GNS 530(A) Pilot’s Guide and Reference190-00181-00 Rev. H 2-1SECTION 2COMSECTION 2: COM2.1 COMMUNICATING USING THE GNS 530The GNS 530 features a digitally-tuned VHF COM radiothat provides a seamless transition from communicationto navigation, bringing the two most important functionsin flying together in one panel-mounted unit. The GNS530’s COM radio operates in the aviation voice band, from118.000 to 136.975 MHz, in 25 kHz steps (default). ForEuropean operations, a COM radio configuration to allowfor 8.33 kHz steps is also provided (Section 10.4, SetupPage: COM Configuration).VolumeCOM radio volume is adjusted using the COM Power/Volume Knob. Turn the COM Power/Volume Knobclockwise to increase volume, or counterclockwise todecrease volume.SquelchThe COM radio features an automatic squelch,providing maximum sensitivity to weaker signals whilerejecting many localized noise sources. The pilot maywish to override this automatic squelch function whenlistening to a distant station or when setting the desiredvolume level. The COM Power/Volume Knob allows thepilot to disable the automatic squelch and keep the COMaudio open continuously.Overriding the automatic squelch:1) Press the COM Power/Volume Knobmomentarily.2) Press the COM Power/Volume Knob againto return to automatic squelch operation.COM Window and TuningCommunication frequencies are selected with thetuning cursor in the standby COM frequency field (Figure2-1), using the small and large left knobs to dial in thedesired frequency. The standby frequency always appearsbelow the active frequency. The active frequency isthe frequency currently in use for transmit and receiveoperations.Figure 2-1 ‘RX’ Receive Indication‘RX’ ReceiveIndicationStandby COMFrequency FieldActive COMFrequency FieldA frequency may also be quickly selected from thedatabase by simply highlighting the desired frequency onany of the main pages and pressing the ENT Key. Thisprocess is referred to as auto-tuning. Once a frequency isselected in the standby field, it may be transferred to theactive frequency by pressing the COM Flip-flop Key.While receiving a station, an ‘RX’ indication (Figure2-1) appears in the upper right corner of the COM Windowto the immediate right of ‘COM’. A ‘TX’ indication appearsat this location when transmitting (Figure 2-2).‘TX’ Transmit IndicationFigure 2-2 ‘TX’ Transmit Indication