Avionics News May 2023 - 54

MTR138-000GNW
Continued from page 53
MTR138 is a version that is configurable for a wider
variety of aircraft applications. It is typically installed in
remote avionics locations and utilizes the same tray bolt
pattern that currently secures legacy NTX-series VHF
transceivers it may be replacing. " The radio is designed
for ease of installation and maintenance, " said Marco
Morelli, marketing manager for AEM. Installers will like
the fact that the unit clips into its tray and can easily be
accessed and removed for maintenance purposes.
For special roles or missions, the
MTR138 includes a synthesized
guard transceiver. Unlike a crystal
controlled/fixed guard receiver fixed
on specific frequencies, AEM's new
radio can synthesize frequencies so
it is programmable and flexible. It
can be used in tandem with the main
receiver to monitor key incoming
information such as emergency or
dispatching data. The guard function
can be programmed to a specific
frequency by an operator in the
field.
The 10W main transceiver and
communication requirements, " Morelli said. " The
radio enables operators to receive dedicated emergency
channels and keep in touch with police or firefighting
teams on the ground, support services or other aircraft. "
The remotely mounted transceiver can communicate
with a control head in the cockpit or be configured with
software to operate in a glass cockpit.
AEM is a Transport Canada approved manufacturing
and maintenance organization. It makes an array of
aircraft communications systems as well as loudspeakers
and caution/warning panels and illuminated panels. It
holds an EASA Part 145 maintenance approval and is
ISO9001/AS9100D registered.
The company was formed 13
ORIGINALLY, AEM
DEVELOPED A MISSION
REMOTE TRANSCEIVER
FOR A SPECIFIC
APPLICATION FOR ONE
OF ITS CUSTOMERS,
LEONARDO, BUT THE
RECENT LAUNCH OF THE
MTR138 IS A VERSION
THAT IS CONFIGURABLE
FOR A WIDER VARIETY OF
AIRCRAFT APPLICATIONS.
years ago when Northern Airborne
Technology closed its manufacturing
operation in Kelowna, British
Columbia. A core group of
employees banded together to start
AEM to continue producing NAT
electrical components under license.
New avionics product work often
starts with a customer inquiry.
Embraer, for example, wanted
a warning bell system developed.
AEM proposed a different type of
design than Embraer had in mind to
the guard receiver make use of the latest in analog radio
technology to create a small 4.8-by-2.3-by-10.35-inch
unit that weighs only 4.3 pounds. The 138 to 174 MHz
FM VHF transceiver provides 128 channels with 10W
high to 1W low power output. Both 12.5 kHz and 25 kHz
bandwidths can be selected for each channel.
The MTR138 provides sub-audible signaling, CTCSS/
CDCSS capability with standard and extended tone
encoding and decoding. Transceiver control is provided
by an RS-422 interface bus and discrete signals.
The new radio's capabilities make it ideal for air
medical, air rescue, law enforcement and industry
helicopters, according to AEM. " It is compulsory for
operators flying over water to monitor the marine
band, and the MTR138 allows them to receive at 138
to 174 MHz without interfering with the other aircraft
54 avionics news * may 2023
reduce cost and risk. " We improved on what they thought
they needed while delivering on time and on budget, "
Weller said. AEM modified a COTS version of the
LSA400 loudspeaker amplifier and a TS150 loudspeaker
to be integrated with the C-390 military jet transport
aircraft's audio system. This supplied the needed audible
alerts in the aircraft's cargo compartment.
AEM also tackled a new mission radio project for a
fleet of government-owned Leonardo helicopters. It only
took 18 months to develop the new product for Leonardo,
which eventually became the start of AEM's mission
transceiver remote radio offering. A derivative of the
MTR138 is set to serve on hundreds of aircraft involving
different makes and models.
Today, more than 110 employees work in a new
40,000-square-foot AEM facility designed with expansion
Avionics News May 2023

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