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Why take out a GMA340 and replace with the PMA8000BT or PMA8000BT?

Below is a detailed description of specific differences in capabilities and functionality between the PMA8000B series and the GARMIN GMA340. These comparisons were made using side by side functional tests of production units on March 27, 2006. These comparisons were made in a laboratory environment and every effort was made to make these comparisons as accurate as possible. However, PS Engineering does not warrant the accuracy of these comparisons and provides this information for reference only.    

1. Auto Squelch. The GMA340 doesn’t have auto squelch, just manual. PS Engineering has delivered over 18,000 IntelliVox® systems operational and has 12 years of in-field service. IntelliVox® has proven to be a very robust and reliable system that has eliminated the need for manually adjust VOX.  

2. Monitor Mode: The Monitor mode allows the pilot to designate one com radio as primary, while having the second com as the secondary audio source. When there is radio activity on the primary radio, the secondary com radio will temporarily mute.  The Monitor mode will change your IFR approach environment, eliminating having to try to decipher two simultaneous radio receptions

3. Front Panel Control of Music #1 Volume Level: Press the SPR key cap.

4. Cellular Telephone Interface. PMA8000B - When TEL is pressed, the music for all individuals who are on the phone will have their music automatically muted. GMA340 does not support phone use.

5. Front Panel Utility Jack. PMA8000B allows you to directly interface (using the front panel utility jack) a music source (iPOD), cellular telephone or audio advisories like the advisories from the GARMIN GPS696. This jack allows all of the capabilities of the PMA8000B to be immediately realized when it replaces the GMA340. There are no additional jacks, buttons, or wires necessary. The PMA8000 is a plug and play with the GMA340

6. Cell Phone Sidetone. Configured from the front panel. Most cell phones do not provide sidetone, no worry the audio panel can!

7. Front panel Smart Function Keys. There are six unique functions that allow the pilot to configure their audio panel to satisfy their needs.

INTERCOM: “Standard or Alternate Intercom Function”. Standard mode provides the traditional Isolate, All, and Crew modes. Alternate mode allows the Crew to hear the Passengers conversation but when the Com radio becomes active the passenger’s mics are muted for the Crew. Passengers will not hear aircraft radio. This mode keeps everyone in the loop without distracting each other.  

 MONITOR: Turns Monitor On or Off. Turns off your Com 2 (Flight Watch/Weather) when your ATC is active. Returns when ATC is quiet. 

MUSIC: “Standard Music Distribution, Alternate Music Distribution, or Music Input Number 1 All Headsets”. Standard places Music #1 to Crew and Music #2 to passengers. Alternate music distribution places music #1 to All headsets when in the ALL Intercom mode and will automatically turn on music #2 when the intercom is placed into Crew mode. Music Input All Headsets places muisc #1 to all headsets regardless of the Intercom mode.    

8.  PMA8000B series has VTS (Virtual Tech Support) when using the Smart Function Keys. VTS provides audible annunciations that let the pilot know what function has been selected.

9. Front panel utility jack is “Smart”. If a music device is active and connected to Music #1 input and an audio source is connected to the utility jack, (like a GARMIN 396) then the front panel utility jack will automatically be set to act as an unswitched input.

10. Pilot can listen to music in ISOLATE mode. Selectable on the front panel.

11. Crew Music Muting Control. PMA8000B has a front panel button labeled MUTE. There are four different types of music muting that can be selected by this pushbutton. Mute On, Mute Off, Radio Mute, and Intercom Mute. When you select the MUTE switch on the front panel, you will hear a gentle voice letting you know what mode you are selecting.

The GMA340 requires an external switch, and when enabled, only disables muting by the intercom, not the radio.

12. Passenger Muting Control. The PMA8000B can be wired so that the AUX button will control the Mute function for passenger’s music. 

13. The PMA8000B has front panel selectable AUX input.  

14. Easy access adjustable gains. PMA8000B- Speaker, Phone receive, Marker, Function Annunciations, and Unswitched #3 are adjustable from the top and bottom of the chassis.

15. The PMA8000B comes standard with our Internal Recorder System and has a recording length of 45 seconds.

16. External ground trigger for the GNS480 (CNX80). This discrete digital output tells the GNS480 to delay any aural warning during incoming radio reception.

17. PMA8000B has adjustable cell phone potentiometer to increase or decrease the cell phone audio.  

18. PMA8000B uses dual 44 pin connectors and is Plug and Play* with the GMA340. 

19. PMA8000B & BT has a 3-year warranty ProSupport. The ProSupport warranty guarantees a warranty exchange unit to be shipped to our dealer if warranty call is placed by 4:00PM EST. 1^st year shipping costs paid by PS Engineering. GARMIN has 2-year warranty and GARMIN does not guarantee same day warranty exchanges.  

20. All products manufactured in the United States- Tennessee!

Comparison Chart

*GARMIN, GMA340, and GMA347 are trademarks of GARMIN, Ltd. PS Engineering is not affiliated with GARMIN in any way

NOTE: PMA8000BT adds Bluetooth interconnectivity as well as the new user interface, difference in price between the PMA8000B and the PMA800BT is only $200. Worth every cent according to our customers.