the appropriate section in the Installation and Operation Manual for the intercom. 5. Verify that receive audio is present by listening to the radio s speaker. 6. If there is no audio from the radio s speaker: a. Disconnect the Mobile Radio Interface Cable from the back of the intercom unit. If there is audio from the radio s speaker, the Intercom Unit is faulty. Contact Firecom for a Return Authorization to return the Intercom Unit for repair. b. Disconnect the Mobile Radio Interface Cable from the radio. If there is audio from the radio s speaker, the Radio Interface Cable is faulty. c. If there is still no audio from the radio s speaker, the radio is faulty. 7. If there is audio from the radio s speaker, check the connections to pins 6 & 7 on the Radio Interface Port on the back of the intercom unit. 8. Try swapping the intercom unit with a known good one (if one is available). If the problem persists, the problem is in the Radio or the Mobile Radio Interface wiring. 9. If no fault can be found, then the fault must lie in the Intercom Unit. Contact Firecom for a Return Authorization to return the Intercom Unit for repair. D) There Is Sound In The Headset From The Radio, But Not From The Intercom 1. Plug the headset into another, known good, headset location. If this headset fails to work 2. Unplug the CA Cable for this location from the back of the Intercom Unit and plug it into which can be carefully aligned. If this does not fix the problem, contact Firecom for a Return Authorization to return the intercom for repair. 3. Check the Headset Module by exchanging it with a known good Headset Module. This Section is Continued on the Next Page Page 3 of 10
D) There Is Sound In The Headset From The Radio, But Not From The Intercom (continued) 4. Install new RJ-12 Modular Plugs on BOTH ends of the CA Cable. 5. Replace the CA Cable 6. The Intercom Unit is faulty. Contact Firecom for a Return Authorization to return the Intercom Unit for repair. E) There Is Sound In Only One Ear 1. Check to see if the headset is a model UH-10S headset. The UH-10S has one slotted ear dome without a speaker in it. This is normal operation for a UH-10S. 2. The headset is faulty. Contact Firecom for a Return Authorization to return the headset for repair. F) You Can Hear Others on the Intercom, but they Cannot Hear You 1. If the headset is an Intercom-Only Headset with a Black PTT, be sure that the PTT button is fully depressed when trying to talk on the intercom. 2. If the headset is an Intercom-Only Headset with a Yellow PTT, press and release the PTT and test again. 3. Plug the headset into another, known good, headset location. If this headset fails to work 4. Unplug the CA Cable for this location from the back of the Intercom Unit and plug it into which can be carefully aligned. If this does not fix the problem, contact Firecom for a Return Authorization to return the intercom for repair. 5. Check the Headset Module by exchanging it with a known good Headset Module. 6. Install new RJ-12 Modular Plugs on BOTH ends of the CA Cable. 7. Replace the CA Cable 8. The Intercom Unit is faulty. Contact Firecom for a Return Authorization to return the Intercom Unit for repair. Page 4 of 10
G) You Cannot Hear Others on the Intercom, but they Can Hear You 1. Plug the headset into another, known good, headset location. If this headset fails to work 2. Unplug the CA Cable for this location from the back of the Intercom Unit and plug it into which can be carefully aligned. If this does not fix the problem, contact Firecom for a Return Authorization to return the intercom for repair. 3. Check the Headset Module by exchanging it with a known good Headset Module. 4. Install new RJ-12 Modular Plugs on BOTH ends of the CA Cable. 5. Replace the CA Cable 6. The Intercom Unit is faulty. Contact Firecom for a Return Authorization to return the Intercom Unit for repair. H) There is a Loud Squeal in the Intercom System When the Intercom Volume is Turned Up 1. Check for an open mic too near the speakers of a headset. Feedback problems are often fixed by turning the intercom volume down, moving the mic away from the headset speakers, or unplugging a headset when not in use. 2. If the problem persists, unplug the headset locations one at a time from the rear of the Intercom Unit until the squeal stops. 3. Plug the headset that causes the squeal into another, known good, headset location. If this headset fails to work properly, the fault is in the headset. Contact Firecom for a Return Authorization to return 4. Unplug the CA Cable for this location from the back of the Intercom Unit and plug it into which can be carefully straightened. If this does not fix the problem, contact Firecom for a Return Authorization to return the intercom for repair. 5. Check the Headset Module by exchanging it with a known good Headset Module. 6. Install new RJ-12 Modular Plugs on BOTH ends of the CA Cable. 7. Replace the CA Cable Page 5 of 10
