8.

Communications
Three radio management panels (RMP), two on the center pedestal and one on the overhead panel,
and three audio control panels (ACP), each located next to an RMP, control radio communications.
The RMPs also provide a backup for radio nav aid tuning.
Each RMP can tune any communication radio. Usually, however, RMP1 is dedicated to VHF1, RMP2
to VHF2 and RMP3 to VHF3 or HF. A white SEL light illuminates when a radio that is not dedicated
to an RMP is selected. Note that the standby frequency is specific to the RMP, not the radio currently
being tuned.
The ACPs incorporate SELCAL and interphone call alerts. When any of these calls occurs, a buzzer
sounds and the relevant transmit button flashes amber. The RESET button is used to silence these
alerts. The VOICE key supresses a nav aid's ident so that voice transmissions can be heard more clearly.
A CALLS panel situated in the left lower corner of the overhead panel.The MECH button illuminates
a light on the external power panel and sounds an external horn. Pressing either the FWD or AFT
buttons causes a high/low chime in the cabin and a "CAPTAIN CALL" message to appear at the
selected cabin station. The ALL button does the same, except the message appears at all cabin stations.
Activation of the emergency call system, either initiated by the flight crew by pressing the EMER
button or initiated by the cabin crew, causes the CALL light in the EMER button to flash amber and
the ON light to flash white. If the call is to the cabin, three high/low chimes sound in the cabin. If it
is from the cabin, three long buzzers sound on the flight deck.
The CVR, when activated, records the last two hours of communications and aural warnings from the
cockpit. It is controlled from the RCDR panel. In AUTO mode, it runs for five minutes after power
is applied to the aircraft, then automatically shuts down. It then restarts after first engine start and
continues running until five minutes after the last engine has been shut down. Pushing the GND CTL
pushbutton manually powers the CVR on the ground. The CVR ERASE and CVR TEST buttons are
inhibited unless GND CTL is ON, the aircraft is on the ground and the parking brake is set. Pushing
the CVR ERASE button for two seconds erases the CVR recording. Pushing the CVR TEST button
sounds a tone through the loudspeakers if the CVR is serviceable.
The system monitors the communication radios and will produce an ECAM warning if there is continuous
transmission.
A switch on the overhead panel allows for deselection of a failed ACP and its replacement by ACP3.