I
don't see a USB Port. How do I connect my USB Flash Drive to the unit?
On the front of the PMA8000B MP3 you’ll see a
2.5 mm jack. This us a multi-purpose jack, which will accept cell phone, iPod,
or the PS Engineering supplier USB cable, Part Number 425-006-7026, which has a
USB connector on one end.
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When
interfacing to my laptop, my computer isn't recognizing the PMA8000B.
First, be certain that your laptop have up to
date USB drivers. If not, update them. Next, format THE PMA8000B MP3 unit,
setting “FAT” for the File System. You may want to add “PMA8000BMP3 as the
volume label. Note, do not use any spaces or special characters in the Volume
Label.
Once
the unit has been formatted, you can move a folder with your music to the
PMA8000B MP3.
You
should not experience any more problems after you format the unit with a
specific laptop computer.
However, if you transfer files from a USB drive, you
may need to reformat the unit to go back to the laptop.
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Which
is better, laptop, or USB device?
Using a laptop PC is certainly faster.
Transferring 1GB will take 5 to 9 minutes (depending on the speed of the USB
port, whereas a direct USB transfer can take an hour. A USB drive is certainly
more convenient to carry and plug in.
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Can
I have multiple music folders?
Yes. But random
mode will play each music folder, and then move to the next one.
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Can
I play Podcasts or audio books on the unit?
Absolutely! If they are in MP3 format.
Books are a bit tricky, because files are loaded in an order assigned by
Microsoft, so the chapters might not work out right if you do a direct USB
transfer. But remember, flying is top priority, so don’t get distracted by the
subject matter!
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Can
I use a USB drive larger than 1GB?
Yes, but only 1G will be transferred, and we
can’t predict which files will be transferred
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Can
non-music files be on the USB drive?
Yes, but the PMA8000B MP3 will look at each file,
and determine if it IS a compatible one, slowing the transfer process.
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What
happens if I accidentally start transfer with no USB plugged in?
Nothing. The unit will announce “Transfer
Error” and retain the existing play list.
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What
happens if I accidentally unplug the cable during transfer?
When the cable is unplugged, the unit will store
the songs it has received, and ignore any incomplete files. So your play list
will be shorter, depending on how long after the transfer started that the cable
was unplugged.
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When
I connect a USB device and start transfer, it pauses for a few seconds, and then
says “Transfer Error.” What’s up?
One of two things. Either the 2.5 mm jack isn’t
plugged ALL the way into the unit, or, you are using the cheapest USB drive you
can find. For some reason, they don’t always work; Use a name-brand like
SanDisc, Lexar, etc. The good news is that you won’t lose what is in the audio
panel when this happens.
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How
come I can only get 980 Megabytes onto the 1GB unit?
It’s called “overhead.’ Some space is left
for housekeeping in the drive. All storage devices are like that; it’s a fact
of life.
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Can
I play my iTunes music?
No, not unless they can be exported as an MP3
file, the PMA8000B MP3 does not support .aac file formats
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Why
can’t I hear music?
Several things will inhibit the music. First, be
sure that the TEL is not active, as this will inhibit the music and the
intercom. Then be sure that you are not in split transmit mode (all COM 1 and
COM 2 LEDs lit). Also the pilot does not hear music in ISO, even though you will
hear the annunciations. You should also cycle the “Mute” function, and check
for open radio or microphone squelch. Also, try increasing the volume by
pressing and holding TEL-SPR for several seconds.
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Even
though I’m in “Random” mode, the audio panel always starts with the same
song?
Because we do not have a back-up battery in the
PMA8000B-MP3, (it would only serve this purpose and we couldn't justify the
costs and additional maintenance of the system) we can’t store the
music file “pointer” during power off. Just hit the “Next” function (TEL
+ MKR), and move on to the next tune selected at random.
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Why
does my transfer hang up about half way through 1 GB transfer?
To use the full 1GB, you must place the music
files in a subfolder, and not just in the root directory. Otherwise, the unit
limits to about 100 songs.
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