I) The Radio Receive Audio is Weak 1. Check the setting of the radio s volume control. The radio s volume should be set at the normal volume for use with NO intercom system present. 2. Adjust the Receive Audio Adjustment. See the appropriate section in the Installation and Operation Manual for the Intercom. 3. Verify proper connection to pins 6 & 7 on the Radio Interface Cable. These should be connected to a speaker output on the radio 4. Replace the fuse that is installed in the power cable. The fuse may not be blown, but it can develop a resistance that causes insufficient voltage to get to the intercom 5. Try swapping the Intercom Unit with a known good one (if one is available). If the problem persists, the problem is in the radio or the Mobile Radio Interface wiring. 6. If no fault can be found, then the fault must lie in the Intercom Unit. Contact Firecom for a Return Authorization to return the Intercom Unit for repair. J) The Radio Keys But Transmit Audio is weak, not present or distorted 1. Plug the headset into another, known good, headset location. If this headset fails to work 2. Unplug the CA Cable for this location from the back of the Intercom Unit and plug it into which can be carefully straightened. If this does not fix the problem, contact Firecom for a Return Authorization to return the intercom for repair. 3. Check the Headset Module by exchanging it with a known good Headset Module. 4. Install new RJ-12 Modular Plugs on BOTH ends of the CA Cable. 5. Replace the CA Cable 6. Check the Transmit Audio Adjustment. See the appropriate section in the Installation and Operation Manual for the Intercom. 7. Verify connection of pins 1 & 2 on the Mobile Radio Interface Cable and the Radio Interface Port. 8. Replace the fuse that is installed in the power cable. The fuse may not be blown, but it can develop a resistance that causes insufficient voltage to get to the intercom 9. Try swapping the Intercom Unit with a known good one (if one is available). If the problem persists, the problem is in the Mobile Radio Interface wiring. 10. If no fault can be found, then the fault must lie in the Intercom Unit. Contact Firecom for a Return Authorization to return the Intercom Unit for repair. Page 6 of 10
K) The Radio Doesn t Key from ONE headset position 1. Make sure you are using a Radio-Transmit capable Headset. The PTT button on the Ear Dome of the Headset should be RED. If the PTT is Black or Yellow, the headset is an Intercom-Only headset and will not key the radio. 2. Plug the headset into another, known good, headset location. If this headset fails to work 3. Unplug the CA Cable for this location from the back of the Intercom Unit and plug it into which can be carefully straightened. If this does not fix the problem, contact Firecom for a Return Authorization to return the intercom for repair. 4. Check the Headset Module by exchanging it with a known good Headset Module. 5. Install new RJ-12 Modular Plugs on BOTH ends of the CA Cable. 6. Replace the CA Cable L) The Radio Doesn t Key from ANY headset position 1. Verify the 'Hook Switch Delay' setting in the 30XX is adjusted correctly. Press and hold the headset PTT for a slow ten count. If the radio keys, refer to the 30XX manual for the Hook switch delay adjustment. 2. Verify connection of pins 3 & 4 on the Radio Interface Cable and the Radio Interface Port. 3. Disconnect the Mobile Radio Interface Cable from the back of the intercom. Short pins 3 & 4 together on the Mobile Radio Interface Cable. a. The radio does not key. Verify the connections of pins 3 & 4 to the appropriate place on the radio. Check the radio programming. There may be something in the radio that is preventing the intercom from keying the radio (hook switch, etc.). 4. Replace the fuse that is installed in the power cable. The fuse may not be blown, but it can develop a resistance that causes insufficient voltage to get to the intercom 5. Try swapping the Intercom Unit with a known good one (if one is available). If the problem persists, the problem is in the radio or the Mobile Radio Interface wiring. 6. If no fault can be found, then the fault must lie in the Intercom Unit. Contact Firecom for a Return Authorization to return the Intercom Unit for repair.
