In April I was experiencing problems with my Motocomm headset when
I used my Giro open face helmet. I never had problems with my older full face
headset. I used the same Y-cable in my harness and same PTT button with both
helmets, so I knew it was something wrong with the microphone and/or the cables
going to the microphone and earpieces.

The problem was that the microphone wouldn't transmit voice. I could hear just
fine and I could open the squelch on the receiving radio by pushing the PTT
button on my transmitting radio just fine, but no one could hear what I was
saying.

I decided to track down the problem. I had a number of headsets both full faced
and open faced. A few radios: FT 250 and FT 150's. And I could mix and match the
three components (Y-cable, three way helmet set cable, and PTT button and cable)
to track down what was the problem. After many many tests this is what I found
by May 4th:

First, let me say that previous to this experience I have had very few problems
with Motocomms, recommend them to all my pilot friends, buy the Motocomm at full
retail from Steve Kroop at Flytec and sell them at no markup to pilots who need
them during competitions.

Second, until recently I have flown exclusively with a full face helmet so had
not had experience with the boom mic.

Third, I recently sold a recently manufactured boom mic/open face setup to a
pilot and because he was having the problem of not being able to send his voice,
I started testing. The same problems were happening with another pilot who
recently purchased the open face helmet setup from Steve Kroop.

Fourth, in my hang gliding harness I use a coaxial antenna that is connected to
the radio with a BNC to SMA adapter. I have done the tests previous with it and
with rubber ducky antennas, getting the same results.

Fifth, for this test I am using the Y-cable and PTT button/cable that I fly with
every day with my full face helmet setup up. It works fine. I had connected
rubber ducky antennas to both the transmitting and receiving radios.
Transmitting FT 250, receiving FT 150.

Sixth, when I connected the boom mic/open face helmet set to the Y-cable and PTT
button setup and had both antennas connected the boom mic did not transmit my
voice. I could receive in the boom mic helmet set just fine (and that has been
our experience all along).

Seventh, grabbing the antenna on the transmitting radio did not make the
slightest difference.

Eighth, taking off the antenna on the transmitting radio and then my voice came
through just fine.

So here's what I found. The recent open face setups would not transmit voices
with the FT 250 radio (as long as the antenna was connected) and would do so
only in some circumstances with the FT 150. (In fact, the open face setup
wouldn't work with the FT 150 while I was lying on the cart, but would when I
was in the air or sitting in my trailer.)

I and the other two pilots were flying with FT 250's, until I went back to the
FT 150.

Steve Kroop checked out a different radio and also found out that the new full
face headsets had the same problem.

Both Steve and I were in touch with Motocomm and their customer service
representative and he quickly ordered an FT 250. After he had received a number
of my and Steve's communications narrowing down the problem showing that there
was an association with the antenna, they determined that there was a problem
with their newly designed three way cable that goes to the ear pieces and
microphone. It was receiving radio frequency interference from the transmitting
radio and this was messing with the voice transmission.

Motocomm has determined that they have a defective part and that they need to
manufacture a new three way cable. That should be available in four weeks to six
weeks. I'm back to using my full face helmet until then.