---
title: Why is the call volume low on my S200?
description: Fixing low volume on an S200 model device
---

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# Why is the call volume low on my S200?

### What you'll usually see

- The crew can barely hear the other party, even with the dialer and audio panel turned all the way up.
- The person on the ground hears the crew normally.
- The ring tone is louder than the voice on the call.

### First, check your part number

The part number on the unit label decides which interfaces your S200 has, and where the volume is set. Please have the part number, serial number and modification status ready when you contact us.

| S200 part number | Where the volume is set |
| --- | --- |
| S200-021 | The PTA-12 or handset volume control, plus the S200's own volume and high-volume mode, which we set remotely |
| S200-011 | The DPL handset volume control, plus the S200's own volume, which we set remotely. The RC6000/A has no volume control. Also check the audio shunt (check 4). |
| S200-012 | The control display unit's configuration menu. With an RC6000/A(S) and no display unit, through the S200's serial port in a session we arrange (check 3). |
| S200-001 | The DPL handset volume control, plus the S200's own volume. The S200-001 has no audio amplifier (check 5). |

### Checks

**1. Check every volume control you have.**

- The PTA-12 and the DPL handset have their own volume control. Make sure it's turned up.
- The RC6000/A has no volume control. The call volume is set in the S200 (check 2).
- Check the input level for the satellite phone on your audio panel or intercom.
- Try another headset, and compare with another aircraft that has the same equipment.

**2. Ask us to raise the S200's volume (S200-001, S200-011 and S200-021).**

- The call volume is set inside the S200, and we can raise it remotely. On an S200-021 we can also turn on the phone interface's high-volume mode.
- The S200 has to connect to the satellite network to receive the change: 
    - Within 3 days of our sending it, power the aircraft up outside, at least 10 m from hangars and other buildings, with a clear view of the sky.
    - Leave the S200 powered for about 15 minutes.
    - Then switch the S200 off and on again. The new volume only takes effect after this power cycle.
- If your S200 is set up for voice only, with tracking turned off, it can't receive changes over the air. Tell us, because we'll need to turn data on for a short time to send the change.
- Once the volume and high-volume mode are both at maximum, there's nothing more we can raise remotely. Carry on with checks 4 to 6.

**3. On an S200-012 (safety voice).**

- **With a control display unit:** adjust the volume from the display's configuration menu. 0 is mute and 7 is maximum.
- **With an RC6000/A(S) and no control display unit:** the dialer has no volume control. The volume is changed through the S200's front panel serial port, using a laptop with terminal software. Contact us and we'll arrange a session with your maintenance team. You'll need a USB-to-serial cable with a genuine FTDI chip. Don't use a Prolific-based cable.
- Older S200-012s have a lower audio output than later ones, because the output was increased in a later modification. Send us the serial number and modification status so we can tell you which applies.

**4. On an S200-011, check the audio shunt.**

- The S200-011 only turns on its amplified audio output when the audio shunt is fitted. This is a jumper in the aircraft harness between J100 pin 1 and pin 2 (ground). Without it, call audio is very quiet.
- This applies to the S200-011 only. On an S200-012, pin 1 carries a microphone signal, and an S200-001 shouldn't use it.

**5. Check the installation.**

- Check the audio wiring and shield terminations against the installation manual. The S200-012 has a balanced audio output. The S200-001, S200-011 and S200-021 have an unbalanced output.
- Check that the audio panel input used for the satellite phone is set up for the S200's output. A mismatch can leave audio quiet even when every setting is at maximum.
- The S200-001 has no audio amplifier and isn't suited to aircraft audio systems on its own. It needs an external amplifier.

**6. Still too quiet with everything at maximum?**

- Swapping in a known-good S200 with the same part number is a useful test, but tell us first so the aircraft record matches the unit fitted. If the other unit is clearly louder, the original unit may need repair.
- If the swap makes no difference, the aircraft's audio system may need more gain than the S200 provides. This is most likely in loud aircraft, or where the audio panel input level can't be adjusted. Some operators have added an external audio amplifier between the S200 and the audio panel. Contact us before you do, so we can rule out a unit or installation fault first.

### No sidetone (you can't hear yourself)

- Sidetone is generated inside the S200 and set at the factory. It can't be changed remotely.
- On a PTA-12, check the dialer's sidetone (S/T) control.
- If your audio panel doesn't make its own sidetone and you hear none at all from the S200, contact us. The unit may need repair.

### Before returning the unit

Have the part number, serial number, modification status and loaded firmware version ready. Tell us what the fault did and anything you swapped while investigating. Several S200 problems are fixed by a setting or firmware change rather than a repair, so the firmware version matters.

### Contact us

Email **[support@skytrac.ca](mailto:support@skytrac.ca)** or call **+1 250 765 2393**. Please include:

- the aircraft registration, and the S200 part number, serial number and modification status
- the dialer or handset model, and the audio panel or intercom it connects to
- which end of the call is quiet, and whether every volume control is already at maximum
- whether we've changed the volume on this unit before
- whether the S200 is set up for voice only
- the loaded firmware version, if you know it
- the wiring diagram for the satellite phone installation, if you can share it

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