M) The Radio Keys for No Reason. 1. When the radio keys by itself, unplug ALL the headsets one at a time. If the radio unkeys when a particular headset is unplugged, there is a problem in that headset. Contact Firecom for a Return Authorization to return the Headset for repair. 2. If the radio remains keyed with all the headsets unplugged, unplug the CA Cables from the back of the intercom one at a time. If the radio unkeys when a particular cable is unplugged there is a problem in that cable or the headset module. a. Swap the appropriate headset module with a known good one. If the radio does not key on its own, the problem is with the headset module. b. Install new RJ-12 Modular Plugs on BOTH ends of the CA Cable. c. Replace the CA Cable. 3. Unplug the Mobile Radio Interface Cable from the intercom. If the radio unkeys, the fault is in the intercom. Contact Firecom for a Return Authorization to return the Intercom for repair. 4. Replace the Mobile Radio Interface Cable. N) Alternator and/or Strobe Noise is Present in All Intercom Audio 1. Using a voltmeter, measure the incoming power to the intercom, looking for an AC signal. There should be less than 300 mv AC present on the power lines. 2. Install a DC-DC Converter from Firecom. 3. Check for proper positioning of the mic in relation to the speaker s mouth See the appropriate section in the Installation and Operation Manual for the Intercom. Improper mic positioning will defeat the noise canceling characteristics of the mics. 4. Inspect the headset microphones, making sure that all slots on both sides of the mic are clean and unobstructed. Obstruction of these slots will hamper or defeat the noise canceling characteristics of the mics. 5. Disconnect any exterior headset locations. If the noise stops, inspect that location for water or other contamination. If contamination is present, contact Firecom for a Return Authorization for repair of the unit. O) Alternator and/or Strobe Noise is Present in Transmit Audio Only 1. Verify that pins 1 & 2 on the Mobile Radio Interface Cable are connected properly and that all connections are clean and tight. 2. Check adjustment of the Transmit Audio. See the appropriate section in the Installation and Operation Manual for the Intercom. Too much gain here will cause excessive background noise to be transmitted along with the voice. In the worst case, the voice will be somewhat distorted when transmitting from a quiet place, and will become unintelligible in the presence of background noise. This Section is Continued on the Next Page Page 8 of 10
O) Alternator and/or Strobe Noise is Present in Transmit Audio Only 3. Remove the intercom from its mounting bracket. While holding the intercom in your hand, transmit using the headsets. If the noise disappears, remount the intercom so that there is no electrical contact between the metal case of the intercom and metal on the vehicle. 4. Place the intercom back into its mounting bracket and attach a wire to one of the screws holding the case together. Attach the other end of that wire to the same point that the power ground for the intercom is attached to. 5. Contact Firecom. P) Engine Noise and Sirens are Present in Transmit Audio 1. Review the setup and operation of the intercom volume controls (when applicable). The intercom volume is possibly set too high. 2. Inspect the headset microphones, making sure that all slots on both sides of the mic are clean and unobstructed. Obstruction of these slots will hamper or defeat the noise canceling characteristics of the mics. 3. Check adjustment of the Transmit Audio. See the appropriate section in the Installation and Operation Manual for the Intercom. Too much gain here will cause excessive background noise to be transmitted along with the voice. In the worst case, the voice will be somewhat distorted when transmitting from a quiet place, and will become unintelligible in the presence of background noise. 4. Remove the intercom from its mounting bracket. While holding the intercom in your hand, transmit using the headsets. If the noise disappears, remount the intercom so that there is no electrical contact between the metal case of the intercom and metal on the vehicle. 5. Place the intercom back into its mounting bracket and attach a wire to one of the screws holding the case together. Attach the other end of that wire to the same point that the power ground for the intercom is attached to. 6. Contact Firecom Q) Intercom Volume Control has no Effect 1. The Volume control on the intercom will only affect Intercom Communication. It will not change the volume of the audio received from the radio, nor the audio transmitted to the radio. If the Volume Control is affecting ONLY the Intercom Audio and none of the radio audio, this is normal operation and there is no problem 2. Replace the fuse in the power cable. Fuses have gone bad where they develop a resistance, causing a voltage drop. 3. On a 3010 series intercom, check the connections inside the intercom of the cable from the control panel to the board. 4. Contact Firecom for a Return Authorization to return the Intercom unit for repair. Page 9 of 10
R) The Intercom doesn't maintain volume setting when powered down (3010 Series) 1. Check the final digits of the part number. If the p/n ends with -03, check the Orange wire on the power connector. Verify it is connected to UNSWITCHED 12 Volts. 2. For any other 3010 version, there is a firmware problem in the intercom. Contact Firecom for a Return Authorization to return the Intercom unti for repair. S) DMR does not Work. 1. Review the operation of the DMR in the manual for the intercom. 2. Contact Firecom for a Return Authorization to return the Intercom unit for repair. T) The DMR does not Automatically Record Incoming Radio (3010 Series) 1. Check the adjustment of the Receive Audio. See the appropriate section in the Installation and Operation Manual for the 3010 Series Intercom. If this is not adjusted properly, the incoming radio transmissions may not have the proper volume to trigger the DMR on the 3010 Series Intercom. 2. Contact Firecom for a Return Authorization to return the Intercom unit for repair. U) DMR Playback is Noisy 1. Contact Firecom for a Return Authorization to return the Intercom unit for repair. V) DMR Playback is weak 1. Contact Firecom for a Return Authorization to return the Intercom unit for repair. Page10 of 10