Determining an electrical short in an aviation communication apparatus

An aviation communication apparatus for use in an airplane, the apparatus comprising:

• an audio signal receiver operable to receive audio signals from an audio source;
• a stereo jack operable to couple with a headset, wherein the received audio signals are output to the headset on a first communication channel;
• an electrical short indicator operable to provide an indication of an electrical short on the first communication channel;
• and
• an electrical short determining circuit coupled with the audio signal receiver, the stereo jack, and the electrical short indicator, the electrical short determining circuit configured to:
• provide a first voltage input, from a first voltage source, to the first communication channel,
• identify an electrical short on the first communication channel by comparing a voltage level of the first communication channel with respect to a reference voltage level of the first communication channel, and
• indicate the occurrence of an identified electrical short using the electrical short indicator.

A method of indicating an electrical short for an aviation communication apparatus, comprising:

• providing a first voltage input, from a first voltage source, to a first communication channel of a stereo jack for a headset;
• monitoring a voltage level of the first communication channel with respect to a reference voltage level of the first communication channel;
• determining that an electrical short has occurred on the first communication channel based on the monitoring;
• and
• indicating on the aviation communication apparatus that an electrical short has occurred on the first communication channel.