The Sacramento Metro Fire Air Operations unit recently received a grant to upgrade its avionics and selected the Becker Avionics DVCS6100 digital airborne audio control system for one of its UH-1 multi-mission helicopters.

The aircraft is currently undergoing an avionics upgrade at Advanced Helicopter Services (AHS) facility in Woodland, CA-near Sacramento. The popular Becker DVCS6100 digital ICS will be included in the upgrade project. AHS is a Becker dealer with  extensive maintenance, overhaul, and avionics capabilities.

The Becker DVCS6100 was chosen by Sacramento Metro Fire because of its unique ability to effectively manage and control all audio sources in the aircraft. Becker’s Digital multi-channel audio and intercom system, with its software configurable profiles,provides the flexibility to specifically customize the system to meet the demanding operational requirements of airborne firefighting and search & rescue organizations.

Brett Gardner, with Becker Avionics stated, “We’re excited to announce that Sacramento Metro Fire Air Ops has selected our DVCS product to replace the legacy intercom system in their UH-1.” It will significantly enhance their mission capabilities by enabling them to more effectively manage multiple radio assets during firefighting operations. Additionally, it will help enhance their mission safety by providing a quieter, more noise free intercommunications environment in the aircraft.”

The DVCS6100 design provides the customer with ability to match a wide range of operational requirements with only one system. The built-in scalability and flexibility reduces not only the cost and time requirements for constant re-engineering and certification for a tailored system solution, but also reduces the learning curve for integration, maintenance and troubleshooting time. Through software programming options, the system is both easily and quickly configurable to individual customer requirements, thus saving time and money.

The state-of-the-art Digital DVCS6100 enhances the effectiveness of any aerial platform. When compared to a legacy analog audio system, Digital technology provides simplified installation, improved performance, reduced wiring and weight, along with reduced installation and maintenance costs. Furthermore, the comprehensive built-in-test (BIT) feature enables line maintenance crews to easily diagnose/isolate failures and to replace system components quickly.

DVCS6100 Digital Audio System Features

The DVCS6100 has been designed for both rotary and fixed-wing applications. This modern product fully reflects Becker Avionics’ proven know-how of more than four decades in audio system development for the aerospace industry. Since the market introduction of the 1st DVCS generation, over 1000 systems have been delivered, with all achieving outstanding field reliability. The DVCS6100 offers crystal-clear voice communication quality, a proven Man-Machine-Interface (MMI), outstanding reliability, scalability and flexibility, and is software configurable. The main system components of the DVCS6100 system are the Remote Electronic Unit (REU) 6100, the Audio Control Unit (ACU) 6100, and the optional Intercom Amplifier IC3100.

The product offers up to 8 communication transmit (TX) and up to 8 receiver (RX) channels, an integrated warning tone generator for up to 8 different signals, an amplifier for 2 cockpit speakers, as well as interface capability for 2 Cockpit Voice Recorders (CVR), and a Public Address Amplifier (PA). It is also the only commercial digital audio product available that can provide simulcast capability on 8 channels, along with a radio relay function, and emergency and slaved mode operation.

Up to 6 audio control units (ACUs) can be operated together with one REU. Each unit can be configured with the included software to give complete adjustments across different on-board systems. The system also meets the highest standards for night operation under NVG and military conditions.

Becker Avionics’ DVCS6100 provides ‘best in class’ ICS performance – Becker-the market leader in commercial Digital intercom systems.

About Sacramento Metro Fire

The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District, “Metro Fire,” serves a population of over 640,000 in a 417 square mile service area.

Metro Fire is the 7th largest fire agency in the State of California. Metro Fire is a combination of 16 smaller fire departments that,over the years, merged to create this California Special District. The last merger was in December 2000 when American River Fire Department and Sacramento County Fire Protection District merged to form the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District. On any given day, there are 155 on-duty personnel to serve the District’s communities. Routine and emergency operations are managed with five (5) Battalion Chiefs with oversight through an Assistant Chief assigned a 24-hour shift. Metro Fire is comprised of three branches – Operations, Administration, and Support Services.

About Advanced Helicopter Services (AHS)

Nestled in the Northern reaches of California, lies a specialized helicopter support facility with not only a regional presence, but a global reach providing comprehensive maintenance, completions and service around the clock. Based at the Watts-Woodland Airport in Northern Central California, Advanced Helicopter Services is now home to over 55,000 square feet of extensive helicopter support and professional technical expertise. A facility dedicated to providing comprehensive helicopter maintenance operations to law enforcement, public use, corporate, air medical or utility aircraft. AHS is an FAA Part 145 Repair Station,authorized Service Center for Eurocopter, AgustaWestland, Robinson and Enstrom helicopters, and one of very few authorized Turbomeca engine Maintenance Centers located in North America. AHS is the only company in North America which is a Eurocopter Service Center and Turbomeca Maintenance Center combined.

About Becker Avionics

Becker Avionics is a privately held high-tech company that develops, manufactures and distributes the latest communications, navigation, surveillance and search & rescue equipment for airborne and ground applications.

Becker Avionics has a longstanding history of over 50 years in providing equipment to General and Corporate Aviation, ATC, law enforcement and military organizations around the world. In order to support international market requirements the Company has established branches around the world. Becker Avionics supports an extensive customer base, such as, but not limited to:

Eurocopter, EADS, Airbus, Bell Helicopter, British Aerospace, ATR, CASA, RUAG, Xi’an Aircraft Corporation, AgustaWestland, Pilatus, German Air Force, Navy and Army, German Border Patrol, German Police, Austrian Army and Police, Swiss Air Force, Dutch Police, Security Civil, Irish Air Corps, Egyptian Navy, Indonesian Navy, Portuguese Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy and U.S. Auxiliary Civil Air Patrol, etc.